The School Board will vote on whether or not to proceed with the bungled Wheatland contract tommorrow. By all acounts it will be a very close vote one way or the other. If by some leap of faith they decide to move forward with this discredited deal, the Board of Supervisors is prepared to meet Wednesday to let them know what the real deal will be – namely, this isn’t going anywhere, and you’re not getting another cent from us to make it happen.
In an interesting parallel, read this editorial in today’s WaPo about a bungled leasing deal in Prince George’s County Maryland by their equally inept School Board. Please note the comparison to the School Board in Frederick County, Maryland, which by the way has a model RFP process for school site selection. It’s painfully obvious our School Board is much more like PG’s than Frederick’s. Can we please swap with Frederick? Or maybe delegate authority to them for this particular vote? If only we could. Here’s to hoping for the right decision (for a change) from Loudoun’s School Board.
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May 25th by Loudoun Insider
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Check out who is going to run for supervisor in Dulles!
John, I deleted one of your offtopic directional comments in another thread. If you’re going to take shots at me in your post, don’t expect me to give you free publicity. And stick to one handle. I’ll let this one stand here since it is partly germaine.
I know we don’t guess the blogger near enough anymore…but I know this one! When he takes a shot at you, you just have to consider the source….and the mentality.
It would be great to have an effective SB like Frederick. Maybe the county could hire them as consultants to give our SB a school site selection 101 course. That would be tax money well spent!
Are candidates for School Board not endorsed by political parties when they run for office? In Fairfax it’s supposed to be a non partisan school board but the parties endorse candidates and it is a VERY partisan school board.
Thanks.
#5: SB elections are suppose to be non partisan, but it’s kind of a farce when candidates can be endorsed by political parties.
The SB has a chance to redeem themselves by voting against this poor site location. Then they can move on to the most pressing issue – Ashburn school boundaries/capacity – with the chance to redeem previous failures. If a new high school is really needed north of route 7, they better find a site soon. Or they could do what Fairfax often does – expand capacity at existing schools. Anything but the “southern shuffle”!
What have they been doing about the Ashburn/Dulles high school issues???
Apparently nothing – they’re spending all their time trying to ram this crummy deal through.
Barbara Munsey continues to cheer lead for this indefensible purchase–claiming that this site was desired by Lovettsville, as shown by the Town of Lovettsville specifically approving this site.
Others have pointed out that the Town did not ever specifically approve this site and that she is incorrect… but she continues on in her assertions…
http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/news/2009/may/23/board-might-vote-soon-3-school-campus/?latest
I saw that battle earlier. Munsey is apparently close to DuPree from their Greenvest-cheering days together. No big surprise that she’s defending this deal.
Adamo did as all would expect, he defended his 2005 or earlier choice for Wheatland over Lovettsville with his negative evaluation of the Shoene/Engle and McDonough assemblages. He spoke of many issues including traffic lights, lines of sight, building impacts, wetlands, blah blah blah yet NONE of that level of detail was remotely presented on April 29 for the Cangiano/Burgess site. How can he credibly present more information for two recent options than the option he has nurtured for at least 4 years?
Bergel successfully led the charge tonight to keep the Cangiano contract (albeit lowered pricing) alive. What I don’t understand is how can anyone objectively look any alternative when a contract is being advanced? How can anyone evaluate water when we are in flood stages? Both are IMPOSSIBLE. If you are flying down the highway at breakneck speed, you can’t possibly see much less assess anything but the single road you have chosen. She effectively is closing her ears and eyes and using her mouth to say, don’t confuse me with the facts because I have decided to believe everything Staff says and Wheatland iS the ONLY viable site possible!
