Thank God for concerned citizen activists. There is a very committed group of people collecting information on the boneheaded over-priced purchase by LCPS of the developer-owned Cangiano Wheatland Farm site for a ridiculously extravagant three school mega-plex. This deal may very well turn out to be the nail in the coffin of a good many political and administrative careers. A guest post with some initial information follows. I’ve been too busy to give this much attention lately, but will now be focusing on it more. If this stupid deal infuriates you as much as it does most other people familiar with it, be sure to show up at the upcoming public hearing Wednesday at 6:30 at Lovettsville Elelmentary.
From reading this contract with Mr. Cangiano, the County appears to be COMMITTED to buy the Wheatland Farm property BEFORE a Special Exception or Commission permit (and associated public) process has even been scheduled. Has the School Board ever entered a contract like this where school bonds are used to buy land that hasn’t been approved for schools? Under what SPECIFIC conditions will the County be able to walk away from this contract? What will happen to our bond ratings when investors hear the School Board is speculating on land without first obtaining permit approvals?
Vlad signed an engineering contract valued at $26,500 for engineering studies at the Danner site. On 12/13/07 LCPS’ consultant prepared a preliminary design/cost for a new 2500′ roadway to take Morrisonville Rd south of the town to access the Danner property. Of the Lovettsville sites included in the list of 15 sites LCPS alleges were considered that are posted here http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=542279&C=91051 , ONLY the Miller site was even remotely evaluated. ALL other serious evaluations conducted since 2005 centered on the Wheatland area. Lovettsville sites were NEVER serious contenders for these schools. Here’s proof from LCPS’ vault that required spending over $1000 to obtain by FOIA:
The Miller’s agent sent two letters to LCPS dated 11/2/05 and 1/4/06 indicating their interest in selling, with the second offering it for $28,846/acre ($4.5 plus rollback taxes paid). Dr. Adamo’s VERY FIRST letter to Mr.and Mrs. Miller dated 1/26/06 states, “As you know the School Board does have the authority to exercise the power of emminent domain to acquire the property for school purposes” not once but TWICE in the 1-page letter. Dr. Adamo’s last negotiation letter dated 6/28/06 stated that LCPS has determined that the market value for that 156-acre site was $4M ($25,641). Mr. Miller’s agent responded back twice on 7/11/06 and 8/10/06, but LCPS never responded in writing. By that time LCPS had already signed a contract with Mr. Grubb in March 2006 for his 101-acres in Wheatland for $40,000 per acre and on 2/13/06 sent a letter of intent to purchase to the Rackams’s 99-acre property on the west side of 287 for $5.6M ($56,000/acre). The Miller/Park flip option would have provided one site for a middle and high school for $4.6M that would have been consistent with the County’s Plan to site facilities in or near Towns, afforded pedestrian access to hundreds of children, saved taxpayers bundles on land, allowed the schools to be on water and sewer instead of multi-million dollar LCPS-constructed water and wastewater treatment plants, helped small businesses in Town survive and allowed for co-location of elem, middle and high schools.
Not only has LCPS NEVER been sincerely interested in Lovettsville sites, their records prove they have effectively squashed all possibilities for those or other now viable sites to be considered. There is now 100 acres on the north edge of the Town that is raw. The 70-acre Shoene site has a VERY willing seller and the contiguous 30-acre lot has a future planned industrial park. That site would take ALL busses off the main road in Lovettsville, Broad Way because it offers access on the east as well as west sides of the Town. That assemblage has NEVER been mentioned or remotely considered by LCPS. Why? Who knows, although Sam Adamo is working on a good excuse to give next Wednesday night April 29 at the 6:30pm LCPS’ presentation at Lovettsv Elem. Perhaps the School Board likes having all their schools in the shadow of Purcellville, perhaps they like to work with developers like Sal Cangiano to speculate on land. Others point to the fact that Sam Adamo lives next to Sally Kurtz’s Milltown Road home – a stone’s throw from the Miller and Shoene sites. Although most believe longtime respected farmer and Lovettsville resident Evan Mohler, who recently retired from his position reporting directly to Dr. Hatrick, would never object to a school on the 70-acre Shoene property immediately next to his home – many are less sure about Kurtz and Adamo. The evidence does make you wonder if Loudoun officials are the worst NIMBY’s of all. One thing is for sure, they are hell bent to HURRY and spend spend spend when people are losing their jobs and glibly ensure the development of the last vestiages of rural Loudoun just so they don’t have to deal with this issue any longer.
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Apr 27th by Loudoun Insider
Wow… this is stunning. What a waste of taxpayer dollars.
It really pisses me off to think that the county could have picked up the Miller property for far less than they offered Grubb, and for 1/3 of the price they are paying in Wheatland.
Yes it is time to clean house! Hatrick and the School Board need to go!
Bergel will pay a huge price for becoming the primary salesperson for this raunchy deal. A lot of people had high hopes for her going onto the school board, but she seems to have been totally co-opted by the powers that be. She has fallen right in line. Disappointing.
