I’m sticking with Jim Auxer, who is running for re-election as Shepherdstown’s mayor on June 4. He has had proven success in managing the unique little treasure that is Shepherdstown.

During his 20 years as mayor, we have gone from a tiny, out-of-the-way town that was getting by on parking meter revenue, to the sought-after vibrant destination we enjoy today. We’ve come a long way since the old days with upgrades and improvements everywhere. Notably among them are the upgrade of the sanitation plant, to meet the Chesapeake Bay water-protection initiative and to meet new drinking water standards for our own municipal water system. Our town’s utilities are operated as “not for profit” for the express benefit of local citizens.

Auxer supported the expensive delayed maintenance on the Entler Hotel and now has secured funds for the restoration of the much-loved Market House. A brand new Town Hall was built to house the town’s offices and provide meeting space, under his leadership. Recently a major repaving of the streets was accomplished at night in Shepherdstown, which avoided impacting local residents and business.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the mayor and town’s staff worked right through the crises, delivering a complete menu of services as usual. But it’s not just the big things he’s influenced and overseen. He’s interested in the small things. Like the enviable twice-weekly trash collection and twice yearly cleanup week. These services keep our town spic and span. We’ve got paper, plastic, metal and glass recycling too; no other town in the county collects glass for recycling.

Auxer has supported repair of sidewalks in Shepherdstown by assisting citizens with costs and has had curbs constructed on our historic residential streets where there were none. We have five town parks that our staff maintains. He just secured funding for the long-awaited sidewalk to Morgan’s Grove Park, and work began last week to correct the water system deficiencies at Mecklenburg.

The mayor knows how to find the money. All of these improvements have been secured either by grants or low-cost loans for the benefit of our citizens. It’s pretty much a full-time job with 22 scheduled meetings each month, and he’s at Town Hall every day to address the needs of our citizens.

Auxer does all this because he loves Shepherdstown. There is a municipal election coming up on June 4. The only thing the mayor needs is your support for another term. He’s got mine.

Bob Keller, of Shepherdstown