By Jim Tuttle
Smithfield Times Staff Writer
WINDSOR — Long-debated changes to the town’s charter have made it to the Virginia General Assembly, and will likely be discussed in a House subcommittee today.
William K. Barlow (D – 64) is sponsoring House Bill 895, which would repeal Windsor’s existing charter and replace it with a new one.
Windsor resident Nathaniel Macon Edwards, an outspoken opponent of the proposed charter, said in a phone interview that he was not at the Nov. 11 meeting, and he was not aware that the issue was going to be taken off the table before July 2010.
“I’m not pleased, but the Council voted for it so I’ll go along with it,” he said.
A Council member told Edwards about the decision shortly after the meeting.
The proposed Charter would officially switch the town from a “mayor-council” format to a “manager-council” format of government. Language giving the mayor the ability to vote as a regular Council member was taken out of the latest draft.
“I thought the charter changed the power structure. I thought it was taking the power away from the council and giving it to the manager,” Edwards said.
According to the Nov. 11 meeting minutes, former Windsor Town Council member Ken Johnson spoke about the charter during the public comment portion of the meeting.
He told Council that the charter should be reconsidered sooner rather than waiting until July, when a new Council will be seated. Council should draw from the experience of its current members, Johnson said.
Later, during the old business portion of the meeting, Vice Major William “Buck” Jones made a motion to take the charter off the table. His motion passed, 4-3, with Council members Clint Bryant, Carita Richardson and Durwood Scott dissenting.
Council member Greg Willis, who voted in favor of tabling the issue in October, voted in favor of un-tabling it, along with Jones and Council member Wesley Garris. Mayor Marvin Crocker cast the tiebreaking vote.
Read the entire story in the Feb. 3 issue of the Smithfield Times. Papers can be purchased at newstands, or subscribe by calling 357-3288 or online at www.smithfieldtimes.com
