Opinion
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…
This piece is the opinion of the author. By Joe LaFiandra We are in the midst of a massive government sponsored cover-up over the killing of Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt. As most of you know, she was shot and killed by a Capital Police lieutenant (identified as Michael Byrd) as she tried to pass…
Dear Editor: On Sept. 14, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors will make an important decision regarding the proposed AT&T tower to be built on the ridgeline of the Short Hill. By voting to deny this tower the Board of Supervisors has an opportunity to reinforce the policies of the Loudoun 2019 Comprehensive Plan and…
Dear Editor: On July 22, Loudoun County BOS Chair Phyllis Randall tweeted that people who are unvaccinated against COVID should “have your living will and funeral plans in order.” What an irresponsible, anti-science statement. Chair Randall should apologize for spreading misinformation. Let’s consider the facts. First point: CDC data—as of early August, the Loudoun County…
Dear Editor, I recently saw a July 23 tweet from Loudoun County BOS Chair Phyllis Randall that said, “Some people think equity means taking from some to give to others. It doesn’t, equity means offering everyone the same opportunities to succeed and thrive. For that to happen we must first dismantle the racist systems that…
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…
By Joe LaFiandra You may not realize it, but you are in a real-life episode of a Seinfeld sitcom—The Shower Head. The show characters were upset because of the limited water flow from recently installed shower heads in their building. Yes, in real life, the Federal Government has also recently reinstituted the water flow requirements…
Dear Editor: When a casual conversation with my neighbor became a heated one on the topic of critical race theory, the iconic words of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) came to mind, “O People, your Lord is One, you are the progeny of the same father…it is not permissible for you to…
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…