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Mount Airy's political season kicked off Monday with mostly familiar faces nominated to run for mayor and two open council seats in the May 3 election.

Councilwoman Wendi Peters and Pat Rockinberg, a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, are running for mayor.

Three people are running for the two open seats on the five-member council: Councilman Chris Everich, David Blais, a member of the Streets and Roads and Water and Sewer commissions, and Scott Strong, an important voice opposing the Rigler annexation last fall.

The mayor earns a salary of $8,500 while council members receive $333.33 per meeting attended, or about $4,000 a year. The elections are nonpartisan.

B.J. Dixon nominated Peters both as the town's former clerk and "as a concerned citizen that feels we need to get the town back on track with someone that has leadership abilities."

Peters accepted. "I think this provides a good opportunity to lead the town where it needs to go," she said, saying even during a rough year there are "bright things happening."

Rockinberg has served on the Growth and Development Task Force and helped found a teen center. He was nominated by Tony Falletta, a fellow member of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

"I'd like to bring a lot of the different viewpoints in town together to the table," Rockinberg said. "I'd like to see us work together in a more harmonious way."

Council President and Mayor Peter Helt nominated Everich, calling him a good counselor and not a "yes man."

Everich was unable to attend Monday's nomination meeting due to the death of his mother. The council voted him into office in August to replace Councilman John Woodhull, who moved out of town.

"He has proven he can do the job," Helt said.

Councilman Dave Pyatt, whose term ends in 2012, nominated Blais.

Blais said his experiences as a youth in the Boy Scouts and later in the U.S. Air Force ingrained him with a sense of service. "I want to serve the community," he said, "... keep Mount Airy the place that I remember."

Blais grew up in Mount Airy and moved away for military service. He returned in 2007 and became involved with town commissions.

Resident Tim Askeland nominated Strong, who was active in opposing the Rigler annexation last fall. Strong said he thought he could make a positive contribution.

"I wanted to make a difference in the community," said Strong, who coaches youth sports.

Helt is not running for mayor, but plans to hold on to his council seat, which is up for re-election in two years. He said council president will be voted on when the new council meets.

Councilman Gary Nelson is not running again, saying he is fulfilling a promise to not run again, made when elected four years ago.

Nelson said though he hasn't accomplished everything he set out to do, he has no regrets.

"I hope to serve in some volunteer capacity once I have rested a few months," he said in an e-mail, adding he believes limiting elected officials creates decisions based on what the public wants. "A fresh perspective on issues is very much needed in town and the new blood and ideas should only improve things for all of us."

The town will hold a candidate forum at 7 p.m. March 31 in Town Hall.

E-mail Angie Cochrun at acochrun@gazette.net.

-The Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company's activities building, 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy, will be open for polling

7 a.m.-8 p.m. May 3.

-The last day to register to vote is April 5.

-The deadline to register as a

write-in candidates is 5 p.m. April 12.

-Absentee ballots will be available at Town Hall beginning April 15. Voters must apply in writing stating their home address.

-Political campaign signs (maximum of six square feet) are allowed at the polling place provided that they are not placed in the public right-of-way. No permit is required but the name and address of the person responsible for the sign must be listed with the Town Permits Department.

Source: The town of Mount Airy