<sh>Make Room for Independent?
<bt>Ashburn resident A.J. Wildman plans to announce his independent campaign Dec. 11 for President of the United States in the 2004 election.
"I'm an average person trying to do things that national politicians aren't getting done," said Wildman, 55, who considers himself to be an aggressive moderate. "Somebody's got to do something."
Wildman made the decision after writing a book on his hard drug proposal, a book which he expects to publish next year. Twenty years ago, he assigned himself a personal exercise to come up with a plan to get drugs off the streets and out of the country. "Part of the solution is full legalization of marijuana in the United States, but nothing else," he said, adding, "That's not the purpose of the program. That came up as part of what is acceptable to the public."
Wildman retired from the computer field industry last year. He has been living in Loudoun since 1984 and has a 16-year-old son at Broad Run High School. He plans to make his announcement starting at 7 p.m. at Harper Park Middle School in Leesburg. His web site is ajwildmanforpresident2004.org.
<sh>Driver Released on Bond
<bt>Sterling resident Larry Arnold was released on $15,000 bond Thursday after being arrested in a hit-and-run accident that killed a 33-year-old Sterling man, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Harold Francis Blewitt, III died Nov. 30 after the motor scooter he was riding was struck at about 2 a.m. on Sully Road, or Route 28, south of Nokes Boulevard. According to the Sheriff's Office, Arnold, who was driving a 1990 Ford Probe, hit the scooter from behind and left the scene, returning an hour later. He was charged with driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter and felony hit and run.
"Basically what he did was hit and run even though he came back. He left the scene of an accident," said Kraig Troxell, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office is still seeking witnesses and the case remains under investigation. Witnesses are accident are asked to contact deputy first class (DFC) Garis at 703-771-5798.
<sh>Composite of Robber Released
<bt>Investigators have released a composite sketch of a female wanted in connection with a robbery that occurred Monday, Dec. 1 in a home outside Neersville.
Shortly after 9:30 a.m. on that morning, the Sheriff's Office received a call from a 19-year-old female who says she walked downstairs when she saw a female subject in the dining room of the residence holding a gun. The suspect asked the victim for money.
The victim believes the suspect may have entered the residence, located in the 12900 block of Sagle Road, through an open garage door. The suspect then left the victim in an upstairs bathroom.
Members of the Sheriff's Office Patrol Division and a K9 unit searched the immediate area in an attempt to locate the suspect. The Sheriff's Office also received aerial support from the Fairfax County Police Department helicopter.
The suspect left the scene with a small amount of cash. It has not been determined whether she left the area on foot or in a vehicle.
The suspect is described as a white female in her late 20s with brown hair. She is said to be around 5 feet, 4 inches tall with a heavyset build. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a denim jacket, a white shirt and white shoes. She is also said to have a piercing above her left eye.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Investigator Grau of the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475.
<sh>Fatal Accident
<bt>A Woodbridge man was killed Dec. 3 on John Mosby Highway (Route 50) after the car he was riding in crashed into a dump truck.
Twenty-one-year-old Jimenez Hernandez, who was a front seat passenger in the car, was transported by ambulance to Fair Oaks Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of the vehicle, 38-year-old Gerardo Loma, also of Woodbridge was also taken to Fair Oaks Hospital where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The vehicle, a 1989 Nissan was traveling westbound on Route 50 when for reasons still under investigation the vehicle struck a 1994 Ford dump truck that was also heading westbound.
The driver of the dump truck, 36-year-old Derman Hernandez of Springfield was uninjured in the accident.
The accident, which remains under investigation by members of the Sheriff's Office Accident Reconstruction Unit, occurred just before 6 a.m. on Route 50 near the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road. A portion of westbound Route 50 was shutdown for almost two hours.
Witnesses to the accident are asked to contact DFC Garis of the Sheriff's Office Accident Reconstruction Unit at 703-771-5798.
This morning's fatal accident marks the twenty-third death on Loudoun's roadways this year.
<sh>Home Fire Called Accidental
<bt>The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office has determined that the early morning fire that destroyed a single-family home in Leesburg was accidental. The fire, which started in the garage, was a result of improperly discarded smoking materials. The damage was estimated at $350,000 to the home and three vehicles parked in the driveway.
Fire and rescue workers received a 911 call around 1:21 a.m. on Dec. 4 about the fire at 603 Patrice Drive in Leesburg. Four fire and rescue operations responded to the call, reporting that the home was fully involved upon arrival. No injuries were reported. The family of three who were displaced have been provided with temporary housing and assistance from the Red Cross.
<sh>County Hires Business Ambassador
<bt>Dorri O’Brien Morin joined the Department of Economic Development on Nov. 24 as its new business ambassador. She is assigned with providing outreach to targeted local, national and international businesses and selected economic development organizations.
