Marion’s first new mayor in 2 decades keeping the town’s old charm alive

MARION, Va. (WJHL) — After Tuesday's election, the Town of Marion, Virginia will have its first new mayor in 20 years.

Avery Cornett won with 40% of the total vote. He was challenged by Thomas Graham, Suzanne Jennings, Amanda Currin and Herbert Clay.

David Helms had served as the town's mayor since 2000 before passing away unexpectedly in March.

Cornett has spent his entire life in Marion, still owning and operating his father's jewelry store–the same one he would go to after school as a child.

He said maintaining the town's old charm is important to him.

"I got to walk the railroad tracks to my father's store when I was just a child and that was safe," he said "Marion is a jewel. It is really a place to raise your family. It's a place to study. It's a place to work. I want to give back to Marion because Marion has given me so much and I want that to be here for my grandchildren."

But he's trying to bring a more modern approach to the mayoral office.

"Today we have technology, and we have Gen X, Y, Z. We have different modes of communication. And those modes of communication are the way that they want to communicate," Cornett said. "I would like to see us all on the same digital platform. I would like to see more communication. I would like to see the citizens being able to get in touch with their community leaders."

One of Cornett's top priorities when in office is to bring more recreation to the town–for kids and adults.

"I'm a big advocate of play for all, totally inclusive play, and I would like to see assets for adults, because socialization occurs when adults exercise and play sports. The kids learn socialization skills. We'll see how many other activities we can start for kids and for adults and for seniors, because everybody needs to get out in the open air, interact with each other, socialize, get a little exercise, and it's good for the body, it's good for the soul."

Being a Marion native gives him a special perspective that the other candidates may not have, and he reiterated how much it means to be elected by the community that raised him.

"Beyond words, I'm honored that the citizens of Marion have elected me to be their mayor," Cornett said. "And what it means to be mayor is that I have a duty, I have an obligation. I will have an oath. I will be dedicated to Marion, to all the citizens, to everyone. Being mayor of Marion is going to be so much fun because I'm going to get to interact with so many people."

"I love people. I love meeting them. I love talking to them. I've been accused of talking too much, but that's who I am. And I think that's why maybe enough citizens decided that they wanted me to be their mayor."

He will begin his term on Jan. 1.