Decision made ‘due to personal circumstances’
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Oct. 25 — Two days ago, District 4 Supervisor Isaac Smelser resigned from the post he won last fall as an unopposed candidate for the Page County Board of Supervisors. After serving less than 10 months of his four-year term, Smelser has left few details about his sudden departure from public office.
“On Oct. 23, 2024, in a letter to Chairman Keith Weakley and County Administrator Amity Moler, District 4 Supervisor Isaac Smelser resigned from the Board of Supervisors, effective immediately,” reads a press release posted on social media by the county at 9:48 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 25. “Mr. Smelser cited that ‘due to personal circumstances, I can no longer serve the citizens of Page County’.”
The county’s press release stated that, “The Board [of Supervisors] does not have any comment on the matter.” Smelser was contacted by PVN through social media Friday afternoon and given an opportunity to offer a “no comment” statement, or talk with PVN (On or Off the record). As of this publication, which immediately followed, PVN has received no response from the former supervisor.
Smelser replaced former District 4 supervisor Larry Foltz when he pledged his oath before the clerk of the court in January. The first-term supervisor was absent from the Board’s last meeting on Monday, Oct. 21. Prior to being elected in 2023, Smelser was previously appointed to serve on the Page County Planning Commission for several years.
According to the Code of Virginia, the Board has 45 days to appoint a qualified individual to the vacancy until a special election can be held to fill the unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2027.
For more information on the Page County Board of Supervisors, CLICK HERE.
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Do we still not know why Smelser resigned his post so quickly?
That is correct. We have offered an opportunity for Mr. Smelser to give an explanation, and he has not contacted us. Given that he served less than 10 months of a four-year term, we truly feel he owes those who voted for him and show their support some type of explanation (despite the uncontested race).