Councilman Seiffert announces retirement

Alicia Petska / Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: February 6, 2008

Seiffert's retirement speech

After almost eight years in office, City Councilman Joe Seiffert said he feels it's time to retire.

He announced Wednesday he won't be seeking re-election when his term expires June 30.

"(I) have observed several colleagues who, in the recent past, have chosen to limit their terms on City Council to two, for a total of eight years," the Ward IV representative said during a news conference at City Hall.

"I have admired their willingness to be citizen legislators and then step aside so that others may serve," he said. "Therefore, I have decided to step aside and not seek a third term on City Council."

Seiffert, 64, has been a well-known fiscal conservative while in office. He's also worked on the board of the Lynchburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority to improve public housing and eliminate blight from the city.

Seiffert said he's prided himself on his service to his constituents, making it a point to return all phone calls and e-mails from the public - within the same day when possible.

A retired police chief, he counted the 2004 and 2005 pay raises for public safety workers as one of his proudest achievements. Other milestones he noted in his speech include work done to improve Lynchburg schools and a recent shift in development attitudes that has City Council taking a tougher stance on issues of density and environmental protection.

"I've had a good run," Seiffert said Wednesday, referring to his time in office as "a privilege and an honor." "I've enjoyed it, but I have no regrets. It's time."

His announcement was attended by councilmen Scott Garrett and Jeff Helgeson, both of whom said Seiffert's leadership would be sorely missed.

"Joe has been a mentor to everyone on this council," said Garrett, praising him for his commitment to researching issues and serving his constituents. "He gave the same piece of advice to everyone when they came onto council. He said you're going to believe in some things passionately, and it's OK to study them and delve into them. But, if a fellow council member also feels strongly, you need to respect them and work with them."

Helgeson, whose seat as the Ward III representative is also up for election this year, said he was surprised to see his colleague stepping down.

"I applaud his leadership in the city," he said. "He'll be sorely missed."

Helgeson, who's in his first term, announced earlier this week he'd be seeking re-election. He's the only incumbent so far to face a confirmed challenge. Nathaniel "Nat" Marshall, a human resources director at the Babcock & Wilcox Company, plans to make a bid for the Ward III seat as well.

Also up for grabs in the spring elections are the Ward I and Ward II seats. Both incumbents - Mike Gillette and Ceasor Johnson, respectively - plan to run for another term in office.

Seiffert is the only sitting councilman to step down. He said he recently spoke with someone he hopes will make a bid to succeed him, but declined to give the person's name.

His own time in office draws to a close June 30.

"That does not mean I am going away, however," Seiffert said, pointing out that he's still set to serve on the housing authority board, where he was just elected chairman, until 2010.

He also didn't rule out the possibility of entering other forms of public service in the future, and said he intends to remain an active voice on City Council until his term expires.

"Five months remain in my term," he said. "There is a lot of work yet to be done. Council is just now starting what will be a very challenging budget process. So don't think I will lay back and fade away."