WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Virginia (STPNS) -- The King George Republican Committee (KGRC) took action last Tuesday, October 23, to remove John Headley as chairman and to expel him from him membership on the committee.  

Following that action, it unanimously voted Larry Kile in as new chairman.  Kile had been serving as Vice Chairman of the KGRC and as Acting Chairman since September 22.

This local party action is primarily newsworthy because Headley is seeking election to represent the James Madison District as a candidate for the King George Board of Supervisors.



He was nominated to run for this office in June by the GOP committee he chaired with a vote of six members present.  

Headley is running to unseat James Madison Supervisor Joe Grzeika, who is seeking reelection to a fourth term.

Headley reportedly did not attend the KGRC meeting that was intended for him to respond to charges contained in a resolution adopted by that committee at a meeting on September 22, which called for him to resign or face removal.  

That resolution cited reasons for the action, saying the ?most troubling? was ?the perception that the Chairman of the King George Committee damaged the campaigns of both the Republican nominees for the 99th Legislative District and the 28th Senatorial District.?  

The resolution was prompted by a similar resolution passed the previous day by a regional GOP committee.  On September 21 the 1st Congressional District Republican Committee overwhelmingly approved a resolution that placed Headley on notice that ?his actions and behavior is unacceptable as a leader within the Republican Party? and also called either for his resignation as chairman of the KGRC or for that group to take action to remove him as chairman.  

The calls for Headley to resign by the two Republican committees stemmed from numerous complaints about his actions, his misrepresentations and his objectionable behavior within the GOP.  

They followed and cited a resolution passed by the 99th District Republican Committee which censured Headley in unanimous action in December 2006, and action by 28th Senatorial District Republican committee in May 2007 to remove Headley from his position as secretary.

Earlier in the week, the editor of the The Journal?s King George edition requested statements from Kile and Headley following the KGRC?s action.  

Kile, new chairman of the KGRC provided the following statement, reprinted in total:

?In a properly called meeting on October 23rd, a quorum of the King George Republican Committee removed John C. Headley from his position as King George Republican Committee Chairman and also removed him as a committee member.  In accordance with Robert?s Rules of Order, the meeting was held in executive session.  As such, the committee and its members are prohibited from releasing any further details.

?Mr. Headley has the right to appeal these decisions to the King George Republican Committee and then to the 1st Congressional District as provided for in the Republican Party of Virginia?s State Party Plan.

?In the October 23rd meeting, the King George Republican Committee unanimously voted that Larry Kile serve as Chairman until the committee?s next mass meeting, which will be held in March.  Kile had been the Committee?s Vice Chairman, and has served as Acting Chairman since September 22nd.

?With this matter resolved, we as a committee look forward to focusing our attention on the coming elections and serving the community of King George. There are many significant issues facing our community, and the Republican Party has many strong candidates who are well capable of meeting these needs. We are eager to offer them our full support and attention.?

Headley responded to the request for a statement on the day before the KGRC meeting.  His statement is likewise reprinted in total:  

?Had Chairman Headley known the Journal was going to run weekly reports about this topic, even when there was no weekly news, Chairman Headley would have issued a statement prior to now.  Chairman Headley has not been afforded the opportunity of responding on the record with a responsible journalist for some time -- as seems to be the policy of the Journal of late.  

?Some time ago, Chairman Headley ruled the meeting notice void and out-of-order because the petition purports to do something that cannot be done (remove a chairman prior to written notice having been delivered at least 30 days prior to said meeting date).  While members are free to appeal said ruling, none have indicated they are going to do so at this time.  Chairman Headley is required to not attend and has ordered other legitimate members to not attend as it is impossible for the meeting to be proper according to the highest party rules.  This instruction is keeping with similar actions taken by other regional Chairman in regards to rogue ?meetings.?  

?Unfortunately, in the region, rogue meetings (improperly called, improper purpose, without notice to all elected members, and/or not sent via U.S. Mail at least 7 days prior to said meeting) has become a problem Chairman Headley and others have had to contend with.  Since party business sometimes has an effect on election law, Chairman Headley and others have had to insist that party rules be strictly enforced and obeyed.  

?It should be noted, Chairman Headley has an RPV General Counsel ruling that was issued prior to Chairman Headley?s ruling on this topic and was the basis for Chairman Headley?s ruling.  However, several local members have refused to recognize such ruling from Chairman Headley or the RPV General Counsel (which is binding even on Chairman Headley).  Therefore, after due consideration and with great sadness, Chairman Headley has recently ruled several members dilatory (a parliamentary term which is defined in Robert?s Rules of Order) and are no longer recognized as acting members by the Chairman.

?Later this week, Chairman Headley will be going to the Republican First Congressional District Committee meeting.  Chairman Headley helped force Chairman Jim Bowden from office due to Mr. Bowden?s attempt to tilt the congressional nomination in his favor.  Mr. Bowden is a candidate for Congress.  Mr. Bowden was forced to resign by senior RPV officials due to Chairman Headley?s efforts and the efforts of other members of conscience.  It is expected the Republican First Congressional District Committee will elect Robert Stuber as our new District Committee Chairman.  Chairman Headley nominated Mr. Stuber at the last meeting, but Mr. Stuber did not get a majority at the time.  Since then, Chairman Headley?s colleagues have reportedly expressed regret for having not followed the advice of Chairman Headley about a month ago.

?Chairman Headley continues to work on behalf of Republicans to make sure all nominees are elected on November 6th, 2007 and that the First Congressional District Republican Committee is able to conduct proper business ? namely adopting an OFFICIAL CALL and process to govern the Nomination Election for the seat left vacant by the passing of Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis.

?Currently, Governor Kaine has still not ordered a Special Election.  Rest assured, Chairman Headley will continue to keep Republicans and the public informed so everyone who would like to participate in the Special Election Nomination will have the same opportunity as everyone else.  Republican leaders like Chairman Headley are attempting to precede so no matter when the Special Election is held, Republicans will have an open and fair nomination election process.  Chairman Headley believes it is important to help Republicans know who their Nominee is well in advance of any Special Election so the seat stays in Republican hands.? (Editor?s note: The Governor has since set the date for the special election as December 11.)

Kile responded to Headley?s statement that same day, on the day prior to Headley?s trial by the KGRC, saying, ?Mr. Headley does not speak for the King George Republican Committee. He has been suspended as Chairman and in accordance with Robert?s Rules his membership is suspended, except as pertaining to his trial, pending the outcome of his trial.?

So now you have the rest of the story.