Stafford Board of Supervisors Censures Monica Gary Amid Controversy Over Library Board Removal

Stafford County Supervisor Monica Gary, who represents the Aquia District, was formally censured by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, for her role in the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Board of Trustees. The board accused Gary of providing misleading information that led to the unjust ousting of Becelia and violating the board’s Code of Performance. As part of her punishment, Gary was removed from all board assignments and committee appointments.

The censure resolution, passed by a 5-0 vote with one abstention, stated that Gary’s actions were “political in nature” and aimed at securing support from the Stafford Democratic Committee for her 2025 re-election bid. Gary, a one-term supervisor who ran without political affiliation, has announced her intention to seek another term representing the Aquia District.

During the meeting, Gary defended herself, accusing her colleagues of retaliation and alleging violations of federal and state laws. “This is retaliation, it is illegal under federal law as it was when I was removed from the library board for making my colleagues look bad,” Gary said. “This is an abuse of power, and if I have to be the only person to stand up here and deal with it, I’m happy to do that.”

Gary further accused the board of damaging public trust. “The public doesn’t trust because this board is not trustworthy and has shown themselves not to be so. What we’re witnessing right now is an abuse of power,” she stated.

Dr. Pamela Yeung, who abstained from the censure vote, expressed regret over the entire situation. “Two wrongs don’t make one right,” Yeung said. “I regret that this mistake happened, but I’m not voting to remove Supervisor Gary because I believe that was a necessary decision to remove her from the library board itself.”

“I sincerely apologize to you. We made a mistake, and I just think that maybe we can correct it and not let it happen again in the future,” said Hartwood District Supervisor Darrell English.

“We are sincerely apologetic for any personal harm or distress we may have caused Ms. Becelia and her family, and we hope that the county can move forward and learn from this,” said Griffis-Widewater District Supervisor Tinesha Allen.

Community Outcry in Support of Mary Becelia

Residents strongly supported Mary Becelia, who had been accused of misconduct and removed from the library board in July. Several residents used the public comment period to call for accountability and to express their dismay at the treatment of Becelia, a long-time volunteer in Stafford County.

Becelia, speaking during the meeting, reflected on the ordeal: “This is about how a political body can go behind closed doors and recklessly accuse a citizen volunteer of wrongdoing without one shred of evidence and then double down when offered the chance to set things right.” She added, “Tonight, I was told there would be an apology. There was not an apology. There was a statement. And I add this to the long list of disappointments that I have suffered at the hands of this board.”*

Howard Rudat, a resident of the Rock Hill District, sharply criticized the board’s actions, saying: “You trusted, and by doing so, you became judge, jury, and executioner of Mary Becelia’s good name and reputation.” He called on the board to implement measures to ensure similar incidents don’t occur in the future. “Had you applied those same standards during the July 10th special meeting, no one would have ever heard of Mary’s name outside of her family, friends, and colleagues,” Rudat said.

The controversy stems from July 2024, when Becelia was removed from her role as a trustee. Becelia said Gary contacted her, requesting her position on a hiring committee tasked with finding a replacement for the library’s executive director. Becelia declined, stating that it was not her decision to relinquish the seat.

At Thanksgiving, Gary apologized for her role in Mary Becelia’s removal from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees earlier in July.

Gary stated on Facebook that Becelia’s removal stemmed from misunderstandings, poor judgment, and deliberate actions by the board. She admitted to motioning for Becelia’s removal, which the board unanimously approved, and later described the action as unjust and illegal. Gary’s statement acknowledged that misconduct is the only legal basis for removing a trustee and that Becelia’s actions did not meet that threshold.

Before the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted on the censure of Gary, Bohmke read the following statement for the record, summarizing the findings of the board’s investigation and highlighting the basis for the censure:

“Before we cast our vote today on the censure of Supervisor Gary, I believe it is imperative for the community to understand the results of the investigation and information that was provided to our board in July and again in September.”

“Supervisor Gary provided misleading information to the entire board. Upon further investigation, it was brought to the board’s attention that Supervisor Gary reached out to the chair of the Stafford Democratic Committee asking for a new appointee recommendation to the library board before the Board of Supervisors took any actions on the removal of Ms. Becelia in July. Shortly after our board was provided misleading and inaccurate information from Supervisor Gary and the board voted to remove the library appointee, the Democratic Chair [Howard Rudat] notified Supervisor Gary that the library board member removed was in fact a Stafford Democratic Committee member.”

“Based on the investigation, this notification to Supervisor Gary is essentially what led her to changing her mind and requesting the board to reappoint Ms. Becelia in September’s closed session. The board clarified with Supervisor Gary and asked if her actions had changed from what she shared in July, and she said no. That behavior shared with the board can be characterized as disrespectful and unprofessional behavior. Based on that information, the board still felt what was being told to the board by Supervisor Gary was in fact misconduct and were unwilling to overturn the previous decision.”

“It wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that the board’s continued investigation uncovered these motives from Supervisor Gary were political in nature and related to her upcoming re-election and gaining support from the Democratic Committee in her upcoming election. The misconduct she previously shared with the board, in fact, was a fabrication from Supervisor Gary.”

“Appointments to committees and commissions should never be made based on political affiliation requirements or traded for support.”

The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees oversees the policies, strategic planning, and overall governance of the regional library system, which serves Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland counties, and Fredericksburg. The board is composed of citizen appointees and elected officials nominated by participating local governments, tasked with ensuring the library system operates effectively and meets the needs of the community.

Trustees work to approve budgets, guide library programs, and provide oversight of library leadership. Their decisions shape the library’s services and ensuring accessibility for residents across the region.