WATAUGA COMMISSION CHAIR JOHN WELCH TO RESIGN
Watauga County Commission Chairman John Welch will step down by September 15.
His resignation comes after comments made by Watauga County Republican Executive Board Chairman Bill Greene, who spoke at the July 19 commissioners meeting, claiming that with Welch now employed by the University of Virginia, he is no longer eligible to serve, and alleging Welch is no longer a resident of Watauga County.
A lawsuit has been filed against Attorney General Josh Stein on behalf of Greene saying Stein's duty is to act in situations where an individual is unlawfully failing to vacate and elected position, and that Welch permanently removed himself from Watauga County for an indefinite time and is no longer eligible as a commissioner.
Watauga County attorney Anthony di Santi has said that after research of the statutes, Welch still maintains a domicile in Watauga, his wife and family still live here, and he commutes to his new job.
di Santi maintains Welch is eligible to remain on the commission until hi term expires in 2024.
Welch will resign from the board before September 15, to allow a transition plan to be developed, and allow Welch to be a part of getting the new Valle Crucis School started.
