Orange Town Council’s newest member will be court appointed.
On Nov. 6, previous council member Jeremiah Pent resigned, leaving the remaining four members with 45 days to choose a replacement to fill his unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2026. By Virginia Code, council members have 45 days to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. If they cannot agree, the judge of the circuit court may make the appointment.
Five Orange residents applied for the role–Jeff Crane, Richard Langford, Elliott Fox, Patrick McAloon and Timothy James Bosford, Jr. Langford, Fox and Bosford, Jr. have all previously served on the town council. Crane is currently on the planning commission and McAloon is on the town’s Industrial Development Authority.
In December, several of the applicants spoke at a council meeting, but council members were unable to come to a consensus on who should serve. In his resignation letter, Pent suggested that Crane be appointed to complete the remainder of his term. Crane sought election to the council during the recent election and was the fourth top vote getter. Council member Jason Cashell agreed, stating Crane would be the objective choice. Mayor Harrison Cluff said Crane represented the public’s voice since he was a top vote getter in the last election.
Council member Donna Waugh-Robinson motioned to appoint Fox, which was seconded by council member Delmer Seal, but failed 2-2 with Pent and Cluff dissenting. A second motion by Waugh-Robinson, this time for McAloon, had the same fate. Cluff’s motion to appoint Crane was seconded by Pent, but also failed 2-2, this time with Waugh-Robinson and Seal dissenting.
The 45-day deadline passed Saturday. On Tuesday, paperwork was submitted to the Orange County Circuit Court, leaving the appointment in the judge’s hands. It’s unknown how long it will take for the court to make a decision.
