Opinion
By Purcellville Mayor Chris Bertaut After the September 9 Town Council meeting, a wave of misinformation has spread—through social media, private forums, and public commentary—distorting what actually happened and misleading the public. This isn’t just political disagreement. It’s part of a broader, ongoing pattern. At the heart of this disruption is a deeper motive: to…
By John Ellis A core principle of public service is that officials should not personally profit from the decisions they make in office. In the early 2000s, the then head of Loudoun’s Planning Commission voted to approve development applications submitted by a firm from which he received substantial personal business. In 2004, a former County…
By Charlie Houston Yes, this is all about me, from way back when to today. About fifteen years ago I was walking my horse to let him—and myself—cool down after a riding lesson, when my trainer said, “You live an interesting life.” I just smiled but that’s been on my mind ever since. A few…
Dear Editor: A core principle of public service is that officials should not personally profit from the decisions they make in office. In the early 2000s, the then head of Loudoun’s Planning Commission voted to approve development applications submitted by a firm from which he received substantial personal business. In 2004, a former County supervisor…
By Delegate Geary Higgins It’s widely known that politics can be a dirty game, but outright lies and libel are entirely unacceptable. You may disagree with me on some issues, and I may disagree with you as well, but at the end of the day, we are fighting for what we believe is right. We…
By Charlie Houston Those words popped into my head one morning with a poetic ring—love, death, autumn’s crisp days, tenderness. They seemed rich with meaning. Maybe they could even make me rich and famous. I tried turning them into a song, scribbling stanzas without music to guide me. My wife said that couldn’t work. A…
Dear Editor: That’s the name of a 2021 Sci-Fi movie where two insignificant astronomers spot a comet on a trajectory to hit the Earth. No one believes them until the threat becomes real. I feel I am in a similar movie right here in Loudoun County. I am not talking about a comet hitting the…
Dear Editor: If Congress doesn’t act soon to extend federal health care tax credits, 350,000 Virginians could lose access to affordable health insurance. That includes the hardworking individuals who power our small businesses, whether they provide child care, repair our vehicles, or keep our homes clean. I’m the President and CEO of You’ve Got Maids…
Dear Editor: We write as concerned, longtime homeowners living near 19211 Silcott Springs Road in Purcellville, which is the subject of a pending Special Exception LEGI-2024-0014, SPEX 2024-0028 request to operate a 15-dog daycare and kennel 24/7. We oppose this special exception. Our neighborhood is not composed of large agricultural parcels but rather a rural…
By Delegate Geary Higgins You’ve probably heard the phrase “parental rights” a lot lately. Maybe you’ve even seen it dismissed by pundits, the school board, or activists as some kind of dog whistle. But here’s the truth: there’s nothing extreme about believing that moms and dads—not bureaucrats, not activists, and certainly not politicians—should be the…