 | Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny Sir Wheeler of Sterling, a Loudoun Rail Now member, grabs a box of pins to offer one to Denis Fahie of Ashburn, right, during a rally before the Rail to Dulles public input session in front of the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg June 4. Countryside reside Janae Vejmola holds up signs in the background. Across the lawn Loudoun Opt Out gathered and voiced their concerns about financing Metrorail. “We have to do something about congestion on the roads,” Fahie said. “If we don’t pay for it now, it’s gonna be twice as much later.” |
Just before Monday’s Rail to Dulles public input session at the Loudoun County Government Center, the grounds outside housed passions and chants expected more at FedEx Field or Camden Yards. Loudoun Rail Now advocates proclaimed their pro-Metro views to attendees, while their prime opposition, Loudoun Opt Out, stood across the lawn, joined by anti-rail Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), who could be heard shouting “come over here, those guys suck.”
It was a night of green—the green shirts donned by Loudoun Rail Now advocates, and the green dollars Metro opponents claim the county will lose if it remains in the current funding agreement for Phase Two of Dulles Rail. Rail to Dulles will run Metro’s Silver Line to the Dulles International Airport and two miles into Ashburn.
Of the more than 100 speakers Monday, roughly 70 percent were in favor of extending the Silver Line into Loudoun. Nothing definitive was decided, of course. It was simply a time for supervisors to hear compelling remarks from their constituents. Most members of the all-Republican board – including the oft-colorful and controversial Delgaudio – didn’t say a word from the dais during the four-hour meeting that wrapped up around 10:40 p.m.
 | Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny John Grigsby of Hillsboro walks to his seat after taking his turn to voice his opinion during the Rail to Dulles public input session at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg June 4. |
The packed session fell precisely one month before the board’s deadline to determine whether it’ll remain with Fairfax County, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the current funding agreement.
While members of Loudoun Rail Now were more visible and greater in numbers, Loudoun Opt Out was by no means silenced. Opt Out leader David LaRock was on hand, as expected; but he wasn’t alone. Rather he was joined near the microphones at the front of the board room by his wife and four of his seven children, all of whom addressed the supervisors.
11-year-old John LaRock told supervisors he’ll be 41 years old when the county is done paying for Metrorail.
“That’s not including the operation and maintenance subsidies,” the young LaRock added.
The LaRocks read largely from a report titled “Does Loudoun County Really Need Metrorail?” authored by urban planning specialists and economists Randal O’Toole and Gabriel Roth. The report argues spending hundreds of millions on Metrorail would be waste, since the “benefits to mobility would be small and costly.”
According to figures from MWAA, the organization overseeing Rail to Dulles, Loudoun County’s initial capital costs for the project – both Phase One and Phase Two – are estimated at approximately $250 million, while annual expenses are likely to run from $20 million to $25 million.
Speakers within the Loudoun business community, notably some associated the Chamber of Commerce, again voiced their unwavering support, stressing rail benefits such as connectivity to the nation’s capital, economic development infrastructure and reducing congestion on the roads.
Grafton DeButts, membership manager for the Loudoun County Chamber and a founding member of the Loudoun Young Professionals initiative, spoke of young men and women starting careers – the future workforce – who will be drawn to Loudoun County if rail goes through.
“Across the board, young professionals here in Loudoun County are in favor of Metro to Ashburn,” DeButts said. “... We have great jobs here, but it’s about where [young professionals] go for community. They’ll drive to their jobs, but they want to live near their community.”
Confirming a sentiment previously voiced by Supervisor Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn), several attendees voiced their shock that Metrorail into Loudoun County is in jeopardy.
“We thought, when we built our house four years ago, [Rail to Dulles] was a done deal,” said Ashburn resident Tyiesha Thaxton.
Andrew Mueller of South Riding commented, “My wife and I moved out to the South Riding area about two years ago, and we too also looked at the key prospect that the rail was coming out.”
Over the past two months, the board has held meetings devoted specifically to studying Metro, including how to finance the project, and projections for ridership and return on investment.
Virginia Del. Bob Marshall (R-13), also candidate in the upcoming Republican primary for a seat in the U.S. Senate, was the first speaker of evening. The hard conservative announced it’s not the Metro project in general he objects, but rather the expense and management of MWAA.
Marshall urged the board to vote no on account of recently-unveiled problems with the authority’s contracting and transparency practices, as well as lavish spending of authority funds.
