Williston fills three seats on town council

A total of 919 votes were cast for five candidates vying for one of three seats on the Williston Town Council.

Councilmember Alyson Collins will be returning to her seat. Filling the seats of exiting Councilmember Adadra Collins and Mayor Pro-Tem Scott Valentine are Greg Walkup and Judy Taylor.

Alyson Collins

Winning 26.22 percent of the vote was current council member Alyson Collins. Collins received the highest number of votes cast with 241, half of which were cast on election day.

“I'm so excited to be continuing my role on council and I'm incredibly grateful for everyone that had a part in Tuesday's election,” said Collins, who received 18 votes in early voting and three absentee ballots. “Voting is a right that many people take for granted, and your dedication to our town is noticed and appreciated.”

“I promise I won't take my duty to all of you lightly. I'll continue to work hard for you and make the best decisions I can for Williston and her residents. We're all in this together, and I can't wait to see where the next four years take us,” she said.

Each council member is entering this position with some initial initiatives in mind as a new council takes shape.

“My plans are to continue to support our mayor and town administrators to make headway on current and future projects, to listen to our constituents' concerns and advocate for resolutions for them; and to continue learning from my forebearers to be the best council member I can be,” said Collins.

Greg Walkup

Greg Walkup received 224 votes in total, 205 of which were cast on election day. Walkup took home 24.37 percent of the vote.

“I look forward to working with the council members, the mayor, and the town citizens to help Williston grow into the future,” said Walkup. “I have always put God first in the decisions I have made in my life and have let Him guide me. I will continue to let God guide me in the decisions for the town's business.”

Walkup received 16 votes in early voting and three absentee ballots.

Walkup has a main goal upon joining the council: “My first initiatives will be to learn. I need to learn the town's codes/ordinances so I'll be well informed when issues come up. I'm sure it will take me a couple of months to settle in and learn the ways things get done in a town.”

“I just want everyone to know that I will listen to them. I may not always agree with someone (and they may not agree with some of my decisions) but I will listen to them and hope to come to some common ground on any issues affecting the town,” said Walkup.

Walkup also hopes to ensure police, fire, and EMS departments “have what they need to better do their job.” He aims to resolve issues that hinder local businesses, support local infrastructure improvements such as water line replacements, and support recreation for children and adults.

“I'm all for government efficiency and continuous improvement. How can we do things better, faster, cheaper to best utilize the taxpayer's dollar,” said Walkup.

Judy Myrick Taylor

Judy Myrick Taylor received 22.31 percent of the vote with 205 ballots cast in total. Of those, 188 votes were cast on election day, 13 in early voting, and four absentee ballots.

“My first initiative once I take my seat on the Williston Town Council is to ensure all citizens have clean and drinkable water, to upgrade the Williston Town Park, to include new playground equipment and renovations to the shelter, and to enhance the basketball court,” said Taylor.

Taylor hopes to give voice to the numerous citizens who expressed concerns during the campaign trail.

“I thank everyone who came out to vote, whether they voted for me or not. I will be an advocate for every citizen,” said Taylor. “I would like for everyone to know that I heard you, and everyday as a member of the council I will advocate for you.”

In a Nov. 4 interview with Riz Adrienne’a, Taylor shared more information on her goals including developing a better relationship between council members and the community and encouraging more to attend meetings.

Other candidates were John Jerkins Jr. and Ken Beatty. Jerkins received 17.74 percent of the vote with 163 ballots cast, and Beatty received 8.92 percent of the vote with 82 ballots cast.