Yes, these people need to be voted out- but the BIG THING is to do what we can to stop the Wheatlands project. Come to the April 29 meeting, and visit http://www.wheatlandalliance.org. Loudoun taxpayers need to speak up about this wasteful travesty.
I have to believe the collusion involves a small group of insiders. If elected officials like Bergel are in on this deal, which frankly is extremely hard to believe, it bodes very badly for them indeed. Bergel has tremendous integrity. She didn’t even get elected until November 2007. But you are right LI, either way it doesn’t look good for her because either she can be duped by the koolaid or went along with the BS. If officials back of this deal right away, they can control the damage.
The thing officials are counting on is that the public is SO sick of hearing about western school issues that they won’t care – that the public will go along with buying anything at any cost to be done with it. It is analogous to the spoiled kid in the checkout line whose parents buy the candy. We can’t let these folks keep getting away with this. It makes you wonder how many other deals are JUST like this? I will not be able to rest until a full investigation and audit of the LCPS planning department is done, and NO land deals in the interim.
Here is the Cangiano contract, Burgess uploaded too. Other documents to be posted ASAP. http://smalltownschools.googlegroups.com/web/Cangiano-LCPS%20Contract%206Feb09.pdf?hl=en&gsc=S1auXQsAAAD1lT4aHhcstAvcVA55lNkZ
Either intentionally or inadvertently, LCPS staff withheld information which had been requested repeatedly for the last year. Does anyone know what recourse the public has for holding officials accountable if they knowingly withheld information requested under FOIA?
FINALLY this “scheme” is being exposed for what it is!!!! Its the old “the emperor has no clothes” scenario. It is totally obvious to me and others what is going on is wrong but some others choose to act like they don’t see anything! Please write letters to your elected officials and let them know that you think the Wheatland EduPlex is bad policy!
What a bunch of Bumbling Buffoons!! This deal stinks for several reasons, none of which are typical NIMBY:
1. Wrong Place – Put it near the town is serves so you have community based schools
2. Too much money – Avg of $67000 per acre-speaks for it’s self!!!
3. Process is broken – Adamo is trying to sneak this one through without a Speacial Exemption hearing, the only thing more stupid is the BOS is letting them!
4. Adamo won’t consider condemnation on one family for a good site, but there are 5 families surrounded on 3 sides by this MEGA EDUPLEX. What about them?
No matter where you live in Loudoun, you need to really look at this one. Some 80% of your taxes are entrusted in some way to the school board. It would appear they need oversight – Lots of it!
Time for Hatrick and Adamo to go!!!!!
Sorry, need to see docs to believe. But if its true, here’s a wild guess: Hatrick, Chapman, Adamo, Vlad, Howard-O’Brian, Dupree, and Reed – 4sure. Next tier: Godfrey, Bergel, Stevens, Guerin, (BobO called it didn’t he?) Seems to be off radar for Guzman and Marshall . On the County side likely Kurtz, Burton, Buckley, Stevens-Miller, and possibly staffer PBrown. Hard to believe York would be involved, yet hard to imagine he would be clueless. Never ceases to amaze how much people are willing to sacrifice when political aspirations are so great.
DuPree signed the stinking contract, so of course he’s for it. And it was all put together by the School Board’s attorney who once worked for Cangiano. Lovely.
John Stevens has been wanting to be contrarian lately – he can really boost his image by coming out against this deal. Bergel will certainly be a one termer if she continues to push this – I’ve already heard of several good names to replace her.
Burton is not for this and has been harping on the exorbitant price. He sees the downside ot this site. Kurtz, who knows. You would normally think she would be against something like this, but apparently the thought of a Lovettsville high school is too much to bear for Adamo and her.
“The Miller/Park flip option” WASILLEGAL AND COULD NEVER BE DONE without putting it back on a Referendum before the people.
Your guest column by”you know who” is again twisting actual events to reflect the will of that person.
I am more interested in hearing about the Danner Property, but last I’d heard….they wanted $$9 MIL for that one, too. It’s about 160 acres.
Word is the Sherrif’s Dept says this Idea is a transportation nightmare but what do they know rIght “DR ADAMO”
Monk, there is no twisting of facts when it comes to the willingness of Mr. Miller. Adamo told boldface lies when he said Miller wasn’t willing. The truth is Mr. Miller wasn’t willing to give his land away and deal with threats of condemnation – and who would blame him? Don’t worry, waiting until the Park bonds are paid off (which was the County atty’s interpretation of how the Flip could have been done LEGALLY) or outright putting the schools on Miller are dead options now. The point is there are other options near town that were never considered which have nothing to do w/ the Park. Are you really willing to pay anything just to keep it out of Lovettsville and as far away from your Milltown Rd commute path and opt to push the traffic impact on 287 commuters trying to negotiate past the complex and additional lights? The only way to reduce the traffic impact is to reduce the size of the schools and put them where people can walk. Smart Growth principles like putting schools in communities are not only logical, they are cost effective in the long run. Remember, these mid/high schools were projected for 2015 and 2017 back before the bubble burst – the high school isn’t even on the CIP so it could be 10 years from now before it opens. The promise of a future school will help so many small businesses survive. Many people believe Loudoun Valley/Blue Ridge sized schools would be a nice complement for the Town – no one wants 4,000 students jammed down their throats. The roads were never designed for that kind of load – it’s ridiculous.
