Opinion
Dear Senator Perry, Thank you for taking an active interest in our Town. I was grateful that you traveled from Richmond to speak at our recent Town Council meeting. I am writing to strongly encourage you to follow through on your commitment to help Purcellville. My wife Becky and I have lived in Purcellville since…
By Lloyd Harting In July of 2025 Purcellville Town Manager Kwasi Fraser and Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett were arrested and each was criminally charged by the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney with one felony charge of violating Code of Virginia Section 59.1-68.1 (Combinations to Rig Bids) and one felony charge of violating Code of…
The Ratchet and the Economy By Charlie Houston Old fashioned car jacks are ratchets: They allow continued upward movement, but downward movement will be one slow notch at a time. That tool lends its name to an economics concept called, naturally, the ratchet effect: Prices can rise quickly in inflationary times, but fall slowly. That’s…
Dear Editor, I notice that the issues behind the catastrophe in Purcellville and the coming debacle in Paeonian Springs and Waterford arise from the same terrible policy. That is, to overbuild a major utility service in anticipation of substantial future growth. Which, in turn, actually creates that growth by raising costs hugely for current users,…
By Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett After a two decade career in national security positions with the Secret Service, the CIA, and the Department of Defense, holding an active TS//SCI security clearance throughout, followed by a second career as a small town cop with the Purcellville Police Department—graduating first in class from the Northern Virginia…
Dear Editor; I notice that the issues behind the catastrophe in Purcellville and the coming debacle in Paeonian Springs and Waterford arise from the same terrible policy. That is, to overbuild a major utility service in anticipation of substantial future growth. Which, in turn, actually creates that growth by raising costs hugely for current users,…
Dear Editor: Here in Western Loudoun, we are reckoning with our effect on the water table and its remaining resources. The Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition recently published a groundwater study which found that the water table has decreased between 10 and 40 feet over the past 20 years. We already feel some of…
By Joe LaFiandra Most people are not fully aware of the danger of injury or death from falling trees in Western Loudoun. Before your eyes glaze over and say “Another thing to worry about” consider the following deaths from falling trees in Loudoun County: St. Francis de Sales Church pastor, Michael Kelly, in Hamilton, in…
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…