In extended remarks at this month's regular Town Council meeting, Martha Cotter, the Executive Director of the Community Music School of the Piedmont praised Middleburg's Town Council and Staff for their special efforts in what appears to be a successful effort to keep the school open and adequately staffed for the coming school year.

Indeed, in contrast to last August's packed and sometimes acrimonious debates over Salamander Inn zoning ordinances, Mayor Betsy Davis's chair was empty, Vice Mayor Darlene Kirk presided, and the Town Administrator's report was headed by news from the Town's Health Center building, which also serves as Police Headquarters. "The bats were successfully eradicated and their points of access to the building are sealed," Schiro noted. "Pigeon spikes were installed on the roof to discourage pigeons from roosting on the building."

Middleburg Elementary

On the very eve of the 2008-2009 school year, budget cuts and consolidation plans had targeted Middleburg's nearly century-old Elementary School with closing, or serious downsizing. Martha Cotter, an 18-year resident of the county, reported on Thursday that the school will remain open and that plans to cut nearly six full-time teaching positions had been dropped. The mother of no less than four Middleburg Elementary alums, Cotter thanked the council for passing a formal resolution supporting the school, and praised both Mayor Davis and Council Member Bundles Murdock for standing with the school's parents, teachers and students at School Board and Supervisors' meetings. Murdock had special praise for Town Clerk Ronda North's work in drafting the Council's resolution.

The Town has, for decades, provided free water and sewer service to the school. The building itself has long been paid for. Cotter suggested that a re-drawing of the school's formal assignment area, plus a continuation of the County's policy of allowing parents from anywhere in the County to send their children there, would help ensure the school's future.

The Red Fox Inn

Injuries suffered by a pedestrian falling on the sidewalk stairs near the Red Fox Inn has triggered a search for a safe alternative to leveling the steps in favor of a ramp. Town Administrator Schiro told Council on Thursday that Kenny Robinson, the Route-50-Corridor Manager in the Chantilly Office of the Virginia Department of Transportation, had considered the problem at the last Route 50 Task Force Meeting. According to Schiro, Robinson, after extensive consultation, now believes that a handrail could be added without violating the guidelines of the Americans With Disabilities Act. At press time, however, VDOT, which owns the right of way, is still considering alternatives.