The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has adopted a resolution expressing heartfelt condolences to the Virginia Beach community in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at the City of Virginia Beach municipal building. The resolution states that Loudoun “stands ready to provide assistance to the City of Virginia Beach and stands in solidarity with the victims’ families, our local government colleagues and our fellow citizens during this difficult time.” The complete text of the resolution is online here.
In addition, the Loudoun County Employee Advisory Committee is sending an open letter to City of Virginia Beach employees expressing condolences on behalf of all Loudoun County employees and offering support during this time of “unimaginable pain and grief.” The complete text of the letter is below:
June 4, 2019
Dear Virginia Beach Employees,
As your colleagues in Virginia local government, each one of our hearts goes out to you and to the community of Virginia Beach. Thank you for your commitment to public service through local government, which touches so many lives in so many ways.
We feel as if we know you—and in some cases, we do. The world of Virginia local government is a small one, and many of our paths have crossed, both personally and professionally.
The 11 employees lost last week represent the best of local government: people who proudly go above and beyond what’s expected, finding new and creative ways to serve the people of their community.
Along with you, we grieve the loss of Alex, Bobby, Chris, Joshua, Kate, Keith, Laquita, Mary Lou, Missy, Rich, and Tara. Detail-oriented, caring, and meticulous, they found time for fun and laughter, building relationships with their colleagues, and thriving on the fast pace of their work in public utilities and public works.
Even from Northern Virginia, we see that the work you and your colleagues have accomplished together has helped Virginia Beach thrive: sustaining beaches and dunes, ensuring clean water, protecting wetlands, building important infrastructure, and helping residents and businesses achieve their goals. That work will stand as a legacy to their professionalism and purpose.
Throughout our lives, the relationships we build with our colleagues reward and sustain us—through joy and through sorrow. On a terrifying and chaotic Friday afternoon, you cared for each other and for your community during the darkest moments that any of us could imagine.
We are grateful for the heroism, compassion and bravery of the Virginia Beach Police Department officers, whose quick and professional response spared the loss of additional lives.
We mourn, too, the loss of Virginia Beach contractor Bert Snelling, who also had personal and professional connections throughout Virginia, including in Loudoun County. His commitment to his community and his craft will long be remembered by his family, friends, and neighbors.
We stand united with you in this time of unimaginable pain and grief, and stand ready to assist you in any way that we can. We hope you find comfort in knowing that Loudoun has love for Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach is, indeed, strong.
Sincerely,
Loudoun County Employee Advisory Committee
Anyone interested in providing support to the Virginia Beach community through financial donations or donations of time as a volunteer can find more information about the support effort at the Love for VB website.
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