Rise Jr. fills vacated Purcellville Town Council seat while Rayner interrupts

By Valerie Cury

At the Jan. 3 Purcellville Town Council Special Meeting, Ron Rise Jr. was appointed to fill the Town Council seat vacated by Mayor Stan Milan on Jan. 1 when he became mayor. The vote was 4-2 with Mayor Stan Milan, Vice Mayor Chris Bertaut, and Council Members Carol Luke and Boo Bennett voting yes, while Council Members Erin Rayner and Mary Jane Williams voted no.

Mayor Stan Milan said there had been a lot of discussion and questions about making an appointment to fill his vacated Town Council seat. He said one recurring question was: Why isn’t the Town holding a special election and having citizens turn in applications for the position?

“We have had six candidates run for this position for the last three months. The election was Nov. 8. The citizens voted, therefore in my opinion they have done their interviews. They voted and as the votes tallied there was a hierarchy of winners and losers.

“The first winner was Mary Boo Bennett, second was Erin Rayner, third was Carol Luke, fourth was Ron Rise Jr., fifth was Caleb Stought, and sixth was Tip Stinnette.

“So that was the logic behind making an appointment.” Milan continued, “The citizens have voted, and they voiced their opinion in the tally of the votes.”

Rayner said she sent Milan an email on Dec. 21 asking for interviews to fill the vacancy. “I just don’t think it’s fair and transparent government that that wasn’t put forth initially.” She also said Milan didn’t answer her email. “Mary Jane and I were the only ones probably left out of that discussion.”

Milan replied, “This is an open discussion.” Interrupting him, Rayner said, “It is now on the
day we are supposed to take a vote.”

Milan tried to speak but Rayner continued, “I just don’t think it’s a good process.” Milan responded, “That’s your opinion,” but was again interrupted by Rayner mid-sentence, “It is my opinion.”

Milan said he appreciated and accepted Rayner’s opinion. He explained again that “the citizens have voted. If we were to do interviews, it would be a slap in the face to the citizens who voted for the six candidates who ran for Town Council.

“Someone out of the blue comes in to do an interview for a position that the citizens do not know. They have not presented themselves in any formal format. They have not talked to the citizens; they have not debated with the candidates on the issues that are relevant to the Town.”

Milan reiterated that Rise Jr. received the fourth highest votes and if another candidate had come in fourth, the council would have chosen the other candidate.

Rayner again interrupted Milan saying that the night’s process was a surprise to her.

However, this item had been on the draft agenda for almost a week, and this was the standard process for appointments for filling a vacant seat so close to a recent election.

Vice Mayor Chris Bertaut was reappointed as Vice Mayor in a 4-2 vote with Council Members Mary Jane Williams and Erin Rayner voting no.

Appointed to the Planning Commission were Brian Green, Jason Dengler, Ron Rise Sr. and Planning Commissioner Ed Neham was reappointed to the position.

Each Council Member asked two or three questions to the applicants applying for the four vacant seats. Council Member Mary Jane Williams asked Ron Rise Sr. how the Town can increase cooperation with the County to complete some of the County’s proposed projects – specifically the Fields Farm project and the 7/690 Interchange.

Rise Sr. said, “I appreciate that question – it assumes that we haven’t been cooperative or there is no cooperation back and forth. I am not sure that’s true.”

When it was Council Member Erin Rayner’s turn, she accused Rise Sr. of being “someone who has advocated against the Rt. 7/690 Interchange.” Rise Sr. asked, “Can I interrupt you?” Without skipping a beat Rayner continued, “Is that your role to stop the interchange?”

Rise Sr. said he has been before the council many times and rhetorically asked, “What have I said? I am not against it.”

“I know,” said Rayner, “but you are for holding it up, correct?” “No,” answered Rise Sr. “I don’t think that’s a fair statement.”

Rayner interrupted him, and Mayor Stan Milan said, “Hold on. We are here to get questions about the person’s ability to be on the Planning Commission. We are not here to debate whether he is for or against any projects.

“These people in this audience that have been against projects at Mayfair Crown Drive and we didn’t go to this type of questioning.” This time interrupting Mayor Milan, Rayner said, “Let me ask my next question.”

Finishing his thought, Milan said, “Let’s keep it straight on the questions about the person’s ability to perform the duties on the Planning Commission.”

“Okay, let’s go with this – what do you believe your role is on the Planning Commission?” Rayner asked.

Rise Sr. said the Planning Commission takes the “land development applications that come through whether it be for roadways, buildings etc. and bounce that against the Comprehensive Plan.” He then said they would also consider the Town’s ordinances and as a body make a recommendation to the Town Council.

Rayner also asked him how he views revitalization. Rise Sr. said he thought the direction the town should take is that they should be proactive to find opportunities as opposed to waiting for them to come to the town. He said they have to make sure that the opportunities align with the Comprehensive Plan. He said the interchange at 287 and Berlin Turnpike has to be fixed as “it limits how many people come into the Town” which effects businesses.

The contract for the Bush Tabernacle rental will go out for an RFP as the Town will not renew its contract with Shaun Alexander Enterprises, Inc. SAE’s contract will end June 30.