“Dorri’s varied business experience, knowledge of the county and enthusiasm will be valuable assets in our efforts to serve Loudoun’s businesses," said Larry Rosenstrauch, department director.
Morin served in management positions with several area technology firms and has sales and marketing experience. A 26-year resident of Loudoun, she has existing connections to the community.
“I’ve known Dorri for over 20 years. She is intelligent and
energetic and she loves this county. She’s always been a go-getter — the perfect person to market the
virtues of basing a business in Loudoun,” said long-time local business owner, Tom Rose of Leo Construction.
“I look forward to partnering with the solid team already in place and adding my business experience and love for Loudoun County to their efforts," Morin said. "Having run a Loudoun-based business myself, I can’t think of a better place to encourage businesses to establish a presence.”
<sh>Finance Director Retires
<bt>M.E. "Mickey" Poole plans to retire Dec. 31 as the county's director of Financial Services after serving the county for 34 years.
"I am extremely sorry to be leaving the county organization, one that has grown into an immensely professional organization," said Poole, a Leesburg resident. "The growth and challenges that have faced the county over the last three-and-a-half decades certainly have made my job, both as an individual and as a department director, a very challenging and rewarding one. ... It is most difficult to leave a career after 34 years, especially when one loves what one does."
Poole plans "to savor my remaining years pursuing other life endeavors with my wife, family and friends," he said.
<sh>Allen's Representative in Loudoun
<bt>U.S. Senator George Allen's (R-Va.) regional representative for Northern Virginia, John Putney, will hold office hours on Thursday, Dec. 11, in Loudoun County.
Putney will be in Leesburg at the Loudoun County Government Center, Bluemont Room, 1 Harrison Street, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to discuss issues facing the area with constituents and to help anyone having problems with a federal agency. For more information, call Putney at 703-966-6036.
<sh>Route 28 Gets New Name
<bt>Route 28 in Loudoun County was named Darrell Green Boulevard Dec. 3 in a special ceremony.
Green, a 15-year resident of Loudoun County, helped youth and strengthened families through the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation, which was founded in 1988. He is a retired Washington Redskins defensive back, No. 28.
State Sen. William "Bill" Mims (R-33) sponsored a bill to name the section of roadway after Green, a bill that received unanimous support and was signed into law by Gov. Mark Warner (D).
<sh>Democrats to Hold Election
<bt>On Thursday, Dec. 18, the Loudoun County Democratic Committee (LCDC) will elect new officers as part of its reorganization for 2000-2006.
Seven candidates are currently vying to become the new leadership of the LCDC:
Chair: Gilbert Heiman, Blue Ridge District; Steven Deak, Catoctin District;
Vice chair: David Culbert, Blue Ridge District; Ray Pelletier, Leesburg District; David Kirsten, Leesburg District; Bob Moses, Broad Run District.
Treasurer: Jonathan Weintraub, Catoctin District.
The LCDC meeting will be held at the Balch Library in Leesburg at 7:30 p.m. Nominations for officers will also be taken from the floor at the meeting.
For more information about the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, visit the LCDC Web site at www.lcdems.com.
<sh>Meetings Postponed
<bt>The Dec. 6 orientation session for the incoming members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, because of the winter storm. The orientation will be held from 9 a.m. until noon at the School Board meeting room, 102 North Street, N.W., in Leesburg. The meeting will continue from 1-4 p.m. that afternoon in the Board of Supervisors' meeting room at 1 Harrison St., S.E., in Leesburg.
The Dec. 6 public input session on the Purcellville Urban Growth Area Management Plan (PUGAMP) has also been postponed. The session will be rescheduled at a time and date yet to be determined.
<sh>Meetings on Water Quality
<bt>State officials are seeking comments from Loudoun County residents on water quality issues affecting the Goose Creek, Limestone Branch and Piney Run watersheds at a series of upcoming public meetings.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation are asking for public comment on the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for stream segments designated as having impaired water quality. TMDL is a term that represents the total amount of pollutant a stream can receive and still meet water quality standards. The meeting schedule is as follows:
* Second and final public meeting for Goose Creek watershed benthic community impairment: Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., S.E. in Leesburg.
* First of two public meetings for Limestone Branch watershed bacteria impairment: Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road.
* First of two public meetings for Piney Run watershed bacteria impairment: Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Neersville Fire and Rescue building, 11762 Harpers Ferry Road (Route 671).
Written comments will also be accepted and should include the name, address and telephone number of the person submitting the comments and should be sent to Katherine E. Bennett, Department of Environmental Quality, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA, 22193.
Fact sheets on the development of these three TMDLs are available upon request from DEQ. For more information, contact Katherine Bennett of DEQ at 703-583-3896 or e-mail kebennett@deq.state.va.us. Additional information on the TMDL program is available from the DEQ website at www.deq.state.va.us/tmdl.
