Town of Culpeper survives

In its 250th year, the town of Culpeper still stands.

Following more than three hours of mostly attorney testimony, Culpeper County Circuit Court Judge Jack Berry tossed out a proposal to consolidate the town and county into one new county, in essence doing away with the town.

County and town officials and citizens filled the courtroom Wednesday afternoon for the hearing on the town’s challenge of the way petitions were filed last December to initiate One Goverment.

The crux of the town’s argument was that Culpeper businessman Joe Daniel, who led the effort to do away with town government, never filed the completed consolidation petitions with Town Council or the circuit court, as required by law, or within the required 9-month time period.

Berry agreed with the town legal team’s interpretation of the law, saying the statue is clear. While Daniel did initiate the consolidation process correctly with his filing of blank petitions with the circuit court clerk, the judge said, ensuing steps in the complex process were not handled correctly.

Therefore, Berry said, handing down his ruling at about 5 p.m., “The petitions and signatures become invalid for all purposes.“

Daniel, after the hearing, said he was unsure if he would take another try at One Government.

Check out Thursday’s Star-Exponent and stay with starexponent.com for more on this developing story.