Opinion
By Charles Houston July 8, 2026 (AP) Elon Musk today opened his hand and revealed a small, glistening 8-sided object, an octahedron, a prototype high-density data storage device which he named a “MegaServe.” According to Musk, each MegaServe holds up to 640 petabytes of data, 50% more data than is held in all the servers…
Dear Editor: A recent readers’ poll in a local paper asked: “What should be the Board of Supervisors’ top priority in the last six months of their term?” The most common response, by far, was that the Board should “stop approving new development.” According to County data, more than 900 new houses will be built…
By Robert A. Pollard As they proliferate across our county, it’s worth asking if data centers are truly manna from heaven—or is Loudoun living its own version of The Little Shop of Horrors? In the 1986 movie, a little plant mutates into a carnivorous monster shouting “Feed me!” as it thirsts for more and more…
By Adam Stevenson Walking Orchard Lane, or Nursery Avenue, or 32nd Street, or G Street, or any of the town’s old streets around dusk, and especially in the summer, is a meditation. The landscape to the west gently rolls up toward the Blue Ridge, and the sunset plays over a set piece of deep blue…
By Kwasi Fraser, Former Mayor of Purcellville A recent editorial in a local newspaper highlighted the vital importance of our town’s utility infrastructure, a sentiment that resonates with all residents of the esteemed Town of Purcellville. However, the editorial insinuated that we have been seeking elusive magic bullet solutions and intentionally keeping rates artificially low. The…
Dear Editor: Beware of politicians who resist embracing innovation and instead claim that our town’s financial challenges stem solely from a lack of revenue. These politicians offer only one solution to their manufactured revenue problem: raising water and sewer fees, even when citizens are already curtailing their usage. Additionally, they prefer burdening our citizens with…
By Charles Houston (Disclaimer: Characters mentioned here are fictional and do not reference any real person.) Appenzell is Switzerland’s most rural and traditional canton. Its best tradition is the annual parade of dairy cows up to Alpine pastures in the spring and back down in the fall. Its second-most appealing tradition is pure democracy, which…
By Kwasi Fraser I would like to express my appreciation for the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors’ efforts in adopting the 2023 Loudoun County Energy Strategy, which undoubtedly holds great promise for our community. However, I find the recent decision by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to explore landfill gas (LFG) as an energy…
By Charles Houston At the end of 1996 I bought a tumble-down, hardscrabble farm near Waterford. It was to be just a weekend place, after some basic renovations: About $3,000 to rid the house of termites. A similar amount to remove trash and junk from the house and barns. More to change kitchen counters, and…
Dear Editor: I have served in law enforcement for more than 35 years, and as the chief of police in the Town of Middleburg for the past 11 years. I have also been the police chief in three other jurisdictions, and work as a consultant for police departments across the commonwealth. Additionally, in 2021 and…