LIFE STORY
Age: 68Born: Staunton, Va.
Family: Wife, Jean, three children and five grandchildren.
Education: Beverly Manor High School in Staunton. Took correspondence course in accounting from LaSalle University, Chicago.
Occupation: retired, formerly an inventory control specialist for General Electric.
CITY STATS
Size: about 4 square miles
Population: approximately 800
Budget: $110,000
Number of employees: 1
Mayor's salary: $100 per month
PERSONAL
Politics: "Very erratic. I don't vote for any particular party; I vote for who I like."
First "real" job: Began as a paper boy at age 13 and worked Saturdays in a clothing store at age 16. Also worked on farm as a youth.
Management style: "People-oriented. I manage by persuasion. I try to talk people into what I want them to do rather than bullying them." His wife says he charms them.
Why I like being mayor: I like being mayor so I can know what's going on in town, see how government works and see accomplishments and know I had a hand in them.
Why I hate being mayor: "I don't hate being mayor. Everything is hard. The thing I dislike more than any of the others is some of the petty, bickering that goes on in town. A lot of it comes back to me."
Recipe for success: Setting goals and making a real, physical effort to get them done. Anybody can set goals, but if you don't get out and do something about it, nothing gets done. His philosophy is to do whatever brings the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Memorable failure: "In my own opinion I haven't had any memorable failures. Life has been good to me."
Heroes: "I'm not much of a hero worshiper. The guiding light in my life has been my wife."
Leisure: I am a very avid reader. I enjoy working around the yard, hiking through the mountains, going for drives and I like to visit and have people visit me.
Favorite book: "The Far Pavilions."
Favorite movie: "Gone With The Wind."