Chris Bertaut – Mayor

Biography

Keep Purcellville, Purcellville

For more than 20 years, my family has proudly called Purcellville home. I am running for re-election because I believe the decisions we make today will determine whether future generations enjoy the same small-town character, historic charm, and quality of life that brought so many of us here.

Over the past several years, I have worked to keep the promises I made. I said I would stand up for responsible growth, protect taxpayers, preserve our small-town character, and follow the vision residents established through the Comprehensive Plan. That is exactly what I have done.

I supported the Town’s updated Zoning Ordinance after years of public input, voted to remove the Northern Collector Road from the Townwide Transportation Plan, and opposed annexation proposals that I believe would fundamentally alter the character of our community.

Purcellville is constantly facing pressure to grow beyond what residents envisioned. My position has remained consistent: growth must respect the Comprehensive Plan, protect taxpayers, and preserve the qualities that make Purcellville special.

The proposed Valley Commerce Center annexation is just one example of the difficult decisions facing our town. Growth is never free. Every annexation and major development proposal creates new demands on roads, utilities, public safety, infrastructure, traffic, and town services. Those costs do not disappear—they are ultimately borne by taxpayers.

My responsibility is to represent the interests of Purcellville’s residents first, not outside interests seeking to reshape our community for their own ends.

The decisions we make over the next two years will shape Purcellville for decades. Choices about growth, infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and the character of our community cannot easily be undone. We can protect what makes Purcellville special while preparing responsibly for the future. We don’t want to Ashburn Purcellville. We want Purcellville to remain Purcellville.

One of the greatest challenges facing our town today is the increasingly divisive tone that has emerged in local politics. Over the past year and a half, residents have witnessed lawsuits, personal attacks, political hostility, and behavior that has too often distracted from the important work of governing.

I believe public meetings should be places where neighbors respectfully exchange ideas, even when they disagree. They should not become forums for intimidation, unfounded accusations, or attempts to divide our community.

I have always believed that reasonable people can disagree without becoming enemies. Purcellville is a community, not a battlefield. Our residents deserve leaders who listen, treat people with respect, and focus on solving problems rather than creating distractions.

My campaign is built on a simple principle: Keep Purcellville, Purcellville.

My priorities are to protect taxpayers, preserve our town’s identity, make government more efficient and accountable, support our local businesses, invest in critical infrastructure, and ensure future growth reflects the values and vision of our community.

I love our town. My family built our lives here, and I have spent years serving this community because I care deeply about its future. This election is about whether Purcellville remains the town we know and love, defined by its character, history, and strong sense of community.

Purcellville is worth protecting, and I respectfully ask for your vote so I can continue that work.