She said, “schools won’t bring population, development will”. Hello Jennifer, schools bring development, so yes schools bring population. It seems while she SAYS she has spoken with EPA Smart Growth expert Tim Torma, yet she somehow has excluded the crux of this issue. School siting absolutely dramatically affects the surrounding landuse. Ms. Bergel states LCPS will mitigate the impact of schools. She suggests LCPS will mitigate the impact of schools when they have no idea of the impacts and are setting the course to eliminate the only way for those impacts to be negotiated – the SPEX!!!!! Further LCPS is only interested in mitigating impacts that don’t require negotiation with a Town. She talks about the lack of dairy farms, yet ignores all the other types of farms and associated community that expects the County to be consistent with rural economic development. Just because she misses the farms of her youth, she seems quite anxious to throw it all away to suburbia – she seems to have effectively given up on rural Loudoun because it doesn’t meet with her childhood memories. Well, the rest of us still see lots of potential worth saving and fighting for, even if she doesn’t.
The SB’s decision tonight has put the BOS in a bind by basically saying BOS lied about preliminary approval of the deal – I would suspect BOS will frown on the SB for playing them such a heavy hand. For any BOS member who may have previously thought Cangiano could fly, hopefully at least they have the personal integrity to admit that they did not consider all the issues and can’t support this site. Perhaps BOS will extend a hand to the Town of Lovettsville and say, we know LCPS isn’t interested in making this work, but we are willing to partner with you to achieve a win/win for Loudoun – community schools and rural economy.
Not only has Ms. Bergel’s charge put BOS in a bind, she has now put the Town of Lovettsville on notice. The Town will now have to say for once or for all, either we are willing to negotiate or WE DO NOT WANT ANY MORE SCHOOLS HERE. Perhaps the Mayor who plays the political game well has been successful avoiding this timebomb but now the Town Council will be pressed to say they are like Purcellville and Hamilton – “NO HIGH SCHOOL HERE” or if they are like the Lovettsville I thought I knew, the one that begins with Love and embraces the children.
Ms. Bergel chided the BOS for agreeing to try an acquisition process but failed to remember the most important missing piece of that “test”, the public was excluded and that simply can not be tolerated.
Thanks for the summary Sarah. I was hoping that some school board members would come to their senses and fight against this mess.
I have gotten the distinct feeling that the leaders of Lovettsville do not want schools in their town. What a shame for the kids, and for the town. Schools here could make such a difference for our town.
Did the school board vote tonight? What was the vote? What’s the next step?
We appreciate all that you do Sarah.
Yes vote was 6 to 3… disgusting… i cannot believe that they don’t want to look at all their choices… i can’t believe it!!!! Why are they frantic to put it in Wheatland? I remember when the SB in Howard County MD thought “open space schools” were the wave of the future, built a bunch of them and then said, hmmmm, no windows and open pod learning isn’t good… now LCPS thinks these “megaplexs” are cool… they are building 3 of them right now… yes yes… these are the way of the future!!!! yes yes… let’s do it… now or never… so what happens once they build them all and then decide, hmmmm, maybe this wasn’t a good idea… meanwhile destroying the area’s look and feel forever… you can never go back!!!! I want to know where all these 4000 children are coming from… they certainly don’t live around Wheatland… maybe they’ll bus them in… darn it, we have to fill those schools… it’s URGENT!!! after all the seller lowered the price… destroy the historical features of the area forever! who cares… “it’s all about the children”… ug… i think i’m gonna be sick.
Unbelievable, but yet totally believable from this crerw. Warren Geurin flipped from his assurances to me and others that he was voting to kill this. What a tool. Tom Marshall was expected to vote no as well, but he’s as reliable as … well, I don’t have a good comparison. I think the guy may be senile.
Time to fire up the New School Board PAC, people! Busy day today, but work will start shortly. I’m giving a pass for now to Ohneiser, Guzman, and Stevens for voting the right way last night. The rest of them need to go ASAP.
If they think they can win a PR and legal battle with the BOS over this they are even stupider than I thought.
So will the BOS kill the site now? They should be pushed to say they will not approve this site (not just this contract). The good ole boy stink over this site is just too dank – even at the new improved cost (which still is a great deal for Sal).
I watched the Admo part and the discussion and vote and all that is said above is correct.
Have any of these idiots ever thought in ten years there might be money in the budget by then to buy land out there, when hopefully eastern Loudoun schools and population are more stable.
It is insane to buy property for ten years out at highly inflated prices, when we need schools in the eastern side of Loudoun NOW. Insane absolutely Insane to spend money this way.
