Town Attorney Martin Crim (copy)
Town Attorney Martin Crim (right) pictured during a Town Council meeting in December 2022.
No reason given for Martin Crim’s dismissal; Washington has no plans to make a change
In its first meeting of the year, the Warrenton Town Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to terminate its relationship with law firm Sands Anderson and Town Attorney Martin Crim, appointing a new attorney effective immediately.
The decision was introduced through a motion made by Ward 2 Council member Bill Semple and will mark a shift in the council’s legal representation. Crim has served as the town’s attorney since March 2022 following the resignation of former Town Attorney Whit Robinson.
Crim also is the town attorney for the Town of Washington, Virginia, and has served in that position for the past three years, replacing longtime Town Attorney John Bennett who had resigned. Mayor Joe Whited said the town has no plans to change its attorney.
“Mr. Crim has provided exemplary service to the town of Washington. He has helped us work through the Byzantine boundary line adjustment process with the county and commonwealth and dealt with any number of other issues in a highly professional manner,” Whited said in an email to the Rappahannock News Wednesday. “We don’t have any plans to change the Town Attorney or the firm representing us now or in the foreseeable future.”
The Warrenton council entered into closed session twice during the meeting Tuesday morning to discuss personnel matters related to Crim’s dismissal and the appointment of a new town attorney.
Upon returning from the second session, Semple made a motion to formally dissolve the town’s relationship with Crim and his firm, simultaneously appointing Chapman “Chap” Peterson and his firm, Chap Petersen & Associates, as the new legal counsel. Peterson is a former state lawmaker based out of Fairfax who has represented opponents of data center projects in Northern Virginia.
No reason for Crim’s dismissal was provided by council members. Some praised Crim for his professionalism and service.
“I do want to commend Martin Crim for being professional. We’ve not always agreed on everything. I thank you for your service. You’ve always been forthright and forthcoming and available. I appreciate that,” said At-Large Councilmember David McGuire.
“I’d appreciate the new attorney being candid and forthright with that coming in,” he said. “You know, certain lawyers are dealmakers or deal-breakers, and I appreciate that you’ll have that candor and forthrightness with us in the future.”
“I have to echo the many comments made by the members of the Warrenton Town Council yesterday,” Whited said.
At-Large Councilmember Paul Mooney echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Martin, thank you for the help you’ve given us again. I appreciate your professionalism.”
Mayor Carter Nevill commended Crim for his service, though he expressed his concerns about the abruptness of the decision.
“In terms of Mr. Crim’s service to the town, it has been highly professional. There’s been staff morale and … his availability to staff has been second to none. The operational capacity of this town has been extraordinarily benefited by his presence and service,” Nevill said.
“To me, again, there seems to be no reason to part ways other than a desire to change direction, which has been sort of what it looks like to me, and that is council’s will,” he said. “I’ll point out that most councilmembers, or all councilmembers, just received the contract just a few moments ago. So this decision is being taken in a very hasty manner, in my opinion, and I would hope that as we move forward, we tend to be more cautious and use more care.”
Nevill added, “I know it’s been brought up on many occasions that we do not like being presented with information two or three days before a council meeting and being expected to make a decision on that. And yet, here we stand doing just that and with very little public input or public awareness. This is an interesting way to start the year. So that’s just my personal opinion.”
In the roll-call vote, six councilmembers supported the motion, with Mooney casting the lone “nay” vote.
Peterson and his firm will assume the role of representing the town effective immediately.
Foothills Forum reporter Ireland Hayes contributed to this report