<sh>Library Public Charette
<bt>A public charette will be held on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. The meeting will offer an opportunity for public input concerning the forthcoming Rust Library expansion and renovation. Call 703-777-0541.
<sh>Post Office Hours
<bt>The Sterling post office, located at 46164 West Lake Drive, and the Leesburg post office, 25 Catoctin Circle, S.E., will be open Saturdays, Dec. 13 and 20, until 5 p.m. and on Sundays, Dec. 14 and 21, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The extended holiday hours are designed to help customers make their holiday mailing deadlines.
<sh>ABC Store Opening
<bt>The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is opening a new store Dec. 10, at 10 a.m., at the Broadlands Village Center, 43150 Broadlands Center Plaza, near the Safeway. Store hours will be Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during December. Beginning on Jan. 2, 2004, the store will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
<sh>LINK Holiday Program
<bt>LINK is asking for donations of non-perishable food items, $10-$25 grocery store gift certificates and new toys and gifts for children of all ages for needy families in the Herndon, Sterling and Ashburn areas. An estimated 350 families (1,500 people) are projected to receive Christmas Baskets this year.
LINK's annual Christmas Basket program kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 20 with events taking place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Christ the Redeemer Catholic in Sterling (groceries) and Herndon United Methodist in Herndon (toys and gifts).
Volunteers can register and families can qualify for groceries, food certificates and toys by calling the LINK Hot Line at 703-437-1776.
<sh>Broadlands Makes Donation Challenge
<bt>The Broadlands Regional Medical Center (BRMC) has made a $5,000 donation to Loudoun Interfaith Relief, Inc., a non-profit food pantry in Leesburg, and offers a friendly challenge to the Loudoun business community.
If businesses raise $5,000, BRMC will donate another $5,000 to Loudoun Interfaith Relief. The non-profit delivers groceries six days a week, providing a three-day supply of groceries twice a month to Loudoun residents. This year, the non-profit served 8,500 residents.
Questions about the challenge proposal or other opportunities to help can be directed to Dawn Miller, executive director of the non-profit, at 703-777-5911.
<sh>Probate Information Online
<bt>The Loudoun Circuit Court Clerk's Office has expanded the online information available about probate, allowing citizens to easily obtain information about the probate of wills and estates in Loudoun County. The information is available at www.loudoun.gov/clerk. It includes procedures, frequently asked questions, probate forms, a probate glossary and guardianship/conservator procedures.
<sh>County Web Site Updated
<bt>The Loudoun County Government Web site now features expanded information about the Department of Building and Development's environmental and water resource initiatives. Clicking on http://www.loudoun.gov/b&d/water.htm will bring up information about the department's efforts to monitor and protect Loudoun County's natural resources, as well as links to additional information.
The environmental initiatives include stream and groundwater monitoring conducted through the Water Resource Monitoring Program, wetlands mapping and inventory, forest resource evaluation, maintenance of the county's soil survey and creation of an Environmental Review Team to evaluate land development applications in regard to the county's environmental standards and conservation design techniques.
The new Web pages also include a look at plans for future environmental initiatives, including stream assessments and a comprehensive watershed management plan.
For more information about the environmental initiatives, contact Kelly Baty in the Department of Building and Development at 703-777-0397.
<sh>Applications for TEA-21 Funds
<bt>Loudoun County is accepting requests from individuals or organizations for 2004 funding from federal Transportation Act in 21st Century (TEA-21) program funds. Proposed projects must be directly related to transportation and fall under one or more of the following categories:
* Provision of facilities for bicycles and pedestrians
* Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists
* Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites
* Scenic or historic highway programs
* Landscaping and other scenic beautification
* Historic preservation
* Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities, including historic railroad facilities and canals
* Preservation of abandoned railway corridors including the conversion and use of corridors for pedestrian and bicycle trails
* Control and removal of outdoor advertising
* Archaeological planning and research
* Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality which maintaining habitat connectivity, and
* Establishment of transportation museums
County staff will review requests for TEA-21 funds in January with a public hearing on project submissions expected in February 2004, followed by Board of Supervisors approval of the recommended projects. The county will submit the final grant applications to the Commonwealth Transportation Board in March 2004.
Anyone interested in submitting a new project request for TEA-21 funds must complete an application form, which may be obtained from Paul Brown in the Department of Management Services at 703-777-0539.
The requests for funding should be sent to Paul Brown, Loudoun County Department of Management Services, P.O. Box 7000, 1 Harrison St., S.E. Leesburg, VA, 20177. The deadline for new applicant submissions is Dec. 31, 2003.
Prior year applicants and grant recipients are not required to participate in the application process for funding consideration. Separate instructions for prior year applicants and grant recipients will be mailed directly to the organization or individual contact person.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded TEA-21 funds to several Loudoun County projects in 2003, including a multi-use trail from Purcellville to Round Hill, the Goose Creek Bridge and Waterford scenic easement projects.