Again #15 is me
Bergel sent her comments to her constituent list…unbelieveable….
26 May 2009 Board Member Comments
Comments Directed Toward the Amendment of the Wheatland Contracts
To say Wheatland is in Purcellville is like saying it is in Waterford. One portion of the property under contract has a Waterford address; the other part, Purcellville. Anyone who lives in the area knows this fact, just as we all know that Wheatland is not that far from Lovettsville, Waterford, or Hillsboro.
To say that a contract should be terminated due to water problems when an extension allows the water tests initially requested is a paradox. All of us should want to know if there are water problems in Wheatland.
To reveal that price is the first reason listed on a petition and then to suggest a price change is not commendable is contradictory. Anyone may wonder – was it ever price?
To speak for landowners without their knowledge, consent, or permission is wrong. Yet people are willing to sell property that is not theirs or take it by eminent domain; who cares whose land it is and how long they’ve been there was a suggestion made to me today. Anyone who is a landowner should be troubled – especially since it is only those of you who live closer to Lovettsville whose land is being “sold”.
I understand people may have forgotten the community meetings in Lovettsville, Hamilton, and Purcellville. I know some may have forgotten the Round Hill push, the Harmony meeting, and the mayors’ panel. I understand that some of you weren’t here during this time. I also am aware that some don’t know Lovettsville doesn’t have a JLMA, that conservation easements and ag and forestral districts are around Waterford and Lovettsville…
But for elected officials to ignore these efforts – for them to have participated in these events – for them to have pushed for land banking and putting it on the ballot – for elected officials to agree to a new process but to turn away from while it is being tested – what is going on? For a town’s support for school sites to be ignored – what is going on? And for people who moved to Western Loudoun (and in Loudoun) to suggest there is no need for future schools in the West – what is going on?
The future is in educating the next generation.
The future is in not ignoring the past –
1. Where are the dairy farms?
2. Why is Loudoun Fair’s “facelift” only recognizable to those of us who used to show in it?
3. Why do some believe the open space is available or protected farmland?
4. Why is there a fear of schools next to farms when there is a school board willing to mitigate the impacts?
5. Why are elected bodies again possibly ignoring the effects/impacts of by-right development?
The future is in working with the schools to loop back to secure what is left of the rural area and to protect it through education. Through working together now to prepare for the future need. The schools won’t bring the population – development and approved development already has.
Bergel and Godfrey continue to adopt LCPS standard operating procedure – use scare tactics to say this is the only site that will keep kids from experiencing overcrowded conditions!!! Can’t you see? The sky is falling!
If Adamo can put together costs of infrastructure for McDonough and Shoene/Engle, then he needs to do the same for Cangiano.
What’s more, Burton asked staff to prepare costs for Cangiano site schools back in 2008 – where is that analysis?
It is irresponsible for the SB to advance a plan without disclosing associated cost implications to taxpayers.
In 2007 an unnamed Supervisor knew everything that went down with the Miller negotiation and kept quiet. That Supervisor is on notice now to be sure his/her collegues do the right thing today and roll up their sleeves to do the right thing for taxpayers, school children/families throughout the County, prospective Lovettsville businesses, tourism and our precious commercial food growing operations in Wheatland.
and one more thing, since Jennifer doesn’t want to ignore the past….
what the hell happened with the Millers and how can she say that is irrelevant? It proves an agenda to site these schools in Wheatland has existed since at least 2005 and no matter what sites are brought forward (Herbert Miller then or Crim/McDonough/Shoene/Engle/Opeka/P&H Miller or untold others now), Wheatland is and will always be the ONLY viable HS-10 site.
What about her campaign promise to bring a high school to Lovettsville?? She seems to have conveniently forgotten about that part of her “past”…@@
Bergel is an idiot, and that scumbag Robert Dupree held this vote off as long as possible probably so he could twist more arms. They are DONE in this county.
MT: What’s up with these megaflexes? Maybe a high school and middle school co-located makes sense, but an elementary school as well? Not a good mix. Another reason this Wheatland deal is bad. Does anybody know of any such megaplexes anywhere in Northern Virginia?