BPM – I seriously doubt that the Miller/Park flip would have been illegal. I’m pretty sure that it was determined that they could simply pay off the bonds early. Did the County Attorney advise othewise?
Aside from the exorbitant purchase price and the cost of the building onsite utilities, putting those schools on Cangiano’s 160 acres in Wheatland instead of the 35 homes that property is currently zoned for, will only increase Sal Cangiano’s profit and increase our tax burden. After Cangiano carved out that 160 acres he acquired in 2007 for ~$35k/acre and clever enough to sell to LCPS in 2009 for $62k/acre, he will still have the remaining 350+ acres he acquired to develop. New schools = new houses. New houses = increased taxes. I’d rather the area be given the best chance possible to stay agricultural. New wineries are opening up all the time. I’ve always thought that hillside would be a great place for vineyard.
The traffic is already backed up to the Potomac Veg.Farm in the morning, I can’t imagine what it will be like with 3 schools.
Oh geez! BPM busted another one! You are so right 10, I should have recognized it. It’s no stretch to recognize the voice in anon as that same person.
There’s always two sides to a story. Except in the case of “anon”.
Hillsboro and anon… The referendum was the people’s voices. You cannot legally change direction –no matter what’s paid off— without putting the vote to flip back on the ballot for another referendum decision. Only the people can reverse their very own decision in the matter. Doing anything besides that opened it to rather nasty assault on those responsible, and the majority of folks who voted for that park would be leading the charge.
As for the size of schools…we agree. I want smaller school properties. We do not need, nor should we be building campus style school properties. Fold the building’s square footage up, stack it, and keep it on the confines of HALF the property they’re requiring now.
With regard to the Milltown Speedway….is there any other drive-around solution for a blocked Broad Street? Purcellville has SEVERAL drive-arounds available. Lovettsville has ZERO drive arounds (that didn’t plan on condemning my neighbor’s property to put them in).
Again…what’s the story with Danner’s property?
Asking price is less than the Cangiano property?
I’ve also recently slid back off of the Cangiano property endorsement when I foud out thathe’s stuck…and desperately needs the school board’s money to make his problems go away.
This changed my outlook on Sal’s property…and I think he does not get a bailout fueled by the hard-earned money of the people of Loudoun County.
There’s Blackout defending his buddy DuPree. This deal stinks to high heaven. Nobody can deodorize this stench I smell.
BPM – So apparently it is just your opinion that a flip would be illegal — despite the County Attorney’s opinion that it could be done legally?
Please, BPM, the Danner property is even more out in the middle of nowhere than wheatland, requiring a miles long new public road to get to it. A totally unacceptable and unworkable site.
It does look more and more like the developer whores in the school system are working a deal for their buddy Cangiano’s benefit. The worst part about this deal is that they don’t have any county land use approval for the school, yet they are going to close the deal based solely on their hydrological studies. They are just gambling on the land use approval, and I’m sure they’ll use their stupid one-sided contract to press their case. “Well, supervisors, you better give us that land use approval or you’ll be wasting millions of dollars of taxpayer dollars” They’re basically forcing the BOS into a corner with this deal. Will the BOS have the backbone to stand up for the comprehensive plan and logical siting, or will they cave?
And all of this is for an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. NONE of which are really needed. It is such bullshit. We hear constantly how under-enrolled the western elementary schools are, yet they need another one right in between Hillsboro and Waterford??? A third frigging western high school when the second one is yet to be built??? The only one that is anywhere near really being needed is the middle school, and that should probably be the brand spanking new Culbert Elementary that will open this year at less than half capacity unless they further under-enroll the other western elemntary schools. I have NEVER seen such poor planning in my life!!!
You know how we can really solve this problem? Reinstitute the former rural zoning so that we don’t need this extra capacity. That is the best answer of all.
Who cares about the flip? We don’t need it anyway. BPM did you know the Joint Committee is launching a plan to eliminate the Special Exception for schools so that if, lets say, this Cangiano deal actually dies and Mr. Miller changed his mind and decided to sell his land – that everyone, including you Monk, would be excluded from speaking your opposition to a school on the Milltown speedway? LCPS wants the freedom to do as they wish and answer to no one. School Boards have alot of power in Virginia and this is an example of how far they are willing to go to do whatever they please with no regard for constituents’ wishes.
