After 18 Years, Walker Faces An Opponent For Mayor

For the first time since Elaine D. Walker became mayor of Lovettsville in 1990, she has a declared challenger: former Town Council member Richard T. Greene.

Perhaps more unusual than the challenge is the challenger's message. Greene said that he and Walker do not differ much on the issues and that he wants, for the most part, to continue her agenda.

"We're not really that different," Greene said. "I want to finish what the . . . mayor has done."

Asked why he is running to replace Walker if he supports the work she is doing, he cited her long tenure.

"Everybody says it's time for a change," Greene said. "I don't know if I'll be better qualified to do it, but everybody's talking about, 'She's been here for 18 years.' No one's ever run against her. . . . Everyone kept talking to me [saying], 'You should run for mayor because you sure . . . can't do any worse than anyone else has done in this town.' "

Walker said that she was surprised when she learned she had opposition this year and that she is running to see several initiatives to fruition, including sidewalks on the town's main street, negotiations with Inova Loudoun Hospital to bring medical offices to the Lovettsville Town Center and improvements to Lovettsville Community Park, such as picnic facilities and athletic fields.

Walker, who was born in a house in Lovettsville and worked as a secretary for Loudoun County public schools for 14 years, said some of her best accomplishments as mayor have been negotiating with developers to supply new wells and water treatment facilities to accommodate the town's growing population, and helping to get a dedicated Loudoun County sheriff's deputy for the town.

Greene was reared on a cattle farm outside town and served on the council from 1990 to 2006, when he lost reelection. In addition to continuing projects such as the sidewalk initiative, he wants to integrate solar and wind energy to help run the water treatment plant and streetlights, saving energy costs "in the long term."

"The wind never stops blowing in this place," he said. "You think you're in Chicago up here."

A former volunteer firefighter, Greene also wants to add a hydrant on East Broad Way. He said wider lanes are needed at Berlin Pike and Broad Way, where tractor-trailers have been having trouble making turns.

Greene said that he has spent $820 on bumper stickers and buttons for his campaign but win or lose, there will be no hard feelings.

"I think the world of [Walker], and I'm just shooting out there . . . to give it a try," he said.

Three candidates are running for three open seats on the Town Council: Scott D. Dockum, Michael T. Senate and Shaun P. Staley.