New mayor and council members expected after May election

Jan. 31—Following its May municipal election, the city of Beckley will undergo changes, including a new form of government, a new mayor with diminished powers, and at least two new members of council.

Beckley's new form of government will take effect July 1, coinciding with the new term for officials elected in May.

As the city shifts from a strong mayor government to a city manager government, also referred to as a weak mayor government, those running the city will also shift, most notably the person possessing the title of mayor.

After serving as mayor for the past eight years, Rob Rappold said he would not be seeking reelection.

According to information from the city, five candidates are vying for his position including Robert Dunlap, who currently represents Ward 3 on council.

Dunlap was an outspoken supporter of council's decision to transfer to a city manager government, which places more of the governing authority into the hands of council members, who are also responsible for appointing a city manager.

This move takes away most of the mayor's former power in running the city.

Also having filed papers to run for mayor are Michael Enrique Smith, Matthew Lahn, Ryan Neal and Marvin Robinson

Beckley Common

Council elections

There will be at least two new members on Beckley Council with Dunlap, the incumbent for Ward 3, throwing his hat in for mayor and Kevin Price, the incumbent for Ward 4, who is not seeking reelection.

Price said his mind has long been made up on whether he would pursue a third term on council.

"I just came in with a plan to run two terms, and that's what I did," Price told The Register-Herald before the candidate filing period ended on Jan. 27.

Three candidates, Keri Berry, Kip Buchanon, and Danielle Stewart, have filed for the Ward 4 council position.

Stewart, who chairs the city's Human Rights Commission, has been outspoken in her opposition of council's decision to shift to a city manager government. She instead advocated that the decision be put to a vote by the people in the upcoming election.

While this option did eventually gain the support of Rappold, he was outvoted by Beckley's council, which opted to approve the new government by a 4-3 vote.

The city is also in the grips of a lawsuit that seeks to undo the decision.

According to the city's attorney, the city's charter grants council the authority to switch to a city manager government without having to put the option on the ballot for approval.

In Ward 3, the second council seat with no incumbent running, four candidates have filed for the position — Arran Adams, Tom Moseley, Emily Tate and Frank Williams.

Williams previously served on council for Ward 3 but lost to Dunlap by nine votes in the 2020 election. Mosley also ran against Dunlap and Williams in 2020 but finished third.

Candidates in the remaining wards will all face an incumbent.

While at-large council representatives, Sherrie Hunter and Cody Reedy, are seeking re-election without opposition, the remaining wards will see incumbents defending their seats.

In Ward 1, incumbent Tom Sopher will be challenged by Natalie Coots and Kristen O'Neal.

In Ward 2, incumbent Bob Canter will be challenged by Sam Corey, Nancy Shoemaker-Dingess and Roy Redden.

In Ward 5, incumbent Janine Bullock will be challenged by Tim Berry, Kristin Kincaid, Tina Pannell and Mary West.

All Beckley elections are nonpartisan, which means they will be decided in the May primary.

The list of candidates was provided to The Register-Herald by the city on Wednesday.

Other candidates could still be included on the primary election ballot if filing papers postmarked by Jan. 27 are received.

Email: jmoore@register-herald.com