Whose financial legacy is truly at stake—Purcellville’s or Fraser’s?
On February 25, 2025, a pivotal conversation took place at Purcellville’s Town Council meeting, where Mayor Bertaut, alongside Council Members Nett, Luke, and Khalil, proposed changes to the job announcement for the Town Manager position. Their intention was to enable Interim Town Manager Kwasi Fraser to qualify for the role, despite concerns that he did not meet the stated qualifications.
Mayor Bertaut and the supportive Council Members contended that Fraser’s extensive historical knowledge of Purcellville made him a viable candidate. Council Member Khalil voiced her support during the January 8 Town Council meeting, stating, “During my campaign, I had several conversations with him, and I support his vision for the town. He is incredibly knowledgeable about how to implement change.”
As discussions continue regarding Fraser’s potential appointment as the permanent Town Manager, Purcellville News has decided to examine the achievements Fraser claims to have accomplished during his time in office. In particular, we are evaluating whether these purported accomplishments have brought any tangible financial benefit to the town.
In an opinion editorial published on October 2, 2024—just a month prior to the Town elections—former Mayor Fraser cautioned that “Purcellville’s financial legacy is at risk.” This editorial coincided with his active campaigning alongside the “Mayberry Slate,” raising questions about the timing and motivations behind his assertions.
In our upcoming four-part series, we will examine the 24 accomplishments Fraser outlined in this recent editorial, assessing their credibility and effects on Purcellville.
1. STATEMENT: Protected the Town’s Resources: By rejecting two annexation proposals after carefully listening to citizens, we safeguarded Purcellville’s water resources and road infrastructure. The Valley Springs development alone, if annexed, would have added over 250 cars to our roads. Instead, we reduced that number to 78. The Warner Brook annexation would have added over 3,500 additional weekday trips on Purcellville Road. Currently, Mayor Milan and Council Member Kevin Wright support continuing annexation discussions. Council Member Caleb Stought, although voting against further discussions, has publicly stated that if the town doesn’t annex the property, the county could approve the same project.
This statement is false and appears to be a tactic to instill fear.
IN REALITY: During his tenure, Mayor Fraser had multiple conversations with business leader, Chuck Kuhn regarding the annexation of Valley Commerce Center (not Valley Springs) into Purcellville. In a Town Council Special Meeting on October 6, 2020, Fraser proposed that Chuck Kuhn “not discount” a data center for his property north of Purcellville. Mayor Fraser concluded the meeting on October 6th, stating that discussions should continue.
On a separate parcel of land, Chuck Kuhn suggested that a Western Sports Center could be built in addition to industrial use. (Chuck Kuhn later sold the western parcel of land to Loudoun County, where the future Western Recreation Center will be located.)
Mayor Fraser reinitiated discussions with Chuck Kuhn in early 2022. Chuck Kuhn confirmed, in a public input session at Patrick Henry College, that he had several verbal discussions with the Mayor, as Fraser prefers not to use email.
In 2024, the majority of Purcellville’s Council voted to continue examining the details of the proposed annexation by requesting an impact analysis. This analysis was intended to help the Council better understand the traffic impacts, required road improvements, water and sewer needs, proffers, and potential revenue should the annexation be approved. However, the Council ultimately voted to deny the annexation before the impact analysis was received.
It is incorrect to assume that the Town Council would have proceeded with the annexation after reviewing the information in the analysis. Since development on this parcel of land has not been finalized, it is premature to claim how much traffic has been reduced. Will it be low-density housing or shopping center? The possibilities are endless.
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors can and may rezone this parcel for industrial or other uses. If Loudoun County chooses to rezone for industrial use, there will not be any reduction in traffic counts, as Mr. Fraser claimed. The final development could generate traffic impacts greater than low-density housing or even industrial use.
In previous years, Loudoun County has rezoned land adjacent to Purcellville’s borders. Autumn Hills (now Mayfair) was planned for 492 affordable housing units, and Carlyle and Anderson are two examples. The new Western Recreation Center and lighted sports fields will be adjacent to Purcellville’s borders. To state it will remain as low-density residential is not accurate; its future has not been determined.
2. STATEMENT: Updated the Comprehensive Plan: “We successfully revised and adopted a new 2030 Town Comprehensive Plan, setting the stage for slow growth and responsible development.”
IN REALITY: The Town Council voted to approve the Comprehensive Plan in June 2020 after six months of discussion. However, the plan recommended illogical zoning for the few vacant parcels in town. Therefore, no “responsible” development has occurred on these lots to date. As these parcels remain vacant, Purcellville is not receiving any revenue to support its declining utility fund.
Purcellville also failed to adhere to its own Comprehensive Plan. The Plan identified institutional zoning on the Fields Farm and support for the 690 Interchange. The Town Council voted to deny Loudoun County’s request for institutional zoning for their community projects on Fields Farm and initially provided obstacles blocking the 690 Interchange as planned. Financial consultants have consistently warned that without a balanced development plan, Purcellville will face drastic rate increases.
End Part 1 – to be continued