On Wednesday, MWAA’s board of directors is expected to vote on whether to continue with a policy that incentivizes companies bidding on the project to use a project labor agreement.
Both state officials and some Loudoun supervisors have said they’ll withdraw funding support for Phase Two if the project labor agreement-preference isn’t rescinded.
 | Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) hands out fake money to call attention to the financing issue to Loudoun Opt Out leader David LaRock, left, and Sterling resident Jerry Voellinger during a rally before the Rail to Dulles public input session in front of the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg June 4. Across the lawn Loudoun Rail Now supporters chanted with signs. |
 | Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny From left, Supervisors Matt Letourneau, Shawn Williams and Eugene Delgaudio listen during the Rail to Dulles public input session at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg June 4. More than 100 people addressed the Board of Supervisors, with many standing along the walls in the crowded room. |
 | Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny Attendees of the Rail to Dulles public input session at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg June 4 lined up against the walls in the crowded room. More than 100 people made their case to the Board of Supervisors in support of and against Metro. |
 | Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny Members of Loudoun Rail Now hold up pro-rail signs during a rally before the Rail to Dulles public input session in front of the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg June 4. |
 | Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny Loudoun Opt Out leader David LaRock adjusts a sign during a rally before the Rail to Dulles public input session in front of the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg June 4. |
Annual (operating) expenses to cost between $20 and $25 million dollars. Tell me: has any cost estimate for large projects, ever stayed on budget ? Was inflation, rising costs of labor and equipment factored in to that number? That is a lot of coin for taxpayers. For the residents who have lived in this county for years, have you not seen how growth has led to nothing but more taxes, more people per square foot, and more unsightly commercial development (think Outlet Mall and bypass flyover bridge for examples) ?
this is what I hate most about any type of politics.. as soon as someones *team* isnt winning and the majority wants what they oppose.. its one sour comment and diatribe after the other. Eventually they will have to face the fact that more than 50% of us WANT this to happen!
People shouldn’t listen to a few extremists using scare tactics in a last ditch attempt to sway public opinion. People should consider the pros and cons for themselves. I did and I realised that the Metro was a good decision for me.
Nuttin but a bunch a sour grapes at losing the public opinion battle.
The truth is no matter how big of a pig you put on a trailer it still has only one voice.
Congrats to our neighbors who stepped forward and firmly stated their visionary wish of investing in the future. They won the day on all accounts.
Vote Metro to Loudoun! It’s a beautiful vision for our future.
Support outweighs the opposition not only at the public input meetings, but also in all the local poles. You can’t argue with what the majority want people. It’s time you tip your hats and accept that people are voting…..
Yes to Metro!!!!!!
By and large every speaking in favor of Metro had some personal benefit at stake. Those who spoke against we’re concerned about the $ impact on every Loudoun Citizen. The previous post commenting on how the question of support was or was not posed was spot on. The Board should Opt-Out before they lose control to MWAA and the equally dis functional Metro management.
Here we have more blatant lies made up on the fly.
There is no 80% of residents. It’s all in how the question was asked. “do you want Metro to Loudoun if it costs you an extra $2000 in your own personal property taxes?” was the way to ask it.
Anything less is like asking someone if they want free icecream.
@LoudounInsider.. Seems from all your comments your the only ‘little’ guy here. Your suggestion that the people of Loudoun County who support the rail, all 80% of them are getting paid is ridiculous. Getting 80% support for anything in Loudoun County is by its very definition not “politics as usual”. You are like a broken record. and was it not the opt-out camp that paid another company to robocall residents? A company with interests in oil?
Oh my goodness what was the point of having an 11 yr old read something his father clearly wrote up. Gimme a break! The showboating is old already. Why is it that if the someone disagrees with you they are getting paid? I am 100% in support of the metro coming to Loudoun County and, believe me, nobody is paying me! Is it so hard to believe people can be actively involved in a cause and the only incentive they need is being able to stand up for what they believe in? You really need to get over yourself and face what the majority in this county wants. YES to metro!
@Loudoun Insider, with all these posts you seem to be the only ‘little’ guy here. You are suggesting that 80% of Loudoun County is getting paid to support rail? Ridiculous. Getting 80% support for anything in Loudoun County is by its very definition not “politics as usual”. You are like a broken record, change the tune already.
So, you’re dismissing the influence of Moveon.org, the SEIU office in Loudoun (just itching for something to do while they’re waiting for November) and elements of the AFL-CIO actually presenting the visual “show” that night?
