Comments recorded by a hot mic during a break in the Dec. 17 Patrick County Board of Supervisors meeting landed one board member in hot water and prompted public calls for his resignation.

The incident also exasperated other board members who are looking for ways to address that and other issues.

“We are investigating this. Our attorney is looking at this, and we will go from there” based on recommendations by the attorney, said Rickie Fulcher, vice chairman of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors.

Fulcher was referring to an incident that occurred during a break in the Dec. 17 meeting, and following an exchange between Lock Boyce, chairman, and Alex McNabb, an EMT and part-time employee of the Jeb Stuart Volunteer Rescue Squad.

The discussion between the two disintegrated into shouting match before Fulcher halted the exchange.

During a break in the meeting, Boyce said, “f*** him. I killed better people with my bare hands than this.”

The comments were recorded on a hot mic and later distributed on several social media sites.

“I’ve had numerous calls, asking for Boyce to resign,” County Administrator Tom Rose said Wednesday.

Karl Weiss, of the Blue Ridge District, also said Boyce should resign.

“It would be the best thing for the county,” Weiss said, adding that decision will be up to voters in the November election. Three districts will be on the ballot – Mayor River, Peters Creek and Blue Ridge.

Weiss said he was disappointed and embarrassed by the way the chairman acted during some meetings, and noted the chairman should be more professional.

Crystal Harris, of the Smith River District, said the board has agreed to discuss the issue “and figure out what to do. I really think we need to do something before the end of the year.”

Jane Fulk, of the Dan River District, said the board also will discuss the incident with Boyce.

Although he said he did not know the mic was on or still recording, Boyce did not deny making the statement. Had he known he was being recorded, he said he would have phrased the statement differently.

He said his comment came after Fulcher defended McNabb.

However, “I didn’t actually threaten him (McNabb),” Boyce said.

In his Twitter feed, McNabb wrote that Boyce “actually stated he hated me and ‘has killed better men.’ It’s recorded, anyone can listen to it.”

McNabb was placed on unpaid administrative leave on Dec. 10, pending the outcome of an investigation conducted by the state Office of Emergency Services.

The investigation could take up to 60 days to complete.

Regardless of how that investigation turns out, Weiss said something has to give. Behavior such as was recently exhibited “is hurting our county and it’s time we did something about it.”