Luray seeking applications for council vacancy

By Randy Arrington

LURAY, Nov. 17 — Not only will one-third of the Luray Council be made up of new members at its first meeting in January, but the council meeting will be presided over by a new mayor — who, by shifting two seats to his right, will create a vacancy for a third new council member to join the group in February.

Councilman Jerry Dofflemyer won 1,429 votes for Mayor of Luray on Nov. 3 — 63 percent of the ballots cast. By taking the center seat at council meetings beginning in January, Dofflemyer leaves behind an unfilled council term that extends through Dec. 31, 2022.

During the council’s Nov. 9 meeting, the town attorney outlined the path ahead to fill that vacancy:

• Within 15 days of the vacancy, the town must petition the circuit court to allow for a special election in the next general election (November 2021) to fill that vacancy.
• Council must make an appointment to fill the vacancy within 45 days of the vacancy. 

The appointee would likely begin serving in February and continue through the special election in November 2021. The winner of that special election would serve the remainder of Dofflemyer’s four-year term, which runs through the end of 2022.

Dofflemyer’s council seat will be considered “vacated” when he takes the oath of office for Mayor of Luray in early January. That starts the 45-day clock for the council to make an appointment.

At last week’s meeting, the town attorney recommended immediately advertising for applications from those interested in filling the council vacancy. Council will then review those applications and decide who to interview in January.

According to a Nov. 12 public notice and a Nov. 15 post on the Town’s Facebook page, the Town of Luray is currently accepting applications for the council vacancy. 

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.

According to a notice accompanying the Town’s application:

“Candidates interested in applying for the vacant Town Council Position must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Luray, a U.S. citizen, and not disenfranchised because of a felony conviction.

“The selected candidate will be expected to attend regular Town Council meetings, which are conducted on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The selected candidate will also be expected to attend Town Council work sessions that are being conducted on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. and any Special Meetings scheduled.”

On the application, potential candidates are asked the following questions:

• Why are you seeking to serve as a member of the Luray Town Council?
• Describe your experience that would help you be an effective member of the Luray Town Council.
• Have you served on a board or contributed to the success of an organization in Luray?
• Please describe the opportunities that you feel Council could pursue over your term on Town Council.
• Please describe your community involvement.
• Please provide any additional information that you feel is important to your consideration for this seat.

Those who are interested in applying for the Luray Council position, may download it from the Town’s website or Facebook page and return it to Town Hall before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15

For more information contact the Town Manager at (540) 743-5511 or sburke@townofluray.com with any questions.

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