Voters Petition to Remove Pittsylvania County Supervisor Amid Shoplifting Allegation

Petition organizers say Tim Dudley broke the county's code of ethics and is not a good role model.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A group of voters in Pittsylvania County, Virginia have launched a petition seeking the removal of Board of Supervisors member Tim Dudley following a shoplifting incident at a gas station in Altavista. A judge placed Dudley under a 12-month advisement period and ordered him to pay restitution and complete a shoplifting class after the incident. The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors is also set to vote on censuring Dudley, which would remove him from board-appointed committees and commissions.

Why it matters

Elected officials are expected to uphold high ethical standards, and this incident has prompted some constituents to question whether Dudley is fit to continue serving on the Board of Supervisors. The petition drive and potential censure vote highlight the importance of government accountability and the public's trust in their representatives.

The details

In November 2025, surveillance footage allegedly showed Dudley taking kratom and placing it in his pocket at an ARCO gas station in Altavista. A Campbell County judge later ordered Dudley to pay restitution and complete a shoplifting class as part of a 12-month advisement period. Petition organizers Bettie and Richard Aldridge say Dudley's actions violated the county's code of ethics and that he is not a good role model. They need to collect 138 signatures, equal to 10% of the votes Dudley received in the last election, in order to move the petition forward to circuit court.

  • On November 25, 2025, the alleged shoplifting incident occurred at the ARCO gas station in Altavista.
  • In December 2025, a Campbell County judge placed Dudley under a 12-month advisement period and ordered him to pay restitution and complete a shoplifting class.
  • On February 16, 2026, the petition drive to remove Dudley from the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors was launched.
  • On February 18, 2026, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on censuring Dudley.

The players

Tim Dudley

A member of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors who is accused of shoplifting at a gas station in Altavista.

Bettie Aldridge

One of the organizers of the petition drive to remove Tim Dudley from the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

Richard Aldridge

One of the organizers of the petition drive to remove Tim Dudley from the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

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What they’re saying

“He broke the code of ethics, and as far as I'm concerned, he's not a good role model for our youth and our upcoming officials.”

— Richard Aldridge, Petition Organizer (WSET)

“He shouldn't be representing our county. And people have a right to whether they vote him in or not.”

— Bettie Aldridge, Petition Organizer (WSET)

What’s next

The petition organizers need to collect 138 signatures, equal to 10% of the votes Dudley received in the last election, in order to move the petition forward to circuit court. The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors is also set to vote on Tuesday, February 18, 2026 on censuring Dudley, which would remove him from board-appointed committees and commissions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of elected officials upholding high ethical standards and the public's ability to hold their representatives accountable. The petition drive and potential censure vote demonstrate the community's desire for transparent and responsible governance, even when it involves addressing allegations against a sitting supervisor.