IN BRIEF

Chamber Asks Board To Reverse Redskins Vote

The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce has asked the Board of Supervisors to reconsider its rejection of a marketing partnership between the county and the Washington Redskins.

In a letter sent Monday to each supervisor, chamber President Tony Howard urged the board to reconsider its decision last week against the proposal, which would have marketed Loudoun as the corporate home of the Redskins and resulted in the county's logo being on the team's Web site.

"By promoting Loudoun County as the home to the most valuable sports franchise in the United States, this partnership will generate significant exposure that can be leveraged to attract visitor spending and new business investment to the county," Howard wrote.

The board voted 5 to 4 against the proposal, which called for the county to spend $100,000 in transient occupancy tax funds on the marketing partnership. Proponents said the agreement would foster economic development and tourism in the county; opponents said the partnership would be an inappropriate use of taxpayer money.

In his letter, Howard reminded supervisors of their commitment to expand Loudoun's commercial tax base and lessen the burden on existing commercial and residential taxpayers. The Redskins marketing partnership would be financed through the hotel room tax paid by visitors to Loudoun.

"The Chamber believes the proposed partnership with the Washington Redskins offers a uniquely effective means to reach a vast, worldwide audience that includes a significant portion of the target business market," Howard wrote.

Two Motorists Charged With Driving Drunk

Two motorists were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Friday night during a sobriety checkpoint conducted by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office near Hamilton.

A total of 333 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, held in the area of routes 7 and 704, and seven vehicles received additional screening, authorities said. In addition to the two motorists charged with drunken driving, two were charged with driving with a suspended license.

The sheriff's office conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays to discourage impaired driving.

"Our ultimate goal is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws," Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson said in a statement.

Members of the sheriff's auxiliary unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD assisted with the checkpoint Friday.

Sex Offender Arrested After Traffic Checkpoint

A Loudoun County Sheriff's Office checkpoint in Sterling has led to the arrest of a sex offender who had failed to re-register with authorities, officials said Monday.