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Reid announcement surprises council
The rumor mill was spinning at full force just before the Leesburg Town Council meeting June 12.
"I had heard various rumors before, but I didn't know [about Ken Reid] until just before the council meeting," said Councilwoman Kelly Burk, who found out Monday night she will face fellow councilman Kenneth "Ken" Reid in November for the Leesburg seat on the Board of Supervisors.
Reid made his formal announcement in a press release June 13.
In the statement, Reid outlined his platform and cited mismanagement of the Crosstrail development's application as a reason for his running.
Reid said he was "extremely disappointed that we are not getting the proffers" the town had asked for from Crosstrail developers.
"There is too much residential [building] near the airport, and I am adamant that the town should provide that area [which is outside of the town limits] with water," he said. "That's our service area."
But Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd said Reid's views on Crosstrail have shifted away from the council's consensus.
"Ken has recently indicated a willingness to compromise with the county on having residential in Crosstrail," she said. "That certainly has not been the unanimous feeling of the council before."
Reid also has departed from his party affiliation, Umstattd said, adding that Reid had previously billed himself as the Republican on the council, but now he has left the Republican Party to run as an independent candidate.
"All the people who have gone into the convention and then came out as an independent candidate have been criticized by Republicans," Umstattd said, adding that party affiliation tends not to be as big a factor on the local level as in the higher echelons of state politics.
Reid would not comment on his departure from the Republican Party, but did say he has received a lot of positive feedback and support so far.
Burk said she was pleased with Reid's decision to run.
"I'm delighted he wants to split the Republican ticket," she said. "It most certainly helps me, and so I welcome his addition to the race."
Reid's term on Leesburg Town Council expires June 30, 2010. He is less than a year into his four-year term. If he wins, he will need to be replaced on the council.
Reid faces Republican incumbent Jim Clem as well as Burk in November.
Leesburg's council may also see two other seats open up soon. Susan Horne, who is moving to the Richmond area after her term ends in June 2008, will not seek an another term. Fernando "Marty" Martinez (D) is running for the commonwealth's House of Delegates this fall against incumbent Del. Joe T. May (R-western Loudoun).
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