Latest News
West Nile Virus In Loudoun
August 20, 2002
Henry County Abduction Activates Amber Alert
An Amber Alert has been issued for Jennifer who has brown hair, is 4 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 58 pounds. She was abducted after her parents were killed in Henry County, Virginia which is five hours drive away from Sterling. Sheriff's Department number is 276-638-8751. I support Amber Alerts.To see a color photo of Jennifer and to see other links on this topic (including an explanation of Amber Alerts) visit:
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/08/18/missing.girl.virginia/
WEST NILE VIRUS IN 23 BIRDS IN LOUDOUN
The Loundoun County Director of Public Health, Dr. David Goodfriend, has just told me 23 birds, mostly from the eastern part of our county, have tested positive for West Nile virus. None of the Loudoun County mosquito testing has shown evidence of the virus.Further he has assured me " As a result of this finding, there is no need to continue testing birds coming from eastern Loudoun County; we will be focusing our efforts there on increased mosquito surveillance and abatement."
Dr. David Goodfriend, Director of the Loudoun County Health Department,said that 15 crows and 8 blue jays picked up in Loudoun County since July 24 have been confirmed to have been infected withWest Nile virus. "The results were reported to our office yesterday afternoon and are the first positive birds to be found in our county this year." Twenty of the birds were from the Sterling (Sterling/Sugarland/Cascades) and Ashburn area. The other three were from the Round Hill/Purcellville/Hamilton area.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CUT DOWN ON MOSQUITOES?
Residents are best able to protect themselves and their families from infection with West Nile virus. People can prevent mosquitoes from breeding by turning over or removing containers around the home where water collects, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets, and toys. People also should clean birdbaths and wading pools once a week, clean roof gutters and downspout screens regularly, and eliminate standing water on flat roofs.OKAY GIVE ME SOME MORE TIPS
In addition, the Health Department recommends the following tips to reduce exposure to mosquitoes:- Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing.
- Use insect repellent products with no more than 35 percent DEET for adults and less than 10 percent for children. Follow instructions when using insect repellents.
- Turn over or remove containers in your yard where water collects, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets and toys.
- Eliminate standing water on tarps or flat roofs.
- Clean out birdbaths and wading pools once a week.
- Clean roof gutters and downspout screens regularly.
STILL WANT EVEN MORE INFO ON WEST NILE?
For more information on West Nile virus, log onto the Loudoun County's Web site at www.loudoun.gov, and click onto "Hot Topics - West Nile Virus" or the Virginia Department of Health's Web site at www.vdh.state.va.us, and click onto "West Nile Virus Update."COUNTY AT LARGE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER STANDS WITH SIMPSON
(Supervisor Delgaudio) "I don't know if you noticed, but there was no 'roar' from the school board about the reduction in DARE or in the SRO officers at the middle schools. I've found the program to be marginal at best, based on my conversations with teachers, and law enforcement folks," says county at large School Board member TOM REED.SAMPLE OF CITIZEN COMMENT FOR SIMPSON
Mark A. Kwasny wrote a letter to the editor and to me in response to my recent e-mail message supporting the sherrif: It's time that the schools stick to education and not indoctrination of children with useless feel-good government programs. ... Sheriff Simpson, please go ahead and cut the D.A.R.E. program. "NEW SIDEWALK IN STERLING
There will be a new sidewalk on East Maple Avenue between South Maple Court and S. Garfield Road that the Board of Supervisors included two years ago in the VDOT Secondary Road six year plan with my support -- is now under construction by Virginia workers . All work is within the State's right of way. Watch for wet cement and don't let vandals go unreported!FARMERS MARKET- THURSDAY
FREE CONCERT - SUNDAY
There will be a Farmers Market this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. as usual. And the
last free concert of the summer season will be at Claude Moore Park on
Sunday, August 25, at six p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
HARRIS CALLS PEOPLE OF STERLING "CRIMINALS"?
Earlier this summer, I opposed a proposed resolution at the Board of Supervisors telling Republican Representatives Wolf, Davis, Warner and Allen to blindly support "the Clean Smokestack Act". Besides being unnecessary and wasteful, I asked if the Board could first READ THE ACT before voting to instruct federal legislators who actually READ it, to support it. The Board refused to first obtain a copy of the legislation before voting to support it. 8 voted "yes", I opposed it.Supervisor Charles Harris responded to me at length and said in conclusion:
"For me to think that the public can elect government representatives (like Mr. Delgaudio) that can get away with this is also a crime. Thank you. "He prefaced his statements by claiming we are running out of air and that electrical power plants violate the Pledge of Allegiance by taking away the pursuit of life and liberty by depriving us of clean air.
If you want the full transcript, I will send it out and post on the website soon.
