Woodstock Mayor, Council Members To Seek Re-election

The four incumbents in Woodstock who are up for re-election will once gain toss their hats into the political arena this fall.

Mayor Donnie Henriques, Ward 1 Councilman Randy Brewer, Ward 3 Councilman Bob Mueller and Ward 5 Councilman Bud Leonard have all declared their intentions to seek re-election to the Woodstock City Council. 

Henriques will be seeking his third term as mayor.

In a press release, the mayor noted his desire to see the proposed amphitheatre completed, the expansion of the city's grid streets and the widening of Towne Lake Parkway and Arnold Mill Road were all "incentives in wanting to run for re-election."

He also noted Brewer, Leonard and Mueller were "instrumental" in building a "vibrant" downtown, creating the city's Summer Concert Series that has garnered numerous sponsors, making the necessary decisions to get the new Ridgewalk Parkway interchange open for traffic on Interstate 575, expanding the city's Greenprints trail system and creating a more pedestrian friendly environment throughout the city. 

Along with promoting those initiatives, the mayor noted the city was able to accomplish those goals while reducing the city's overall budget from over $36 million in 2006 to $28 million in 2011.

"Together, this mayor and council has accomplished more in eight short years than any administration prior to them," he said, adding they all agree they want to see a few more projects to completion.

One of those is the installation of new sidewalks in the city, Bob Mueller said on Friday.

Mueller, who will running for his fifth and what he says will be his last term, added sidewalks has been his passion and he wants to see the city continue to install more.

"Everything is going so good, so I’d like to be in office to see everything finish up," he added. 

Henriques served on the city council for one term before the public elected him to serve as mayor in 2005. 

Brewer was elected in 2001 to fill an unexpired term and was subsequently re-elected in 2001, 2005 and 2009. Mueller served his first term on the council between 1990 and 1994. He came back into politics and was elected in 2001, 2005 and 2009.

Qualifying will take place during the last week of August and the exact dates wll be announced later this year. The fee to qualify for the mayoral seat is $360 and is $270 for the each council seat. A pauper’s affidavit can be filed for candidates who cannot afford to pay the qualifying fee.

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