Loudoun supervisors trade year‑end reflections; county staff issue holiday safety and community notices

At their Dec. 16 business meeting, Loudoun County supervisors offered year‑end reflections, recognized the unveiling of a Barbara Rose Johns statue in Statuary Hall, and relayed several community notices from county staff about holiday safety and local events.

Miss Brixman opened with words of inspiration and a paraphrased lyric urging resilience in the wake of recent mass‑shooting events: “harsh words and deeds can make a mockingbird forget she was born to sing,” she said, and asked the chamber to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chair Randall described attending the unveiling of a Barbara Rose Johns statue in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall and thanked members of the Virginia delegation and other officials who attended. The chair said the statue replaces a previous Robert E. Lee statue in Statuary Hall and called the dedication “incredibly important.”

County staff relayed four community items for residents: Loudoun fire officials urged holiday fire safety for those with live Christmas trees (keep the tree stand reservoir filled with water daily and keep trees at least 3 feet from heat sources), the Department of Economic Development highlighted a "Take Loudoun Home" initiative to promote locally made and grown holiday goods, Loudoun Animal Services announced a special adoption event with waived fees for available pets (Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.), and Loudoun County Public Library opened submissions for a short‑story contest (entries accepted online through Feb. 15).

Several supervisors disclosed recent meetings with applicants and community groups, shared local event observations, and extended holiday wishes. Supervisor Crotty, Supervisor Kershner, Vice Chair Turner and others discussed local meetings (applicants for development projects, community menorah lighting, tree‑lighting events) and thanked staff and community members for participation during the year.

Supervisor Bridal cited national gun‑violence statistics, saying the county’s figures show roughly 14,000 deaths this year versus 16,000 last year and that mass shootings have declined from about 524 to about 393; those numeric claims were stated on the dais without an accompanying citation.

The board then recessed into closed session to consult with counsel on grant acceptance and to conduct annual personnel reviews, after which it reconvened and certified that no formal action had been taken in closed session.

The meeting adjourned with holiday greetings; the chair reminded the board this was the final business meeting of the year and noted seating changes at the next business meeting.