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Mayor Tom Tomzak celebrates his victory over Debby Girvan last night at TruLuv's in Fredericksburg.
Mayor Tom Tomzak greets supporters before his speech
Debby Girvan hugs her family after making
After receiving word she lost to incumbent mayor Tom Tomzak, mayoral candidate |
Fredericksburg voters re-elected their mayor yesterday for the first time since 1992.
Tom Tomzak won nearly 64 percent of the vote in his bid for four more years presiding over the City Council, in a race that drew 26 percent of city voters to the polls.
He faced a challenge from Councilwoman Debby Girvan, who will now vacate her at-large seat on the council at the end of June.
That seat will be filled by Planning Commissioner Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Greenlaw and Vice Mayor Kerry Devine won the two at-large seats in yesterday's contest. They defeated 22-year-old B-J Huff.
During his campaign, Tomzak billed himself as a candidate that had been able to bring consensus to the City Council after years of divisive bickering.
He said that theory was affirmed with yesterday's results.
"It's a sign that we have made progress," he said. "People know we have challenges, and they want to continue with a council that's working together."
Tomzak won endorsements from every member of the current council but Girvan, and most of the City Council members stopped by his post-election party at TruLuv's restaurant on Sophia Street last night.
Girvan thanked her supporters at a gathering at Fredericksburg Square on Caroline Street.
"I always believed the choice of the mayor was the choice of the people in Fredericksburg, and they spoke today, so I have to feel good about that," she said. "I'll stay active, even as a non-council member."
Girvan wouldn't rule out running for council again, but she didn't have any specific plans to share last night.
Greenlaw, who has served on a wide range of city boards and commissions, said she looks forward to the next four years on council.
"I think we have a group that can have differing opinions and have a discussion and come to a consensus," she said. "I respect the other council members and the mayor. I am really looking forward to it."
Devine said voters yesterday "sent a message that they're OK with the direction we're headed in, and they trust us to do the right thing for Fredericksburg."
Huff said last night that he plans to make another run for a council seat in the 2010 ward elections.
"Fredericksburg's a city I care about, and I want to continue to stay involved," he said.
He said he plans to submit an application to fill the Planning Commission seat that Greenlaw will vacate.
Over the next four years, this council could very likely oversee the buildout of Celebrate Virginia, and will deal with decisions concerning the fire station, road improvements and other public services that development will require, as well as the effect it has on city tourism.
This council will also oversee the planning of the city's next courts facility. The council has already chosen the downtown post-office site for the courts.
Emily Battle: 540/374-5413
Email: ebattle@freelancestar.com
