September 7, 2024

FRONT ROYAL – Front Royal Town Council members sat down an hour before the scheduled work session on Monday evening to interview the final four of eight candidates who submitted resumes to be considered for the seat vacated for Bébhinn Egger resigned earlier this summer to get married and move to Maryland.

Those who met with the panel Monday:

Michael McCool

Michael McCool:  He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has lived in Front Royal for nearly 40 years.  The owner of National Media Services, McCool has served as a former chairman of the Front Royal Board of Zoning Appeals and served on the Front Royal Planning Commission. He ran for Town Council in November, 2016 coming in fourth in a race for three open seats.

Mary Brand

Mary Brand:  She is a homemaker and volunteer who volunteers at the Front Royal Pregnancy Center.  A former teacher, who taught math for 10 years, she has five children ranging in age from 9-1.  Mrs. Brand says she was twice encouraged to run by a friend and decided to apply when this vacancy opened.

Letasha Thompson

Letasha Thompson:  She is a Sales Administrator with marketing experience at the Trex Co. in Frederick County, VA.  She volunteers in the community and is a member of the United Way of Northern Shenandoah’s Society of Emerging Leaders, which is a group of mid-career individuals who are passionate about volunteering and advocating in ways in which they can make a difference.

Edwin Henry:  He is a Front Royal native, aged 30, who is completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing this year.  Henry says the saw the vacancy announcement on Facebook and wanted to apply because he feels the Town is “moving in the right direction” and he wants to see that continue while “keeping taxes low and getting the biggest bang for the buck”.  He and his wife have two children.

The Council has been in discussion as to whether it will appoint an applicant or hold a special election, though a final decision as to which method will be employed has not been announced.

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