July 31, 2002
<sh>Loudoun Sued for Fair Housing Act Violations
<bt>A federal Fair Housing Act complaint was filed July 23 in the federal district court against Loudoun County, its Board of Supervisors and Scott York, Eleanore Towe, William Bogard, James Burton, Chuck Harris, Drew Hiatt, Mark Herring and Sally Kurtz. Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio's name was not included in the list.
Jama Abdi Liban, who works in but says he is unable to obtain an affordable home in Loudoun, filed the complaint.
The complaint claims that the county's "exclusionary housing and zoning scheme is intended to and has the effect of perpetuating the current racially discriminatory pattern in Loudoun County," as stated in a press release from Marzulla & Marzulla Attorneys at Law in Washington, D.C., the law firm representing Liban. "Through these exclusionary policies, Loudoun County and the Board of Supervisors have intentionally restricted the availability of affordable housing throughout the county and have segregated minorities into one enclave."
The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the "exclusionary" zoning policies and practices of the county and the Board of Supervisors, particularly the revised General Plan, as stated in the press release.
"Those that oppose growth management and good fiscal management come in many stripes," said Chairman Scott York (R-At Large) in a separate interview. "I'm sure at the end of the day it will prove to be another frivolous lawsuit."
County attorney John Roberts and Nancie Marzulla, press contact for Marzulla & Marzulla, could not be reached by press time.
<sh>Wal-Mart Receives Bomb Threat
<bt>An unidentified male subject called in a bomb threat at the Sterling Wal-Mart on July 28, claiming a bomb was in the store.
At 8:16 p.m., the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office was called to the 45400 block of Dulles Crossing Plaza. After the deputies arrived, the evening manager decided to evacuate the store while the area was searched. The store remained closed for one-and-a-half hours.
The Sheriff's Office explosives K-9 team searched the store and located nothing suspicious. Forty minutes later, the Sheriff's Office was called back at 10:23 p.m. when employees noticed a suspicious briefcase in one of the aisles of the store. The Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad was dispatched to the scene and found the briefcase was not an explosive device.
"They do occur. It's not something out of the ordinary," said Kraig Troxell, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office, referring to bomb threats. "But post-Sept. 11, everyone's more leery about them than they were before."
Criminal investigators are investigating the incident. No suspects or motives have been identified at this point. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Investigator Grau at 703-777-4750.
<sh>Dog Sought in June 26 Biting
<bt>Loudoun County officials are searching for a dog involved in a biting incident that occurred at approximately 9 p.m. on June 26 in the area of N. Cottage Road and Howard Place in Sterling.
A 19-year-old male was walking on a bike path when he encountered a dog walking with its owner. The dog attacked, causing a puncture wound on the victim's right calf.
The woman walking the dog was described as a white female in her 50s with shoulder length blonde hair, and being about 5'5" of medium build. The dog is described as a black shepherd type, with medium to long fur and erect ears.
Anyone with information relating to this case should contact Officer A.T. Smith of Loudoun County Animal Control at 703-777-0406.
<sh>Bicycle and Walking Committee Hosts First Meetings
<bt>The newly formed Loudoun County Citizens Advisory Committee for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan will hold its initial set of meetings on July 31 and Aug. 1.
The July 31 meeting will consist of a presentation by Dan Burden, an authority on bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Lovettsville Room of the County Government Center, at 1 Harrison St. in Leesburg.
The meeting on Aug. 1 will involve a field tour of the county from 6-9 p.m. Committee members will depart from the County Government Center to look at existing conditions for bicycling and walking. Burden will lead this tour as well. The exact route to be traveled will be determined at the July 31 meeting.
<sh>Chamber's Board Chairman to Stay
<bt>Board Chairman Mark Stavish plans to continue serving through his one-year term on the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, a term that ends Dec. 31.
Stavish retired from America Online Incorporated (AOL) in early July after working for the company for nearly eight years, according to the Chamber. He was executive vice-president of human resources.
"He's involved in a lot of different projects in the community, the Chamber being one of them," said Randy Collins, Chamber president, adding that Stavish plans to stay in the area. Stavish, who lives in Leesburg, is on vacation in the Outer Banks, N.C., at least through this week, Collins said.
AOL did not return phone calls by press time.
"AOL indicated it will still stay involved in the Chamber," Collins said.
<sh>Two Charged in Sterling Home Invasion
<bt>Loudoun County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a possible home invasion on Thursday, July 25 at approximately 4:48 p.m.
Arriving at the 7600 block of Comer Square, deputies learned two suspects had been allowed into a home with two juvenile females who were acquaintances of the victim who resided at the house. Once inside, they began demanding money and/or drugs as payment for giving the girls a ride to the house. At one point, the suspects demanded everyone sit down and one of them monitored the victims as the other went through the house.
The victims, who were all juveniles, told deputies one of the suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash from them and that one of the suspects waived a knife in a threatening manner.
A short time later, the suspects then forced their way into a second home along Comer Square. Upon entry, one of the suspects, identified as Fritz Germain, 18, of Sterling, assaulted one of the juvenile victims. The second suspect, a 17-year-old male, also from Sterling, assaulted a second juvenile victim. During this time one of the victims left the residence and went to a neighbor's house to dial 911.
