Gravatte takes oath

The town of Culpeper’s new councilwoman took the oath of office Thursday in a low-key ceremony at the courthouse.

Laurel Care Gravatte, 54, will serve through June 30, filling the nine months left on Steve Jenkins’ term. Jenkins stepped down last month because he moved out of town.

Town Council selected Gravatte, who moved to Culpeper nine years ago from California, to fill the vacancy from among eight applicants. She is the only woman on council.

Gravatte, a registered nurse, ran in 2008 and received the third highest votes of seven losing candidates.

She said Thursday she was “pleasantly shocked” to have been picked to serve on council because “it shows a vote of confidence that I am capable of doing the job.” Gravatte also acknowledged she had “a lot to learn in a short time.”

“I hope to be a good representative at-large for the town and listen to what the needs are rather than have a pre-conceived notion,” she said after being sworn in by Culpeper County Circuit Court Clerk Jan Corbin.

Gravatte, former director of the Free Clinic of Culpeper, said she does not believe in the idea of only giving grease or attention to the “squeaky wheel.”

Though technically retired, Gravatte still volunteers at the free clinic and also spends her time playing piano for the Culpeper County High School choir. Also a violinist, she serves on the board of the Piedmont Symphony.

Gravatte is married to Dr. L. Trice Gravatte, a physician at Culpeper Family Practice; he attended Thursday’s swearing-in at the clerk’s office along with Mayor Pranas Rimeikis, Town Manager Jeff Muzzy and Town Clerk Kim Allen.

Gravatte has three grown children who live in California and three stepchildren.

She said Thursday she had not thought about whether she would run in next year’s council election.

In taking the oath office, Gravatte swore to support the U.S. Constitution, the Virginia Constitution and to faithfully execute all the duties incumbent upon her as a Town Council member.