The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution at its Nov. 8 business meeting that would require all land-use applicants to fully disclose everyone involved with the application. The resolution would apply to all rezonings, special exception and special permit applications. The resolution passed 6-1-2 with Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) voting against and Supervisors Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) and Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run) absent for the vote.
Supervisor Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) asked at both the Oct. 12 and Oct. 17 board meetings that the resolution be placed on Wednesday's agenda.
"The primary reason is to have more transparency for us to learn and for the public who watches and participates in the public process to learn who it is we are dealing with," Burton said.
SUPERVISOR BRUCE E. Tulloch (R-Potomac) also asked the creation of a new sign-up sheet for all public hearings be drawn up so speakers must indicate not only if they are representing a group, but which special interest groups they belong to.
"I believe they are one and the same," he said.
Only Delgaudio said he did not support the disclosure resolution.
"I cannot require people to disclose all of the organizations they donate to," he said. "That list could be quite extensive."
Most Supervisors, however, said they believed that full disclosure would only help land-use applications' public process.
"This is simply putting transparency into the process," Chairman Scott K. York (I-At large) said. "And that's a good thing."
THE BOARD ALSO forwarded an ordinance that would require every person under the age of 14 to wear a helmet whenever riding or being carried on a bicycle or riding a motorized scooter. The item was forwarded to the public safety committee for discussion and input from the Sheriff's Office.
In 2001, the General Assembly gave local jurisdictions the authority to enact a bicycle helmet ordinance.
"I think it is something that is paramount to the safety of our youth," Supervisor Jim Clem (R-Leesburg), chair of the public safety committee, said. "I am of the belief that it saves a lot of lives and injuries."
"This will not only save lives, but quality of life," Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run), who proposed the ordinance, said.
Waters also encouraged adults to wear helmets when riding bicycles in order to set an example for the children of the county.
AS PART OF the consent agenda Supervisors approved a request from Loudoun Habitat for Humanity for $250,000. The money, which will come from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, will assist the nonprofit organization with building five affordable homes in Loudoun.
The money is contingent on the approval of all land development applications currently in process. The first payment of $100,000 will be given one month prior to the beginning of construction on the first house. The next $100,000 will be given after the first and second houses are complete. Habitat for Humanity will receive the final installation of $50,000 when the third and fourth houses are completed.
ROBIN GEIGER, community relations manager in the county's public information office, and members of the community committee presented the county's plans for its 250th anniversary celebration, which will be held May 14-19.
Geiger told the board that every department will be playing a role in the celebration, with the Treasurer's Office using the 250th anniversary logo on all 2006-2007 car decals.
In addition, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will be showcasing historical documents in the county's courthouse. The County Administrator's Office will be burying a time capsule and will have 250th anniversary items on sale in the county store.
A flag relay will be held by county employees from Alexandria to Leesburg and a public 5K race will be held at Claude Moore Park. The Heritage Farm Museum will host "Rare Breeds and Seeds" with the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. They will create a garden of heirloom vegetables and educational programs about foods from the past.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE will publish a yearbook of all of the county's 75 Sheriffs and will conduct an archeological dig at the site of the county's first jail. The office will also uncover a time capsule that was buried at the site of the current jail. The Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management will chronicle the history of all 17 volunteer fire departments in the county.
The major community celebration will be held May 19, which will include and East Meets West Walk on the W&OD Trail. Residents from the west side of the county and from the east side of the county will begin to walk from specific locations. The groups will meet in the middle of the county at the Douglass Community Center in Leesburg. The community celebration will also include historic bus tours throughout the county.
For more information about the plans for the county's 250th anniversary, visit www.loudoun.gov/anniversary.