West Point Town Council candidates discuss their top priorities
Seven candidates are running for four seats on West Point Town Council. Incumbents Chris Vincent and Joseph Bartos are facing challengers Samantha Bohannon, Jeff Cole, Tara Guaderrama, Wayne Healy and Allen White.
Council seats are at-large, with the seven-member council governed by current Mayor Joshua T. “Jack” Lawson.
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Joseph Bartos (Courtesy photo)
Joseph Bartos
Age: 52
Occupation: 24 years with Henrico County Division of Fire (currently fire captain), former fire chief with West Point Volunteer Fire Department
Political experience: Elected to Town Council in 2023 to fill the seat of Jim Hudson
Education: B.A. in Emergency Services Management from University of Richmond
Website: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562819920653
Why do you want to be on West Point Town Council?
I’ve lived in West Point my entire life, and I’m deeply committed to our community. My career in public safety, starting as a volunteer firefighter in 1995 with West Point and serving as fire chief from 2012-2021, has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and leadership. I want to join the Town Council to help ensure West Point remains a great place to live, work and raise a family. My priorities include enhancing public safety, supporting our schools and fostering community engagement. I believe in transparency, accountability and making decisions that serve the best interests of all residents. Serving on the Town Council is a way for me to continue giving back to the town that has given me so much.
What is the biggest priority facing West Point?
The next four years will be some of the most impactful for West Point in recent decades. Key priorities include hiring a new town manager who can lead with vision and integrity, expanding and securing funding for our school system, and improving our relationship with King William County to ensure fairness in services and taxation. Additionally, negotiating a new split-levy tax agreement with King William will be crucial to maintaining fiscal responsibility while supporting the needs of our community. Addressing these issues thoughtfully will be essential for West Point’s future.
What do you love about West Point?
My family ties run deep in West Point — I was born and raised here, and I couldn’t imagine calling any other place home. I love that our town offers the amenities of a larger urban area while preserving the close-knit, safe and friendly atmosphere of a smaller community. I cherish the fact that I can walk anywhere in town and feel safe, and I’m proud of the unique geography, the three beautiful rivers, and the rich history that make West Point truly special. Serving as a firefighter, fire chief and now as a member of the Town Council has been incredibly rewarding and I am happy to call West Point my home.
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Samantha Bohannon (Courtesy photo)
Samantha Bohannon
Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: First run for office
Education: B.S., James Madison University and J.D., Appalachian School of Law
Why do you want to be on West Point Town Council?
I see there is a need for growth and I can help to make that happen. Our town is growing, but it doesn’t seem like the amenities and services provided to our citizens are growing at an equal pace.
What is the biggest priority facing West Point?
Our schools are at capacity and there needs to be an expansion as additional residences are being constructed. To pay for this, we need to look at growing and diversifying our tax base. It is irresponsible to continue raising property taxes and relying on the Mill to pay our bills. Not only will this lead to a better financial position for our town, but it will also take pressure off of citizens and the Mill and allow them to continue operations indefinitely.
What do you love about West Point?
The best thing about West Point is the willingness of its people to help each other when someone is in need, such as the Little Free Pantries.
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Jeff Cole. (Courtesy of Donna Cole)
R. Jeffrey “Jeff” Cole
Age: 62
Occupation: Work remotely for Goodwill of Greater Washington, where I oversee facilities maintenance, property management, retail expansion efforts and an affordable housing initiative.
Political experience: First run for office
Education: B.B.A. from William & Mary, MBA from George Mason University
Website: I can be found on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-cole-b925681), Facebook and X
Why do you want to be on West Point Town Council?
West Point has always been a large part of my life. My grandparents (Luther and Lucille Brown) moved here in 1937, and my mom, aunts and uncles all grew up downtown on Lee Street. After visiting many times a year for decades, my wife Donna and I bought a home and moved here in 2020. West Point is an amazing town with so much to offer — scenic vistas, recreational opportunities, cultural activities, a good school system, and so much more. And, like other towns, it has its share of challenges. I’ve always believed in being a servant leader and view being a member of the Town Council as a golden opportunity to serve the citizens of this town that I love so much and to help West Point continue to thrive for years to come.
