Supervisors Approve New Office Building Herrity Says Neighbors’ Concerns Over Project Have Been Resolved

Chantilly ❖ Fair Oaks ❖ Fair Lakes ❖ Oak Hill NORTHERN EDITION JUNE 18-24, 2009 "Graduation Day" 25 CENTS Newsstand Price Volume XXIII, NO. 24 Supervisors Approve New Office Building Herrity says neighbors’ concerns over project have been resolved. By Bonnie Hobbs would adversely affect their pri- Centre View vacy and property values, as well as local traffic. t’s taken awhile to appease But on June 1, Supervisor Pat the neighbors and smooth Herrity (R-Springfield), who made Iout all of the wrinkles in the the motion for approval, said plan, but an office building things are fine now. “We worked proposed for the Fairfax Center through most of those issues with area is now cleared for construc- the community and, at the end, tion. The Fairfax County Board of there wasn’t any opposition.” Supervisors gave it the go-ahead Earmarked for 11717 Lee High- at its June 1 meeting. way, near Robertson Farms Circle Photo by Louise Krafft/Centre View Earlier this year, however, mem- and the Lee Plaza shopping cen- Chantilly High principal James Kacur and Senior Class President Stephanie Jones bers of the nearby Estates at ter, the new structure will be three lead the processional onto the floor of the Patriot Center on Monday, June 15. Leewood and Robertson Farms stories and 30,000 square feet. It’ll communities opposed 11-7 Asso- also be a green building with Leading to the Future ciates LLC’s quest to construct this LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and building along Route 29, not far Environmental Design) silver cer from their homes. They argued that the building and its lighting See Thumbs Up, Page 19 A Year and a Day in Prison for Matt Megale By Bonnie Hobbs Centre View “He’s gotten a cold dose of riends and family of Vir- F ginia Run’s Matt Megale, reality in jail.” 18, were hoping he’d re- ceive the same leniency shown — Fred Sinclair, recently to Centreville heroin-dis- defense attorney tributors Tayler Gibson and Anna tion programs. Megale, though, Torrian Pace, senior class vice presi- Richter. On May 29 in U.S. District still has a long way to go, and for dent, receives the 2009 Charger Award. Court in Alexandria, they were sentenced to 30 and 60 days in jail, that reason, he was sentenced Fri- respectively. day in federal court to a year and But both cooperated with the a day in prison. prosecution early in the investiga- Even that amount of time was Senior Class tion of those involved in the drug less than the 15-21 months incar- President ring, and they’re already deep into ceration sought by Assistant U.S. Stephanie Jones. their substance-abuse rehabilita- See Heroin, Page 2 Photos by Louise Krafft/ 6-18-09 home in Requested Time sensitive material. sensitive Time Centre View Postmaster: Attention PERMIT #322 PERMIT The Senior Choral MD Easton, Spotlight sings PAID “I’ll Be There.” Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Centre View North ❖ June 18-24, 2009 ❖ 1 •GRI, Graduate Realtors Institute News •CRS, Certified Residential Specialist •ABR, Accredited Buyers Representative •Associate Broker •CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert Heroin Dealing Yields Prison Time HE’S EARNED THEM… From Page 1 heroin. He said Megale’s local source overdosed and Happy YOU DESERVE THEM! District Attorney Erik Barnett. And when all is said died, but Megale and two others still pooled their ther’ and done, there’s still no guarantee Megale will be money to buy heroin and share it among themselves. His commitment to education Fa s able to beat his own addiction and stay on the He also noted that Megale didn’t drive, so others is but one of the many reasons ay straight and narrow. drove him to the District for the purchases. D he is the leader in the “Only you can keep yourself clean,” U.S. District Regarding Megale’s continuing to deal heroin af- Centreville Marketplace. It Court Judge Leonie Brinkema warned him. ter becoming his client, Sinclair said, “Frankly, he let On March 24, Megale pleaded guilty to distribut- me down, and his parents and I believed he should gives him an advantage, which ing heroin to a person under 21. He also acknowl- sit in the Alexandria jail and consider his misdeeds.” means you have an advantage. edged that, from January 2008 through Jan. 29 of Earlier, said Sinclair, Megale’s parents sent him to an DISCOVER THE CERTIFIED this year, he distributed heroin on a regular basis. expensive treatment facility which was for behavior DISTRESSED Four people died from heroin overdoses as a re- modification, but “didn’t treat his addiction. So when PROPERTY DISTINCT ADVANTAGE! EXPERT© sult of the drug ring’s actions. One was Alicia Lannes, he came out, he used Oxycodone and heroin.” 