LCPS did not release the cost proposals. Ask a realtor what the Danner heir(s) wants. Danner is probably #3 on LCPS’ list anyway (#2 is the Virts’ property at the SW corner of Pville Rd and Route 9 – it is #2 because its a huge site – far larger than Cangiano/Burgess). If you want to see the prospective sites the SB pitched to BOS, go to http://smalltownschools.googlegroups.com/web/Big+decision+with+little+data.pdf?hl=en&gda=mb6M_FMAAADp5Cmo6BwzSRW6d9ISNVGFUgIejjfgiHUf3Wphu7ArzaaprxNjtAqUzpJlj-KTzGkWxxuNd1IaenlFGJvx0vhqMrYifh3RmGHD4v9PaZfDexVi73jmlo822J6Z5KZsXFo
Bergel was against Danner because it is ~mile west of 287 and bus access through the tiny Morrisonville settlement is too tight. As mentioned in the intro, LCPS’ consultant estimated 2500′ of new road would cost $1.4M. Who knows how many condemnations they would need to advance a Morrisonville Bypass. If it isn’t OK to condemn land for the school, it wouldn’t seem right to condemn land for a road to the school would it?
BPM, I’m just curious. What is so special about the 94 acre Park that is so superior to the Miller property for a Park? Or other larger properties with more water features and potential for open space to be preserved? It would seem that if the park size could be increased by 50% or more, that it would be a win for area residents. Mind you, I am no longer advocating for that option – I’m just advocating for transparency, objectivity, frugality and most importantly public involvement not exclusion.
Bring it on Blackout – the focus isn’t me, it’s ALL on your buddies its not looking too favorable.
We are all anxiously waiting to hear BlackOut’s tale…that “2nd side to this story”. This should be a good one – it has all the elements: seedy characters, mysterious plot twists, greed, manipulation, maybe even fraud, and of course some of the most beautiful scenery around. Who’s got the popcorn now?
“that everyone, including you Monk, would be excluded from speaking your opposition to a school on the Milltown speedway? ”
Oh, I’d be speaking my opposition to it in the proper offices where the votes are generated to either pass or tell LCPS to take a flying leap. I had the votes to stop it before…
There was no pass around the school at Miller’s.
As I’ve indicated…Purcellville has numerous work-arounds. You do not have to pass by their high school during arrival and departure times, unless you’re extremely unlucky.
Lovettsville has one main street thru…and you advocate capping THAT one off during arrival and departure times. I don’t commute. I hover around Lovettsville working numerous jobs in a day, as well as making material runs. I will not put up with the blockage to my income.
Secondarily, I “enjoy” the Brunswick Railroaders stadium lights in one of my homes sides, now. I’ll be damned if I’ll put up with Lovettsville’s lights into the other side. I moved out here to get back to the country I was raised in.
And when “someone” began rattling off about the Moore’s property needed for that town bypass …that would be the exact moment that it really exploded.
“the Virts’ property at the SW corner of Pville Rd and Route 9 ” is one that I’m not familiar with. It was on the map of alternatives that the Mayor had sometime ago?
Yes schools are such awful things aren’t they? They have kids and everything terrible – who would ever want to be within miles of one? Thank goodness we have puppeteer BPM to be sure to keep Lovettsville pure from such a virus!
I am more convinced than ever that my proposal is the best one. WE DON’T NEED THIS LAND OR THESE SCHOOLS!
Loudoun Insider, how would you know, you’ve never attended a school board meeting, you’ve never had a substantial discussion with any school member, other than maybe with the great OZ Onheiser, and you’ve never had kids in the school system.
You’re only real interest in schools is political. Very shallow. You have no balance to the policy feeds you’ve been hearing as related to what is really happening in our schools.
Schools to you are nothing but polling locations.
All you rely on is ridiculous sources like “anon”. A source you banned from this website and now somehow seem to think NOW has credibility. Funny how things come around. You should remember your concern from years ago, and really question this source.
But go ahead, type a few words here and there and act like you know what you’re talking about. I am sure some will think you know what you’re talking about, but there will certainly be others that see beyond your glancing interest in really digging into what’s happening with schools in Loudoun.
Rock on dude, let people like SM or Anon do your bidding. It’s easier than actually doing the work yourself. Especially when you have a vendetta. Which I have to admit I do not understand.
If I did have kids in this school system, I can’t imagine how pissed off I would be then. This School Board is a bunch of like minded big government educratic believers. Ohneiser, Guzman, and Stevens on occassion step out of the box.
This school system is incredibly poor at planning for the future. They have done so many stink bomb land deals it is beyond ridiculous. You can try to justify them all, but you will lose that battle. The School Board has lost that battle in the public’s eye, whether you like it or not. You are not as in touch with the majority of the electorate as you think you are. Continue to whine about me all you want. This deal sucks and I will work against it.
Simple question – if the western elementary schools are all under enrolled why do we need this site now for an elementary school??? Please get the official SB answer and post it for us.
LI – didn’t you know? It’s because they need to close Hillsboro ES as soon as possible, of course!
…and part of the reason it needs to be closed as soon as possible is because It’s frankly embarrasing – it’s really old and not up to snuff w/ LCPS high standards. oh, and it will cost too much (yes LCPS does have cost efficiency expectations believe it or not!) to wire those 1st grade classrooms for whiteboards.
