In what ways can I engage with local government entities, and how do I reach them? There are numerous ways to engage. Citizens are encouraged to call, email, and write to their elected City Council leaders and members of the City Boards and Commissions. You can also send a letter to the editor (NewsLeader), or post comments on Staunton government pages on Facebook. Most importantly, you can attend in person or call into a City Council meeting and speak up during the public comment period. This period is set aside as a time for the Council to listen to YOU, the public, while the Council members remain silent.
To email the Staunton City Council (which includes the Mayor): CityCouncil@ci.staunton.va.us
Individual bios, phone numbers, and emails: https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council
How to participate in City Council meetings: https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council/access-city-council-meetings
Boards and Commissions: https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/board-commissions
How is Staunton governed? Staunton City Council consists of seven members who are elected by City voters and empowered by the City Charter and the Code of Virginia with the responsibility of establishing laws in the city, adopting an annual budget and setting tax levels to fund maintenance of the city infrastructure, schools, public safety and other functions. The Mayor is chosen by the City Council from among its seven members.
City Council employs a City Manager, who handles day-to-day operations, and a City Attorney. Both serve at the pleasure of Council. Staunton created the council-manager form of government in 1908, which now serves as a standard form of government across the United States and throughout much of the free world.
When are local elections held, and what are the terms of each Staunton City Council member? City Council elections are held every two years in May, separate from state and federal elections. (The next election is in May 2022.) Members of City Council serve four-year terms and have alternating tenures. Three members are elected one year, and four are elected two years later. The Mayor is chosen by the City Council, from among its seven members, for a two-year period. The terms of the current Council members are:
Mayor Andrea Oakes: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024
(position as Mayor ends July 1, 2022)
Vice Mayor Mark Robertson: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024
Councilman Stephen Claffey: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024
Councilwoman Amy Darby: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024
Councilwoman Carolyn Dull: July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022
Councilman Terry Homes: July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022
Councilwoman Brenda Mead: July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022
Where can I learn more about our City leaders, their positions and backgrounds?
Bios can be found on the Staunton City website: https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council
You can also learn more about council members who have a city-focused Facebook page:
Councilman Steve Claffey: https://www.facebook.com/SteveClaffeyCityCouncil/
Councilman Mark Robertson: https://www.facebook.com/Mark-Robertson-Staunton-City-Council-106958184207676
Mayor Andrea Oakes: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.oakes.129
Search the Staunton NewsLeader for articles pertaining to individual council members: https://www.newsleader.com/
Do a Google search for other state and local news about individual council members