Longtime mayors in Radford and Christiansburg have drawn opponents for the May 4 election and challengers say part of their reason for running is to give residents a choice.

In Christiansburg, Mayor Richard Ballengee said he welcomes a challenge from political newcomer Meghan Dorsett, a planning consultant and owner of Dorsett Publications LLC.

In Radford, Mayor Tom Starnes will be challenged by Bruce Brown, an eight-year veteran of the city council, and the Rev. Jerry Wyms, founding pastor of Liberty Full Gospel Fellowship Church.

Tuesday night was the deadline for candidates to file their paperwork.

An elected official for 36 years, Starnes, 69, always has had his challengers in mayoral races. He was first elected in 1976, when the mayor was chosen from within council for a two-year term. A charter change in 1986 allowed voters to choose the mayor for a four-year term.

Until Wyms filed for candidacy Tuesday morning, Starnes had been challenged only by a noncouncil member once: the Rev. Leslie Dean in 2006.

But political newcomer Wyms said he thought this year was the one he should "stop being a spectator and start being a participant."

A Radford native and retired from UPS, Wyms, 61, is a regular city council meeting attendee and has voiced his opinions on issues ranging from salt dust blowing from the American Rock Salt Co. depot on Lee Street in 2003 to changes in the tax cycle last year.

"Being the mayor is being a voice for the people and expressing their needs to council," Wyms said. "Listening to the people, many of them don't attend city council meeting because they don't feel they're being heard."

And while the city is facing difficult budgeting decisions again this year, Wyms said he would like to review the city's spending to make sure funds are being spent in "the most effective ways."

Starnes said he thinks the reason he's been re-elected in every election since 1986 is that residents see his commitment to the city's best interests.

"I've looked at things objectively and voted, whether in minority or majority, for what I thought was best," he said. "They may not always agree with me, but I think I've always been honest and objective."

His main reason for running for re-election is he thinks his experience can help the city through difficult financial times.

"I think this is a critical time for the city as a result of the financial condition the state and country is in," Starnes said. "My record over the past in reviewing budgets and staying on top of financial situations has been an asset to city."

Brown, 58, said he struggled for months with his decision to run against Starnes. He said he has "a tremendous amount of respect for" the mayor and his years in office, but residents should have more than one choice in the election.

Brown said that although the mayor has only one vote in council decisions, he is also responsible for setting the tone of meetings and starting conversations among the council, city employees and residents if issues arise.

Radford's strongest assets are its people, Brown said, and he feels his strongest assets are his people skills and creative thinking, developed from his time on the council, from his job as dean of humanities, social sciences and business information technologies at Wytheville Community College and from his family, especially his late grandparents.

In Christiansburg, Ballengee said he thinks he knows the community and its needs, while Dorsett wants to work to get residents more involved in local government and get their views on the direction for the town.

Ballengee, 73, has served for 10 years as a council member and four years as mayor. He said he decided to run for mayor again because there is some "unfinished business," including downtown renovations, opening the aquatics center and accomplishing the objectives in the Vision 2020, a long-range plan that includes pursuing green initiatives, enhancing the system of walking trails, focusing on community relations and reviewing and revising the zoning ordinance.

Also, Ballengee said, "I have my finger on the pulse of the community. I feel like I know our needs."

Dorsett, 52, said public participation will play a major role in her service if she is elected mayor. She said she wants to go out to residents and find out what they see as important issues.

"I really want to encourage citizen participation in town government. I think that's key. It's the key to democracy."

She cites the creation of the Vision 2020 plan as a plan that should have had more resident involvement and input, although she said she is not criticizing the plan itself because "there are some good ideas in there."

Dorsett also has said if she is elected she will bring to the position her experience as a planner, which includes serving as comprehensive planner for Montgomery County. She has said she wants to take a regional approach to issues, such as when it comes to water and sewer issues, and wants to support small businesses. She said she also wants the town to become more sustainable and fiscally responsible.