Mayor's Message
Happy 1st Friday of 2023, Lovettsville!
I hope your new year is off to a great start and that you have been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather! With the dawning of a new year and for the first time in a loooong time (ever?), Lovettsville welcomes a new Mayor and Town Council in January instead of July. Welcome Council Members Jennifer Reed, Bobby Merhaut and Brandon Davis! We are all excited to get to work, but first…
A Thank You
The last 4.5 years have been a great ride for the Town. The accomplishments are too many to list here, but one thing is for certain…it would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication from the “Overtime” Mayor Nate Fontaine and (now former) Council Members Renee Edmonston and Tony Quintana. All three have a long history of helping shape and lead the Town for nearly the past decade and their contributions to the Town will live on for years to come! They are truly servant leaders and, while they have decided to step off the dais for now, they will not be far.
At our December 15th Town Council meeting, Councilmembers Edmonston and Quintana were recognized for their many years and varied service to the Town. Their resolutions can be heard at the 37 minute, 40 second mark of the meeting.
The Council recognized the service of Mayor Nate and his family by declaring tomorrow, Saturday, January 7, 2023 as Nate Fontaine Day by adopting Resolution 2022-12-0007 as follows. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of Nate and his great family!
RECOGNITION OF MAYOR NATE AND THE FONTAINE/BAKER FAMILY
WHEREAS, in April 2014, Nathaniel O. “Nate” Fontaine decided to make Lovettsville his home with his wife, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Fontaine, children, Grace and Austin, and in-laws, Harold “Butch” and Rena Mae Baker; and
WHEREAS, almost immediately, Nate found ways to get involved to serve the Town of Lovettsville which included being appointed to the Lovettsville Planning Commission in April 2015 and was elected as Vice Chair in July 2017; and
WHEREAS, Nate was unanimously appointed to serve as a member of the Town Council from July 2017 to June 2018; and
WHEREAS, in May 2018, Nate was elected by over 77% of the Town of Lovettsville electorate to serve as the Mayor for the Town of Lovettsville, reelected in 2020 and nobly served in that capacity for over four-and-a-half years; and
WHEREAS, the Fontaine/Baker family were (and still are) mainstay volunteers, founding and/or current members of the Lovettsville Oktoberfest, Mayfest, Love America, Love Summer, and Love Winter committees and respective events for the past eight-and-a-half years and counting; and
WHEREAS, in June 2019, the Fontaine/Baker family displayed their long-standing commitment of love and dedication to God and Country, family and community through the founding of the Lovettsville American Legion Post 1836 and Lovettsville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1836, with Nate and Lizzy serving as the first Post Commander and Vice Commander, respectively; and
WHEREAS, during his service, Nate was instrumental and leading the revival of the Coalition of Loudoun Towns (COLT) and, as Mayor, Nate was a vocal leader of COLT and served as the voice for Western Loudoun on matters pertaining to the Loudoun County Comprehensive Plan, proposed land use changes, and state and local laws which threatened the quality of life and viewshed of Lovettsville and her citizens; and
WHEREAS, during his time as Mayor, Nate was the rainmaker who promoted and achieved the full vacancy of the Towns expanded business storefronts, largest attendance records during Town events, buildout of two new communities (Lovettsville West and the Villages at Lovettsville), new town facilities and fiscal responsibility to provide quality services to the town citizens while leading the Town through the adverse economic impacts of a worldwide pandemic, all while unapologetically protecting the small town character and tight-knit community that makes our Town the special place we call home.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we, the Town Council for the Town of Lovettsville, do hereby designate that January 7, 2023, shall be known as “Nate Fontaine Day” throughout the Town and we urge all citizens to join Nate and Lizzy in celebrating not only their 40th birthdays, but the exemplary service of Mayor Nate and his family to selflessly serve, promote and protect the town they call home.
Coming Full Circle on the Squirkle
Mayor Nate was kind enough to go into “double overtime” and out in style as the Master of Ceremonies for Lovettsville’s annual Berserkle on the Squirkle. A raucous crowd showed up in their (New Year’s Day) Sunday best to complete the 5K trek around (…and around…and around) the Squirkle. The regifted gifts were awesome…I love my new socks that might just be making an appearance at this year’s Oktoberfest. Congratulations to the totally random Bronze, Silver and Gold medal winners!
Town Council Meetings
Your next Town Council meeting is TOMORROW (Saturday, January 7th) for the annual Town Council Retreat starting at 8AM. The draft agenda includes:
- Councilmember FOIA/COIA Training
- Appointment of your new Vice Mayor
- Committee Assignments
- Adopt 2023 Calendar Meeting Schedule
- Priorities for 2023
- Scheduling of the review of various Town policies
The next Regular Town Council meeting is Thursday, January 12th at 6:30PM. The draft agenda includes:
- Committee Appointments
- Approval of Previous Town Council Minutes
- Approval of ARPA Non-Profit and Business Grant Extension
- Scheduling of Public Hearing for LVZA 2022-0004, Accessory Structures on Townhouse Lots for January 26, 2023
If you have any questions or concerns, or simply want to verify information, please feel free to reach out to me, any member of Town Council, the Planning Commission, and/or the Town Manager. The Town will be more than happy to answer your questions. Additionally, our agendas, meeting materials, and previous meeting video recordings will be posted on our AV Capture solution.
It's been a great first week and I appreciate your support to allow me to sign off for the first time as your Mayor! Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Christopher Hornbaker
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