Harrisonburg Treasurer Rebecca Neal is to appear in court next week to try to show cause why she should not be removed from office. The Rule to Show Cause was served to Neal late Friday afternoon.

There were enough valid signatures on a petition to remove Neal from office, and Circuit Court Judge James Lane ordered the treasurer to court.

A state statute says the case shall be tried on the day named in the "rule," which is next Thursday, unless there is good cause for a delay. The statute also states that if upon trial it is determined that the officer is subject to removal under the provisions of another statute, Neal could be removed from office.

The order comes three days after Harrisonburg City Councilwoman Carolyn Frank submitted 701 signatures to the Circuit Court Clerk's office, of which 553 valid signatures were needed for the petition to move forward.

To see the entire Rule to Show Cause release, see the link below.