John Cole resigns from council to move along Kennedy deal
By Dan Roem
Former Haymarket vice mayor John Cole formally resigned from the council prior to a continuation meeting last week, so the Haymarket Town Council can immediately install a new member to fill his term.
The Town Council is set to hold a public hearing on April 7 regarding a $2.3 million commercial-development deal for the Town Center property.
There is a vacancy on the council because Cole, a supporter of developer Gerry Kennedy’s offer, is working in Iraq until August.
Cole plans to run for re-election this May.
The council cannot vote on the Kennedy deal unless three-quarters of the members are present.
On the same night as the development vote, the council will first vote to fill Cole’s seat. The new member would potentially be the key vote in determining whether Kennedy’s offer is accepted.
In January, Kennedy’s proposal was approved by the council, 5-1. Kennedy pulled the offer last month because the Haymarket Planning Commission forced delays. Council member Bob Weir, the lone dissenting vote, sits on the commission.
Weir needs only one other member on the six-member body to join with him in order to defeat the deal. Virginia law requires that three-fourths of the council must support a deal to sell publicly held property.