At a special call meeting held Tuesday evening, Appomattox Town Council voted to rescind the previously imposed censure of council member Nathan Simpson. Five council members voted "yes" via roll call, with one abstaining.
Simpson had been censured at the March 11 regular meeting, accused of engaging in "disorderly behavior and misconduct," according to the original censure resolution. The behavior in question occurred following the Feb. 27 council meeting, after which Simpson was alleged to have shouted at fellow council members Claudia Puckette and Mary Lou Spiggle in the parking lot of the Town Hall building, causing them to become fearful.
Tuesday's vote to rescind the censure came with an addendum to the new resolution presented by council members Simpson and Jane Allen. The addendum requires all council members to attend and complete a training course on professional conduct. It was recommended as an option before the final vote by council member Claudia Puckette. Simpson agreed to the addendum.
The primary argument presented within the resolution to rescind the censure was that Simpson was not present at the March 11 meeting and was not notified before the vote nor given a chance to present his side of the story about what took place in the parking lot. According to the resolution, this was a violation of Robert's Rules of Order -- Rule 61.22 "...if disciplinary action is to be taken, charges must be preferred and a formal trial held before the assembly..."
Puckette described being "accosted" on the evening of Feb. 27, and both she and Spiggle said they were afraid for their personal safety because Simpson ran toward them with his arms raised and fists clenched. Simpson admitted Tuesday to shouting at them from a distance while he was in the parking lot and they were at the top of the ramp as they were leaving. However, he denied running, holding his arms up, or approaching them in a threatening manner.
The incident occurred after Puckette and Spiggle approached Simpson's wife at some point during a break at the Feb. 27 meeting to explain that the reason she wasn't chosen for a spot on the town's Economic and Development Authority (EDA) committee was because it might be perceived as a conflict of interest -- nepotism. Puckette and Spiggle both touched Simpson's wife in the course of the conversation by placing their hands on her, a gesture which she reported to Simpson afterward in their vehicle.
On Tuesday, Simpson explained that he was protecting his wife in the moment and mentioned several instances where family members of people on council have served on, or applied to serve on, other local committees. Simpson had previously taken issue with Spiggle for allegedly changing her mind about his wife being on the EDA after she originally voiced no objection during a phone call in which Simpson sought her counsel regarding the situation.
Simpson's wife spoke Tuesday and told council that while she can accept a rejection of an EDA appointment based on merit, and that she supports the other two people who were chosen to serve on the committee, she did not apply for the spot due to an expectation of nepotism but rather based on her background and experience, which she felt could benefit the town.
Spiggle and Puckette have apologized if their actions offended Simpson's wife and added that they meant no harm by placing their hands on her during their conversation.
Twelve local citizens spoke during the public comment period of Tuesday's meeting, with most speaking in favor of Simpson and his character and a few asking council to simply move forward in a positive manner.
After the vote took place, Appomattox Mayor Richard Conner became emotional, explaining that he had expected everyone on council to "act as adults," and partially blamed himself for perhaps allowing too much negative discourse during meetings. However, he encouraged council to move past this situation and go about the business of doing the town's work.
The resolution to rescind the censure applies to the Feb. 27 incident but does not cover any future incidents if they should occur.
Council members who voted in favor of Tuesday's resolution were Nathan Simpson, Jane Allen, Timothy Garrett, Claudia Puckette and Mary Lou Spiggle. Abstaining was James Boyce, Sr., who voiced disapproval for the resolution.
Additional details will be reported in the March 20 edition of the Times Virginian.
Find out more in the upcoming March 20 issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.
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