The Week That Was

News that appeared Nov. 1-7 in The Washington Post that is of interest to readers in Loudoun and Fauquier counties.

Tuesday 3

Towns seem leery of moving local elections

Loudoun County's Electoral Board secretary, Dianna Price, has been encouraging the seven incorporated towns in her cash-strapped county to consider moving their municipal elections from May to November. Price said Leesburg could save between $10,000 and $12,000 by making the shift.

Leesburg's council voted 5 to 2 Tuesday to reject a proposed change after a public hearing. Purcellville Mayor Bob Lazaro said apprehension about elections becoming partisan killed the idea. Only Loudoun's smallest town, Hillsboro, with 69 registered voters, is seriously considering the change for 2010.

Wednesday 4

Republicans sweep statewide offices

Virginians elected Republican Robert F. McDonnell the commonwealth's 71st governor Tuesday, sweeping the GOP to power and emphatically halting a decade of Democratic advances in the critical swing state.

The exclamation point on the former state attorney general's trouncing of Democratic state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds was a victory in Fairfax County, the state's most populous jurisdiction, which had delivered powerful Democratic majorities to President Obama and Govs. Timothy M. Kaine and Mark Warner. McDonnell also reversed the political order in the Washington region's outer suburbs, winning Loudoun and Prince William counties, which went for Kaine four years ago.

Thursday 5

Airport board raises rates for Dulles Toll Road

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board voted Wednesday to double rates on the Dulles Toll Road by 2012, setting aside objections from commuters.

The rates will start rising Jan. 1, when 25-cent increases take effect. The toll will grow from 75 cents to $1 at the main plaza, and ramp tolls will climb from 50 cents to 75 cents. Two additional 25-cent increases at the main plaza are scheduled to occur in 2011 and 2012, bringing the charge to $1.50.

Friday 6

Virginia court allows Dominion power line

Virginia's Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously upheld the approval by state regulators of a 65-mile power line through six northern counties, turning aside environmentalists' objections and clearing the way for construction to continue.

Dominion began construction in February, and crews have erected towers in Loudoun, Prince William and parts of Fauquier and Culpeper counties. The company said Thursday after the Supreme Court decision that the line is on track to be energized by summer 2011.

Saturday clinic set for H1N1 shots in Loudoun

Health officials in Loudoun County planned to open a Saturday clinic at Smart's Mill Middle School in Leesburg and said it will have 2,000 doses of swine flu vaccine on hand. Health Director David Goodfriend said it will target pregnant women; children 4 to 18 with medical disorders that put them at higher risk for complications from the flu; and children 2 to 9 with no underlying medical conditions.

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