In Amherst, crowd decries former administrator's ouster

AMHERST — Nearly a month after the sudden resignation of former Amherst County Administrator Rodney Taylor, a crowd of about 75 residents turned out Tuesday to demand answers from the Board of Supervisors.

They left without a clear answer.

Taylor, a county native, resigned April 24, a day after meeting in closed session with board members. He was asked to resign by the board for reasons the board has never publicly explained.

Chairman Leon Parrish said after Taylor’s resignation, and maintained Tuesday night, that matters discussed in closed session couldn’t be disclosed. Other members of the board have refused to comment. Parrish said the board is now looking for a “seasoned” administrator, but has yet to hold any interviews with prospective candidates.

Taylor, a former supervisor and county registrar, was hired in April 2006 without previous experience as an administrator — he said he was not treated fairly by several of the board members.

Residents referred to Taylor during Tuesday’s public comment session as a “transparent” and “reasonable” official.

“I found him to be a man of high integrity,” said Patrick Dreher. “I felt like Rodney would give his all for the county. To my knowledge he did. Unfortunately at this point, I don’t know what to think.”

Residents said they were frustrated that they did not know details of the situation. Taylor has had a turbulent relationship with the board dating back to June when Vice Chairman Chris Adams and Supervisor Don Kidd supported a vote of no confidence against him after a closed session. It failed by a 3-2 vote.

“Most of us here have no idea what that means,” Steve Martin, a resident, said of the vote. “If you’re going to do that, I think we as citizens would like you to do it in a way where a good business would do it. If someone is not performing, you talk to them.”

Martin said the speculations and rumors that have resulted from the board’s closed meetings are not helpful to the county and a “real disservice regardless of what you might have thought about his performance.”

“Let it be known that the citizens want to know what went on,” said Daniel Burford, who personally asked each supervisor what happened. “We expect answers. You people work for us.”

Supervisors did not respond.

During the meeting, Parrish said the board appreciates the concerns but it is bound by the code of Virginia in matters of closed session. “There are certain things we can’t say.”

According to minutes posted on the county Web site, the board has met 15 times this year in closed session out of the 19 times it has convened. Parrish said that’s not unusual.

The board doesn’t take any official action in closed sessions, he said, and mainly talks about “prospective businesses” and appointments. “These things have to be made in closed session,” Parrish said. “There’s no decision until we come out.”

When reached by phone Tuesday, Taylor said he is willing to have his personnel file opened to the public if there are inquiries.

“I have nothing to hide,” he said. “I do think the public deserves answers. Replacing a county administrator is a major decision.”

Parrish said anyone could get information that the county’s attorney will release under state code through the Freedom of Information Act.

Taylor said Tuesday he was touched by the support and he still plans to start a business in downtown Lynchburg. “That’s where my focus is now.”