Op-Ed
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 Valerie Cury The divide in Purcellville is not between honest governance and corruption. It is between a majority fulfilling the will of the voters and a very well-connected political minority determined to reverse the outcome of an election. Purcellville is being portrayed as a town unraveling, plagued by misconduct and unprecedented corruption. Senator Russet…
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 Charles Houston This County-Loudoun Water idea faces near-unanimous opposition, based on survey results and even door-to-door canvassing. Almost every day some new and odious problem pops up. Most recently the groundwater crisis has sounded a countywide alarm. It’s a special problem for this County scheme. I’m finding it hard to write an update given…
By Michael Zuckerman While I admire and firmly support Abigail Spanberger’s forward leaning, detailed platform—to lower costs of healthcare, housing, and energy—it seems equally important that her candidacy promises to restore professional governance, ending the hazardous chaos generated by the grave political whims of the MAGA movement trickling down from Donald Trump’s unbridled childish need…
By Kathie Belrose-Ramey There’s a concept I’ve come to understand that finally gives language to the disorientation many of us have felt in recent years. It’s called a permission structure—the unwritten framework that tells people what they’re allowed to say, feel, or do without being punished or pushed out. It’s not just about laws or…
By Purcellville Mayor Chris Bertaut After the September 9 Town Council meeting, a wave of misinformation has spread—through social media, private forums, and public commentary—distorting what actually happened and misleading the public. This isn’t just political disagreement. It’s part of a broader, ongoing pattern. At the heart of this disruption is a deeper motive: to…