In two weeks, Staunton residents have decisions to make about who they want to fill four seats on city council.
Adam Campbell currently serves on Staunton City Council and seeks re-election, while Corrie Park, Blake Shepherd, Dan Gunnells and Jeff Overholtzer are running for the first time.
Kim Harris, who moderated a forum Tuesday night at Marquis Memorial United Methodist Church, said the West End Business Association organized the event “as a service to the community and to give our candidates an opportunity to tell us about themselves, why they’re running for city council and to answer questions about matters of importance to the citizens of Staunton.”
Each candidate was given three minutes to introduce themselves, two minutes to answer each of five prepped questions and three minutes to make a closing statement.
“I think experience is crucial in this role,” Campbell, who moved to the city in 2014, said. “I’m confident that with a four-year term I can hit the ground running.”
Gunnells moved to Staunton seven years ago and said he is running for city council because he loves the city.
Overholtzer has lived in Staunton for more than 30 years and brings diverse experience as a journalist and in Information Technology.
“Government has been my passion since a 7th grade election project on Bush and Dukakis,” Park, who teaches Social Studies and Government at Stuart Hall School in Staunton, said. If elected, she hopes to focus on civic virtue.
Shepherd, who has lived in Staunton for more than 30 years, said “it has become truly a special place to live and I want to keep it that way.” He has seen multiple city councils make decisions for the Queen City and some of the same decisions can be made for development in the West End.
The first question for candidates was about the new Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court under construction in the West End.
Campbell said the location can be “more than just a courthouse,” but an “anchor to attract more development and revitalization of the area.”
Pedestrian improvements along and repaving of West Beverley Street are part of the city’s plan to revitalize the West End.
“I see a grand vision for West Beverley [Street],” Campbell said.
Procurement attorney Gunnells moved to Staunton in 2018 and grew up near New Orleans. He said the courthouse will “lay a foundation and be a base” to attract business to the West End. He would also like to see the beautification of and addition of green space in the West End.
“The West End has tremendous potential,” Overholtzer said.
According to Overholtzer, development plans of the West End support 80 new stores. He said the West End could attract employers like in Staunton Crossing off of Richmond Avenue. However, in the short-term, the West End has a Makerspace and the Booker T. Washington Community Center.
Park suggested the city create a walking path for students in Staunton named after a local mascot.
“The West End just has so much potential,” Park, a downtown business owner, said. The Virginia Army National Guard veteran owns Made By the People For the People at 15 E. Beverley Street.
Shepherd said that the West End’s biggest challenge is funding for revitalization. He suggested tourist attractions focused on the West End such as a festival or some sort of weekly event.
The second question posed to candidates was how to foster public and private partnerships for Staunton’s underserved residents.
Gunnells suggested bringing residents together for a purpose, such as the SAW Summit which is focused on affordable housing in Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro. He also said grant funding is available and important.
If elected, Gunnells said he has already contacted the Valley Mission in the West End about twice a year having an “Out of the Closet” event which would gather donated clothing from the community. “It’s really about involving the community.”
“Building partnerships is crucial and Staunton has limited resources so our success really depends on connecting with agencies, volunteers, with organizations that can multiply our resources and help us address needs,” Overholtzer said. He said state and local grant funding is possible for the city, as well as support organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta and Valley Support Housing.
Park said that thinking outside the box is helping because “poverty is a real concern here in Staunton.” Local churches do a lot but partnering with residents and organizations is important.
Shepherd said, if elected, he would suggest creating an office just for the writing of grants to fund projects in the city.
“I think the city could bring in a lot of revenue that could help a lot of programs, especially the West End and especially homeless and people with low income,” Shepherd said.
Campbell said that all of the city’s issues, including homelessness and mental health, are connected “and it’s going to take a lot of people working together” with current partnerships to create effective change.
What to do about creating affordable housing in the city was the third question for the candidates.
Overholtzer said that mixed-use used to be prevalent in the West End.
“It’s a great model for people who can live in a place and also shop in the same place,” he said.
Park pointed out that housing is not just a Staunton problem, but a nationwide crisis and that micro loans would be enable residents to stay in the city in their homes.
New housing would be wonderful for the Staunton community as a whole, Shepherd said, but the fact is that housing is not cost effective for long-term revenue and investment, which is why developers are necessary, and the city can offer incentives for building housing.
In the past four years, Campbell said he has seen the city trend in a good direction, but housing is not just a nationwide crisis. Staunton needs three times its current rate of housing construction just to keep up with what the city needs now and to create “smart growth.” The decision of where to put new housing is crucial.
Gunnells said it is important also to set renters on paths toward homeownership. City rezoning and land trusts would enable pathways for affordable housing.
For the fourth question, each candidate was asked to describe what they believe is a city council member’s role.
Park said that city council members serve as a “conduit” between residents and what we want accomplished in the city, and to place the best interests of city residents first.
Shepherd said he would like to see money spent well on infrastructure for residents.
“We’re spending your money. You pay taxes. We have a budget and we spend money. There are no Republican potholes, there are no Democratic potholes,” Shepherd said. “And they have to be fixed and they have to be repaired.”
Campbell said the role of members is to engage with the public and work with staff to implement a vision.
“We are the face of the city,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the past year on council has been great for him working with his fellow council members.
“No matter what happens this election season, we’re going to have a big change in council,” Campbell said.
Gunnells said city council members have a fiduciary responsibility to residents and they must be the voice for anyone who is marginalized. He said he would add value to council with his work as an attorney.
“I think we’ll make a powerful team,” he said of himself and other candidates.
Overholtzer said a city council member’s role is to learn, listen and lead.
“I’m excited about what we can do,” Overholtzer said.
The final question the WEBA had for the candidates was what in the city’s comprehensive plan would they target to foster growth.
“We have a tremendous asset with Staunton Crossing and it is essential that the right decisions are made there,” Shepherd said. He added that it is important that the annual income of residents increase by attracting employers to Staunton Crossing who can provide higher salaries.
Campbell is a liaison between city council and the committee working on the 18-month update of the comprehensive plan.
“Which I’m very excited for just given my planning background [with VDOT and Staunton Planning Commission],” Campbell said. He is also excited about new leadership in Staunton’s Economic Development Department.
Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are keys toward fostering economic growth, according to Gunnells. He added the city should focus on growth in the West End.
Overholtzer would like to see a review of the process to start a new business and for the city to set a goal date for achieving carbon neutrality. “It’s a way you unify environmental-related initiatives.”
Park would like to see what is already in the comprehensive plan be brought to fruition and her “personal dream” for Staunton is for it to become the “base camp to the Shenandoah Valley.”
“I think I can spend your tax dollars wisely,” Shepherd said in closing statements.
Park said that she was nervous to speak during the forum because she felt that it was the most important job interview she had ever had.
Overholtzer said the time has come not to be complacent, but to build on the strengths of the city.
Gunnells described himself as having a “country boy mentality with a New England education.” He said he has the passion to serve the city and continue to build the sense of community that Staunton has given him. “I have Staunton‘s best interests at heart.”
Campbell’s job with VDOT brought him to Staunton and his family is “invested in this community,” including two young children in Staunton Schools.
“When you feel that invested in your community, that makes you want to give back,” Campbell said.
A recording of the forum is available on the West End Business Association’s Facebook page.
Early voting has begun in Virginia. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
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