Three candidates running to represent voters in Ward 1 on Lynchburg City Council
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Four seats on Lynchburg City Council are up for grabs this November and 10 candidates are running to represent you.
In Ward I, the three following candidates are running for the open seat that current Councilwoman MaryJane Dolan is leaving:
- Jacqueline Timmer (R)
- Cameron Craddock Howe (I)
- Randy Smith (D)
While they all have different views and ideas for the future of Lynchburg, they all have something in common; they are tired of the division on city council.
"There are a lot of things we need to address as a community and currently, the division is moving us away from that," Timmer said.
"I think like so many of us; we're frustrated with what's been going on in city council for the last two to three years," Smith said.
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"We need to bring respect, collaboration and just a positive of this is what we stand for," Howe said.
Randy Smith has lived in Ward 1 for the last 30 years and has owned and operated Hill City Hardwoods off Thurman Avenue for almost 12 years.
Smith is part of the "Better Together" Campaign, which comprises the four democrats running for all four open seats on the council. Smith said he believes the council's leadership needs to change.
"I have spoken to so many people about the issues in Lynchburg and the big thing that keeps coming up is the division," Smith said. "They are frustrated. Our goal all along has been to get all four candidates on to the city council. We can cooperate, communicate and we're hoping all four of us can take that to city council."
Cameron Craddock Howe is running as an independent in the race. Howe told ABC13 she was born and raised here, went to Lynchburg City Schools, graduated from Lynchburg College (now known as the University of Lynchburg), and currently serves as the chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company.
Howe agrees with Smith and is calling for a change on council.
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"I've worked at Horizon Behavioral Health, HumanKind, and the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company; so I know how to work with all kinds of people," Howe said. "We are making the news for all of the wrong reasons, and I want to change that, and I have the experience to bring that to council."
Jacqueline Timmer is running as the Republican candidate. Timmer told ABC13 that she moved to the area in 2009. Since then, she has worked in different inner cities, runs a non-profit, and has worked in coalition building.
She believes those who are elected to the council need to hold themselves accountable.
"None of us can control anybody else, all we can control is ourselves," Timmer said. "That self-responsibility and taking self-responsibility is huge, but we need transparency. I've advocated for and am advocating for an elected mayoral position. Keeping a weak mayor system where we have the city manager and the mayor working together but with that, we can do that with an elected process."
While they all agree they are tired of the division, ABC13's Hayden Robertson asked them what they are passionate about fighting for on city council if elected.
"Tell me what you think is really important this election season," ABC13's Hayden Robertson said.
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"I want this message to take on a life of its own because it really is so important," Howe said. "If we get back to focusing on people and remove the party politics out of it; we're going to see such a positive change for the city. I also really want to discuss term limits on city council."
"Cancel culture is a problem and it prevents us from addressing a myriad of issues," Timmer said. "Education is huge. City council is limited in where it can interact with education because of the school board and city council jurisdiction distinctions. But there are a number of things we can do, we can get parents more involved, we can line item the budget to push the money in the classroom where it belongs, and make sure that our teachers are adequately paid and funded. Funding is what city council interfaces with and budgets impact people and so that's going to impact schools and impact economic opportunities across the board."
"Education; education is very important," Smith said. "I am very interested in protecting and prioritizing public schools. Also, as a business owner, the climate on council can deter people from wanting to start their business or move their business here. It's important for me to work towards building a strong community-based economy that helps everyone in our city."
All three candidates agree that there is tons of work to do in the city of Lynchburg and they all feel like they are the right person for the job.
Below is a map of Ward 1:
According to the city of Lynchburg, Ward 1 is the largest in the city covering all of Boonsboro; as well as parts of Lakeside Drive and Rivermont Avenue.