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VIENNA -- Incumbents and newcomers alike have filed for candidacy for Vienna's various open positions.
Three candidates have filed to run for mayor. The first is incumbent Randall Rapp, who has served three terms and is seeking a fourth.
"I love Vienna, I've lived here all of my life," he said. "We've got several projects going and I'd like to see them to completion."
Rapp said the most immediate project he wants to see completed is the Jackson Park swimming pool. He said the project is on track to finish by May. He said the city is also planning to develop the former Johns Manville plant property.
Two challengers have filed to run against Rapp. The first is current city council member Kim Williams, who has served on council for one term. She said she wants to see progress on Johns Manville.
"As a Vienna native and small business owner, I am running for mayor because I care about our future and quality of life. Vienna needs leadership to achieve economic development goals such as developing the former Johns Manville industrial site. Vienna purchased the property 10 years ago without a solid plan for long term development," she said.
Williams said her priorities as mayor will include improving city streets, along with water and sewer lines.
The second challenger is Vienna resident Chad Emrick, who said his 20-year career with the National Guard will be an asset as mayor.
"After serving in the military for over 20 years, I have had the opportunity to return to my hometown and believe my prior government experience will be beneficial to our community," he said. "I see policies in our local government that don't support our community in a positive way."
Emrick said Vienna's population census numbers have declined and believes he can help build those numbers up.
"I believe I can help build our community in a way that people will want to raise their families here, while also working here," he said.
Vienna City Council has five open seats for which 11 candidates filed. Incumbents Jim Leach and Roger Bibbee are included, along with Brian Flynn, Twyla Martin, Harry Deitzler, Henry Sasyn, Tony Daniel Morrison, Carrie Rapp, Lexi Miller, Tami Rhodes and Seth Colvin.
One absence from the filings is former House of Delegates member Tom Azinger, whose tenure ran from 1994-2014 and 2018-2020. He was on council from 2014-2018 and elected again in 2020.
Azinger cited his age as a reason to not run.
"I turn 89 in July. If I were to be elected, I would serve until I'm 93," he said. "They would call me Strom Thurmond. I thought it was time to bow out."
Azinger said he was most proud of passing a pay increase of $2.88 per hour for the Vienna Police Department Aug. 11.
"It wasn't as much as I wanted, but it's something. I think the department is stronger than when I took office," he said.
Two individuals have filed for the city recorder position, Alice Goodwin and Rod Smith.
Goodwin ran for council in 2020 and 2022. She has been a Vienna resident for over 20 years. Smith ran for Mike Elam's vacant seat after he passed in October 2021. That seat was filled by Christopher Mancuso. Smith has been a member of Friends of Vienna and the Tree and Beautification committee.
Incumbent Recorder Melissa Elam did not file for reelection.