Every speaker that I watched present “facts” and “figures” made those numbers up on the fly. They are recorded nowhere. They exist in their own minds.
I’ve seen the ACTUAL numbers (MWAA’s numbers at that) and they spell a disaster to Loudoun County.
We’re the “cash cow” that MWAA has been searching for, since the Feds and the State backed away from them. What is truly puzzling is why liberals who usually hate the big corporate entities recieving tax money are actually celebrating it this time.
It was the sensible move to get more people on board with the project.
MWAA has voted to drop the PLA requirement.
Loudoun Insider - Its too bad that in reality much of the county wants rail according to polls huh? You got to make up stories about the supporters to feel better about your losing side.
No one is paying concerned citizens to show up and fight for taxpayer rights. Deep pocketed developers who stand to make millions on the backs of the rest of us love to pay PR consultants money to line up paid participants in same colored shirts. It’s Loudoun politics as usual and the little guy gets reamed as usual.
@Loudoun Insider - no one bothered to ask them nor did anyone bother asking the opt-out folks how much they were being paid…simply because the notion itself is ridiculous. Funny how people start blaming the process and participants when things don’t go the way they want.
Loudoun County residents want rail. That was clear last night.
Did anyone bother to ask how much the people in the green shirts were being paid?
oranges, sorry I got your comment deleted by mentioning it, I was just comparing and contrasting your approved non-censored comments to the censored comments of me and several others discussing the inherent conflicts in this newspaper reporting on this project when their owner is a huge subcontractor to Bechtel.
By the way would someone post the real estate companys name that sold them property saying that rail was a done deal!
“It’s also hard to understand why the Feds have refused to inject funds into the project…”
Because the Silver Line doesn’t even come close to the DoT ridership numbers needed to fund a Metro as expensive as this. Even on a stretch, they couldn’t the expense versus ridership ratio.
“Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), who could be heard shouting “come over here, those guys suck.””
Eugene is always classy. You guy (as in LTM) endorsed him. Thanks a bunch!!
Kudos to all of the speakers on both sides. Everyone did a nice job of presenting his/her case.
Still, each Loudoun taxpayer should be inclined to say to the supervisors before they vote on this: “Show me the money!”
It’s also hard to understand why the Feds have refused to inject funds into the project, especially since the train would probably be a major route of evacuation if Washington DC ever has to be evacuated.
When your losing start setting up straw men and fear mongering; classy as always.
Monday night also saw a great turnout of Loudoun residents, both old and new, young and old…many without ties to the organizations that you’ve cited. I’m sure the meeting will be available for web streaming (archived on loudoun gov site) and citizens of Loudoun should view.
I agree that facts and figures were presented by the Opt-Out contingency. But I disagree that facts and figures were not presented by the Opt-In contingency. Both sides presented their arguments and both were compelling. I don’t think it’s right for advocates of either side to spread disinformation and fear by throwing organizational affiliations at either movement.
Last night was a public session, with participation from Loudoun residents. That’s my takeaway.
Wow, my last comment was censored and not posted. I guess criticism of this “newspaper” will no longer be tolerated in comments.
Monday night was a great turnout by Moveon.org, SEIU and members of the AFL-CIO ....
If MWAA removes the PLA agreement to get this done, they’ll be back to reinsert it at a later date of their choosing. Nobody is in place to stop that from happening, since MWAA answers to no one.
As for the speakers, the Opt out crowd brought facts and actual figures…something that none of the Opt in crowd would dare do. They’d just as soon spend the money and have fiscal hawks shut up about the money already.
I’ll be moving out of Loudoun soon enough. I’ve had enough of people who DEPEND on their neighbors to buy them stuff.
This story brought to you by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce and its members who paid for the signs and green shirts and professional organizers to stack the deck of speakers, and of course by the Bill Dean Times, official mouthpiece for MC Dean, Metro contractor.
I watched the greater portion of the meeting. Speakers were limited to 2 minutes and the board did a great job of enforcing that time limit. The vast majority of the speakers were in support of rail. There was a reasonable contingent of anti-rail speakers as well, but the sheer number of pro-rail was larger.
I saw David Larock and family speak. They did a good job of managing the time amongst their family members to optimize.
I’m used to seeing some pretty fierce debate here on LTM that often gets out of hand and breaks down. But the arguments on both sides were compelling and reasonable during yesterdays event. Though i’m pro-rail, the speeches by the anti-rail voices gave me some pause for thought.
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