What the SB needs to accept is that their high schools need to be larger. The new HSs in Fairfax are 2,500 students and in Prince William they are 2,200. The model in Loudoun used to be 1,400 when Potomac Falls was built. Then it became 1,600 and now it appears to be 1,800. At this rate, it may take another 10 years before the SB finally gets to the size they need to be at. Get with the program NOW and build them for at least 2,200 students! They need to accept that they have failed in the past and add on to some of the older schools that are over-capacity and have the land. It’s cheaper than building new schools and may be the only viable option in places where such large parcels no longer exist.
Sandy,
LCPS is unique in its need for huge sites. Ask the EPA Smart Growth expert. Making a 2200 student high school could make sense in densely populated Fairfax or even eastern Loudoun where associated bus rides would be limited to 10-20 minutes. However in the rural west schools of that size will need to bring kids from even further away mandating hour or more long bus ride each way for children and even more car trips requiring expensive upgrades of unimproved rural roads. Instead I would prefer building less elaborate facilities, fewer white boards, 3-4 story buildings (e.g., Gaithersburg’s NW High School is 4 stories). Smaller footprints can more easily find spaces where pedestrians can access the site, which will save money and reduce road improvement needs. Montgomery County allows use of nearby Parks for school sports fields, so purchase of large tracts of land at premium prices isn’t needed. There are better, cheaper ways that are worth consideration but I agree with you, the SB needs to accept that they have failed.
I have always said the schools should be bigger and on less land. They should be multi story which saves land and design wise one roof and one foundation for two floors and can be cost effective and more energy efficient for less money and on and on.
re: #19 – Did it ever occur to you that maybe you don’t have all of the information? I mean, you spew and spew and spew with only a few pieces of the puzzle. At least hold your tongue from lashing disparaging personal remarks until you know the whole truth. Rather than dragging JB through the mud and then hanging her out to dry, why not pick up the phone and have a convesation with her instead of talking about her on a BLOG? The stones that you throw are PERSONAL, NEGATIVE, UNNECESSARY, and CHILDISH. Excuse me, I forgot who I was writing to… that behavior is typical for a BULLY like you. And to think that the sheep actually listen and follow you !?! BAAAAHH! Remarkable! Regardless of what your angle is “at THIS minute,” quit slinging personal mud at JB. Remember… one jackass can’t call another one “long ears.”
Patrick Star,
I agree that mudslinging is not useful. But we are asking many questions to school staff and SB members and not getting any actual answers. Bergel is the front woman on this whole deal – especially since Kurtz abandoned her there – so she is taking the most heat.
How is it possible that a site that has been on the table for 2-3 weeks has more cost estimates done on it than the Cangiano site? where are the road improvement estimates for Rt 287 in Wheatland, the 1000+ feet of road needing widening and paving on J.Wolford? The comparative cost of on-site wastewater treatment vs hook up to town? These are legitimate questions with no answers. Why is that information coming out of LCPS so skewed?
I think it’s sad that when one does not get ones way…one starts to name call. Personal disrespect of others is the quickest way to lose self-respect…
Patrick,
I have called and spoken to her on many occassions. I am not attacking Ms. Bergel personally, she is a wonderful person. I am strongly disagreeing with her judgement in this matter and failure to address valid questions. She told many she would work to bring a school to Lovettsville so I’m just reminding her of her campaign promises. If she were willing put the contract on hold while other options were evaluated, she would win back the support of many. However, she invites this reaction.
I do believe I have all the information because, LCPS’ Public Information Officer stated in his email to me today, “Mrs. Stinger, We have given you all our information in regards to these questions. – Wayde B. Byard?.
Since LCPS can’t explain the Crim RFP response and what happened with Miller, perhaps you Patrick have information you can share? I’m all ears.
bergel has been presented with a huge amount of factual infiormation against this site and this deal yet she continues to be the public salesperson for the deal. So she’s going to get heat. That comes with being a politician. if she can’t take it, she should just resign now and let someone take over who can deal with the rigors of public life.
I don’t think Bergel’s an idiot at all — but she is politically very naive. And she’s starting to sound like she’s losing it in her desperate attempts to save this awful deal.
