Town of Leesburg, Virginia

09/27/2023

For today's , we're featuring the Project Manager for Construction position, which was recently posted to the Town's website.

This is a senior level position in the Office of Capital Projects, which is responsible for professional construction management work to develop and implement the construction of the Town’s capital projects and other construction activities by the Town.

Work involves overseeing construction projects within the Town, managing outside construction management firms, inspectors and contractors, reviewing construction plans for constructability and compliance with codes, regulations and Town standards and dealing with consultants, residents and developers regarding project construction.

To learn more or to apply, visit the following link >> https://bit.ly/3PU9oFH

09/27/2023

Welcome to !

Here are the highlights from this week’s Town Council meetings:

- Missed either meeting? You’re able to view them on the Town’s page (Town of Leesburg, Virginia) as both were streamed live. The presentations for this week’s meetings can be found here >> https://www.leesburgva.gov/government/mayor-council/current-council-agenda

- The Town Council voted on several changes related to its Boards and Commissions, including meeting regularity, attendance rules, and compensation. View the staff report here >> https://bit.ly/3PwUPq1

- The Council voted to cancel its Monday, October 2, work session. Instead, all items that were set for discussion that evening will be discussed at the Tuesday, October 3, business meeting. The Council’s early October meetings are occurring a week early due to the following week’s federal holiday and to allow Council to attend the Virginia Municipal League annual conference. More details here >> https://bit.ly/46pHTcv

09/27/2023

The deadline to submit sculptures for the 2024 installation of ArtsPARKs has been extended to this Friday. Learn more about this call here >> https://bit.ly/4585PQn

09/26/2023

Town Council Meeting - 09/26/2023

09/26/2023

Welcome to !

In recognition of our Emergency Management Office wants to remind you to make sure all members of your household, including young ones, are prepared for an emergency.

09/26/2023

If you're not already, be sure to like/follow the Leesburg Executive Airport, Town of Leesburg page. Not only can you find fun details regarding the Town's airport, but you'll also see a lot of valuable information regarding this week's Leesburg Airshow.

Visit facebook.com/leesburgexecutiveairport.

09/26/2023

Bulk leaf collection will begin October 16. Please note - after the end of yard waste collection in November, Patriot will NOT collect yard waste in any type of bag or can for recycling. More details, including the upcoming collection schedule, can be found here >> https://bit.ly/3rrDUgI

09/25/2023

Leesburg Town Council Work Session - 9/25/23

09/25/2023

A ribbon cutting was held on Saturday, September 23 to celebrate the grand opening of Double X Archery, a premier archery pro shop and indoor range located in Leesburg >> https://bit.ly/46rYJar

09/25/2023

Welcome to !

As we continue our recognition of , we’d like to introduce you to Gus Segura, Building Maintenance Supervisor for our Public Works Department and a proud native of Argentina.

Gus came to the U.S. 25 years ago after spending some time in Spain where he worked for a delivery service. When he came to America, he enrolled in Adult Education classes where he took courses to become certified in HV/AC and electrical work. He worked for a private HV/AC company before joining Loudoun County government, where he worked his way up from maintenance to technician. He credits his time with the County government for helping him add to his skills, which has served him well as a jack-of-all-trades in building maintenance for the Town government. He’s been a member of the Town of Leesburg staff for 15 years.

What’s kept him in Leesburg to celebrate his 15th anniversary is the friendly people he gets to work with, and the variation from day to day of tasks he is presented with. Each day takes Gus to multiple Town facilities to work on anything that needs fixing, from replacing lightbulbs to picking up trash to plumbing.

“Whatever has to be done, we do it,” he says.

Fun Fact: When Gus isn’t in a Town building, you can expect to see him—and hear him!—on the side of the soccer fields as he cheers on his child. “I used to coach my kids and now I like to watch my kid play in high school. You go to a game there you will hear me. I’m from Argentina, we have so much passion. I know every kid on the team. They played with me when I was a coach. It’s so cool,” he said.