19, of Centreville. Yet her death failed to deter any Sinclair said Megale completed a 10-week, sub- Experience…the Difference! of the dealers from getting other young men and stance-abuse course in jail, obtained his GED and was See Complete School Information and women hooked on heroin. a jail trustee. “There’s a redemptive quality to him,” “On March 8, 2008, three days after Alicia Lannes said the attorney. “At 14, he switched peers, nosedived VIRTUAL TOUR at www.seln4u.com died, the defendant sold heroin to a girl who, like and went downhill.” Sinclair then asked Judge $1,200,000 $999,999 him, was 17,” said Barnett at Megale’s June 12 sen- Brinkema to “temper justice with mercy” and sen- VIRGINIA VIRGINIA tencing. “She overdosed, was hospitalized and sur- tence Megale to just 12 months and a day. RUN RUN The Ridings Stunning! vived — and she and her mother are in the court- He said Megale’s parents want to move to New York, at Virginia Elegant room today. She overdosed because she ingested where their son would be placed into a Catholic fa- Run. Stun- home in cility, Hope House, “to address his addiction and the ning estate sought-after heroin after getting it from the defendant.” home. 4 The Ridings Barnett said that, by that time — and throughout psychological problems that led to it. It’s a one-year, Levels. 3-Car Garage. Filled with natural at Virginia Run. Well-situated on that summer — Megale had become a “reliable” inpatient treatment, so he won’t begin his mainstream Light. Bright and Open floor plan. 7,000 private, prof. landscaped .85 acre cul- life until that’s done.” square feet. 6 BR, 5.5 BA. Gourmet de-sac lot. Beautifully appointed home heroin dealer. The argument’s been made, said Kitchen. Sun Rm. Morning Rm. Study. with study, dramatic 2-story FR, Barnett, that the 17-year-old’s overdose was “her “There’s a job waiting for him, and community col- Soaring 2-story FR. Master suite Sunroom, Gourmet Kitchen. fault,” because she chose to use heroin of her own, lege,” added Sinclair. “so plans are afoot to turn w/sitting rm & lux. BA. 4th lvl. loft/BR Sumptuous master suite w/3-sided FP Matthew’s life around, but the only one who can do w/private BA. Side Conservancy. Fin. & lux BA. Gleaming Hdwd floors. Fin. free will. Bsmnt. Rear Deck & huge backyard walk-out basement & much more! “But Mr. Megale sold heroin to an immature and it is Matthew. Beginning at age 14, he used mari- backing to trees. FX7081880 FX7016721 unstable drug addict, and we can’t excuse that con- juana, then ecstasy, cocaine and heroin. [But] he’s $719,900 $735,000 duct,” said the prosecutor. “True, he stayed with her, gotten a cold dose of reality in jail.” ARLINGTON VIRGINIA provided support and called 911 — but he also pro- Featured RUN Stunning vided the dangerous situation [in the first place].” MEGALE THEN STOOD and addressed the court. on Georgian “Poor choices led me to this point,” he said. “It’s hurt HGTV! Newport Great Deluxe! FURTHERMORE, he said, Megale’s already been not only myself, but the ones closest to me, my fam- Location! Over 1/2 “rewarded” for helping the girl. Said Barnett: “The ily — especially my little sister and my mother. I take Minutes to D.C. and Metro! acre lot backing to acres of Park- government had the ability last year to ask the court full responsibility and I will overcome this, one way Home has been professionally land! Gracious floor plan with 5 remodeled and repainted. BR, 3 full BA on upper lvl. 5th BR to transfer Mr. Megale to a mandatory, 20-year mini- or another.” Hardwood floors. 2-car detached w/private BA & back staircase mum [sentencing status] and we did not.” Brinkema said the most difficult part of her job is garage. Extended driveway. Lots from main lvl. Large, private deck. And once again, someone’s overdose did nothing sentencing young offenders. “Do you give them a hard of storage space. Rear deck. Eat in Kit. w/new appliances. Fenced yard. Immaculate. You’ll Newly finished, gleaming hdwd to prevent Megale from using and distributing hit, the first time, or give them a break,” she asked. love this one! flrs. Side-Load Garage. heroin. Authorities say that, after turning 18 in Janu- She then spoke directly to Megale. “The fact that you AR6985234 FX7056973 ary — thus becoming liable for prosecution as an continued to be involved in heroin after the investi- $825,000 $454,900 adult — he continued selling heroin to five more gation began and your parents had hired you an at- VIRGINIA ROCKY RUN RUN people under age 21.

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