“The future is in working with the schools to loop back to secure what is left of the rural area and to protect it through education.”
- Jen, how about looping back and protecting the historic Wheatland Spring farmstead BEFORE YOU DEMOLISH IT.
- and Jen, how about looping back to 2006 when LCPS eliminated agricultural education programs at Valley and County.
Seems like LCPS is doing its best to destroy our rural heritage rather than protect it.
… And what the hell is she trying to say about dairy farms and the county fair?
Presentation to School Board on Lovettsville options last night:
http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509905169119/lib/509905169119/Wheatland%20Project/WESTERN%20LOUDOUN%20SCHOOLSmay2009.pdf
From this article in the independent, posted also on John Stevens blog, it looks like the amendment to the contract with Cangiano will take some time, and the School Board is saying they can cancel up until June 1, if the Bos wants them to–and that if the BoS acts right away publicly to denounce this site, then they will cancel the contract… at least that is what I read into this… the BoS needs to act:
http://www.loudouni.com/education/2009-05-27/wheatlands-survives-fight-another-day
so many questions about how the deck is stacked against the McDonough site. Look at page 14. Here is one of many examples. Instead of bringing the sewer connection along Fry Farm Road (as do most utility lines), why does Adamo show it truncating a private property?
Re: #31
Dr. Adamo’s presentation had a *decidedly* negative tone.
Also there were lots of cost analysis (analyses?) thrown out about how expensive road improvements, infrastructure, etc., would be. WHY haven’t we seen any of those numbers for the Wheatland property?
The Shoene property has very few issues, and looks perfect–just too small for all those schools. Would be a great high school site. The Engle property (35 acres) would need a rezoning from the town, so would need up front town support. Very difficult without town support, but could be a non issue. Could be left out, to go forward with Shoene, alone, too..
The other assemblage looks good too, with the only issue being an easement or some means to get utilities the short distance from the town. The Ag district issue is not really an issue, since the BoS has the authority to remove property from Ag districts in its discretion- and it is a small amount of acreage–The board could even probably keep it in the Ag district until the district is up for renewal, since the projection to build is so far out.
The costs for the road improvements for these properties will in all likelihood be very similar to the costs for Cangiano, so not sure that is an issue. And they will be on public water and sewer, which is an advantage.
I think either of these properties is preferable to, and much more workable than Cangiano. I agree with some of the other posters, that it does not seem “fair” to highlight road improvement or other costs for these Lovettsville properties and ignore those costs for Cangiano…
Re: #35
From Leesburg Today: “The Loudoun County School Board voted 6-3 Tuesday night after a lengthy closed meeting to extend the contract for the purchase of the Wheatland property south of Lovettsville, which is planned to serve as the site for a three-level education complex for a cost of $7.6 million.”
7.6 million is the cost of the LAND ONLY.
I’m not faulting the press, they can’t report numbers they don’t have, but the 7.6 million figure is deceiving…
@ Sarah
“In 2007 an unnamed Supervisor knew everything that went down with the Miller negotiation and kept quiet. That Supervisor is on notice now to be sure his/her collegues do the right thing today.”
Why do you keep harping on the Miller property and negotiations? Mr. Miller was using pre-emptive measures to protect his property against possible condemnation. That has since come out since his son spoke at the BOS meeting. Mr. Miller was a lawyer and quite familiar with eminent domain and what the “negotiations” could lead to.
Why do so many of your comments always detour to Miller? It’s wasted energy at this point. A Supervisor’s knowledge of Mr. Miller’s negotiations doesn’t mean spit now.
Dead very dead the BOS just adjourned.
Crawlin King Snake,
Mr. Miller’s attorney sent a letter to Dr. Adamo dated April 7, 2006 that said Mr. Miller would be willing to sell his land according to the terms of the (attached) signed contract for $31,730/acre IN LIEU OF CONDEMNATION. So, it is clear the Millers were most definitely willing. In fact Mr. Miller was willing to go either way, he just wanted ~$2k/acre more if condemnation wasn’t the path LCPS chose to take. It took me 3 FOIA requests for LCPS to finally release that single letter. So LCPS apparently thought that letter was relevant otherwise they would have given it to me the first time I asked.
