While Steve Huppert is more apt to quote Will Rogers than Yogi Berra, it's a Berra quote that describes the outcome of Tuesday's town council election for him:

"This is like deja vu all over again."

In his first bid for a council seat in 2004, Huppert beat incumbent Scott Weaver by a mere 42 votes. Weaver had served 36 years on the council.

In Tuesday's election, it was Huppert who came just shy of a victory.

Jim Vanhoozier, a planning commission member and retired military aerospace business development manager, squeaked past Huppert to win one of three council seats. Incumbent Mike Barber and newcomer Henry Showalter captured the first two spots. The margin between Vanhoozier and Huppert was 41 votes.

"I've been thinking about that myself," Huppert said Wednesday when asked about the turn of the cards. "I've enjoyed helping Christiansburg move along for the past couple of years. I was hoping to do it for a couple more years."

While Huppert is disappointed, "I think in a couple of days I'll be OK," he said.

A retired U.S. Army officer and Christiansburg High School guidance counselor, Huppert's first term on the council was noted for helping revitalize the downtown area and writing newsletters aimed at informing residents on town activities.

"I will miss him," Councilwoman Ann Carter said. "He's certainly an asset to the council. We'll miss his letters keeping people up-to-date on what's going on. A lot of times, I learned what was going on from them."

"Steve Huppert is one of the most sincere men I've ever met," added Mayor Richard Ballengee. "He works hard. He keeps the citizens involved. I couldn't ask for a more supportive councilman than Steve Huppert."

Huppert, who has worked to organize a "grand reopening" celebration for the town coming up June 14, said he plans to follow through with that commitment. The celebration will have bands, classic cars, events for children and other public-friendly activities, such as foot races.

"He even has me in a race," said the mayor, noting that he plans to enter a one-mile fun walk.

Huppert said he has no ill feelings about the outcome of the election.

"I know Vanhoozier is on the planning commission and is very interested in Christiansburg," he said. "He'll do a nice job. I got to know Henry Showalter during the last campaign. I know he's interested in Christiansburg. I think they'll both do a good job."

While he said he thinks Christiansburg is moving in the right direction, Huppert said he thinks the new council members will have to look closely at several issues when they take office in September.

Major challenges, he said, will include "keeping downtown a viable area with retailers and establishments and hiring a new aquatics center director."

"It's going to cost nearly $1 million every year to keep that place going," he said of the aquatics center, expected to be completed this year.

"The zoning is constantly a problem, especially the housing developments around [Virginia] 114," he added. "And 114 itself -- where is the money going to come from for expanding that road?"

Finally, Huppert said he had some advice for the council to consider.

"I think it might be time for the Christiansburg government to hire a certified public accountant," he said. "CPAs can give financial direction, advice on handling financial management in the future. It will cost the town to hire someone, but that is really a way to save money."

Vanhoozier said Wednesday that he was grateful he got to know Huppert during the campaign.

"I think Steve is dedicated to improving Christiansburg," he said. "He has Christiansburg at heart.

"I want to see Christiansburg thrive as a town but provide good service to the citizens at a reasonable cost," Vanhoozier added.

Huppert said he will keep the town close to his heart. Once his council responsibilities are finished, he will remain involved as a resident. He also plans to keep presenting a theatrical depiction of his hero, Will Rogers. Huppert performs at nursing homes and other local venues and has written a guidebook about the political humorist called "Will Rogers' One-Man Show."

"I would like to say I'm doing my rope tricks better but that would not be true," he said Wednesday. "But I'll keep doing the show. I've got a second edition of the book now."

And now that he's had some direct involvement in town government, Huppert can add another one of Rogers' zingers to his show: "On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does."