Just three months into their term, Purcellville Mayor Christopher Bertaut and Council Members Carol Luke, Susan Khalil, and Carl ‘Ben’ Nett have become the focus of a recall effort aimed at removing them from office. This initiative arises from a growing sense of discontent among residents, fueled by months of turmoil surrounding the Council’s actions.

The catalyst for this recall campaign includes a controversial internal affairs investigation involving Councilmember Nett, who has been placed on the Brady/Giglio list. Additionally, the Council’s lack of transparency in decision-making—including the abrupt firing of Town Manager Rick Bremseth and the mismanagement of the police department’s staffing—has left many residents feeling uneasy about the direction of their local government.

Purcellville community members have expressed frustration over the Town Council’s refusal to govern in a transparent and collaborative manner. On March 25, a coalition led by local resident Brian Morgan announced their plan to gather the necessary signatures from registered Purcellville voters to support their petition, which aims to restore integrity to the town’s government.

Brian Morgan, a 20-year resident of Purcellville and a local consultant, initiated the recall campaign based on alleged violations of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), misuse of office by individual officials, and perceived conflicts of interest involving Councilmember Nett. “People come to Purcellville to enjoy a nice place to raise their family and be part of a small-town community. We feel like we’ve been lied to by this Council majority, and the best interests of our community are not being served,” Morgan stated.

Following the announcement of the recall during the March 25 Town Council meeting, Morgan and his team began collecting signatures and plan to host several public events to facilitate the process. The times, dates, and locations of these signature collection events will be shared on the group’s Facebook page, titled ‘Purcellville Deserves Better.’

For more information or to get involved, interested residents can contact Brian Morgan at PurcellvillePetition@gmail.com. The outcome of this recall effort could significantly impact the future of Purcellville’s governance, as citizens seek to hold their elected officials accountable.