The best and the most beneficial would be for Ken Reid to self-deport!

leave downtown Leesburg as it is.Please do not install those crazy popup barricades so people can eat out in the traffic on King Street.stupid idea!!!!

I love Leesburg so much! Moved here from Great Falls 5 years ago, it's fabulous! Happy New Year Leesburg, looking forward to another great year Peace

By not spending millions of dollars on sidewalks in alleys and and "improvements" to downtown Leesburg. Instead, spend this money on tax incentives and small business incubation to improve downtown...Leesburg is over run with antique stores and attorneys offices. It is time to take a cue from downtown Frederick, MD and attract restaurants, night life and a diverse, modern retail base...

In addition to not wasting money where its not appreciated, stop the police from pulling over commuters on rtes 7/15 and have them get rid of the people loitering in front of 7-11 less than 1/2 block from the police station. Our property values have been crushed by foreclosures but no one enforces the zoning laws to ensure that the same situations do not repeat themselves, 7 cars in front of one house is a hint. Lastly, start giving tickets to those lazy people who keep parking in the fire lanes at the shopping markets - again less than 2 blocks from the police station.

I know so many hard working Leesburg residents whose lives would be immeasurably improved if they had access to public bus transportation on the weekends and longer during the day/evening every day. For example: a 60 year old grandmother works as a companion aide to a woman who lost her legs. The wage for a companion aide does not pay enough to pay Leesburg rent and maintain a car. This woman -- who walks with a cane herself -- often walks long distances in windy cold weather to serve her clients. She is but a single example of hundreds (maybe thousands) who could participate more fully in the lovely Town they serve, if provided (with riders' fees) more comprehensive public transportation. In addition commuters who catch the buses into DC during the week (from Sycolin Road lot) could ride a public bus to the lot and never even have to take their cars on the road -- relieving traffic for everyone. Making life more possible for those who work hard at low wages, elevates the status of everyone. We've just listened to all the stories of what Christmas means.... are we prepared to live the meaning, as well as celebrate it?

Clean up the garbage! Anyone who has walked the bike trail knows exactly what i mean

Ann if the ridership supports bus service go for it. Adding bus service funded by grants and taxpayer dollars is nothing more then a feel good drain on funds. Very similar to the Silver Line I might add. Prove to me that your bus service would be self-supporting. Get the Board to float a 3 month study with buses on the weekend . If it pays for itself then go full steam ahead. BTW you have been missed.

Interesting -- a good mix of ideas here. What do you think it would take for some of these things to happen? Can the town accomplish on its own, or would it have to be a county initiative? (Specifically bus and small biz incentives).

Thank you for your encouragement, Jonathan Erickson. As for a "feel good drain on funds," I wonder why you are choosing these words? Is there something wrong with providing infrastructure that makes life bearable to a grandmother who works hard for a living -- serving other residents in Town? And why is it that anyone who works hard is not paid a decent wage, capable of a dignified living? It is a moral question, not an economic one only, Jonathan. And if you disagree, then I encourage you to spend the month of January walking everywhere you go in Leesburg. Roads, traffic lights, parking garages, libraries, speed bumps, stop signs, bridges, bicycle trails, parks, etc. are ALL feel good drains on funds. Why shouldn't the working grandmother be a part of that "feel good" resource allocation?

As for self-supporting -- the possibility of having businesses advertise on the buses, as sponsors plus the riders' fees plus the additional discretionary income many would have to spend in Town, by not paying to maintain an old car -- well I think it can be done. Yes.

Ann there is something wrong with providing infrastructure that will be under utilized. Budget constraints have to be resolved. Can you show numbers that include advertising, fares and discretionary spending that will pay for this bus service. If not tell me what programs you are willing to take money away from in order to support your bus project. Lobby the council for a 3 month trail run and see if bus service can pay for itself or do you intend to raise taxes. Feeling sorry for the grandmother who might use the bus is one thing but you have to pay for it. A drain on funds is what it is unless it can sustain itself. If the grandmother accepted the job and the wages then the problem is not mine or yours to solve with taxpayer dollars.
You think it can be done?
Show me the numbers, the advertisers and the bottom line costs zeroed out and I'll back it.

Ann