Playing politics in Purcellville – “Harassment,” really?

By Valerie Cury

You can tell it’s election time in Purcellville when accusations fly from the dais. At Purcellville’s July 26 Town Council Work Session, Council Member Mary Jane Williams read into the record an explosive accusation from Council Member Erin Rayner.

In her written statement, Rayner accused Council Member Stan Milan of filming her and taking photos of her. She wrote, “Councilman Milan was witnessed taking up close photographs/videos of me on the Dais. Whatever the motivations for this – it is unacceptable.”

Council Member Stan Milan released a statement concerning Rayner’s accusation the following day.

“Ironically, spurious accusations such as this detract from providing genuine support for women in the workplace.” 

– Council Member Stan Milan

Milan wrote, “As a matter of fact, I was frustrated with Council Member Joel Grewe’s disrespectful behavior of constantly using his phone during important discussions, and I wanted to document that. It’s entirely incidental that Erin Rayner was in the photo, but due to their proximity, this was unavoidable.

“Council Members are supposed to remain engaged because they are conducting business on behalf of the people and, frankly, I find Council Member Grewe’s casual dismissal of this obligation to be disappointing and distasteful.”

Milan continued, “I had been meaning to bring this up and, out of the expectation that I would be asked to substantiate my claim, I thought I would take a photograph of him ‘in the act’, so to speak. It is unfortunate that Council Member Rayner has co-opted this moment to level a disingenuous political attack against me.” 

Regarding her allegation against Milan, Rayner said she is “an advocate for women in leadership positions …Women should not have to deal with harassment, particularly in the workplace.” She said she wanted “to understand why this occurred and seek an apology.”

Milan responded, “Ironically, spurious accusations such as this detract from providing genuine support for women in the workplace. I am more than happy to clarify my intention in taking a single photograph during the council meeting, but I will not be issuing an apology, particularly since Council Member Erin Rayner didn’t even attempt to contact me or consider what I was doing before writing such a serious accusation.”

The Blue Ridge Leader sent numerous emails to Rayner asking if she had first reached out to Council Member Milan to verify the incident, but received no reply.

“Unfortunately, such politically motivated swipes are neither unexpected nor unprecedented. For example, over a month ago, Council Member Grewe stated at a Republican Committee meeting that I would be campaigning with Stacey Abrams,” Milan wrote.

“Perhaps the implication here is that because Ms. Abrams and I share the same skin color, we must also share the same political beliefs, but I would like to believe that my political convictions run deeper than my melanin. 

“I’m not sure how Ms. Abrams feels about local Purcellville politics, but slow growth, low taxes, and representing the citizens are non-partisan, non-federal issues.

“This routine of slinging mud until something sticks is unfortunate in our great Town and, I should think, frustrating for the voting people of Purcellville who would prefer to focus on real issues,” Milan concluded.

Council Member Stan Milan is running for Mayor with Planning Commissioners Carol Luke, Boo Bennett and resident Ron Rise who are running for Town Council.

Council Member Rayner, who is finishing a one-year term filling a vacated Town Council seat, will be running for her first full Town Council four-year term in the Nov. 8 Town elections. She is running with Council Members Joel Grewe who is running for Mayor, Tip Stinnette, and resident Caleb Stought for Town Council.

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Caption: This was the single photo Council Member Stan Milan took at the July 12 Purcellville Town Council Meeting, showing Council Member Joel Grewe on his cell phone. Council Member Erin Rayner is seated to his left. The full Town video of this meeting can be viewed on the Town website.