Blackout you chide LI with, “All you rely on is ridiculous sources like “anon”. A source you banned from this website and now somehow seem to think NOW has credibility. Funny how things come around. You should remember your concern from years ago, and really question this source.”
The correspondence file speaks for itself:
http://smalltownschools.googlegroups.com/web/Millers+were+willing-LCPS+prefers+Wheatland.pdf?hl=en&gda=tZmpm2EAAADp5Cmo6BwzSRW6d9ISNVGF_WH8w6INX01jb5hVLoAlA5KkiDVq188QnfCaKfDAfa6lbtml8xpl8FSdjMhGEgVROZBkZh0p8qNj98uik3f_sVMJP-kItwVPBwjdKujmMDOVcV4Kf5×1iV4X6-2IalYA&gsc=5XF7GAsAAAAKjBjDl2yX7dP05jELGxnd
Note: contract excerpts included – full contracts are in the googlegroup file repository.
I never banned Anon. And this source has been a great one for me, giving me much better hard fact data than BO ever did. This person actually researches things for themselves, rather than being spoon-fed info by their pals at LCPS. I will continue to trust this source.
30, good question:
“Simple question – if the western elementary schools are all under enrolled why do we need this site now for an elementary school???”
Then why were you not as upset when HS-6 was being pressed when under enrollment exists for the Leesburg schools? Same scenario different location.
Do the research before you make a shot-gun statement. Are you working on a double standard.
This is complex, and for you to rely on SM/Anon is beyond rational thinking.
You have a much greater change at chasing the truth with our own intellect than relying on a deceitful liar.
35 is BlackOut.
You think Anon is SM? Are you that out of touch? Nowhere close.
There is no doubt that significant shortages exist in the relatively near future for Ashburn area high schools. Another high school is needed there. That’s the suburban planning area where most growth should be occurring, and has been easily predictable (except to LCPS).
The western mess is a total wreck. They spent millions on this Culbert Elementary right next to Hamilton Elementary and now it opens at some ridiculously low utilization rate unless they change boundaries to further deplete chronically under-enrolled community elementary schools. They finally start to build a second high school but now they want to create a huge controversy over a third high school that should be unneeded for the foreseeable future. This is a first rate cluster you-know-what.
And in light of the aforementioned elementary school, they want to start out the Wheatland mega-plex with another …. elementary school! Brilliant!
They need to work on a more flexible model with expansion of existing facilities. Quit their whining and naysaying that it can’t be done and just do it.
Funny LI you should mention need for a more flexible model… the Joint Committee is going to launch that effort and further refine the acquisition process too, but only AFTER THIS Cangiano acquisition. Why the rush this deal BEFORE they make all these great improvements? If they got a good price, we could swallow that they are banking land and can swap it out for another, but the addage is “buy low” “sell high” NOT “buy high” as is the case here.
Three high schools in Purcellville is a really dumb idea. Too close together for any boundaries to make sense. Just ask FCPS how it worked for them to put Madison, Oakton, and Marshall all in Vienna. (Yes, Oakton high is in Vienna, not Oakton and is 1.5 miles from Madison.) It has resulted in constant boundary changes, with Oakton’s boundaries redrawn over and over to pull in students from 15+ miles away. It’s just silly to put three high schools in Purcellville, within a 5 mile radius.
I don’t want to hear that LCPS needs to close elementary schools due to low enrollment and then turn around and spend our money on property to build a new one!
This deal stinks. We are overpaying for a property that we don’t need!
The contracts were signed early Feb and record shows BOS had closed session on this later, in mid Feb. The SB committing to spending over $11M without BOS voting to approve funding? Did SB have the funding sitting around? Aren’t they supposed to return what they haven’t used each year? How much more could they have cut from their budget if they are hoarding money?
I have been busy putting in a big garden for Plant a Row, and not blogging, since the budget is over, and with the beautiful weather… but got an email about BO, who wrote on this thread:
“All you rely on is ridiculous sources like “anon”. A source you banned from this website and now somehow seem to think NOW has credibility. Funny how things come around. You should remember your concern from years ago, and really question this source.”
Apparently, you have suggested (and LI put it in another post) that anon was really me. I do my own research, and am not spoon fed for my opinions, but I am not anon.
BO, I post under my name. The only place I was “banned” (from posting with my name) was the operative word, who wants me to post under an alias. She wants me to do this because you and BPM attack me so much (without basis, I might add) that the threads get sidetracked…
I suggested to her you were a cyber bully, and that you should be banned for making posts which violate her operating agreement with her internet web host, and that she should not reward you for bad behaviour and punish the victim, by making me change my posting name.
But it is pretty clear you are in deep with that site (as well as Monk.)
Originally the published “apology” on that site also included OP’s request that you and monk apologize to me… what happened to that? why was that part of her apology deleted? Did it freak you out that she suggested you were wrong in what you did?
