Opinion
Dear Editor: I am writing this letter to recognize and express my thanks for the excellent work that is being done, behind the scenes at a couple of our local schools. My family and I have seen two generations, our children and recently our grandchildren pass through Blue Ridge Middle School and Waterford Elementary School.…
Dear Editor: In the June 2026 issue of the Blue Ridge Leader & Loudoun Today, there was an article titled “Unlimited Events Debate Exposes Rural Divide at Special BOS Meeting.” It reported on the “two competing visions of rural life” listing them as winery-brewery owners needing private events to survive/thrive and areas residents who are…
By Charlie Houston Nope, that’s not the cost of three new Loudoun County high schools (which would be more than that.) It’s not County spending for six weeks. Nope, IT’s MINE. Yep, it’s all mine. Thank you, Mega Millions. Charlie Houston won! While the prize was broadcast at $1.5 billion, that’s not how it works. …
By David Verhey, President, Friends of Paxson-Airmont The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors recently voted to advance Supervisor Caleb Kershner’s (Catoctin) pro-industry zoning framework to expand event-based commercial activity in western Loudoun. County staff will now draft the ordinance changes needed to implement it. The Board approved the plan despite strong opposition from western Loudoun…
Dear Editor: The Town of Purcellville is facing a difficult but unavoidable reality: utility rates must rise if we are serious about addressing the 21st century water infrastructure challenges facing Western Loudoun County. For many years, Purcellville was able to keep water rates artificially low because of unusually favorable economic conditions. Following the 2008 recession and again…
Dear Editor: The residents of Loudoun County both East and West are about to see our Mountainsides become the next developer profit center. I join in support of those who are desperately trying to avert this tragedy. But this time instead of using my own words I quote what the County Plans used to say…
Support a Virginia DEQ Groundwater Management Area for Loudoun Dear Editor: In April, the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition (LCPCC) and sponsoring organizations (Loudoun Watershed Watch, Loudoun’s Future, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Piedmont Environmental Council, and Save Rural Loudoun) held three public meetings about western Loudoun’s groundwater resources, with over 300 residents attending. The meetings…
By David Verhey, President, Friends of Paxson-Airmont Supervisor Caleb Kershner (Catoctin) is advancing a proposal to remove key limits on so-called “agri-business” uses in rural Loudoun, allowing effectively unlimited event activity with real consequences for nearby residents and family farms. Kershner’s industry-favored concept reflects a broader push to commercialize rural Loudoun at the expense of…
Dear Editor: The proposed Valley Commerce Center applicant requests approval to pump 43,680 gallons of groundwater per day (gpd). During the April 15 Public Hearing on this project, the applicant’s team suggested that household use of water by the 39 by-right homes that might be built on this property would be higher than the proposed project…