CHECKPOINT AND HEAVY SNOW

LIGHTS UP IN STERLING

Thank you to those of you who have gotten up your lights. There is a record number of Christmas and other Holidy lights up in Sterling and I counted a bunch of wonderful nativities and Hannakah candles too. Everyone can join in the tradition of making Sterling look festive during this season. Juniper Avenue is getting a lot of visits and recognition in the press too. Thank you.

HEAVY SNOW IN STERLING

I know the county is officially and on the record by a vote of five yes, four no (Delgaudio, Buckley York, Waters, NO) frightened of global warming and is planning to add billions in energy taxes this past Monday.

Nevertheless, in spite of the panic over Globalwarming, there is heavy snow coming tonight. Please find your shovels now before they get buried and retrieve the bikes and other things you need on the lawn and the back porch. Buy your groceries and store some extra necessities. 15 inches of snow is predicted tonight.

From NWS: WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 AM EST SUNDAY.

SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT TONIGHT

The snow will cut down on travel for sure.

This is expecially directed at those of you who appreciate fair warning directed at people who have difficulty listening..

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office will hold a sobriety checkpoint Friday, December 18, 2009 as part of the agency's holiday enforcement plan.

The sobriety checkpoint will be held from 9:30 p.m. Friday to 2:30 a.m. Saturday in Eastern Loudoun County.

The agency is taking a tough stance on motorists driving under the influence this holiday season. Each weekend in December the agency will hold saturation patrols to include Friday nights sobriety checkpoint. A saturation patrol is when deputies concentrate on one area and pull over anyone suspected of driving under the influence.

The agency is sending a strong reminder to motorists to plan ahead when attending holiday parties and events. Loudoun County residents are advised to call a cab or use a designated driver if they will be drinking. Variable message boards will also be placed throughout the county reminding residents to obey traffic laws.

The ultimate goal of the agency is to ensure that Loudoun's roadways are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws.

The cost of the enforcement plan is offset using funds from a state grant targeting aggressive driving.

VIRGINIA REMEMBERS JOHN PATTON AT CHRISTMAS

A State House Resolution celebrating the life of John B. Patton, Jr. was presented to his wife and family by 32nd District State Delegate David E. Poisson and Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson on Thursday, December 17, 2009.

Patton joined the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in 1980 after serving the previous five years as the first full-time firefighter for the county with the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department. The 28-year law enforcement veteran passed away at his home on December 27, 2008 of heart failure.

At the time of John's passing Sheriff Simpson said, "John understood the importance of serving the community in which you live. During his three decades of service in public safety he has touched the lives of countless county residents. He will always be remembered in Loudoun as an everyday hero."

>>>> HOLIDAY CROOKS, THIEVES AND GRINCHES.

NO, not the mean people who steal nativities from private and public places. Although they are around, they are getting enough attention already.

The Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit is reminding residents that festive and holiday seasons are also seasons to be wary of burglars, thieves, pickpockets, and other holiday grinches.

Nothing can ruin the spirit faster than becoming the victim of a crime.

Remember, whether you are leaving the house to go shopping or out for an evening of parties, lock your doors and windows! Do not leave the drapes or curtains open with your presents in plain view. Presents displayed around your hall can be a pretty sight, but can also be quite tempting to burglars. It's better to scatter the gifts around the house, in closets or cupboards, where they can't be so easily seen.

If you are leaving town for the holidays, make sure your home appears occupied. Leave inside and outside lights on timers and have your neighbors pick up newspapers, mail, and take flyers off your door. Ask neighbors to park in your driveway. Put a timer on a talk radio station (LIKE NPR, WMAL OR Rush Limbaugh!) for several hours a day.

After the holidays, do not put out empty boxes advertising your new purchases (Flat Screen Televisions, Video Game Systems, etc.). Break them down and put them in the trash cans or in garbage bags. Better still, take them to a recycling bin.

When you're shopping make sure to use the trunk of your car to keep your packages out of sight. Keep your car locked at all times. Be sure to make several trips to your car to deposit packages in the trunk. Don't allow yourself to become so burdened down with packages that you become a tempting target. When walking through parking lots, be sure that you are aware of your surroundings. Walk with authority. Do not look like a victim!

Be aware that thieves and pickpockets also do some of their biggest business during the holiday season. Ladies, do not dangle your handbag from your shoulder. You are creating a perfect setup for a snatch thief. Instead, keep your purse tucked tightly under your arm. Better yet, do not even carry a purse. Place your checkbook, cash, or credit cards in your front pockets. Avoid carrying your checkbook, cash, and credit cards all together in one wallet, because if a thief gets the whole package together, they can cash checks with your identification and run up a large credit card bill in a short amount of time.

Never give your credit card number over the telephone to anyone when you did not initiate the call. And be sure that you are dealing with a reputable company when ordering merchandise over the phone.

Just by using a little planning and some good old common sense, most holiday crimes can be avoided.

>>> DEPUTY TOTARO BAGS 38 "IMPAIRED DRIVERS"

A Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputy was recognized December 11th for his efforts in the fight against impaired driving.

Deputy Jason Totaro was among several law enforcement officers from the region recognized by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) for their outstanding commitment in the fight against drunk driving.

Totaro, a four-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, removed 38 impaired drivers from Loudoun's roadways in 2009. Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson said the efforts of Totaro and the entire agency sends a clear message to impaired motorists, "if you drink and drive, we're going to catch you."

The annual event is in part a kick-off campaign for the Holiday SoberRide Program and also recognizes members of law enforcement for their efforts in impaired driving prevention.

>>>> DELGAUDIO BIRTHDAY PARTY JANUARY 7 2010

I will be 55 years old on Jan. 7 and 2010 will mark my tenth year as your Sterling Supervisor.

Do you want another four years (Supervisor Terms are 4 years) of "Hon. Eugene Delgaudio"? If the answer is yes, read on.

On January 7, 2010 you are invited to Glory Days Grill in Sterling on Dranesville Road at 6:30 p.m. to share some birthday cake and hear a special announcement regarding my future plans. A donation to Friends of Delgaudio of $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50 or $25 to my re-election campaign would be appreciated.

RESERVE today by emailing me "Yes I will attend your 55th Birthday Party For Re-election". Thank you.

Or simply write a check now to Friends of Delgaudio and mail it to me "Eugene Delgaudio c/o Friends of Delgaudio P.O. Box 1222 Sterling, Va. 20167.

Or donate online to
https://secure.donortownsquare.com/SSL/donate.aspx?sgst=0&amt=0&ai=425&qs=X4FNW

Donations OVER $100 are publicly disclosed. No Limit on the amount of the donation.

I need you to help raise $600,000 to start a campaign for my fourth re-election effort. Please be one of the first to donate today.

If you can donate the full $600,000 that would be appreciated.

More likely you will want to donate less than $600,000!

The only way I fund my budget is to receive many donations to add up to that $600,000.

Like everybody else who wins elections many times, it takes asking you for that help.

It is up to you if I have the funds.

You have my promise that I will work hard, campaign hard and have only hard working and dedicated staff as I have done day in and day out since first winning election in 1999.

Your check for $500 will continue the leadership you believe in.

Or your donation of $250 will answer the critics who cry for more tax increases.

Donate $150 or $100 if you can. Or please send $50 or $25.

Tell me if you can come to my January 7 2010 party of course and take a moment with me to mark my 55th Birthday.

Thank you if you have sent a donation already.