Perriello quits Tea Party event after it is closed to public

The Lynchburg Tea Party, under the leadership of a new executive committee, has reversed its plans for an open meeting with Rep. Tom Perriello Thursday night and decided the event is closed to the public and news media.

In response, Perriello, D-5th District, also reversed his plans and said he wouldn't be there.

Instead, Perriello said, he will take questions from the public at Captain D's Seafood Restaurant on Timberlake Road Thursday night starting at 8 p.m.

Perriello's staff set up the Captain D's event in about three hours Wednesday afternoon after the Tea Party announced on its Web site that it had changed its mind about an open meeting.

Jay Cesafsky, chairman of the seven-member executive committee, said Perriello's decision was "unfortunate," but the executive committee "wanted to ensure that we treated all candidates who visit the Lynchburg Tea Party the same way."

The Tea Party banned reporters, cameras and recording devices from its August meeting when Republican candidates Robert Hurt of the 5th District and Rep. Bob Goodlatte of the 6th District spoke to the group.

Perriello and Hurt are facing each other and independent candidate Jeffrey Clark in the November election.

Perriello spokeswoman Jessica Barba said the Lynchburg Tea Party didn't notify their campaign about the change in plans before making them public on the site.

"Because Perriello's office had previously advertised an open meeting under its original understanding with tea party organizers, he will instead have an open Q&A session for anyone who wishes to attend, especially Lynchburg Tea Party members," Barba said.

Mark Lloyd, who as chairman of the Lynchburg Tea Party is often quoted in national news media articles about the movement, had negotiated plans for Perriello to address the group in an open session.

"My board slapped my hand," Lloyd said Wednesday after the organization notified him by e-mail that Thursday night's event would be closed.

"The board made this decision," Lloyd said. "They called me in last night and had a meeting. I told them what I had said and done. I left, and they had deliberations.

"I should have gone to the board" before agreeing to the open meeting, Lloyd said. "They said, you need to bring that stuff to us."

"They made their decision. I have to honor that," Lloyd said.

Cesafsky said the decision to close the meeting was made by "the Temporary Executive Committee of the Lynchburg Tea Party," and that the committee also was drafting "a governing document" that would establish policies and guidelines for the Lynchburg group.
Cesafsky said, "Mark Lloyd and some other folks have taken a great responsibility and had a lot of success over the past year with the Lynchburg Tea Party.

"We do know they need to have some assistance so we can assure that all members have an opportunity to participate fully, and we felt an executive structure was necessary," Cesafsky said.

Lloyd said he still held the title of chairman of the Lynchburg Tea Party. But Cesafsky is chairman of its temporary executive committee.

Cesafsky said he didn't know what Lloyd's future role would be.

"That's very much to be determined, and most of it is in Mark's hands," Cesafsky said.

"Mark is an absolutely essential piece of the Lynchburg Tea Party. He has made the tea party, with the assistance of a few other people, what it is today, and he has had a great deal of success.

"Once the temporary executive committee completes its work, it will decide who is in leadership positions going forward. Mark may be one of those. It is up to him. He would certainly be welcome," Cesafsky said.

Ray Reed reports for the (Lynchburg) News & Advance.