HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-23RESOLUTION 2026-23
RESOLUTION AND ORDER SUSPENDING COUNCIL MEMBER STEVEN
ERICKSON, REQUESTING MR. ERICKSON'S RESIGNATION, AND
INITIATING REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS
WHEREAS, under Section 3.10(C) of the Charter of the Town of Pulaski, officers of the
town may be suspended and removed for misconduct in office or neglect of duty;
WHEREAS, under Sections 3.10 and 3.11 of the Charter of the Town of Pulaski, a
council member may not be removed from office without the opportunity of a hearing
before removal, and the removal of a council member requires a unanimous vote of the
other members;
WHEREAS, Council Member Steven Erickson was arrested on Thursday morning and is
being charged with two federal felony counts for the receipt and distribution of child
sexual abuse material;
WHEREAS, the citizens of the Town of Pulaski deserve a government that operates in a
fair and upright manner, run by citizens who are of upstanding moral character;
WHEREAS, the conduct Mr. Erickson is accused of is odious and has no place in our
society and community;
WHEREAS, Mr. Erickson is entitled to due process of law and the presumption of
innocence in his criminal proceedings;
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the above, the publicly released evidence suggests that a
foundation exists for these charges;
WHEREAS, the best interests of the community demand that Mr. Erickson no longer
participate in the Town's business as a council member;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED and ORDERED by the Town Council of the
Town of Pulaski, Virginia, sitting in this special session on the 27th day of July, 2026:
1. Pursuant to Section 3.10(C) of the Town Charter, the Town Council orders the
suspension of Steven Erickson from his duties as a council member, effective
immediately, for a period of sixty days. The Town Council finds that Mr. Erickson has
committed misconduct in office based upon evidence that he has received and
distributed child sex abuse material while a member of Town Council.
2. The Town Council urges Mr. Erickson to resign from his position immediately, to
save the Town and community from the burden of further proceedings on this matter and
to allow the Town and its citizens to move forward;
3. If Mr. Erickson chooses not to resign, the Town Council intends to vote at its
September 1, 2026, regular meeting to remove Mr. Erickson from Council for
misconduct in office. If Mr. Erickson wishes to be heard at that meeting, he must
communicate that request to Council on or before August 12, 2026.
4. The Town Council approves the following statement on this matter:
Tonight, the Pulaski Town Council voted to suspend Council Member Steven
Erickson, effective immediately, based upon evidence that he received and
distributed child sex abuse material while a member of Town Council. The
conduct Mr. Erickson is accused of is odious and has no place in our community
and society. Although Mr. Erickson is entitled to the presumption of innocence in
his criminal matter, the publicly released evidence required the Council to act
promptly to protect the community's best interests. The Town Council urges Mr.
Erickson to resign immediately so that the town can move forward. If he does not
do so, the Town Council will act to remove him in accordance with the Town
Charter.
This resolution and order shall be effective immediately and is hereby adopted this 27th
day of July, 2026, by the duly recorded vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski,
Virginia as follows:
Jeremy L. Clark- Aye
Sunshine N. Cope- Aye
Brooks R. Dawson- Aye
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O ' is C. Halle
Clerk of Council
G. Tyler Clontz- Aye
Steven W. Erickson- Absent
Joel B. Burchett- Aye
TO OF PU
7, V
W. Shannon Collins
Mayor