Op-Ed
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…
View from the Ridge There’s a special election in Purcellville on Nov. 2. The choice for voters – how to fill the Town Council seat vacated by Ted Greenly. Erin Rayner, who lost a Town Council bid in 2020, is running against Sean MacDonald. Whoever wins will complete a short Town Council term ending in…
View from the Ridge Just when you thought the fight to retain Purcellville’s small-town character couldn’t get more urgent, it does. In a special election on Nov. 2 voters will decide whether to protect Mayor Kwasi Fraser’s agenda of lower taxes, slow growth, innovative solutions, and infrastructure improvements. Or to grow, grow, grow, which we…
By Charles Houston I’m on the Zoning Ordinance Committee, which is helping craft a new zoning ordinance for the county. The old ordinance is 23 years old and 1,004 pages. Frankly, I think it’s fine, but that’s my retrograde opinion, and now I’m fully immersed in the rewrite process for the new ordinance. At our…
Homestay Home Occupation Permits are now available to Town of Leesburg residents who wish to make their homes short-term rental properties. In October 2020, the Leesburg Town Council adopted its homestay rental ordinance. The Code of Virginia § 15.2-983 defines a short-term rental as “the provision of a room or space that is suitable or…
By Charles Houston Byne Rood was catching up on emails late in the day when her husband Robert returned from work with his usual “Hey, babe.” “Hey yourself,” she returned his greeting and then added. “What’s that smirk on your face?” Robert grinned, “I had a brilliant idea!” “You always have good ideas, so what’s…
By Joe Lafiandra I read everything, which include obscure legal notices in local and national papers. Most people aren’t interested in these notices of abandoned bicycles, foster care plans or Virginia ABC license approvals. I have actually found money for other people in those lists of unclaimed funds. I just can’t help it but, I…
By Charles Houston I called actor Eddie Murphy. “Eddie, this is Charlie Houston in Virginia. How’re you doing, guy?” “Do I know you?” he answered. “Not yet, but I want your help,” I said. Eddie was unsure but polite. “How can I help you?” “Well, Eddie, we want to move to Beverly Hills near you…