On Friday, June 3, 2022, two-term Midlothian District Supervisor Leslie Haley announced her resignation from the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors, effective Monday, June 6. She joined the Commonwealth of Virginia Attorney General's office as Deputy Attorney General for Government Operations and Transactions, described as a critical part of Attorney General Jason Miyares' senior leadership team. The Midlothian Business Alliance reported the news to members on June 8, 2022 in a message from MBA President Chris Jenkins.
At a glance
What: Resignation of the Midlothian District Supervisor from the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors
Who: Leslie Haley, Midlothian District Supervisor; Chris Jenkins, MBA President
When: Announced Friday, June 3, 2022; effective Monday, June 6, 2022
What's next: The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors was to meet June 13 to discuss the process for backfilling the open seat on an interim basis
What the MBA said
The MBA called Haley an instrumental supporter of Midlothian as a whole and of the alliance, noting that her advocacy for the community dated long beyond her tenure on the Board of Supervisors and that members knew she was there to listen when they needed her. Jenkins wrote that he had immediately feared for his own business, investments and clients when news of her departure broke, and that members might have felt the same way.
He went on to say that a strong foundation remained within County government: the remaining Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission and County staff continued to work to make Chesterfield a better place to live and work. He listed the Midlothian Special Area Plan, the redevelopment of Spring Rock Green, the continued growth of Westchester Commons and Watkins Centre, and the future development of Roseland as areas that would continue to be guided by the planning already done. He described Chesterfield County as a pro-business locality with a transparent, approachable staff, and said the change further emphasized the importance of the MBA's relationship with the County.
The email pointed members to Haley's video message on YouTube, the County's news release and the Attorney General's press release, and noted that the MBA's next event was that Thursday, June 9, at Salisbury Country Club.