The Loudoun County Democratic Committee will present its Jefferson Jackson (JJ) Dinner on Friday, April 30 in the Grand Ballroom of the Lansdowne Resort. Sally Kurtz, Catoctin District supervisor, is host of the 2004 Jefferson Jackson Dinner. Serving as emcee for the evening is state Del. and Democratic Caucus Leader Brian Moran. Speakers include Lt. Gov. Timothy Kaine along with Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women and Kerry Donley, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia. Ticket and table purchase information are available online at www.lcdems.com. The program starts at 6 p.m.
Kelly Burk, a Loudoun County public school teacher, and local education and community leader, kicked off her campaign for Leesburg Town Council on Thursday, March 11. Former Senator Charles "Charlie" Waddell and former Leesburg Supervisor Mark Herring introduced Burk to over 30 people, including Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd and Leesburg Town Council member Marty Martinez, who attended the kickoff in the courtyard of the Municipal Government Center (Leesburg Town Hall) in Leesburg. Both Waddell and Herring endorsed Burk, praising her qualifications and accomplishments. In her remarks, Burk, who has lived in Leesburg with her husband and two sons for 25 years, discussed her goals to provide intelligent planning with transportation
considerations, saying she would oppose a plan to build a Western Bypass "that would so negatively impact Leesburg and its neighborhoods;" oppose new efforts for annexations; preserve the historic elements of downtown Leesburg; build "strong neighborhoods where people are safe, where children can play, and where bike paths make walking and riding safe and convenient," and provide open, responsive government. "At council level, we need to ensure that government is open, honest, efficient and responsive," Burk stated, "with no closed meetings, no secret deals."