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Zeidler is out, others ponder
By Steve Vaughan
By Steve Vaughan
WILLIAMSBURG — After four terms on City Council and 11 years as mayor, Jeanne Zeidler announced Friday that she will not run for re-election in May.
First elected mayor in 1998, Zeidler is regarded for her ability to build consensus on council, her support of regionalism, and her dedication to the city.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of this community for nearly 20 years, first as a member of the Williamsburg James City County School Board, and then for the past 151/2 years as a member of the City Council,” Zeidler said in statement. “It has also been a privilege to have been selected by my council colleagues to serve as the mayor of this historic city since 1998. I am proud of the many accomplishments of city government during this time, that sustained the unique character of this special place, enhanced the quality of life for our citizens, and maintained the city’s widespread reputation as a center of history and education.”
“It’s really the end of an era,” said Kyra Cook of the Historic Triangle Collaborative and a close friend. “I’m sad that she won’t be representing me and the city anymore, but I wouldn’t be so bold as to ask for anything more after all the years she has dedicated to the city.”
Zeidler’s public service began with an appointment as a city rep to the WJC School Board.
Her legacy on council will include the construction of High Street after a decade of legal battles over the site, and her role as executive director for the Jamestown 2007 commemoration (see box).
“She is such a great face for the city,” noted Vice Mayor Clyde Haulman. “She served with distinction on any number of regional organizations.”
Zeidler has always been proud of her father, who was mayor of Milwaukee from 1948 to 1960, and a socialist at that. Frank Zeidler died in 2006.
“It’s disappointing that in July we won’t have her as a colleague on City Council anymore,” added Paul Freiling.
“She’s the only mayor I’ve every served under,” said Bobby Braxton, who has yet to announce his own re-election plans. “She helped me quite a bit. She’d sit down with me and explain the issues.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Judy Knudson of the departure. “Obviously, she’s served very well.”
Despite their party differences, Sen. Tommy Norment (R-3rd) has always had a close working relationship with the decidedly Democratic mayor. “I think she was the model of what a public servant should be,” he said.
Norment, then chairman of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, worked closely with Zeidler on the 400th.
“The general public will never know how good a job she did,” he said. “She came into a situation where there was in-fighting and chaos, and out of chaos she brought order.”
Even those who sometimes opposed the mayor politically appreciated her dedication to the city.
“I have to respect anyone who devotes the kind of time she did to the community,” said Planning Commission chairman Doug Pons, who as former president of the Williamsburg Hotel-Motel Association was often at odds with Zeidler. “Even if I didn’t always agree with her policy positions.”
Cook said Zeidler’s ability to listen to people who don’t agree with her is one of her strengths. “And then she had an amazing ability to bring people together,” she said.
Although saddened by her decisions, Zeidler’s colleagues were sympathetic. She has gone through a difficult year personally, losing both her mother and her son.
“I know it’s been a tragic year for her, personally,” Norment said. “But she’s continued to fulfill the duties of her office with great dignity.”
Zeidler may have signaled her decision last month when she voted to alter the city’s 3-person rule, to the consternation of neighborhood homeowners and the entire Planning Commission.
WILLIAMSBURG — After four terms on City Council and 11 years as mayor, Jeanne Zeidler announced Friday that she will not run for re-election in May.
First elected mayor in 1998, Zeidler is regarded for her ability to build consensus on council, her support of regionalism, and her dedication to the city.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of this community for nearly 20 years, first as a member of the Williamsburg James City County School Board, and then for the past 151/2 years as a member of the City Council,” Zeidler said in statement. “It has also been a privilege to have been selected by my council colleagues to serve as the mayor of this historic city since 1998. I am proud of the many accomplishments of city government during this time, that sustained the unique character of this special place, enhanced the quality of life for our citizens, and maintained the city’s widespread reputation as a center of history and education.”
“It’s really the end of an era,” said Kyra Cook of the Historic Triangle Collaborative and a close friend. “I’m sad that she won’t be representing me and the city anymore, but I wouldn’t be so bold as to ask for anything more after all the years she has dedicated to the city.”
Zeidler’s public service began with an appointment as a city rep to the WJC School Board.
Her legacy on council will include the construction of High Street after a decade of legal battles over the site, and her role as executive director for the Jamestown 2007 commemoration (see box).
“She is such a great face for the city,” noted Vice Mayor Clyde Haulman. “She served with distinction on any number of regional organizations.”
Zeidler has always been proud of her father, who was mayor of Milwaukee from 1948 to 1960, and a socialist at that. Frank Zeidler died in 2006.
“It’s disappointing that in July we won’t have her as a colleague on City Council anymore,” added Paul Freiling.
“She’s the only mayor I’ve every served under,” said Bobby Braxton, who has yet to announce his own re-election plans. “She helped me quite a bit. She’d sit down with me and explain the issues.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Judy Knudson of the departure. “Obviously, she’s served very well.”
Despite their party differences, Sen. Tommy Norment (R-3rd) has always had a close working relationship with the decidedly Democratic mayor. “I think she was the model of what a public servant should be,” he said.
Norment, then chairman of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, worked closely with Zeidler on the 400th.
“The general public will never know how good a job she did,” he said. “She came into a situation where there was in-fighting and chaos, and out of chaos she brought order.”
Even those who sometimes opposed the mayor politically appreciated her dedication to the city.
“I have to respect anyone who devotes the kind of time she did to the community,” said Planning Commission chairman Doug Pons, who as former president of the Williamsburg Hotel-Motel Association was often at odds with Zeidler. “Even if I didn’t always agree with her policy positions.”
Cook said Zeidler’s ability to listen to people who don’t agree with her is one of her strengths. “And then she had an amazing ability to bring people together,” she said.
Although saddened by her decisions, Zeidler’s colleagues were sympathetic. She has gone through a difficult year personally, losing both her mother and her son.
“I know it’s been a tragic year for her, personally,” Norment said. “But she’s continued to fulfill the duties of her office with great dignity.”
Zeidler may have signaled her decision last month when she voted to alter the city’s 3-person rule, to the consternation of neighborhood homeowners and the entire Planning Commission.
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