COLT suspends Purcellville Mayor’s membership recall petition accusations

At 11:23 on April 10, Purcellville Mayor Chris Bertaut received an email from the Coalition of Loudoun Towns informing him that they were suspending his membership to the group of Mayors from the Loudoun Towns.

Below is the email from COLT to Mayor Bertaut followed by his response.

Dear Mayor Bertaut,

This email is being sent on behalf of the members of COLT to inform you that we have suspended your membership in COLT, effective immediately. Please know, we did not make this decision lightly. Unfortunately, we have unanimously come to share the same grave concerns as the public with many of the actions that have been taken recently by the Purcellville Town Council and you as mayor. Our concerns have nothing to do with any policy decision you or the council seek to take. Rather, they relate to the multiple violations of FOIA laws, opening meeting requirements, lack of transparency to the public and all council members, obvious conflict of interest, shutting out of minority viewpoints and retribution against/hiding of information from certain council members. As mayors, it is incumbent upon us to lead and guide our councils in an open, fair, transparent, and collaborative manner for every council member, regardless of our personal views. Failure to live by these standards undermines not only the public faith and trust in your Council and town government, but the council and government of us all. We wish nothing but success for Purcellville and offer our support and help to you should you choose to seek it.  We hope this note helps to turn things into a better direction and look forward to welcoming you back to COLT once that progress has been made.

Bridge Littleton, Mayor, Town of Middleburg

Dear COLT Members,

I’ve received your letter, and I want to begin by saying this: I believe in the mission of COLT—to bring together mayors who are committed to principled, transparent leadership and service to our communities. It is precisely because I hold that mission in such high regard that I must address your decision to suspend my membership, and the allegations behind it, with clarity and conviction.

The accusations made—violations of FOIA, lack of transparency, retribution, and exclusion—are serious. But I must respectfully ask: where is the evidence? Not speculation. Not social media posts. Not narratives shaped by those unwilling to accept the results of a lawful election. If there are facts—credible, documented facts—then present them. I welcome that conversation. But in the absence of such evidence, this decision feels more like a judgment shaped by political undercurrents than by truth.

President Reagan once reminded us that “trust, but verify” is a guiding principle in leadership. I urge you to apply it here. Verify, before condemning. Ask for the facts before repeating accusations. It is the least we owe each other in public service.

Now, let’s talk about transparency and leadership. The real challenge facing our town is fiscal sustainability. And on that front, the current Council—under my leadership—has acted decisively. We have laid out a bold and actionable strategy to stabilize our finances, protect core services, and do so without balancing the budget on the backs of our residents.

In contrast, the opposing voice on Council—whose objections seem to fuel much of the controversy—has not offered a single sustainable alternative. No plan. No numbers. Just the well-worn path of raising taxes and utility fees. That is not a strategy; that is a retreat from responsibility.

Leadership requires more than rhetoric—it demands vision, courage, and accountability. We are doing the hard work. We are making the tough calls. And we are doing it with integrity.

If COLT is to be a meaningful alliance of mayors committed to good governance, then let it stand on principle, not politics. I remain open to dialogue, cooperation, and reconciliation. But I will not accept the premise that silence or inaction in the face of misinformation is what unity requires.

The people of Purcellville elected me to lead. And lead I shall—with clarity, with integrity, and always with an eye toward what is best for the people, not what is easiest for politics.

Sincerely,

Christopher Bertaut, Mayor Town of Purcellville