What is the biggest priority facing West Point?
Over 50% of the town’s annual tax revenue comes from the Smurfit West Rock paper mill, which is also the town’s largest employer. Other towns and cities across Virginia have been devastated when key employers have left, and I believe we need to do everything possible to bring in more businesses and more visitors to help ensure our future prosperity. Like it or not, we are competing with many other beautiful waterfront communities in this part of Virginia, so we must continue to promote everything that is unique about our town in order to draw people in. We need to better support the businesses we already have (large and small) while simultaneously working to bring additional businesses to town. Once we achieve a critical mass and a good variety of businesses, customers will visit more frequently, which will in turn support future business growth.
What do you love about West Point (or what else do you want voters to know)?
I love watching the sun rise over the Mattaponi River and the breeze off the water. I love walking around town and admiring the beautiful homes — some that are brand new and others that are a century old. I love learning about our town’s incredibly rich history, through the Historical Society markers. I love the annual Crab Carnival and the numerous other events throughout the year, like Jammin’ on the Point, Food Trucks by the River and Christmas on the Town. I love how people stop to chat when they are walking or driving by. I love that we have so many friends and neighbors who are always up for a cookout, a game of cornhole, a kayak trip down the river, or just hanging out. I love our town and I welcome the opportunity to serve it and its citizens as a member of the Town Council.
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Tara Guaderrama. (Courtesy photo)
Tara Guaderrama
Age: 54
Occupation: Homesteader/homemaker
Political experience: Community organizer with the Freedom Rangers, first run for office
Education: High school graduate
Why do you want to be on West Point Town Council?
I want to be on Town Council to advocate for the residents of West Point. While trying to voice my concerns to the town, regarding the changes to the fowl ordinance, I wrote each Town Council member an email and only got a response from one. I realized that the poultry owners of West Point had to come together to fight for what we wanted. The Freedom Rangers were formed from that movement. I believe in the future, and that the townspeople should be listened to, helped and given what they ask for. A petition with almost 300 signatures was dismissed by the current Town Council and I think it shows that we are poorly represented.
What is the biggest priority facing West Point?
I believe that West Point citizens deserve a voice and that listening to them should be the top priority. From conducting surveys online, I discovered that the people would love to have their own community center in the town. I think it would help people come together and build a sense of community in the town as well. I think it’s important for everyone to be treated fairly and with respect.
What do you love about West Point (or what else do you want voters to know)?
I love living in West Point because of the ability to homestead in a small town. West Point is a balance of small town living with access to most amenities. It’s a peaceful way of life, away from the big city. It’s truly a beautiful oasis, with wildlife, the river and nature surrounding us.
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Wayne Healy (Courtesy photo)
Wayne Healy
Age: 82
Occupation: Assistant funeral director at B.W. White Funeral Home in Aylett; 37 years in law enforcement, including 24 years with King William County Sheriff’s Office, during most of which he was also West Point’s police chief
Political experience: 2 terms on Town Council, elected in 2006; sheriff of King William County from 1984-99; Board of Trustees to the Mattaponi Indian Tribe
Education: West Point High School graduate
Why do you want to be on West Point Town Council?
I’m concerned about taxes and spending in town. I consider myself a conservative and I just think we need someone on there to say no every now and then. A lot of people in town aren’t happy with the way a lot of things are going. I’ve served two times before, and people came to me and asked me to run. A lot of new people are coming here, but they don’t feel welcome. We need to make people feel more welcome.
What is the biggest priority facing West Point?
Taxes (we pay taxes to the town and King William County), growth and schools — I support the schools 100%. The biggest gripe I’ve got is attitudes toward the town from town officials. And the chickens. I was born here, on 11th Street, and the chickens have always been here. (The fowl ordinance change) upset a lot of people. We just need a change. I’d like to see more businesses come to town.
