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News editor
A Carrollton minister announced he will run for the Newport Supervisor seat — either if and when Buzz Bailey is removed or two years from now when the seat is up for election.
Pastor William McCarty of Healing Waters Worship Center in Carrollton has called for Bailey’s resignation and also signed the petition for his removal.
Bailey came under fire recently due to comments he made at a May Board of Supervisors budget work session about Confederate money and the south rising again.
That was followed by a series of racist and off-color emails that surfaced about First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama. The emails were forwarded to a number of people by School Board member Herb DeGroft and Bailey, including county employees.
Despite calls for his resignation, Bailey has refused to do so, and McCarty was critical of that decision.
“When there’s no accountability it casts a shadow on our community and causes a lot of confusion,” he said.
A group of Carrollton residents are currently circulating a petition to have Bailey removed.
The final decision on whether he is removed or not, however, rests with a circuit court judge.
McCarty has long been interested in running for the Newport District seat and only refrained from doing so two years ago because there were already three candidates vying for the seat.
“I care about our community and want to serve them … I will definitely bring a different perspective,” he said. “Whether it’s sooner or later, I plan on running for that seat.”