09/25/2023

A reminder that the Town Council is scheduled to meet tonight and tomorrow night beginning at 7 p.m.

Please note that the video issues on our webcast and cable channel persist so transmission will be audio only. However, both meetings will be streamed live on the Town's page beginning shortly before 7 p.m.

For links to presentations for both meetings and a link to access closed captioning, go to https://www.leesburgva.gov/government/mayor-council/current-council-agenda

09/25/2023

The Department of Public Works has launched an Invasive Species Locator Map in response to increased sightings of the Spotted Lantern Fly, a planthopper indigenous to Japan, South Korea, and the United States. It uses a geographic information system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all data entered. In this case, those utilizing the system can report where the insect or Tree of Heaven have been spotted, which will help the Town develop a plan to best address the issue. Learn more here >> https://bit.ly/3RGraNI

09/23/2023

For today’s post, we’re highlighting The Global Local, a unique and immersive shopping destination founded in 2018.

The store features partnerships with over 25 local artists and makers as well as a wide range of global and fair trade sourced products, from locally produced goods and foods, to exotic jewelry and textiles as well as Loudoun themed apparel.

Shopping at The Global Local is an experiential treat where customers can discover new and exciting products that truly reflect the unique culture and character of the local community. With a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, The Global Local is a beloved town square where locals can gather, share stories, and connect with each other while supporting local artisans and small businesses.

The Global Local is located at 105 Loudoun Street, SW. Learn more at www.globallocalshop.com, www.facebook.com/TheGlobalLocalShop, or follow on Instagram .

09/22/2023

* GIVEAWAY ALERT *

It's time for anther post! Let’s see how well you know Leesburg.

Where in Leesburg can you find the object pictured below? Bonus points if you know what it's called along with its purpose. Simply share your guess in the comment section below.

Those who guess correctly will be entered to win a pair of VIP passes to next week's airshow, which will allow you and one guest to enjoy food and non-alcoholic drinks in the private Sky Club area. A winner will be announced on Saturday. Good luck!

09/22/2023

Live in Leesburg - Lantern Fly and Tree of Heaven

09/22/2023

Monday night's work session will include a discussion on synthetic building materials in the old and historic district as well as mobile food unit regulations.

Tuesday's meeting will include one public hearing item regarding attendance requirements for boards and commissions. Since January, council has discussed potential changes to the membership and attendance requirements for Town boards and commissions.

During their August 7 work session, council directed staff to begin the process of amending the Town Code regarding membership requirements as well as modify and clarify the rules regarding meetings and compensation for members.

To view the agenda and full staff reports visit >> https://bit.ly/45ZdQc3

09/21/2023

LANTERN FLY ALERT!

Tune in to tomorrow's "Live in Leesburg" to learn more about this invasive insect and what you can do to help get rid of it.

Post your questions below or join us at 11:30 a.m. to have them answered live as we give you a close up look at the Lantern Fly, Tree of Heaven, and more!

09/21/2023

Welcome to !

We're expected to get our fair share of wet weather this weekend, but it's unlikely to rival the aftermath of Hurricane Agnes in June 1972.

Hurricane Agnes remains one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history and sure packed a punch in Leesburg and Loudoun County. According to historical records, at the height of the flooding, over 600 miles of highways in the state of Virginia were submerged, resulting in $14.8 million in damage. In total, Agnes resulted in 13 fatalities and $125.9 million in losses in the state.

Thomas Balch Library

09/21/2023

Inclusive Solutions by ECHO is committed to creating a more inclusive workplace and community while providing valuable services to businesses. Services include box assembly, kitting, packaging, and more. Learn more in this week's "Locally Leesburg Business Showcase" >>

Inclusive Solutions by ECHO is committed to creating a more inclusive workplace and community while providing valuable services to businesses. Services inclu...

