Opinion

Speckles is one lucky rooster

June 30, 2021

By Joe Lafiandra I read everything, which include obscure legal notices in local and national papers. Most people aren’t interested in these notices of abandoned bicycles, foster care plans or Virginia ABC license approvals. I have actually found money for other people in those lists of unclaimed funds. I just can’t help it but, I…

Youngkin listens and cares

June 21, 2021

Dear Editor: A few days ago, I met Glenn Youngkin, who is running for Governor of Virginia. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “Paige, tell me what’s on your heart?” An unusual question for a politician, but not for a neighbor or friend— which makes sense since Glenn is not a career politician. Glenn,…

Loudoun County teacher enters the woke zone

June 9, 2021

Dear Editor: The Loudoun County School Board’s decision to place elementary school teacher Tanner Cross on administrative leave for refusing to use preferred pronouns for any transgender children in his classes has sparked a cultural firestorm, leaving many bewildered, including myself.  So, I reached out to my longtime friend, mentor, and spiritual advisor, Elmer Grapsuckle,…

Now Hiring: Work In Loudoun this summer and beyond

June 3, 2021

Looking for a summer job? Thousands of high-paying seasonal jobs and long-term employment opportunities are currently open with Loudoun businesses, just as COVID-19 mitigation measures have been lifted across the Commonwealth. Search the largest collection of publicly listed positions at Biz.Loudoun.gov/LoudounJobs. Loudoun Economic Development offers a suite of services through its Work In Loudoun initiative that…

The Morality of Housing

June 2, 2021

By Charles Houston I called actor Eddie Murphy. “Eddie, this is Charlie Houston in Virginia. How’re you doing, guy?” “Do I know you?” he answered. “Not yet, but I want your help,” I said. Eddie was unsure but polite. “How can I help you?” “Well, Eddie, we want to move to Beverly Hills near you…

The continuing small-town power struggle in Purcellville

June 2, 2021

-View from the Ridge- In the ongoing saga about how big Purcellville should get, what residents old and new want to preserve – or tear down, and how to keep taxes low and economic productivity high, yet another power struggle is bubbling up. Mayor Kwasi Fraser, who enjoys overwhelming citizen support, has for years methodically…

In Opposition of the PRO Act

June 2, 2021

By Grafton deButts One of the greatest threats to America’s economic recovery and future growth is currently being debated in Congress. The PRO Act, a bill which seeks to undermine workers’ rights to privacy and free association, would create a one-size-fits-all rewrite of labor laws in 50 states, hurting workers across the United States, including…

Middleburg opposes 185-ft tall cell tower

May 27, 2021

Loudoun County School Board: Brenda Sheridan, Chair; Atoosa Reaser, Vice-Chair; Denise Corbo, At-Large Member; Harris Mahedavi, Ashburn District; Ian Serotkin, Blue Ridge District; Leslee King, Broad Run District; John Beatty, Catoctin District; Jeff Morse, Dulles District; Beth Barts, Leesburg District: Dear Madam Chair and Members of the Loudoun County School Board, I am writing on…

We need a distributed energy system

May 20, 2021

Dear Editor: The May 7 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline reveals challenges not only to the U.S. cyber defenses, but also to the vulnerability of our energy system. A centralized system for delivering fossil fuels, generating electricity, and for distributing electricity is not secure. This ransomware attack reveals just one of many potential weaknesses. A distributed energy…

St. Louis is under threat

May 13, 2021

Dear Editor: The village of St Louis is under threat. We need help from the Board of Supervisors. The subdivisions that are in the plan would increase the housing numbers in the community by 30 percent, and the current zoning could double the houses in the community.  We would suffer from many negative impacts. If…