The small town of Purcellville, Virginia, has become a vivid illustration of how deep political and social divisions can fracture a community, with town council infighting, legal battles and a highly charged recall campaign drawing national attention.

Long-time rural residents and newer suburban arrivals have clashed over growth, local identity and governance since the 2024 election brought a new majority to the town council under the banner of "Team Mayberry," a group advocating for an anti-growth, small-town agenda.

The shift in control set off immediate controversy, including the abrupt firing of Purcellville’s town manager and a narrowly defeated attempt to disband the local police department — actions that have inflamed citizens and spurred persistent public outcry.

At the center of the turmoil is Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett, a former police officer and political figure whose tenure has been beset by investigations and indictments.

Nett and the town manager were charged by state police with bid-rigging and commercial fraud related to a contract assessment for the police force, allegations both men deny.

Nett has countered with a lawsuit alleging a politically motivated campaign against him, naming colleagues and law enforcement leaders as defendants.

Public meetings have grown tense and theatrical, often lasting hours and drawing packed crowds.

Citizens have shouted at council members, invoked local grievances and filled Town Hall with residents both supporting and opposing the current leadership.

An officer now stands guard during council sessions to deter disorder, reflecting the volatile mood.

The recall drive against Nett, Mayor Christopher Bertaut and other council members has gained momentum, with more than a thousand residents signing petitions and state lawmakers considering whether to intervene.

:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} Supporters of the recall accuse the council majority of secrecy and unilateral decision-making, while defenders insist they are fulfilling the will of voters who elected them on pledges to preserve the town’s character.

Purcellville’s population growth over recent decades — from a few thousand residents to a more diverse mix of farmers, federal employees, retirees and commuters — has amplified competing visions for its future.

The intensity of the debates, lawsuits and public confrontations has transformed what once was a quiet exurban locality into a symbol of the broader “us versus them” tensions reverberating across American civic life, with no clear resolution yet in sight.