Bristol, Va., Mayor Jim Rector Likely To Hold Post Again

By David McGee
Staff Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: June 29, 2008

BRISTOL, Va. – Current Mayor Jim Rector is expected to retain the post when the City Council holds its annual reorganizational meeting on Tuesday morning.

Rector, who was returned to the council in 2006 after a 12-year stint in the 1980s and 1990s, is the overwhelming choice of current and incoming council members.

“I have been asked if I would consider being mayor for another year, and I would accept,” Rector said. “It’s very time consuming, especially with the way we’ve tried to analyze the budgets and our debt situation. There’s no way I could have done this if I was still working.”

Rector previously served eight consecutive one-year terms as mayor from 1984 through 1992.

Councilman Fred Bowman said he plans to nominate Rector for the top spot and would accept the vice mayor’s post, if nominated.

“He’s [Rector] done a great job, and he has the time to devote to it,” Bowman said.

First elected in 2006, Bowman has the second-most experience on the city’s top board. Current Vice Mayor Harold Leonard didn’t win re-election in May.

“I’ve been asked by a couple of people if I would be the vice mayor. I pondered it for awhile and I’m willing to accept,” Bowman said. “My only concern was about having time, and I’m pretty flexible at work.”

Rector said he could support either Bowman or Councilman Ernie Sprouse, who has served about a year, after being tabbed to fill the unexpired term of Frank Goodpasture.

Sprouse said he would be willing to serve, but expects Bowman to accept.

“I’d say Jim Rector will be mayor and Fred will be vice mayor, and I would support both of them,” Sprouse said. “If Fred didn’t feel like he had the time, I would be glad to serve as vice mayor, but I wouldn’t want to be the mayor.”

Councilmen-elect Jim Heaney and Guy Odum also expect Rector will be the top choice.

“I have a propensity to think it will be Mayor Rector,” Heaney said. “Guy and I don’t feel qualified and don’t want it at this point. As for vice mayor, I don’t have any idea.”

Odum, who also takes the oath of office for the first time Tuesday, said he doesn’t expect any surprises.

“I’m fairly sure that Mr. Rector will be re-elected,” Odum said. “The only question is who will be vice mayor, and I look for it to be Fred because of seniority.”

The meeting is set for 9 a.m. in the City Hall council chambers.

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