I am not the anonymous source here. And BO, you are the one with NO credibility.
Wheatland:
Overpriced.
Unneccessary.
Horrible Location.
Bad Deal.
It’s very very simple. Kill it now. If the SB, with their developer attorney, who once represented the seller, wants to enter into boneheaded contracts, then let them fall on their sword. It gives everyone reason to vote them all out next election. The BOS better not cave on this. This deal will be a lead weight on their political careers.
Lovettesville Lady, You are right about the Marshall/Madison/Oakton HS fiasco.They changed the boundaries almost every year in the 70’s and 80’s because Vienna and that part of the county was going through such rapid growth. It made the relationship between the HS’s somewhat strained too, sporting events could get quite heated.
BPM – It’s interesting that you heard that Cangiano is in a bind. I’ve heard a rumor that he’s pursuing or already purchased both the Danner and Legard property.
Maybe having a contract in hand from LCPS for $9.9 million is allowing him to scoop up these other properties.
I wonder what he’s paying per acre? Both of these parcels would make for interesting comps in an appraisal of Wheatland.
Does anyone now not believe that there is a waaaayyyyy too close relationship between Cangiano and LCPS???
Jim Burton did a very detailed analysis of A3 land sales in the last few years which showed the purchase price for the Wheatland site is far too high.
Something is very very wrong about this whole situation.
If it is even possible to make this deal even worse… LCPS is responsible for rollback taxes on these parcels.
For 2009 alone, they would amount to $24K. My guess is that 5 years worth would be about $100K.
Of course these are tiny numbers when compared to the millions being wasted on this outrageous deal.
“Simple question – if the western elementary schools are all under enrolled why do we need this site now for an elementary school???”
BINGO, LI!! I wonder how BlackOut can support what is clearly an overstock of unfilled seats in the elementary schools of the west? And, yes, building yet another mega-ES on this mega-eduplex will just waste MORE taxpayer money and put more pressure on closing the highly successful EXISTING community-based elementary schools.
Now we hear that Hatrick has put out a memo to SB members (in order to garner more support for his horrendous ES redistricting plan) that he will never propose closing the four smallest western schools as there is no public support or SB support for such a proposal. OK, so let’s take this at face value – the existing schools are here to stay – WHY, then, BlackOut are they intentionally draining these schools and driving up their cost per student? Why not fill these schools FIRST and use them efficiently?
Biggest question, where is Bergel and Godfrey on this issue? The rest of the school board will follow their lead on this issue. Have they thrown this back to staff and demanded that Hamilton ES, Hillsboro, Middleburg, Lincoln, be maintained at 75-80% utilization and Culbert be left half full is necessary? HAIL NO! They are pushing to drain the existing schools so that no one catches on that they (and Hatrick/Adamo) built Culbert when it wasn’t yet needed and WASTED millions of taxpayer dollars in the process. Now they will force this school to be opened (when it could be 1/2 opened or put off for a year) and WASTE millions more.
What is your response to THIS BlackOut? How can you continue to support this SB and Hatrick – the emperor must be toppled!!
Hatrick, Adamo, Dupree, et all must GO!
To answer my own speculation about using the Danner property as a comp:
146 Acres – Listed for sale at $ 1.2 mil
Price / Acre: $ 8219.00
Assessment: $ 2.2 mil
http://matrix.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Email.aspx?ID=30455284570
Cangiano Property:
170 Acres – Under Contract – LCPS: $9.925 mil
Price / Acre: $ 62031.00
Assessment: $ 2.83 mil
http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=542279&C=91051
Eric,
I am not sure where you got the idea that I am against using the existing seat capacity. I’ve been a proponent of using what we have ever since Waters came up with the cockamamie idea to accelerate the construction of HS-6 when we have excess capacity already built. Same goes for elementary schools in my view.
Real easy to sit at the PC and write about something, takes real effort to come to the meeting tomorrow night, stand up, stick a finger in Adamo’s face and ask hard questions so everyone can see what a joke this disastor is. If you really care, you need to be there!
How can the SB justify spending this kind of money on the wrong site, using bad student projections, WITHOUT EVEN getting the special exception permits first?
If we don’t watch out, it’s going to be a done deal – imagine trying to stop this train once the $11 million are already spent! The BoS and Planning Commissions should be crying FOUL!
Good point – where in the hell is the Planning Commission on this??? I guess they’re only supposed to react to submitted applications, but since this is starting down the path, perhaps they should weigh in with their expected displeasure. There is no way this jives with the comp plan.
“I wonder what he’s paying per acre? Both of these parcels would make for interesting comps in an appraisal of Wheatland.”
Hillsboro…that is an excellent point!
I concur.
Speaking to a couple of town folk this AM, it appears that the old fellow who owns the airstrip out here is looking to finance the rest of his existence back in Norway. How many acres are available at that airstrip?
It’s a plus that it is definitely within a mile of Town limits.
“Thank goodness we have puppeteer BPM to be sure to keep Lovettsville pure from such a virus!”
