Incumbents return: Bell, Metz re-elected to office on Staunton City Council

By Bob Stuart

Published: May 6, 2008

Incumbent Staunton City Councilmen Dickie Bell and Dave Metz earned re-election Tuesday, while candidate Ophie Kier led the voting and Andrea Oakes narrowly held off the challenge of Bob Campbell.
“I’m kind of surprised,” said Kier, a member of the Staunton School Board and the city’s industrial development authority, who led all candidates with 2,347 votes, 22 percent of the total cast. “I was hoping I would get in.”
Kier said his biggest priority will be economic development. “I want to push that forward,” he said.
Metz, who will be serving his third term, placed third in the balloting with 1,832 votes, 17 percent of the total cast.
“I’m really excited and I look forward to serving Staunton for four more years,” he said.
Metz said he hopes the new Staunton City Council can sit down together soon after the new term starts in July and hold a visioning session.
“The way to make things happen is to have a consensus of council,” he said.
Incumbent Bell, who was second with 2,018 votes, 19 percent of the total, and newcomer Oakes both spoke of the need for Staunton to aggressively attract new industry.
“I want to keep the city safe and affordable and I want to try to attract business and industry that will keep young people here,” said Bell, who will now serve a fourth term
Oakes, who narrowly lost a bid for Staunton City Council two years ago, held off the challenge of Campbell 1,582 votes to 1,537.
“It was a roller coaster ride,” Oakes said of her victory, which became a reality when the last precinct was reproted.
Oakes said her first task will be to look at luring high-tech and distribution businesses to Staunton, as well as retail businesses.
“The sooner we can do that the sooner we can raise revenue and increase the quality of life for the citizens of Staunton,” Oakes said.
Rusty Ashby, a former member of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, garnered 1,434 votes, 13 percent of the total.