Political newcomers run for Williamsburg city council

From recent graduate to government retiree, they span the city's demography.

It’s June 16. Two political newcomers are running for city council and both favor fiscal caution. Juneteenth celebrations are plentiful this week. WATA expands frequency and offers a free week of rides. League of Women voters hosts a panel discussion on data centers.

From left, Carolyn Murphy, Eino Korpela, Stacy Kern-Scheerer

Two political newcomers who will be running in the Williamsburg City Council election next November illustrate the city’s demographic variety. But both are preaching fiscal prudence.

One of them, Carolyn A. Murphy, retired from the city after a 30-year career that included five years as planning director. The other, Eino Korpela, is a recent William & Mary business school graduate working in real estate who said he has started several small businesses.

The deadline to file is Tuesday at 7 p.m. and the city’s director of elections, Tina Reitzel, told us she doesn’t expect anyone else to join the group.

Two at-large seats are open.

One of them is held by incumbent Stacy Kern-Scheerer, who has filed for re-election. Mayor Douglas G. Pons announced last month that he would not run for the other seat, which he held 16 years.

Murphy, who has been frequently critical at public hearings of the city’s spending and hiring growth, said she was running because “I’m very concerned with the fiscal responsibility of the city and the whole budget process. I want to restore public trust. “

She said citizens are too often ignored, adding “I’ve asked questions and sent emails and not gotten responses” from city officials. The Holly Hills resident said she worked for James City County 16 years before going to work for Williamsburg.

Korpela said he was running “to bridge those divides” between long-time citizen residents, students and young families who are attracted to the city because of its historic charm. He said Williamsburg can work more effectively to encourage communications between the groups so they understand each other’s concerns.

“My top priority is keeping Williamsburg affordable for the people who already live here,” Korpela said. “That means being careful with tax increases, making sure the city’s spending is efficient, and then pursuing the kind of policies that help working families, and especially seniors on fixed incomes,” said the 24-year-old, whose parents immigrated to this country from Finland.

Williamsburg’s five council members serve staggered terms, and Kern-Scheerer and Pons’ terms expire at the end of the year.

Terms for Vice Mayor W. Pat Dent and council members Barbara L. Ramsey and Ayanna T. Williams expire Dec. 31, 2028.

The city charter requires candidates to run as independents.

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