What do you love about West Point (or what else do you want voters to know)?
I’ve always loved it because it’s a small town, and everyone knew everyone. It’s where I was born; all my family is here. All three of my kids graduated from West Point High School. We’ve got outstanding schools. But we need to be more with the people. We need to be more on their level.
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Chris Vincent. (Courtesy photo)
Chris Vincent
Age: 69
Occupation: Owner and operator of Vincent Funeral Home (retired in 2019)
Political experience: Ran for Town Council in 2010 and served two terms. Did not seek re-election in 2018, but was appointed to fill a vacancy in September 2020. Ran again and was re-elected. Appointed by the governor to the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers and served as its president in 2015.
Education: West Point High School, Class of 1974; degree in Applied Science from John Tyler Community College
Why do you want to be on the West Point Town Council?
I love this town. Being born and raised in West Point, I graduated from West Point Public Schools and married a “local girl.” We lived in Richmond briefly, but we couldn’t imagine raising a family anywhere besides West Point, so in 1976 we moved back to town when expecting our first child. I then took over management of my family’s business, Vincent Funeral Home. I love being of service; it is a value that has guided my life. Through my professional life, as well as my civic life, including 25 years in the West Point Volunteer Fire & Rescue (having served as president), numerous years with the Ruritans and Lions Clubs, being a member of Masonic Lodge #238, and as a West Point Methodist Church trustee, I have shown service to others to be a priority in my life. I enjoy working cooperatively with others to resolve issues brought to the attention of the council.
What is the biggest priority facing West Point?
In my opinion, one of the biggest priorities facing West Point is planning for future needs. As our community grows, so do the demands placed on our school system, facilities, emergency services, utilities and personnel. We must prepare for what may need to be expanded, revamped or revitalized and that often requires years of brainstorming, researching, budgeting and planning. Serving the community best requires trying to foresee future needs so that we’re equipped and prepared to meet them.
What do you love about West Point (or what else do you want voters to know)?
I love that West Point is a small town. When someone is going through a difficulty, word travels quickly and friends are quick to reach out with a casserole or an offer to cut the grass. Sometimes the word that travels quickly is “scuttlebutt” and misinformation will come to the surface. A challenge that I see is enhancing public understanding of issues with accurate information, but many people don’t understand that there are state guidelines and parameters that council must follow; not all information can be public. We must operate within the parameters while trying to be as transparent as possible; it’s not an easy task.
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Allen White. (Courtesy photo)
Allen White
Age: 36
Occupation: Funeral service licensee/director, former staff member for state-run Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project
Political experience: First run for office, but have served on boards and organizations including the YMCA and the Hockley Family Life non-profit
Education: Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science from John Tyler Community College
Why do you want to be on West Point Town Council?
Serving on Town Council is a civic duty that I would like to achieve to help enhance and expand on the growth and stability of our town. This is my way of giving back to a town that has done so much for me through the years. I want to see good business growth, along with more opportunities for our young residents to find safe and fun activities in the confines of their small town living.
What is the biggest priority facing West Point?
In my opinion, the biggest priority facing our town is sustaining local businesses and keeping our independence as a town, while navigating the restraints of being within a county. We are a small yet strong town and should be able to maintain control of our public necessities, such as the library, police dispatch, fire/rescue, post office, schools and public works.
What do you love about West Point (or what else do you want voters to know)?
The Town of West Point is such a beautiful scene of the fleeting idea of what “Small Town America” can be, as in neighbors helping others, kids playing outside, school systems thriving, and taking pride in your place of residence. I see each one of these attributes daily and can’t help but smile. As a kid growing up here, it’s easy to take for granted what we have. I have always thought of this town having a gravitational pull, bringing you back home. We spend our youth wanting to get away, only to move back for the family safety and stability this town affords. I’ve always believed that different opinions don’t have to separate us as people/neighbors. If we learn to appreciate differing perspectives, we just might find common ground for the greater good. I look forward to serving this great town as your next council member.
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