That letter shows that Dr. Adamo wasn’t truth-FULL when he said Mr. Miller wasn’t willing and when again on Apr29 when Dr. Adamo said Mr. Miller wanted condemnation. Mr. Miller was at one time very willing, just not willing to sell his property for $25k/acre – which was the price Adamo told Miller the land was worth, based on LCPS’ evaluation. Had Dr. Adamo been sincere with his negotiations, Mr. Miller may even have remained willing. We will never know.
All this IS relevant because at that exact same time LCPS offered the Rackams $57k/acre for their Wheatland property. This shows LCPS’ Wheatland bias existed since at least 2006. Bias even to the point of eliminating ALL viable Lovettsville options to be considered. Adamo killed the Miller option in 2006 and tried to kill the McDonough/Shoene/Engle options last night with his one-sided presentation of all the hurdles and costs for those options, while never providing the same level of detail/costs for Cangiano/Burgess.
Now that the Wheatland deal appears dead, I would hope that LCPS will now be forced to quit sabotaging deals.
The Miller deal also calls into serious question the statements made by public officials in charge of handling taxpayer funds. The public needs to remain wary of underlying motives, particularly when information raises more questions than answers.
It seems a new process is needed for BOS and SB to work together on future site acquisitions, with BOS taking the lead to get SB buyin instead of the other way around.
#37: The Miller’s never intended to sell! They entertained the SB for many tax reasons…This is from the horse’s mouth…not the ass’s.
SS has an agenda:
Are you all really ready to condemn farmland with sprouting corn? You weren’t when it was close to you…Are you really ready to tell Mr. Moore his property will be a road? How far will you go to say, “not this farmland, but that farmland” Are you prepared to lay your head on your pillow at night thinking, “whew…my kid is 2 miles closer even though it took land from someone”… How about this one: “OOOPS! We didn’t mean for it to be a bus depot like Purcellville”….Or: “gee, why are they suddenly widening the streets of Broadway…we didn’t mean for that to happen” I am not saying Wheatlands was the best place for a school, but be careful where you push it….
I knew about this McDonough property 3 months ago…so did many others. It was a pissing match to say the least….may work, may not…be careful…
PLEASE do not follow the rhetoric of what a smalltown school site is advertising! Remember: there are two sides to every story and SS is making sure only one side is heard! Not for OR against condemnation? What the hell is that????? That means you are for it as long as it is not YOUR land! Be careful what you sign!
God Bless the Wheatlands and may this work out for everyone!
I was not going to visit here again but I have to say ONE MORE THING! I, as many others in scouts, troops, baseball, soccer, etc…ARE SICK AND TIRED OF SARAH AND OTHERS SPEAKING FOR THE MILLERS, OR ANYBODY ELSE! This whole, “it is clear or obvious they wanted to sell is CRAP!” YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR THEM OR ANYBODY ELSE’S PROPERTY YOU DO NOT PAY TAXES ON! DO NOT REPRESENT IF IT IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP ASSUMING! IT’S A WASTE OF TIME! God Bless the Wheatlands, we know where they stand…God Blesss the Millers, we know where they stand! SARAH: Shut -up about what you assume is obvious!!!!! It’s rhetoric and gossip!!!!!!!!
SO SAD WHAT ONE WOMAN HAS DONE TO DIVIDE THIS TOWN
No, wait Nimby, don’t leave so quickly, we’ve hardly gotten a chance to know you!
Sarah has posted scans of two unsolicited letters from the Miller’s agent to LCPS offering to sell their land. She has also posted a cover letter and a signed contract from the Millers offering to sell their land. These are all posted on her site and can be easily verified.
Yet we are to believe Nimby International’s claim that they never intended to sell.
Sure, that seems like a very reasonable strategy to not sell your property.
You’re following SS’s lead rather than thinking with your brain…it was never going to happen. If you had done your research and ignored the SS rhetoric…it was never going to happen from day #1! ::::::::
#37: Mr. Miller was using pre-emptive measures to protect his property against possible condemnation. That has since come out since his son spoke at the BOS meeting. Mr. Miller was a lawyer and quite familiar with eminent domain and what the “negotiations” could lead to.”
