Nelson says he'll focus on budget following 4-2 nod from Council

City Council appointee John Randolph Nelson says he’ll focus his energies on the budget as he prepares to assume office later this month.

“I think that will be the primary focus,” he said Friday. “The budget is different now than it’s ever been before. The city is bigger than it’s ever been before, but at the same time the economy is as bad as we’ve ever seen it. Cuts will have to be made.”

“Hopefully, it won’t be a contentious process,” he added. “I hope we’ll be able to collaborate to serve the best interests of the city and come up with a budget that doesn’t compromise the quality of our essential services.”

Nelson, a well-known local attorney, was tapped by Lynchburg City Council to serve as its newest member in a 4-2 vote cast early Friday morning.

He prevailed on the second ballot. The first one cast ended in a three-way tie among Nelson, former councilman Joe Seiffert and past council candidate Nat Marshall.

Council moved onto the second vote without discussion and Marshall’s support shifted to Nelson, giving him the four-vote majority needed to secure the interim appointment. He will now serve as an at-large councilman until June 30, succeeding Scott Garrett, who has moved on to the House of Delegates.

Nelson, who goes by Randy, is well known around the city for his extensive community service work. He said he was honored by council’s decision and looked forward to tackling the challenges ahead.

“I think all the candidates considered clearly had deep concerns and had something to bring to the city,” he said. “It was an honor just to be considered with them.”

Nelson’s appointment was supported by Mayor Joan Foster, Vice Mayor Bert Dodson, Councilman Michael Gillette and Councilman Ceasor Johnson.

City Council’s conservative minority, members Jeff Helgeson and Turner Perrow, consistently supported Seiffert throughout the appointment process and voted for him on both ballots Friday.

In making their case that morning, Helgeson and Perrow both said that ideology was the only motive for voting against Seiffert.

Helgeson later referred to the ultimate outcome of the vote as “politics as usual.”

“I think this was a terrible move,” he said. “They had the best choice (Seiffert) and they thumbed their noses at it … They didn’t pick the best man for the job. They picked the best Democrat.”

Perrow said he was disappointed with the decision, but is looking forward to working with Nelson. “Randy’s a great person. We go way back. I’m very comfortable with Randy and the professionalism that he brings.”

Nelson has said he intends to represent the interests of all of Lynchburg and believes that party politics is misplaced in local government. He identifies himself as a political independent and says he has supported both Republicans and Democrats at the polls.

Those voting for Nelson said they made their decision based on his deep roots in the community and his personal abilities, as well as a belief that the daunting budget that lies ahead will require a fresh perspective.

Gillette, who nominated Nelson for the job, said accusations of partisanship were “absolutely incorrect” and added he took pains to keep politics out of his decision.

“I never asked Randy what his political affiliation was and I’m satisfied he feels politics do not belong in local government,” Gillette said. “… I chose him because we need to start making some tough decisions and we need to make them well. I think he will help us do that better than anyone else. I think he’ll help us work together well, as a group, and not follow some political footsteps.”

Both Nelson and Seiffert were present for Friday’s vote. Seiffert said afterward the outcome was not a surprise to him.

“I kind of expected this,” he said. “It’s a political process and they’re all of the same party, I think. I wish him all the best. It’s going to be tough. He has to immerse himself in the business of council.”

Seiffert added he felt a majority of council had “looked a gift horse in the mouth.”

Nat Marshall, who drew support from Dodson and Johnson on the first ballot, was also on hand for the vote but waited outside council chambers and watched the proceedings unfold from a television that was broadcasting them live.

He said later that while the outcome was not what he had hoped for, he felt a deserving candidate had been picked.

“I was impressed with Mr. Nelson,” he said. “Even though it wasn’t the way I might have written it, I feel a good decision was made … If it wasn’t going to be me, I think Mr. Nelson was the next best person.”

Marshall, who ran unsuccessfully in the last two council elections, said he does not plan to run again in May. “I promised my family if I was not selected this time, I would not be part of the upcoming race. I need to live up to that promise.”

Nelson’s newly acquired seat on council will be one of three that comes up for election on May 4. He has said he is interested in running for a full term at that time.

Nelson said he has been studying the budget since last month and plans to continue with that research. He also plans to meet one-on-one with the city manager and all of the other six council members.

He is facing a short orientation period. Council’s next meeting is Jan. 26.

Here’s what City Council’s other three members had to say about their votes Friday:

Mayor Joan Foster: I was very impressed with Randy. He had done so much of his homework already and started orientating himself without even knowing if he was going to get the position ... I was particularly impressed with the fact he did not seem political. He wanted what was best for the community.

Vice Mayor Bert Dodson: Randy Nelson has been a great community leader. If you look at his resume, you see it’s extensive. He’s well respected across the city ... I believe Nat Marshall has also been a good community leader, but Randy has been just as good. I think he’s an excellent choice for a City Council appointment.

Councilman Ceasor Johnson: I thought Nat Marshall was a fine candidate and would have made a good addition to council. But I also thought Randy Nelson was excellent and felt he brought a lot to the table. He brings fresh ideas and a legal mind. He has deep roots in the community; he’s as close to a native son of the city as you can get.