02-01-2018 Special MeetingSPECIAL MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD
IN THE ROBERT C. CLAUD, SR. BOARD ROOM OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY
COURTHOUSE ON THURSDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR TWO
THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN
PRESENT:
Rudolph Jefferson, Chairman, Hardy District
William M. McCarty, Vice -Chairman, Newport District
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville District
Joel C. Acree, Windsor District
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Mark C. Popovich, County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator
Carey M. Storm, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Jefferson called the special meeting of the Board of Supervisors to
order at 5:00 p.m. to discuss conducting a special election in the County
responsive to the resignation of Sheriff Marshall.
Chairman Jefferson delivered the invocation.
County Attorney Popovich advised responsive to Board action at its regular
meeting of January 18, 2018 to petition the Circuit Court for a special election in
May of 2018 for the Sheriff, the Chairman of the Electoral Board has advised that
while it has not yet been made official, there might be a Primary election in June
of 2018 and that under the Code of Virginia, a special election cannot be held 55
days prior to a Primary election.
William Bell, Chairman of the Electoral Board, advised that the Republican Party
had voted last year that a Primary election be conducted if there were more than
one announced candidates for any office at the State level and that there are four
announced candidates running against Senator Kaine. He advised that the last
day that the County can conduct a special election before the Primary is April 17,
2018, but that doing so would limit candidates to two weeks to get on the ballot.
He advised that a special election can be conducted on June 19, 2018 following
the Primary election, however, doing so would require overlap of two ongoing
elections, would confuse the voters and present staffing issues. He relayed the
personal recommendations of the Electoral Board and the Registrar that the
election for Sheriff be conducted in November of 2018 when the General election
is held.
Supervisor McCarty spoke in favor of conducting a special election for the Sheriff
who is involved in local day to day operations of the County.
Chairman Jefferson spoke against conducting a special election because voter
turnout for a special election in July of 2018 would be lower than the normal 45%
turn out and the result would not be a good representation of County voters.
Supervisor Acree commented that citizens have voiced their desire for a special
election and he does believe that a special election in July would provide
adequate time for citizens to get to know the candidates. He further stated that
with regard to small turnouts for special elections, those who do vote will know
their candidate very well.
Supervisor Rosie concurred with Supervisor Acree's comments and advised that
numerous citizens have come to him in favor of a special election.
On motion of Supervisor McCarty, the motion to direct County Attorney Popovich
to petition the Circuit Court Judge for a Special Election on July 24, 2018 was
adopted by a vote of (3-2) with Supervisors McCarty, Acree and Rosie voting in
favor and Supervisor Grice and Chairman Jefferson voting against the motion.
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:50 p.m., Chairman Jefferson declared the special meeting adjourned.
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Carey W IIs Storm, Clerk
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Rudolph Jefferson, Chairman