Bob Fenwick, founder of www.savemcintire.com and member of the Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park, has announced he will be running for City Council as an Independent.

“I am a registered Republican and I thought I would run as a Republican, but so many people were telling me ‘With the positions you have you are going to feel a lot more comfortable running as an Independent,” Fenwick told C-VILLE.

Fenwick says he decided to run because of the controversy surrounding McIntire Park, “because of how people are treated,” he says. “I don’t think City Hall is listening to citizens.”

Fenwick, community organizer, writer and construction contractor, said at today’s press conference that he will be working hard to “turn the local economy around, create jobs,” he said.  Fenwick said his top priority will be to save McIntire Park from the Meadowcreek Parkway.

“For 40 years the Meadowcreek Parkway has been an open wound on our community,” he said. “I oppose the parkway, I will demonstrate against the parkway, I will join any lawsuit against the parkway. Period.”

On another hot-button issue facing City Council, Fenwick is decisive. “I favor the dredging option, no question.”

Fenwick joins fellow Independent candidate Andrew Williams and Democratic nominees Mayor Dave Norris and newcomer Kristin Szakos.

“I know Andrew, he is a really nice young man. I am impressed,” says Fenwick, stressing that he knows the political reality he faces. “Dave Norris is arguably the most popular politician in Central Virginia,” he says.

“But this is something that I just needed to do.” Yet, Fenwick is not running solely to promote his issues. “I am in the race to win,” he said.

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