The Loudoun County flag is flying at half-staff in honor of former Board of Supervisors Chairman George L. Barton IV, who died Nov. 24. He was 68. The flag will fly at half-staff at county facilities through Dec. 4. One of the flags will be presented to Barton’s family.

Barton was elected the first at-large Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 1991. He served as chairman from 1992 to 1995. During his tenure, he worked with the Board to bring public water to residents near the Loudoun County landfill. He’s also credited with helping to create an efficient and effective structure for the Board during a time of rapid growth in the county. Barton was considered a champion of open government.

He promoted the Land Development Guidelines initiative, which led to Board “disclosures” – Board members verbally disclosing their meetings with representatives of active land development applications at Board business meetings – a practice that continues today.

Barton continued to serve the county after leaving office. He chaired the Education and Workforce Development Committee of the county’s Economic Development Commission. He also was a volunteer firefighter with the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department and was a certified CPR instructor.

Barton was also a highly respected journalist, having served as editor of the Fauquier Times-Democrat and later the Loudoun Times-Mirror. Barton also served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division and was honorably discharged as a captain after being wounded in combat.

He received four Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star with valor for his service.