Isle of Wight County supervisors voted unanimously on March 6 to appoint Thomas Distefano to temporarily fill the late William McCarty’s seat on the board.

The board made the appointment nine days after announcing Distefano’s nomination. McCarty, 48, who’d represented the Carrollton area on the board since 2016, died of double pneumonia on Jan. 25, just over a year into his third four-year term in office.

State law allowed a 45-day window, in this case through March 11, for the board to appoint an interim representative to fill the vacancy until a special election is held. The law required the board announce its candidate in a public meeting at least seven days prior to voting on the appointment.

“You are the best choice for the situation,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Rosie told Distefano. “Welcome to our board.”

Distefano was sworn in on March 7 at the Isle of Wight County Courthouse. He’s a sitting member of the county’s Planning Commission whom McCarty first appointed in 2019.

“Will thought a lot of you. … If you were good enough for Will, you’re certainly good enough for me,” said District 4 Supervisor Joel Acree.

“Mr. McCarty was a man I deeply respected, and his untimely passing is a great loss to our community,” Distefano told the Times. “His leadership set a high standard. As I step into this role, I am fully committed to serving the residents of Isle of Wight to the best of my ability. This responsibility requires an understanding of public perspectives, thoughtful consideration of differing opinions, and a commitment to making informed decisions that reflect the needs of our community. I encourage communication from citizens.

Distefano was one of several candidates the board discussed in closed session on Feb. 25 and earlier in a Feb. 6 work session, also in closed session. The county denied a Times Freedom of Information Act request for the names of the other candidates. The supervisors said they specifically looked for someone already familiar with local government procedures.

The supervisors said a quick turnaround in filling McCarty’s seat was needed to have a full board in place as soon as possible to review the School Board’s and county’s proposed 2025-26 budgets, which typically reach the supervisors in late March or early April. The board typically votes on its budget, tax rates and annual appropriation to the school system by mid-May.

Distefano will also be involved in hiring County Administrator Randy Keaton’s successor. Keaton last year announced his intent to retire on or before Aug. 31.

Distefano will have the option but isn’t required to run in the special District 2 election that will coincide with this year’s general election on Nov. 4. Any other registered voter in District 2 is also eligible to run for the seat. Aug. 15 is the deadline for candidates to file to get their names on the ballot.

Distefano said at this time he’s committed only to filling the role until November, and hasn’t decided yet whether he’ll seek election for the two-year remainder of McCarty’s term. Whoever wins that election will be able to take his or her seat immediately upon being sworn in and will serve through Dec. 31, 2027.