Mayor, vice mayor selections spark debate on Lynchburg council's balance

Amid debate over what the ideas of inclusiveness and balance mean, Lynchburg City Council selected Joan Foster and Ceasor Johnson, respectively, to serve as its next mayor and vice mayor Friday.

The decisions, which will remain in effect for two years, were both made by narrow 4-3 votes with council members splitting along unsurprising lines.

Although the mayor’s position is the more prominent of the two that were up for grabs that day, it was the vice mayor’s appointment that generated the most discussion.

When the time came, Councilman Jeff Helgeson nominated Ward IV Councilman Turner Perrow for the job, arguing that at least one of the leadership posts should be held by someone from council’s conservative minority.

“I think we need a balance on City Council regarding the leadership,” Helgeson said. “We need to have both viewpoints recognized.”

At-Large Councilman Hunsdon “H.” Cary seconded that sentiment, saying during his campaign last spring he heard many citizens express concern about the “air of divisiveness” among council as reflected in their frequent 4-3 votes.

“This is important background because we have an opportunity today to send an outward and visible sign to the citizens of Lynchburg that a day of collegiality had dawned by electing Turner Perrow as vice mayor,” Cary said.

Both Helgeson and Cary used terms such as unity and inclusivity while making their cases.

At-Large Councilman Randy Nelson, who cast his vote for Johnson, said he agreed those principles ought to be a priority for council, but he took a slightly different view of what that meant.

Nelson specifically noted that Johnson, who represents Ward II, is one of only two council members who does not live in or near Ward I. Helgeson, who represents Ward III, is the other. All of the remaining five council members live in what is often characterized as the more affluent “03” area of the city.

“I see the vice mayor’s position as mostly symbolic, but it does have a significant symbolism,” Nelson said. “… I think it should be represented by a diverse cross-section of the city. Ward II is that.”

Nelson said Ward II, which stretches from Lower Rivermont to downtown and the inner city and onto Campbell Avenue and Tyreeanna, encompasses a range of industries, income levels and cultural activities. “It represents a multitude of the interests within the City of Lynchburg,” he said.

Ward II also has a significant percentage of black residents and Johnson is the only minority on council, although that was not referenced in Friday’s debate.

Mayor Foster, who nominated Johnson for the No. 2 spot, said his experience representing a diverse ward was a “huge” factor for her.

She also praised his longstanding commitment to supporting education, his continuing service as Lynchburg’s representative to the National League of Cities and his “exceptional” work as chairman of council’s physical development committee.

“I think he will represent us well,” she said.

Johnson is in his second term on council, but this will be his first term as vice mayor. He said he was excited and humbled to be selected.

“I don’t think there were any bad choices here today,” he said. “Everyone would have served well … I really appreciate the other council members supporting me. I won’t let them down.”

Foster was also elected to her third term as mayor Friday. She said she was glad for the opportunity to continue her work on initiatives such as the Mayor’s Youth Council and Mayor’s Reading Club.

In an earlier interview, she had described her time as mayor as one of the greatest privileges of her life.

“I have loved my years as mayor of this wonderful city,” she said.

Perrow also nominated Helgeson for the position of mayor, praising him as a “stalwart proponent of fiscal conservatism” and a “tremendous” council representative.

Both leadership votes split on a 4-3 margin with Cary, Helgeson and Perrow in the minority.

Lynchburg’s mayor and vice mayor don’t enjoy any more voting power on issues than other council members, but the jobs do come with some additional prestige and responsibilities.

In addition, the mayor is paid $10,000 a year while other council members, including the vice mayor, receive $8,000. This information was incorrect in an article Friday.