I would add… “I tried to negotiate for the sake of a law suit” …DA! SS has smoke screened this for all of you! ” Life is a highway…I want it MY WAY …” SS theme song
Answer me this, Sarah…do you support the McDonough site if Shoene is shot down? You may find far more support for McDonough. And it’s adjacent to the town which is part of the comprehensive plan.
If STS guns against McDonough you won’t get the same support you did for Wheatland.
Are you ready to take up the cause for McDonough?
Thank You, King Snake…time to call out the real NIMBY’s;-)
Actually, I take that back…we all have a right to be Nimby’s, I TOTALLY respect the Wheatland Alliance on that FOUNDATION! BUT, SS is not a real NIMBY…none of these properties are her backyard…HMMM…must mAke it easier to be nasty…CAN YOU IMAGINE? BEING SO NASTY WHEN YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE IT IN YOUR BACKYARD?
Let me guess…the response will be: “I would welcome it in my backyard”…She calls the cops on LEGAL deer hunters in her “backyard” ! It’s the talk of the town!
NIMBY/SNAKE-
I welcome any near Town site, McDonough or any others, as long as the community has a chance to weigh in on all the options. I admit I like Shoene/Engle because there is logic with those schools being co-located with the community center and library but both would be fine with me – but this is now in the Town’s court. McDonough is close to the fire station and could be linked to the Town Center by the planned bike path along 287 so that would be cool.
I understand we have differing opinions about what the FOIA documents say. I have spoken with Bo Miller in person and I am certain we understand each other so you can attack me as you please but your opinion of me is frankly irrelevant. I don’t think I have divided the Town. I think that honor goes to LCPS staff. If I have offended anyone, they are welcome to call me.
I have never called the police on my neighbors. Your statements about the gunfire in my neighborhood has no relevance to this issue. But since you bring it up, ~fifteen years ago I spoke directly to my one neighbor and a game warden about my concerns but have long since accepted their responsible hunting, as is their right.
Funny you should mention this because I rec’d a voice mail while I was away last Sat from my neighbor who apparently did call the sheriff about a stray bullet that actually hit her house while she and her homebound husband were inside. Another neighbor told me about a shot that missed his daughters’ head while they were in their yard about 4 months ago. So do I worry about gunfire near my home? yes, who wouldn’t under those circumstances? But not originating from my responsible hunting neighbors – it is others who are more worrisome.
Back to the relevant issue here…ok, forget about the Miller story fine. What about all the other information FOIA has revealed? Why won’t LCPS acknowledge the Crim RFP response so Hillsboro can have an elementary school expansion? Why does LCPS’ consultant put a community well to serve the schools that isn’t even on the property under contract? What about the Nixon house? What about a 2 week RFP? Why have my efforts to bring sunshine to this deal and schools to Lovettsville been so offensive to you? Do you believe the County won’t listen to the Town’s concerns and mitigate the impacts? Why can’t stakeholders be given an opportunity to look at options and speak their concerns to decision makers? Why must LCPS be in the sole power position to decide what is best for us and exclude our voice?
Nimby International – get a hold of yourself. Man, take a chill pill. Sarah has done an awful lot to bring to light the bullshit and outright lies from our supposedly “public” school system. She deserves a medal.
@ Sarah
“Why won’t LCPS acknowledge the Crim RFP response so Hillsboro can have an elementary school expansion?”
I’m not familiar with this issue. Would Hillsboro Elementary be expanded to serve more of Western Loudoun–which would mean one less elementary school is needed?
Nimby International, Wow! You sound pretty angry at Sarah. She must have really freaked you out with the push for the Miller site. Ya know, even though she has brought that site up on many occasion, it has become more of an issue regarding LCPS staffer corruption than anything else. You see, staffers have had they’re blinders directed towards Wheatlands for so long that they effectively sabotaged negotiations with Miller from the beginning. Whether Miller intended to sell, or not, isn’t my issue here. My issue is that staffers have steered an under qualified school board in poor directions on more than one occasion. Lenah, Grubb and Wheatlands to name a few.
