Stafford, Va. — The first African American elected to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors ended his term Tuesday night amidst controversy.
Robert “Bob” Woodson who’s represented the Griffis-Widewater District in North Stafford since 2008 left the Board Chambers without the approval of two fellow supervisors, Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde and Rock Hill District Supervisor Cord Sterling.
Both Republican supervisors refused to sign a proclamation honoring the Democrat’s work as an economist, his days in the Air Force, and his work on BRAC relocation issues at Quantico. Woodson’s proclamation was one of three issued Tuesday for exiting supervisors, and was the only one that didn’t carry the signatures of all fellow Board members.
“I fought hard and sometimes alone for the average homeowner, and the taxes would be shared as well as by businesses. [Tax rates] should be the same across the board and shouldn’t heavily burden any one segment of our society,” said Woodson in a brief statement.
Woodson chose not to seek reelection and will be replaced by Independent Jack Cavalier.
Woodson’s wife, exiting Griffis-Widewater District Planning Commission representative Cecilia Kirkman, and former Stafford County Board Chairman George Schwartz all spoke Tuesday calling Milde and Sterling’s move a “single, dismal act that will be remembered by voters.”
Sterling didn’t address the issue but Milde made it clear he and Woodson had been at political odds for years, accusing Woodson of negatively campaigning against him in 2009, and he pointed out Woodson is the only member of the Board who did not sign an adopted code of conduct honored by the six other Board members.
Milde also said Woodson was involved in drafting his own proclamation, and that was something he couldn’t support.
“The only reason I didn’t sign this proclamation is that Mr. Woodson got involved in the writing of it, and that’s the first time, to my knowledge that has happened, and he wrote things that I don’t agree with or were true,” said Milde.
Milde offered to a sign an alternate proclamation noting Woodson’s accomplishments written entirely by county staff.
“I am especially proud that we elected an African American in Stafford County. It’s long overdue and I hope we see another one soon,” said Milde.
