Radford Mayor Horton runs unopposed | Govt and Politics

Horton, 54, is up for reelection this 12 months and working unopposed, one thing he views as some endorsement of his tenure.

“You by no means need to learn an excessive amount of into issues, however I’m honored by the residents, that they felt we have now accomplished a reasonably good job — with my function and with our council during the last 4 years — to say ‘please proceed for an additional 4 years,’” he stated. “It’s good once you’re working as the one identify on the poll, however I don’t take something as a right both. I need to earn each individual’s vote and confidence.”

Horton, noting occasions such because the pandemic, acknowledges that the previous 4 years haven’t all been easy crusing, including that his resolution to run once more wasn’t a straightforward one.

“However I’m attempting to assist this neighborhood transfer to its greatest place and we’re working actually arduous to do this,” he stated, touting work such because the alternative of sidewalks on Major Avenue, new lighting and landscaping. “There’s extra to do.”

Along with serving as mayor, Horton works at Radford College as a communications officer for the Artis School of Science and Expertise.

Horton touts the progress Radford has made over time and speaks at size about attempting to place the town to differentiate itself economically and develop into a vacation spot for individuals shifting to the New River Valley.

Horton calls on the continuation of financial growth initiatives that helped draw tons of of jobs to Radford over time, employment he stated ranges from high-paying engineering associated work to quite a few positions within the meals, service and retail sectors.

Amongst different employers, the mayor singled out air air purifier producer Oransi, which he stated introduced a significant manufacturing facility to the town in 2021. Horton quipped that the corporate is taken into account the “Tesla of air purifiers.”

Horton additionally touted these concerned within the movement management business, together with longtime employer Kollmorgen. The motor for the Spiderman experience at Common Studios in Orlando is made on the Kollmorgen facility on Rock Highway, he stated.

It’s distinctions just like the Kollmorgen one that may assist Radford stand out, Horton stated.

“We have to proceed to work to make Radford the place that folk need to go to and we’re working towards that,” he stated. “Our metropolis is constructing a diversified financial system that isn’t purely reliant on one sector. The world is evolving so rapidly and we have now to be nimble sufficient to have the ability to pivot within the face of an emergency like a pandemic. That’s an necessary aspect.”