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Saltville council accepts Thomas Dickerson Jr.'s resignation; sets April 15 public hearing and moves for November special election
Summary
At a special called meeting April 3, the Saltville Town Council accepted Council member Thomas Dickerson Jr.'s resignation, set an April 15 public hearing to open letters of interest for an interim appointment, and voted to petition the circuit court for a November special election to fill the remainder of the term.
The Saltville Town Council on April 3 accepted the resignation of Council member Thomas Dickerson Jr., scheduled a public hearing on April 15 to consider letters of interest for an interim appointment and voted to petition the circuit court to hold a special election in November to fill the rest of the term.
The actions came at a special called meeting at Town Hall convened by Mayor Cheri Fullen. Town Attorney Paul Cassell told the council that the process for an interim appointment requires a public hearing at which letters of interest are read aloud and that the council must wait seven days after the hearing before making an appointment based on those letters. Town Manager Cecile Rosenbaum set a filing deadline of noon on April 15 for letters of interest.
"Because of it being [a] public hearing, they will have to read aloud the letters received," Cassell said, explaining the procedural requirement and timeline for an interim appointment. Cassell also confirmed that a candidate chosen by council could be seated the same night the council makes the appointment and, if the appointee wishes to seek the seat in the November special election, must file the necessary paperwork with the registrar to qualify.
Council member Cary Sauls said he would be out of town on April 15 and asked whether he could participate by phone; Cassell said he would check the rules and notify the town manager. Mayor Fullen proposed holding the public hearing on April 15 at 7 p.m., and Rosenbaum requested letters be received by noon that day.
Votes at a glance - Accept letters of interest through noon April 15, 2025: motion by Council member Eugene Call, seconded by Council member Suzanne Abramson; roll-call vote—Abramson Aye; Henderson Aye; Comer Aye; Call Aye; Sauls Aye. Outcome: approved. - Accept resignation of Thomas Dickerson Jr.: motion by Council member Cary Sauls, seconded by Council member R.B. Henderson; roll-call vote—Abramson Aye; Henderson Aye; Comer Aye; Call Aye; Sauls Aye. Outcome: approved. - Set public hearing for April 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.: motion by Eugene Call, seconded by Cary Sauls; roll-call vote—Abramson Aye; Henderson Aye; Comer Aye; Call Aye; Sauls Aye. Outcome: approved. - Petition circuit court within 15 days for a special election in November and authorize the mayor to sign: motion by Suzanne Abramson, seconded by Eugene Call; roll-call vote—Abramson Aye; Henderson Aye; Comer Aye; Call Aye; Sauls Aye. Outcome: approved.
The council also recorded that Dickerson’s resignation is effective March 28, 2025, and that the council intends to follow the described public-hearing and appointment timeline before making any interim appointment. The council authorized Mayor Cheri Fullen to sign the petition to the circuit court asking for a special election in November to fill the remainder of the term.
Next steps: letters of interest must be submitted to the town by noon on April 15; the council will open and read the letters at the April 15, 7 p.m. public hearing; if the council elects to appoint an interim member, it may do so no sooner than seven days after that hearing; the town will petition the circuit court within 15 days to schedule a special election in November.