Address my specific points, or admit you’re a dumbass. Pick one.
How about $1.2 million for 146 acres?
http://franklymls.com/LO7026108
While I did not major in math, that seems like a much better deal than $11. 4 million for 160 acres.
Monk, airstrip guy only has 35 acres. And our friends park their planes there! Is that enough space for a high school? how about the Christmas tree farm folks, they have 182 acres. Perhaps they’re in the mood to sell. Not that I want a school there! But it would be convenient for Lovettsville students. The couple who owns it is around 60, they might be ready to move on to warmer climes.
Overall, I’d prefer the Danner site on Morrisonville.
LI, your post number 38 was on the money. We don’t even need these schools! So why are we over paying for this land that we don’t need? it’s absurd.
I don’t see what the big rush is to get a site for schools that are WAY off in the future? It’s not as if they are getting firesale prices. What gives? How can Cangiano be the only person in the county that can make $20,000 profit per acre in two years just by holding the property – he hasn’t improved it in any way. He must have just the right friends.
SB/BOS cronies are interestingly very quiet. Did they know what the well crafted contract means? Were they led to believe something different? Did they know about all the lies/half truths or whatever the lawyers want to call it? Surely SB/BOS members would never stand behind this if really knew the whole truth. They could absolve themselves of alot of grief if they come forward tonight and in the coming days and admit they were duped by the masters. Otherwise it looks like Custer’s (er Adamo’s) Last Stand. Once the bed of lies is made, its real hard to back out of that corner. Reputation and careers are on the line with this one, I hope they quit circling the wagons and just do the right thing for Loudouners – come clean and TELL THE THE WHOLE TRUTH and just TRY to comply with the Comp Plan instead of manipulate everything to keep a high school far from Lovettsv.
I’m more convinced than ever that we don’t need this land. The existing elementary schools are under enrolled. We have yet to build a second high school. Maybe we need a middle school, and that could easily be placed on the 35 acre near-town site mentioned.
The only reason we need these future sites is the half-assed rural zoning passed under the last BOS. Fix the base zoning to what it once was (and which was sustainable and affordable for the county) and this need disappears. Of course the developers like Cangiano and their groupies like DuPree would never want to see that happen. Having this extra school capacity makes it that much easier for them to battle any future down zoning.
plus it actually invites further development in Wheatland – land that guess who owns? yep, Cangiano.
BPM said in #23: Oh, I’d be speaking my opposition to it in the proper offices where the votes are generated to either pass or tell LCPS to take a flying leap. I HAD THE VOTES TO STOP IT BEFORE…”
I don’t know you but the arrogance is dripping off your words. Since you are so well connected with the electorate, perhaps you were part of the plot that began in 2006 AND CONTINUES to this day to DISRESPECT the Miller family.
# 63 and #64 – Bingo! LCPS is directly linked to developers with their plan to FAIRFAX Loudoun Co. LCPS even hired the developers’ lawyer in 2006 to help them write contracts that are FAR more beneficial to developers than us citizen/taxpayers.
Thanks for the post LI- this situation needs to see the light of day as so many different facets are questionable.
The cost is exorbitant. The location is asinine, but perhaps the most disturbing aspect is the connections between the seller and the buyer.
If the LCSB is going to spend this kind of money buying property they need legal representation THAT HASN’T RECENTLY WORKED FOR THE SELLER, wouldn’t ya think?
Thanks for the heads up on the meeting tonight…. the last post (#67) was me as well.
I am so fed up with school land purchases and school spending I can’t even care anymore. Is there no reason? Is there no common sense? OK, I do care, but it really pisses me off! Nothing ever seems to change. Screw it.
“Monk, airstrip guy only has 35 acres. And our friends park their planes there! Is that enough space for a high school? ”
Unfortunately…I was under impressions from a second-hand conversation that it was a bigger plot.
Can’t help it if you have friends that park their airplanes there. The man is nearing his later 80’s , and he wants to go back to Norway, as I hear it.
The tree farm property was the Opeka property. I don’t know what happened, but I heard there was some sort of land use abuse on that property. Their reporting of acreage and useage was thought to be screwy. I do not know how this affected the SB’s view of the property.
In addressing a different matter…
Anonymous who said I’m disrespecting the Millers…I’ll be at that meeting tonite. You won’t be able to miss me. Why don’t you reiterate your little missive, then.
I guess what disturbs me the most is the contract–that is not even contingent on getting approval for a school–by going through the SE process. A thuggish move to cut off the opposition. Buy the land, then no one can complain, it is done, kind of like Woodgrove–even if it does not comport with the plan, or our laws, or if it makes no sense…
They were wrong about Woodgrove, they could be wrong about this too…
It looks like an abuse of their public trust to commit to or buy property not contingent on the property having a Special Exception approved. It appears to be an abuse of their fiduciary responsibility to spend this much per acre, when other sites are available for much much less…
Someone should sue them for misuse of taxpayer funds,abuse of their positions as fiduciaries and try to overturn the contract as illegal, and beyond their reasonable authority, if they insist on going forward with it…
I’m just catching up on some of my voluminous email correspondence on this mess. There is a lot more damning information to come out on this stinky deal.
