Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

The Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors presides over all meetings of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The current chairman is Sharon Bulova.

Prior to 1966 referendum adopting the urban county executive form of government, the chairman was elected from the other members of the board for a single year. With the new government, the office became a separate, at-large position, with the same four-year term enjoyed by the other members of the board.

However, the new position was largely ceremonial, with the chairman only empowered to cast a vote in the event of a tie between the other members of the board. This frustration, along with the low pay of the part-time position, lead to the early resignations of Frederick A. Babson and Dr. William S. Hoofnagle from the position. A proposal to give the chairman a full vote was on the same ballot as the special election that resulted in the election of Jean A. Packard on November 7, 1972, and was approved by a margin of nearly 3 to 1.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Shaffer, Ron. "Fairfax Race Won by Jean Packard." The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973): 1. Nov 08 1972. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Web. 26 Oct. 2012 .