Devada Allison, who served eight years on the Remington Town Council, including time as vice mayor, has told the council he would like to take over for Mayor William “Bill” Polk, who resigned for family reasons effective Dec. 31.
The deadline for the Town Council to fill the vacancy is 45 days, so it should appoint a new mayor in February to serve out Polk’s term, which ends in December 2026. Remington’s mayor chairs the council but only votes in case of a tie.
Allison told FauquierNow that soon after Polk announced his resignation, “several councilmembers and town residents reached out to ask whether I would be willing to step in and fill the role. Their confidence in me means a great deal.”
Asked what he thinks the town needs the most, he said “Remington must stay the course and continue moving forward — strengthening our financial foundation while preserving the small‑town character that makes our community special.”
Allison, 49, who ran against Polk in 2022 and 2024, lives next to the Remington Volunteer Fire Department. He moved to the town in 2013 and is director of operations for ITG Communications, a nationwide communications construction company, which sometimes, he said, works on data centers.
He said he “would be open to supporting” the Gigaland data center project “under the right circumstances, but never at the expense of the town or its residents.”
In addition to wanting to see the proposed complex use “clean, sustainable energy and water solutions,” Allison said he “would expect the tax revenue generated for the county [from the data center] to be reinvested in this end of the county.”
“Our area has long gone without the level of attention and resources it deserves, and any new development should contribute meaningfully to improving local infrastructure, services, and quality of life,” he said. Allison pointed to the need for more parks, trails, sports and recreational facilities in the area.
Allison said he believes in serving the community. “Throughout my life, I’ve done that in many ways—coaching youth sports, volunteering, and, here in Remington, serving eight years on the Town Council [2013 to 2020], the last six as vice mayor.”
He said he stepped away “only because of an increasingly demanding work schedule.”
“I remain committed to this town and its residents. Remington is my home, and I want to continue contributing to its progress, stability, and future. My goal is simple: to help ensure our community keeps moving forward,” Allison said.
Allison’s two runs against Polk for mayor were close. In 2024, with 271 votes cast, Allison lost by 21. In 2022, with 211 votes, he lost by three.
When Mayor Gerald Billingsley died in January 2021, after serving for over 30 years, both Polk and then-Councilmember Allsion wanted the job, and the council picked Polk by one vote.
“If I may, I’d also like to clarify that the authority in this town rests with the six voting members of the council,” Allison told FauquierNow. “It is ultimately their decision who will fill the vacant mayor’s seat. I am certainly hopeful that I will be chosen to serve, but I’m also fully aware that the council may select someone else.”
“Regardless of the outcome, my commitment to this community remains unchanged,” he said.
The town’s population is about 640.