Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
Engstrom withdraws from council race
Four candidates left for three seats
Jay Engstrom announced Wednesday he was withdrawing from the Martinsville City Council race.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Another candidate has dropped out of the Martinsville City Council race in the Nov. 6 election.
Jay R. Engstrom of Lanier Road submitted his letter of withdrawal to city elections officials on Wednesday. In the letter, he said increased job responsibilities are the reason for his decision.
Four candidates — including two incumbents — remain in the council race.
Engstrom is a special agent for the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Bureau of Law Enforcement.
“Recently,” he wrote, “my time has become very limited due to my territory responsibilities as well as those of my special assignments.”
Engstrom wrote that he just learned that his territory of responsibility has doubled in size to include Martinsville, Henry County and Patrick County.
Also, he has two specialty assignments, one of which has duties in Richmond, he wrote.
“The investigations are long, in depth, and have me traveling throughout the commonwealth with little notice,” Engstrom stated.
The other specialty assignment makes him responsible for investigations in the 28-county Roanoke Region and/or the rest of the state, he wrote.
He indicated that his frequent time away from Martinsville would hinder his ability to effectively serve on the council.
The city “needs someone who can dedicate the time necessary to address the issues facing Martinsville,” Engstrom’s letter stated. “Sadly, I have come to realize that at this point in my career, I am not that person.”
He ended the letter by saying that “the support I have received thus far is humbling, and I send a heart-filled ‘thank you’” to all of his supporters.
Six people originally were in the council race to fill three seats.
James R. “Jim” Clark of Spruce Street announced in September that he was bowing out of the race due to health reasons.
The four candidates remaining in the race are incumbents Mark S. Stroud Sr. of Oakgrove Avenue and Daniel T. “Danny” Turner of East Church Street Extension as well as political newcomers Sharon Brooks Hodge of Greyson Street and James N. “Jim” Woods of Corn Tassel Trail.
.jpg "104")
