After 16 years on City Council – six as mayor – Clyde Haulman will not run for re-election this spring.
Haulman said he has discussed his decision with his fellow council members and City Manager Marvin Collins.
“I think it’s time to turn my attention in other directions,” Haulman said. “I’m at an age when it’s time to have another generation take over the city.”
He was first elected to City Council in 2000 and first appointed mayor in 2010.
When looking back at City Council’s accomplishments in his time on the board, Haulman said he is proud of the city’s work to sustain a financial strength through the Great Recession and feels confident the city’s decision to focus on economic development in recent years will benefit citizens.
He noted the creation of the Arts District, the gradual transformation in the Northeast Triangle – the area of Capitol Landing Road, Merrimac Trail and Second Street – and the likely changes coming to the Midtown area with the imminent demolition of the Super 8 and the Williamsburg Shopping Center up for sale as development accomplishments that have come to fruition because of the work of both City Council and City of Williamsburg staff.
“These all came from the hard work of our staff and City Council decisions, and I think they put the city in a position to be successful into the future,” Haulman said.
Haulman said he is also proud of the transition from longtime City Manager Jack Tuttle to new City Manager Marvin Collins last summer.
“The city has a history of longtime, effective city managers, and I think based on what we’ve seen so far, Marvin will be here for another 20 or 25 years,” Haulman said.
After 16 years of working with city staff, many of whom have been around for his entire tenure, Haulman said it is those hard-working people he will miss the most once his term ends June 30.
“I will miss the people – the people on Council and the staff, in particular,” Haulman said. “The staff is a real strength of the city. The people who work for the city are just a terrific group of people who are dedicated to what they do, and they do it very well.”
The 72-year-old College of William & Mary professor said he has been an involved member of the community since he began working at the college in 1969, and does not see that changing.
“Public policy has always been a focus of my interest, and basically local government is where the rubber hits the road for public policy. Being part of that is both important and rewarding,” Haulman said. “I’ve always been engaged with the community, and it’s been almost 50 years that I’ve lived in Williamsburg, so I don’t think that will change.”
The current terms for Haulman, Vice Mayor Freiling and Councilwoman Judy Knudson expire June 30. Freiling has announced his run for a fourth term; Knudson will not seek re-election.
Barbara Ramsey has also announced her bid for one of the three seats that will be up for grabs when citizens vote May 3.
The deadline for candidates to secure a place on the ballot is 7 p.m. March 1.
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