Op-Ed
By Charles Houston Byne Rood was in the sunroom when her husband returned from his office. She had a wan smile and was still in barn clothes. “What’s up, Byne?” queried Robert. “You don’t look happy.” “I’m just puzzled. Maybe a bit irritated.” “’bout what?” “You know how much I’m trying to follow the new…
By The Board of Directors of Save Rural Loudoun Angry interventions at the County Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 1 demonstrate why the County must act soon to reduce projected residential growth in Loudoun’s rural areas. In that meeting, a dozen or so residents of the recently built rural subdivisions surrounding Lucketts bitterly protested…
We are opposed to the Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure’s SPEX-2021-0025 application to provide lighting for Scott Jenkins Memorial Park. We strongly disagree with the applicant’s statement that “The development of the site will not negatively impact the area in any unusual or significant way above or beyond what is normal for…
By Charles Houston We know many political -isms: conservatism, liberalism, libertarianism, progressivism, populism. To me, the paramount-ism is populism, as immortalized in Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: Government of the people, by the people, for the people … That dictum surely applies to local issues, especially regarding how land is used. Loudoun’s people should control how our…
By John P. Flannery There may be no zero carbon footprint but we still have it as an environmental goal. The next generation is working on how we attack carbon emissions – and, sometimes, it’s downright fun. This narrative begins with a young Landon Hughes, about 4 years of age, when with his Mom, Cameron…
By Charles Houston You Should Not Ignore Zoning I know, I know. Zoning sounds as dull as dirt. Put this in the proper context and you’ll see why it’s critically important. When it’s approved, the new zoning ordinance will govern how much Loudoun should grow, what it will look like, and whether western Loudoun will…
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has voted to approve new names for Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and John Mosby Highway (Route 50) within Loudoun County. The Board’s vote follows its September 2020 decision to inventory Confederate and segregationist symbols in the county, such as roads, buildings, markers and monuments, for renaming consideration. “People who supported…
That’s right, Loudoun County is planning to raise your Real Estate Taxes in July 2022 while reducing the taxes data centers pay. This is not my opinion but, planning guidance given to the County staff in preparation of the FY2023 Budget by the Board of Supervisors Finance Subcommittee. This plan was developed during two meetings,…
By Charles Houston Hallstatt, Austria is often listed as the world’s prettiest village. Hallstatt is small – 760 or so residents – and sits on a ledge where the towering Dachstein Massif plunges to the HallstatterSee. The 16-th century houses are quaint, built in Alpine style and with geranium-filled window boxes everywhere. Church spires, narrow…
By Charles Houston Do you like living in western Loudoun? I think you do, and I bet that question conjures images of virgin mountains, rolling pastures and quaint villages. Horses and cows. Corn and soybeans. Dogs and other pets. That’s just the visual appeal. Something else is more important – the people here truly form…