I can certainly understand buying today to avoid the inflationary costs of waiting. But buying today at a seriously inflated value simply defeats the purpose of trying to beat the inflation index of four years from now or the next year.
Buying it for it’s “real” comparable value— I can support. As I’ve pointed out…who can say what Fields Farm would have cost two years ago in direct comparison with what we paid in the actual aquisition 10 years ago?
And digging further, there is another large lot next to the airpark that is frothing to sell. There is enough out there to support a school that is also close enough for Lovettsville to have that town supply water and septic service.
Good to have you on board Monk!
This Wheatland deal stinks to high heaven. it needs to go down. Hard. So that the school system and school board never go down this path again with insider deals. Open the process up to a real RFP type process with plenty of advance notice to all, not just the well connected.
Purposely missed the meeting tonite. Got a head’s up this afternoon that the meeting was hot air. There’s absolutely no money in the budget for this…and if it goes out for referendum in the fall…with the current economic mess still upon us, the odds of a bond being approved by the same citizens who shot down a meals tax ain’t looking good.
Pointing out that the bonds would be secured for a school that’s ten years off into the future should add several tons to the balloon.
i’m afraid you might be wrong BPM, Adamo/Kurtz were pretty clear that they can and most probably will buy this by July 8, 2009. Aparently the BOS already gave them the bond money, so it’s just sitting there burning a hole in LCPS pocket.
We’re going to have to scream like Hell to force the Supervisors to kill this deal. Then we can have a Wheatland Agricultural Park instead!
The site acquisition funds were approved in a bond referendum long ago, Monk. This purchase is a done deal.
There’s a chance we could stop the special exception this fall or winter, but by then Sal and Al will have cashed their checks.
If by chance we do stop the special exception, LCPS will be the proud owner of a chunk of land they can’t build on — worth a fraction of what they paid for it.
This really is an incredibly sh!tty deal and every School Board member that knowingly voted to approve a contract without a SPEX contingency should be targeted in the next election.
New post coming. It was a travesty of a meeting.
The Danner Farm……….
Forget the Politics ……The counties growing, you may like it or not, it’s a fact! When Mr. Danner died, he wanted his land to be sold to the School Board……it was his “dream” for a school or two to be built, a football field to be contructed on his farm he was leaving behind. He was a football coach for years. His land is still available!
There are contracts presently on his property, and it’s going to sell soon.
The school board had it’s chance.
Even with the cost of road ingress and egress it would have been less expensive in the long run for the school to be built on the Danner Farm.
It made sense……..but people, perhaps those who don’t live in Western Loudoun made poor decisions. Those who live in Western Loudoun realize the need for a school out in the area, it’s not rocket science.
Too much gossip, too much talking and not enough action, causes much loss. Now Western Loudoun students suffer.
Look at a map of Loudoun County, again, it’s not rocket science as to “what makes sense”. Obviously the Danner Farm geographically speaking is in the right area. Some obstacles, sure, but that’s with any piece of land, and of course, when politicians are involved, it just makes it worse. No need to blame specific people.
Western Loudoun NEEDS the schools. Where ever! The Danner Farm, made sense. The farm is on the market for 1.2 mil, as you can see the county is NOT jumping on it, so obviously they are willing to spend more of our money on a school in another location. The only issue with the Danner Farm, was Morrisonville Road, which a study was already completed, with the expense of build up. You all figure it out and go for it. But the county has overlooked it for some reason.
“some have deeper pockets than other”
The post above says much
The Danner Farm is about 145 acres and was suppose to be purchased by the school board a while back. They walked away from the land. It’s got good soil and if I remember correctly I believe there’s a number of springs.
The note above was signed “Buck”. Buck was Danny Danner’s nickname, God rest his soul. The school board was suppose to buy the land, it was in his Will, to the best of my knowledge.
I don’t have children in school, I know this land, and you couldn’t ask for a better place for the kids to go to school in a good and safe area.
This Danner Farm, it should have gone for a school …..it’s a real shame.
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There is no secret about the Danner Farm. The school has been looking at this property since 2006.
It is true that there are natural springs on the Danner Farm.
It is true that the area is safe and the area is wonderful, school or not.
It is also true that the school would not be on top of 287 and 9, but close. Mountain Road and perhaps some of Purcellville Road may have been utilized for school buses. This isn’t new news for Mountain Road residents,they already have bus traffic.
Everyone KNOWS there needs to be a school built. But for some reason, when it gets close to their yard, the gloves are on. Kind of funny how that works…………
I’ll be watching……..Let’s see how much money the County will spend, knowing they could have, and if they submitted a contract TODAY could, purchase the Danner Farm. You all know the asking price.
COULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE, WOULD HAVE
I bet……………they continue on their path……..DO Y