Staunton school board, council incumbents win
STAUNTON - Staunton residents hit the polls Tuesday to vote for City Council and school board members.
All incumbents will remain in their seats, results showed.
Council members Erik Curren, James Harrington, Ophie Kier and Andrea Oakes will all serve another term. School Board members Robert Boyle, Joel Grogan and William Lobb will also serve another term.
"I can say that I am just profoundly honored that the citizens of Staunton trust me with the city for the next four years," Oakes said. "It's very exciting."
Staunton didn't see a high percentage of voters this election, only 13 percent showed up to the polls.
Tuesday night after the results, Kier said he plans on focusing on three main things: Staunton Crossing, revitalizing the west end and finding a solution for a new high school.
"I'm glad I'm doing what the voters hired me to do," he said.
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He hopes with Staunton Crossing it will bring more business into the city and he wants to push more development in the West End to address the stagnation that area has seen. As for the high school, he hopes some resolution happens.
"I'd love to work something out that's beneficial for everyone," he said.
Curren also echoed Kier's initiatives with Staunton Crossing and the high school.
"Some news should be coming out soon, and we want to keep that going forward," Curren said of Staunton Crossing.
Curren also noted the Augusta County Courthouse will also be making an appearance in upcoming council sessions.
Curren also has two local movements he will be moving forward with in council — a movement to end childhood hunger in Staunton in the next 10 years and to get council involved in solar energy initiatives.
The main focus from the incumbents was generally centered around the high school.
"We need to do something with the high school," Boyle said.
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Boyle also said he hopes to be working with the board to get the salary line right.
"It's wonderful that the three of us have all gotten back on," Lobb said of the school board. "We work really well together. We're anxious to move forward. We're excited."
"We're glad the board and the City Council is in tact, we feel like we have a common vision," Grogan said. "Personally, I'm really appreciate of the support of the other incumbents. I commend (Kenneth) Venable for putting his hat in the ring. I hope he takes another run at it.
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"I'm happy to serve again and taking on the challenge of figuring out what we're going to do to make a great Lee High School," Grogan added.
Follow Laura Peters@peterslaura and@peterpants. You can reach her at lpeters@newsleader.com or 213-9125.
