Crusade for Voters urges Agelasto to resign
Jeremy M. Lazarus | 1/25/2019, 6 a.m.
The Richmond Crusade for Voters announced its support Tuesday for efforts to remove 5th District City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto from office because he no longer lives in the district.
Crusade President Bernice Travers said the organization supports a petition filed by Henry W. “Chuck” Richardson, a former 5th District councilman, in Richmond Circuit Court seeking a declaratory judgment that Mr. Agelasto has vacated his seat by moving out of the district.
However, Mr. Richardson’s petition remains in limbo as he has yet to serve Mr. Agelasto with the legal document.
Mr. Agelasto, who has declined to resign since moving into the 1st District last summer, contests the view that he must step down.
City Council has not take any action to remove Mr. Agelasto, and Richmond Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter has said state law bars her from canceling Mr. Agelasto’s registration to vote. Mr. Agelasto still maintains his address in the 5th District for voting purposes.
Ms. Travers said the organization believes that “if Mr. Agelasto is not challenged, this would become a dangerous precedent and would usher in an at-large voting scheme” that would allow future City Council members to represent a district and live elsewhere.
“Mr. Agelasto’s behavior cannot be ignored or excused,” Ms. Travers said. “The Crusade urges him to resign so that the remainder of the council can appoint someone to fill this vacancy.” — JEREMY M. LAZARUS
