MARMET, W.Va. — A three-judge panel removed Marmet Mayor Bill Pauley Thursday after about 15 minutes.
Pauley had served the city for over 30 years, but admitted to ethics violations last year that the panel considered grounds for his removal.
“The situation with Mayor Pauley is very unfortunate,” said Kanawha County Commissioner Dave Hardy. “He has been a good mayor for many years, and was a good mayor for many years during my time on the commission.”
Raleigh Circuit Judge Robert Burnside Jr., Cabell Circuit Judge Christopher Chiles and Boone Circuit Judge William Thompson sided with a petition filed by Marmet residents for Pauley’s removal.
Pauley had previously admitted to the state Ethics Commission to using his public office for private gain to register voters after the May deadline. He also admitted to encouraging voters to vote in the primary.
“Seems like in recent times he’s had a lot of difficulty with his council, and with understanding what’s required of him by his conciliation agreement,” Hardy said. “I’m not surprised by the result today, but I also want to give Mayor Pauley credit for being a good mayor for a long time.”
Marmet Council members will choose an interim mayor. Hardy hoped the city could regroup and move on.
“It’s time for the town to come together and try to work together as a community,” he said. “Hopefully they can move Marmet forward, and hopefully Mayor Pauley’s time will be remembered in a good way and not just for what happened in the end.”
Commission President Kent Carper echoed Hardy’s sentiment that the removal was an unfortunate end to Pauley’s long tenure.
“I have to say that it is the fastest removal of a public official in the history of the state,” he said. “It’s sad under the circumstances. It’s always sad to see something like this happen. I wish perhaps he would have thought more about just resigning and walking away from it.”
A few dozen Marmet residents attended the hearing, and some applauded when the panel made its decision.