I know that Sarah is a big girl and she can defend herself, but your BOLD typing shows a frustration that I can’t ignore. So here’s what I have for ya:
I live in Wheatlands. I have followed Sarah’s lead in calling for FOIA requests. Without those requests we would not have found out about all the underhanded crap these staffers have been pulling. It is that crap that will eventually benefit you (hopefully) when it comes to choosing future school sites. The costs of the FOIA requests have helped to put staffers, school board reps and anyone else that would undermine the western Loudoun’s way of life on notice… we will not be lied to, we will not allow you ruin the last remaining organic farms in this area, and we will demand respect when considering development in this area. This is hopefully a not-so-subtle message to Cangiano as well.
Your direct attack on Sarah which includes mentioning that she has divided Lovettesville, and something about shooting in her backyard, in BOLD print is melodramatic and quite frankly douchebagian. Now, I’m not calling you a DB, so please don’t mistake me for doing so. I’m just saying that there’s a personal agenda in play when a person brings up completely unrelated topics, and puts them in bold print. It doesn’t become you, and it kinda makes you come off as a DB.
BTW- Loudoun Insider, I like your idea of a PAC against the school board and am more than willing to support you in that endeavor. We’re tired of Godfrey using kindergardeners as shields to support her stance on locating schools. Her replacement will need to consider the broader picture. And Jennifer Bergel? Well, what can I say. I supported her campaign, both financially and through word of mouth, only to have her be so easily manipulated by LCPS staffers. It’s time for her, and other board members, to move on and leave SB work to folks who aren’t afraid to question Adamo and Hatrick’s motives.
Long before she was elected, Ms Bergel told many people that she personally spoke with Mr & Mrs Miller and that Mrs Miller especially liked the idea of schools on their Lovettsville property. So Nimby International, while you appear to defend Ms Bergel on the one hand it seems you are effectively calling her a boldfaced liar. I think Ms Bergel spoke the truth, the letters support that. After negotiating with Mr Personality and patiently waiting, when public talk of their land was later raised again with zero offers, it seems the family put their foot down. Ms Bergel could clear this up but as was said before, it doesn’t really matter now. LCPS’ dirty laundry has already been hung up to dry.
Snake,
Bergel and Godfrey have stated another western ES will be needed first. Some Hillsboro residents cited concerns about the threat posed on the existing Hillsboro ES by the proposed ES at Grubb intitially and later at Wheatland. I suggest you direct your question to these SB reps.
is there any way to get our hands on the actual data helping us to see from whence these kids come? North of Rt 9 is still a vast area geographically. Are these kids coming from waterford, hillsboro or lovettsville? that would sure help focus the conversation on where would be an appropriate site!
I think you should talk to SS about getting personal. I work “locally” and know of many feeling attacked. Namecalling, intimidation, and, false information. If I had a dime for every parent feeling intimidated, I would be rich. I am hoping for a “clean” opinionted task force as called by Jim Burton.I am assuming the mayor he refers to will be EW and SS will nominate herself as local citizen rep. Hey, how about a local citizen rep with a kid who will actually benfit from these schools! MIne are old and grown or I would LOVE this post.
Sorry to get personal, my family has been more than effected by this already. Truce! Let us Farm!
SS: Thanks for clearing uop the stray bullet thing. Was a story flyin about town for months. See how easy it is to spread BS around here? Only takes one voice. scary
Nimby – I can appreciate the #54 post with one exception: “Hey, how about a local citizen rep with a kid who will actually benfit from these schools! MIne are old and grown or I would LOVE this post.”
You, and any other resident, can benefit from these schools. A person does not need a 1 year-old that will be in elementary school by the time its built in order to qualify.
Priscilla Godfrey eluded to that in one of her letters. Who the hell is she to tell me that because we have no kids, our input is irrelevant? What if we can’t have kids, but have family members that do? I indirectly stand to benefit. Don’t I?
So Nimby, don’t hesitate to put your name in the hat if you feel you can do something constructive to help those around you. Sarah has.