Staunton City Council: New mayor and vice mayor elected

By Lynn R. Mitchell

July 1 marked the reconstituted Staunton City Council as they met to vote on a new mayor and vice mayor. Usually a cut-and-dried process that has been decided unofficially before the public vote, this year produced a bit more drama when Councilman Ophie Kier decided to abstain from voting for either position even though his name was entered for both.

In the vote for mayor, Carolyn Dull was nominated by Councilman Jim Harrington and Ophie Kier was nominated by Councilwoman Andrea Oakes. The vote broke down into 4 yes (Dull, Harrington, Terry Holmes, Walt Obenschain), 2 no (Erik Curren, Oakes), and 1 abstain (Kier).

Staunton City Council election results

By Andrea Oakes
Staunton City Council

After today’s city council elections, I congratulate the winners — incumbent Carolyn Dull, Terry Homes, and Walt Obenschain — and look forward to working with them to continue making Staunton a great place to live, work, and play.

 

With 17 percent turnout, the results were:

– Carolyn Dull: 1,553
– Terry Homes: 1,507
– Walt Obenschain: 1,141

Thank you to Lacey King and Bruce Elder for their years of service to the city as they retire from council. It was a pleasure to serve with them.

Staunton News Leader endorses three city council candidates

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Staunton News Leader came out today with its editorial endorsement of three candidates for the upcoming May 6 city council elections. With three seats available — only incumbent Carolyn Dull ran for reelection and the retirement of Mayor Lacey King and Councilman Bruce Elder left two open seats — citizens have plenty of choices in eight candidates on the ballot.

The News Leader chose Carolyn Dull for reelection along with Terry Holmes who owns the Mill Street Grill and former school board member Walt Obenschain. Read the reasons for their choices in Dull, Holmes and Obenschain for Staunton City Council.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell