Op-Ed

The Ratchet and the Economy By Charlie Houston Old fashioned car jacks are ratchets: They allow continued upward movement, but downward movement will be one slow notch at a time. That tool lends its name to an economics concept called, naturally, the ratchet effect: Prices can rise quickly in inflationary times, but fall slowly. That’s…

By Joe LaFiandra Most people are not fully aware of the danger of injury or death from falling trees in Western Loudoun. Before your eyes glaze over and say “Another thing to worry about” consider the following deaths from falling trees in Loudoun County:  St. Francis de Sales Church pastor, Michael Kelly, in Hamilton, in…

By Senator Dick Black (Ret.) The trial of Kwasi Fraser is not about him—it is an epic battle over lucrative land deals. Back when slow growth struggles dominated county politics, a majority on the Purcellville town council planted a time bomb that was designed to eventually force voters to accept high-density development inside expanded town…

By Charlie Houston Zeus directed that Pandora be created as Earth’s first human female. He imbued her with many fine attributes—beauty, intelligence, grace and so forth. Zeus, like many Greek gods, enjoyed stirring up earthly trouble and watching the ensuing spectacles. In Pandora’s case, he also gave her a deep curiosity. He sent her a…

By John Ellis Save Rural Loudoun is a non-partisan, community-based organization focused on local issues that matter to citizens of all political persuasions, including preserving Loudoun’s farms and farmland and protecting its natural resources. In the past, we have not endorsed candidates for public office out of concern that it might be perceived as showing…

By Lisa Harcrow Have you enjoyed the last four years in Virginia with record breaking job growth, year over year surpluses, and record economic investments? If so, vote for Geary Higgins. Or, would you like to go back four years … with closed schools, churches and businesses, a wrecked economy, a failing education system, mask…

By Al Van Huyck One advantage, or perhaps disadvantage, of having lived in Loudoun County for 36 years many of which have been devoted to sustaining the quality of life and preserving the unique assets of the County, is you remember the lost battles. In 1991 Loudoun was largely green fields, productive farms, and hosted…

By John Lovegrove, Chairman, Loudoun’s Future PAC Clean, reliable water is something most of us take for granted. In western Loudoun, that assumption is no longer guaranteed. A new groundwater study from the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition confirms what many residents and farmers have already experienced: our wells, springs, and ponds are drying…