Responding to the call, Loudoun Sheriff's deputies located two black males, who fit the description of the suspects, sitting in a vehicle along Comer Square. As a result of the investigation Germain has been charged with robbery and abduction and is currently being held at the Adult Detention Center on $3,000 bond. The juvenile suspect has also been charged with robbery and abduction and has been released into the custody of his guardian.
<sh>Information Sought in Home Invasion
<bt>On Saturday July 27, at approximately 8:12 p.m., Loudoun County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a home invasion in the 43200 block of Edgartown Street in South Riding.
On arrival, the deputies learned that five Hispanic males had allegedly forced their way into the home. According to investigators, three juveniles and an adult baby-sitter were downstairs when they heard loud noises coming from the second floor. When they went upstairs to investigate, they were sprayed with pepper spray and locked in the bathroom. An adult female who had been in the master bedroom then came out to find one of the suspects holding one of the juvenile victims. She went to the window and began screaming for help. One of the suspects grabbed her from behind and took her and her baby downstairs and locked them in the bathroom as well.
A short time later, an adult male who resides at the house came home and allegedly had a gun put to his face. He was then struck from behind and when he fell, was kicked and sprayed with pepper spray. The suspects then duct taped his hands behind his back and demanded money.
The suspects told the adult female to exit the bathroom and asked her for money. The suspects left the scene in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of money and valuables and a gun.
The Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division is seeking help from the public regarding this case. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Investigator Fognano at 703-777-0475.
<sh>Girl Escapes Abduction Attempt
<bt>A 16-year-old Sterling girl escaped an abduction attempt on June 21, as she reported to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.
At 8:45 p.m., the girl reported a male subject grabbed her from behind as she was leaving the Dulles Town Center and forced her into a sport utility vehicle in the parking lot near the mall's main entrance.
The girl was able to escape from the vehicle a short time later without injury, she reported. She described the subject as a white stocky-built male 30-35 years old who is six feet tall and has brown eyes and dark-colored hair. The subject has a tattoo on the upper left portion of his arm, according to the description.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Investigator Gonzales at 703-777-0475.
<sh>McLean Firm Grants Oatlands Extension
<bt>Oatlands Plantation has worked out a three-month extension of time on the closing date with Konterra Elm Street, L.C. to purchase 67 acres of meadow and woodland adjoining the National Trust property.
Through its fundraising campaign, Oatlands has received funds and pledges of $1,575,000 to date.
The McLean developer, Konterra Elm Street, L.C., who owns the land, has agreed to extend the closing date until the first week of October to allow Oatlands additional time to secure the necessary funds. Konterra Elm Street set a purchase price below the appraised value of the parcel, lowered the initial deposit request and extended the closing date to allow Oatlands time to come up with the money.
When Oatlands realized the land had been sold, the developer had already obtained approval for a 19-unit subdivision within view of Oatlands' main house and gardens. An additional $565,000 minimum is still needed to be able to finalize the land purchase and ensure that the property will have the care and maintenance necessary to make it available for public use.
Oatlands Plantation, a 261-acre rural historic site, is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is operated by Oatlands, Inc. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is Loudoun County's leading historic tourist destination.
<sh>Literacy Council Receives $75,000 Donation
<bt>The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation contributed $75,000 on Tuesday to the Loudoun Literacy Council to support the continuing efforts of the Claude Moore Center for Family Literacy in Loudoun County. The foundation made public the donation at a breakfast at the Tuscarora Mill in Leesburg.
The Claude Moore Center for Family Literacy provides literacy enrichment services, such as classroom reading and parenting education, to preschoolers and their families enrolled in Loudoun's Head Start and STEP (Starting Toward Excellence in Preschool) programs.
<sh>Borger Appointed to Purchasing Council
<bt>Tina M. Borger, manager of Purchasing and Support Services for the Loudoun County Government, has been appointed to serve on the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing's (NIGP) Supplier Partnership Council. The appointment of Borger, a certified public purchasing officer, was made by Steven Gordon, president of NIGP.
Borger will serve as one of the three NIGP members on the Supplier Partnership Council. The council is composed of representatives from the supplier community who came together to promote knowledge-sharing opportunities between government buyers and suppliers that enhance public procurement. NIGP, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to helping governments manage tax dollars wisely, has 2,300 governmental agency numbers representing more than 14,000 individual public managers and buyers.
<sh>Troy Lee Davis Dies
<bt>Troy Lee Davis of Manassas died at the age of 46 on July 23, 2002 at Loudoun Hospital. Davis was born on Oct. 14, 1955 to the late Ike Davis and Ballard Davis. Troy is survived by his long-time companion, Leslie Ann Perry of Manassas; three children LaMara Anissia Davis, LaMont Aaron Davis, and La Vale Williams Davis; sister Sharon Davis-Mason; niece Samia Hudson; nephew Randall Hudson Jr.; cousin Joy Easley; and godmother LaVora Young.
Davis worked for the AirBus Company and had served eight years in the United States Army. The wake and funeral were held on Tuesday, July 30 at Heritage Fellowship UCC in Reston. Donations may be sent to Gene Pinkey at Lyles Funeral Service, 630 South 20th Street, P.O. Box 397 or call 800-388-1913.