09/21/2023

Start gathering those important documents that are no longer needed! The Town of Leesburg’s Department of Public Works & Capital Projects will host a free community document shredding event on Saturday, October 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More details here >> https://bit.ly/48qLKrm

09/20/2023

Our feathered friend was back in the Town Branch today doing his best statued camouflage pose.

09/20/2023

The Leesburg Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 21 at 7 p.m.

Agenda items include an update on the Capital Intensity Factors Project, which is a cost estimate on a per household or per
capita basis for capital facilities needed to serve additional growth caused by new development.

According to the staff report, the Town does not currently have a CIF however, it would be a useful tool for the Planning Commission and Town Council to evaluate whether voluntary cash proffers proposed by rezoning applicants adequately mitigate estimated costs of providing capital facilities services. The Commission’ s feedback will inform the final project recommendations.

To review the full report and tomorrow night's agenda visit https://bit.ly/42gg6c1.

09/20/2023

Effective today, the Planning & Zoning and Plan Review departments have been merged into one to create the combined Department of Community Development. The goal is to focus on customer service while also gaining organizational efficiency and implementing additional process improvements.

The department can be found on the second floor of Leesburg's Town Hall until it's relocated to the Jewell Building located at 222 Catoctin Circle. Learn more here >> https://bit.ly/45YpiEC

09/19/2023

As this scallywag waits patiently t' meet wit' the mayor, we'd like t' remind everyone o' this Friday's "Meet the Mayor" event at Rust Library (380 Ole Waterford Road NW) from 10 a.m. t' 12 p.m. >> https://bit.ly/3PprbmL

Residents 'n stakeholders can use the informal settin' t' share ideas, concerns, 'n ask they mayor riddles. If fer some reason ye can nah make it, ye can always make an appointment t' stop by her festive cabin located at Town Hall.

09/19/2023

Ahoy maties and welcome to in !

We found something more valuable than treasure -- the Town's Emergency Preparedness Guide. Give it a look at https://www.leesburgva.gov/residents/emergency-preparedness/citizen-preparedness-guide

09/19/2023

This scallywag stopped by Leesburg Town Hall t' inquire about havin' his “skull-ptures” on display. Howe'er, once he saw the art exhibits on both the first 'n second floor, he realized he couldn’t compete wit' such local talent. His “heart” obviously wasn’t in it…

If ye 'ave a love fer art, be sure t' stop by Leesburg Town Hall t' view both shows durin' normal business hours (Monday - Friday). The first floor currently features about 35 acrylic paintings by local artists Ligia Inra 'n Christine Gordon. The second floor exhibit features artwork created by students in Loudoun County Public Schools.

Wish t' 'ave yer work on display? Email Leah Kosin at [email protected].

09/19/2023

Our skeleton crew would like t' remind everyone that we’re located at 25 W Market Street….nah the government buildin' or courthouse. We’re jus' next door t' the Tally Har!

Here ye can pay water bills, get things notarized, take care o' permit applications, catch a Leesburg Town Council meetin', 'n more.

Our website does a good job explainin' everythin'. Visit www.leesburgva.gov. Or ye’re ahoy t' stop by 'n natter t' our receptionist.

09/19/2023

Ahoy! Today be Talk Like a Pirate Day! Expect all things pirate as we’re mighty excited! As are hands o' our IT Department who clearly understood the assignment. 'ave a great start t' yer mornin'.

09/18/2023

Argh me hearties! So yer ‘ere to learn the vast secrets of this sacred day that soon be upon us!?

That’s right! We’re referring to ‘International Talk Like a Pirate Day’, which will be recognized tomorrow, September 19.

It’s a celebration that started in June 1995, which still gets quite a bit of attention. That being said, we didn’t want to miss out on all the fun. Check back tomorrow to see what we have in store. We’ll be talking pirate all day.

Public Service Announcement - Though this is a pirate imitation day, please do not pillage, steal, or brawl. Actual pirates aren’t that great, so best to go for the parody version!

09/18/2023

Welcome to !

