Engineer announces bid for council seat

Alicia Petska / Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: February 13, 2008

Lynchburg man Turner Perrow, a self-employed engineer, announced today he will seek the Ward IV seat on City Council.

Perrow, 33, is pitting himself against retired teacher Marie Waller, who announced her candidacy for that same office on Monday.

"What I am hearing now is the need to curb wasteful spending, and I will fight to keep real estate taxes and business taxes from increasing while promoting efficiencies in government spending," Perrow said from his Church Street office this afternoon, where he was joined by family and supporters.

He went on to tout the professional experience he would bring to the table as the city grapples with mounting develop-ment issues. If elected, he said he would promote "smart growth, fiscal responsibility, excellent schools, and a continuing commitment to public safety."

Both Perrow and Waller plan to run as Independents.

Waller, who retired from E.C. Glass High School last year and once taught Perrow in an advanced government class, said she thought his announcement was "great."

"That's what I taught these kids all along," she said. "To get involved."

Perrow's announcement was attended by both Ward IV incumbent Joe Seiffert, who plans to retire this year, and at-large Councilman Scott Garrett.

It was Seiffert who first reached out to Perrow and encouraged him to run after making the decision to step down from office. He said Wednesday he felt a responsibility to his constituents to ensure there was a viable candidate ready to take his place.

"Now you can see why I'm so excited," he said following Perrow's announcement. "The enthusiasm he brings and the knowledge he has. He's bright and he's articulate. He's a VMI grad. He's top-notch."

Perrow graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1996 with a degree in civil engineering. He opened his own business in 2001.