Coming on the heals of the surprise resignation of Town Manager Brent Manuel, and the announcement that Mayor George Proto would not be seeking reelection, Councilwoman Dora Sullivan has tendered her immediate resignation from the Cape Charles Town Council citing personal reasons for her decision. The Town’s search for a new town manager has exposed an incompetent and rudderless Town Council that seems lacking in any real expertise, especially when it comes to the search and hiring of what is arguably the most important position in town government. The sudden Sullivan departure has added to the chaos.
A source close to Plum Street told the Mirror, “You can feel the stress. The back biting…well, you know Cape Charles. Keep an eye on this, and watch out what happens in May.”
Town Manager Brent Manuel’s shocking departure is still shrouded in intrigue. While the players are still holding cards close to the vest, there is speculation that his leaving is not all that voluntary.
In William Faulkner’s story, Requiem for a Nun, he wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”
Dora Sullivan initially joined the Cape Charles Town Council in October 2002 when she was appointed to Council to complete David Flora’s term. She was elected in 2004 and served as councilwoman from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2006. Sullivan has served as mayor of Cape Charles from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2014 when she and her late husband Mike Sullivan decided to retire.
After taking a couple of years off, she again ran for Council in 2016 and was elected for a term which began on July 1, 2016.
The Code of Virginia outlines the process of filling a vacancy in elected offices. Section 24.2-226(A) requires the town to petition the circuit court to schedule a special election within 15 days of the vacancy.
The Town Council will be holding a special meeting on March 8, 2018 to adopt a resolution authorizing the petition.
Section 24.2-228(A) allows the Town Council to appoint a qualified voter of the election district as an interim council member within 45 days of the vacancy. The Town Council will be discussing the process and potential candidates for consideration at their meeting next week for appointment at the March 15, 2018 regular meeting.
The Mirror will continue to follow this story as it develops.
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