As we embark on the monthlong celebration of , we’d like to introduce you to Maritza Pinero, who serves as the Town’s Benefits Administrator in the Human Resources Department.

Maritza has been a Town employee since July 2000. Back then, both the HR Department and the Town’s workforce were significantly smaller. She was recruited to be a personnel analyst, but the position morphed over time to focus more on benefits administration. For a workforce that numbers in the hundreds—around 370 full-time employees and, when part-time and flex employees are included, more than 500 total—being the benefits guru is an important, and busy, job.

“It’s a very risky job, so to speak,” she said. “In addition to administering the retirement benefits I need to make sure everything is reconciled to the penny because this benefit is audited. Everything must be timely. I also oversee all the onboarding for new hires, signing everybody up for what they want to participate in. Some of these things are time sensitive. We have a lot of checks and balances in HR just to guarantee the information that goes through the payroll system is accurate.”

The growth in the HR Department has helped to better serve the Town’s workforce, she said. When she joined Town staff the entire HR Department was made up of three employees, including herself and the Director. Now, in addition to Maritza, the Department has two, soon to be three, HR analysts; a Safety Coordinator who focuses on employee training; a Director; and support staff.

“We’ve been able to branch out more and serve our employee population more effectively and efficiently than 20-some years ago,” she said.

Prior to joining the Leesburg staff, Maritza served as the personnel director in a small municipality in Puerto Rico, where she lived for a portion of her childhood and adult life.

“It’s a great place to work,” she said of Leesburg. “The people that I work for are very professional, personable, and friendly. It’s truly a second family.”

Fun Fact: A native of Philadelphia—but a proud Commanders fan! —Maritza developed a unique skill in her childhood. “When I was a little girl, I lived next door to my uncle and his four sons and I had a brother, so I grew up with five boys. My aunt always made it very intentional about doing girly things with me. She got me into hula dancing. Everywhere there was a luau she would dress me up in Hawaiian garb and stand me on top of the table to dance. So, my fun fact in icebreaker games is always ‘I used to dance hula on top of tables’,” she said.

09/18/2023

If you are planning to tune in to any of the Town's televised public meetings this week -- the Board of Zoning Appeals, Board of Architectural Review or Planning Commission -- please note that we are still transmitting audio only on our cable channel and webcasts. We are hoping to rectify this as soon as possible.

Closed captioning for each meeting will be available via the following links:

Board of Zoning Appeals (Sept. 19): https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=Board_of_Zoning_Appeals

Board of Architectural Review (Sept. 20): https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=Board_of_Architectural_Review_Meeting

Planning Commission (Sept. 21): https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=Planning_Commission_Meeting

Please check each Board's or Commission's webpage on www.leesburgva.gov for presentation packets and staff reports.

09/16/2023

Welcome to !

Yesterday was the first day of and today just so happens to be so let’s pay a visit to Del Rio.

The popular Mexican restaurant has been in business for almost 30 years and is well regarded for its delectable menu, with the fajitas a particular fan favorite. There is an ample bar and cocktail menu to wash everything down. Not to be forgotten, a quick look at reviews will show you the restaurant is just as well known for its excellent customer service and friendly staff as it is for its cuisine.

In case you need a reason to celebrate, a visit to Del Rio on this festive holiday may be just what your weekend needs!

Del Rio is located at 701 East Market Street in the AutoZone shopping center. Visit Del Rio on Facebook for more information.

09/16/2023

If a career change is on your mind stop in the Diversity Commission job fair TODAY! The Town of Leesburg and Leesburg Police Department are some of the many great employers exhibiting.

09/15/2023

Welcome to !

Today is the first day of and we’ll be introducing you to some of the valued members of our Town staff and Leesburg Police Department, as well as introducing you to some of our wonderful Hispanic-owned businesses in Town.

To kick things off we’d like to introduce you to Luis Rosales, who serves as the Leesburg Police Department’s IT Systems Administrator.

