Voter turnout nearly doubles

By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

WINDSOR — The Windsor Town Council had a bit of a shakeup in the November election, losing two incumbents and gaining four new faces.

In all, 798 residents cast ballots, up from the 405 in 2010 — a 97 percent increase in participation. It was a chronically low turnout during Town Council elections that prompted town officials to switch the council election from May to November in an effort to increase participation. The turnout last week seemed to confirm the town’s decision to make the change.

Glyn Willis will replace outgoing Mayor Rita Richardson, who decided not to seek another term. Willis ran unopposed for the office and received 764 votes, according to unofficial results from the Isle of Wight County Registrar’s office. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

Willis has been a member of the Windsor Planning Commission for several years. 

New to Town Council are George Stubbs, Kelly Blankenship and Randy Carr, who unseated incumbents Patty Flemming and Tony Ambrose. 

Stubbs earned the most votes for Town Council at 410, followed by Carr with 364 and Blankenship with 358, according to the unofficial results.  

Flemming and Ambrose received 323 and 297 votes, respectively. The sixth candidate, Jim Laule, received 281 votes. 

Council member Macon Edwards had decided not to seek reelection. 

Willis said he’s looking forward to serving the community and working with the three new Council members — hoping all members will bring new ideas rather than new obstacles to the table.

Willis observed that the new council members were a change for the town, in that they are not considered Windsor old timers. 

At one time, thee were three people on Council that lived on Virginia Avenue, said Willis, adding that the new Council represents a wider range of town residents. 

One of Willis’ top priorities for next year is developing a broad range plan for the year, as well as making sure the new Town Center continues to move forward. 

Stubbs has also served on the Windsor Planning Commission alongside Willis.

Stubbs wants to thank everyone for their support and encourages residents to come to Council meetings so that their issues can be heard. 

The problems won’t be fixed overnight, but they need to be looked at, said Stubbs, adding that communications between the Council and the residents seems to be an issue. 

This is the first public office held by Blankenship who “feels honored to have been elected.” 

She wants to make things happen in town that the residents want — such as infrastructure improvements and new businesses. 

It’s more about the day-to-day things that people needs, like sewer, drainage and sidewalks, she said. 

Carr wants thank everyone that supported him in his first run for office.

“I’m honored,” he said, adding he plans to be there to voice his opinion and keep Windsor strong and growing. 

The new Windsor Town Council will take their seats in January. The Council meets the second Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m. at the municipal building.  {/mprestriction}