Danny Staton, vice mayor of Buena Vista the past two years who is seeking a third four-year term on City Council, alludes to his first run for office eight years ago.
“I wanted to revitalize downtown and bring it back to life,” he recalled. “We are well on that way. I am seeking reelection this time to hopefully finish this and other projects we are working on. Overall, my goal is to have every building occupied and lit up. I would like once again to make Buena Vista a destination for visitors and shoppers.”
When City Council adopted a budget this past spring, he was one of two members to vote against it. “There were a couple reasons – first, I didn’t like the way the cigarette tax was included in the budget without discussing it first. Secondly, I thought it was inappropriate raising the taxes to the citizens while giving a raise to all employees.”
Asked what should be done about the city’s aging middle school, Staton said, “I believe that using the previously occupied [former] Mountain Gateway [Community College] building would be the way to go. Buena Vista is making payments on the facility and it would meet our needs for a middle school without the large price tag. Changes can be made to the site plan if additional changes have to be made.”
Eyeing the planned major upgrade to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, he noted, “We have received funding from the state and federal levels but not the entire amount. We will continue trying to apply for grants or any additional funding that will be available.”
Asked whether he’s satisfied with the city’s economic development efforts, he said, “Yes, building permits [are] being issued, property [is] being sold, foot traffic [is] once again downtown. We have several projects in the works, with possibly more on the way. Buena Vista is trending in the right direction. After decades of decline, things are looking up.”
He said he thinks the city could have a better relationship with Southern Virginia University. “The city needs to reach out to the college and come together on what their plans are for the future, but also what the city’s needs will be in return. It can’t be a one-sided conversation. [We need to] come up with a solution and a plan that works well for both.”
Now that the city’s finances have improved, Staton would like the city to get back to having a regular schedule of street paving. “We need to start paving our streets a little at a time. This needs to start now – not just talk about it. Paving is a very expensive project, with a mile of road costing roughly a million dollars, but it’s not going to get any cheaper.”
Staton was born and raised in Buena Vista. He’s a 1981 graduate of Parry McCluer High School and attended Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and Ferrum College. He and his wife Emilie are the parents of two children, DJ and Timmy. He works for Magic City Auto Group in Lexington.
STATON