If that sounds like a busy job, you’re not wrong. Luis says the days go by quickly at the Police Department, where he’s been an employee since September 2020. Luis joined the Department following a 20-year career with Fairfax County Fire-Rescue. He also worked for a time with the Fairfax County Police Department.

All of his public safety stops have been in the IT field, something he at least partly attributes to his father’s influence. His dad was a radio and TV repair person, so technology definitely runs in the family. He also points to a computer show he attended many years ago in his former home of California.

“I decided to go to one of those and that’s where I bought my first computer. I was really surprised when the person said ‘I’ll build it for you.’ I said, ‘Huh how do you build one,’ and that was what triggered my whole interest,” he said.

As to why he’s stayed in the public safety field so long, Luis points to his great colleagues.

“It’s definitely the honor of working with so many great men and women that make up the force. I have run into people that are new recruits, and I have seen them grow all the way to chiefs or people in leadership and I think that’s just incredibly great to see. Because you initially help them as new people and then all of a sudden you’re seeing these people transform into the heroes they are,” he said.

Luis can count himself among those heroes, though his humility probably won’t let that happen, as he is himself a certified EMT. He has served as a member of the Ashburn Fire and Rescue Company 6 and Company 22, and briefly was a member of Company 13 in Leesburg.

Fun Fact: If Luis hadn’t ended up in IT, you may have found him locally as a chef. “My very first job was cooking, and I’ve always loved cooking. Even now I’ll take on a specific recipe and I’ll make it to surprise the family.” His favorite dish to make is seafood paella because you can get creative with the ingredients. He passed on his love of cooking to his son, who just so happens to be a professional chef.

Leesburg Police Department

09/15/2023

Live in Leesburg - Job Fair Preview

09/15/2023

A reminder that road closures will occur in downtown Leesburg beginning at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon as the Town welcomes multi-platinum artist SHAED who will kick off this weekend's Crossroads Music Festival - Leesburg, VA.

Please note, closures will only occur on Friday. To learn more visit >> https://bit.ly/3RjuVJ3

To learn more about the Crossroads Music Festival, visit https://crossroadsmusicfest.org/. The Town of Leesburg Economic Development and Commission on Public Art are excited to be a sponsor!

09/14/2023

Tune in to tomorrow's Live in Leesburg (11:30 a.m.) to learn more about this Saturday's job fair hosted by the Town's Diversity Commission. Around two dozen employers from across all industries are expected to attend including the Town of Leesburg.

Learn more here >> https://bit.ly/3sUvoXS

09/14/2023

Welcome to !

It was 15 years ago today that the Town of Leesburg was celebrating the big 2-5-0.

Leesburg’s 250th anniversary was definitely a cause for celebration in the county seat, setting off significant planning to mark the Town’s semiquincentennial.

The lead-up to the big bash included copious lectures on Leesburg as a transportation hub and how the Town developed, a 250th anniversary book and merchandise, and a specialty exhibit at the Loudoun Museum.

In celebration of the Town’s big birthday, Temple Hall Farm even created that year’s corn maze in tribute, and former restaurant and watering hole Vintage 50 created a signature 250th brew. Many local businesses held special sales or promotions in honor of the milestone.

The main event though was a downtown birthday bash, with LOTS of cake! Residents young and old took to the downtown streets for a birthday party unlike any other.

If you need a reason for an indulgence tonight, cut a slice of birthday cake in celebration of Leesburg’s birthday!

Thomas Balch Library

09/14/2023

The Town of Leesburg’s Commission on Public Art (COPA) invites residents and artists to participate in the first annual “Leesburg Art in Your Yard” event on Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Those who would like to share or sell their photography, paintings, drawings, sculptures, etc., in the comfort of their own front yard, are invited to sign-up here >> https://bit.ly/3EAKnca

Click here for further details >> https://bit.ly/48hWckU

09/13/2023

A reminder that this Friday, September 15 is the deadline to submit your sculpture for the next installment of ArtsPARKs at Raflo Park. More details can be found here >> https://bit.ly/3qfTTO8