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Newly elected Forest Heights mayor Andrea McCutcheon, who defeated Mayor Larry Stoner on March 11, said her first priorities in office will be tackling the town's budget and hiring a town treasurer to help sort out the town's finances.

The mayoral change proved to be the only political shift for the town of 2,500, which sits inside of Oxon Hill near the Potomac River. All other incumbents running for reelection to the Town Council defeated their opponents, including Ward 2 incumbent Anne Reifsneider against Clifton Atkinson and Ward 3 incumbent William Clarke against Bill Robinson. Councilwoman Jacqueline Goodall (Ward 1) ran unopposed. The town will have up to 60 days to fill McCutcheon's Ward 2 seat by appointment or in a special election, according to the Town Charter.

Once the results were read March 11, candidates and residents crowded around McCutcheon, who defeated Stoner 103 to 89.

"I feel great," she said, smiling. "Tomorrow we'll think about moving forward."

McCutcheon based her campaign on fiscal restraint and government transparency at a time when council members complained of being left in the dark when it came to the town's finances by Stoner.

As mayor, Stoner worked more closely with the town budget than did the council but ultimately needed their support for spending approvals.

Goodall said McCutcheon succeeded because she listened closely to Forest Heights residents.

"I think we will really see a big change in this town," she said.

Goodall said it was ultimately Stoner's lack of communication with certain members of Town Council that lead to his defeat.

"Not having transparency — I think was his downfall," she said.

Stoner dismissed Goodall's claim, saying the council would often try to micromanage him and the town.

Still, he said he congratulates McCutcheon on her win.

"I wish the town the best," he said, adding he hasn't ruled out a future run for mayoral office.

Goodall said the election results marked the end of an era for the town, long plagued by mismanagement and controversy. Most council members admitted the town hadn't accomplished much in recent years due to infighting and criminal allegations.

Stoner rose to office during the summer of 2008 after the impromptu resignation of then-Mayor Quincy Hines for personal reasons. He has said he inherited a town on the brink of bankruptcy with a faltering police force and a Town Council in disarray.

"It's been an uphill climb," he told The Gazette in February. During his time in office, Stoner said he brought some clarity to the budget, revamped the police force budget by repairing cars rather than buying new ones to save money. He also lobbied for the town to receive federal stimulus money to repair its aging infrastructure.

After his defeat was announced March 11 inside the town's municipal building, Stoner put on his cap and quietly left the room.

"It is what it is," he said. "I guess I'll be a regular citizen again."