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Charlotte County chairman announces resignation effective March 23, 2025, amid public criticism
Summary
Chair Gary Walker told the Board of Supervisors he had submitted a resignation effective March 23, 2025, and said he will continue as chairman through the year; public commenters urged immediate removal while some residents defended him.
Chairman Gary Walker addressed the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors and the public to explain recent court proceedings and to announce a resignation effective March 23, 2025. He said felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors, that he pleaded guilty to misdemeanors and will not continue to argue matters that were decided by the courts. "I have submitted my resignation effective 03/23/2025," he said, adding that he intends to continue serving as chairman for the remainder of the year.
Public commenters used the meeting's public-comment period to press for different outcomes. George Toombs urged the board to accept Walker's resignation immediately and to remove him from office, saying it would be "the honorable thing to do." Another commenter who identified himself as a longtime local newspaper editor criticized vocal opponents of the board and called for citizens to run for office rather than rely on protests.
Judge Charles, speaking for the Virginia Property Rights Alliance, focused on separate subject matter but also referenced local tensions in the community and criticized previous letters sent by board leadership to the governor. Several speakers urged the board to consider optics and public trust; one resident told the chair, "You need to step down immediately and allow your Board of Supervisor colleagues to continue their work without the burden of a tainted member."
The board did not take a separate recorded vote immediately on changing the effective date of the chairman's resignation during the meeting; the chair had earlier asked the board to discuss the matter in closed session under the applicable Virginia Code exemption for consultation with legal counsel. The transcript records multiple public requests to act sooner but does not record a motion or vote to accept an immediately effective resignation during the public meeting.
Next steps: the transcript shows the chair's statement and public reaction; any formal acceptance of resignation or additional board action would be recorded in future meeting minutes or subsequent board motions.
