58 years of experience

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: June 30, 2008

Today marks the final day on Danville City Council for three retiring members who have collectively served for an amazing 58 years.

Stokes Daniels, John Hamlin and Pete Castiglione have earned their retirement from the grind of meetings, work sessions and constituent calls and e-mails. They have done their part to push the region’s economic development plan that has recruited more than 7,000 new jobs to the community.

They are going out on top, although they may not have always thought that would happen.

“Who would have thought, in 1986, that Dan River would be completely gone?” Hamlin said. “I’m not sure I’d have so eagerly gone on council if I’d known what was in front of us.”

Hamlin served for 22 years, including six years as Danville’s mayor. He is best known for his easygoing demeanor and positive attitude, but that masked a fierce desire to steer the city through numerous changes and challenges.

Daniels could best be described as the financial conscience of City Council, a man who not only was skeptical of city spending but wise enough to come up with proposals and suggestions to trim the size of government. He was detail-orientated, but never failed to grasp the larger picture.

Talking about the region’s growing economy, Daniels said, “I’m very excited about council at this hour.”

Castiglione had the shortest and rockiest tenure of the three. First elected in 1996, he was there for the start of the Gwaltney era, the steady decline of tobacco and textiles and the long wait for the new economic development plan to begin producing results. That finally started to happen in March 2004 — just before he won his third and final term.

“I’ve been on council for 12 years, twice as vice mayor,” Castiglione said. “In 1998, I made a list of goals and I feel very good that they have all come into play.”

The retirement of Daniels, Hamlin and Castiglione paved the way for the election of Larry Campbell, Fred Shanks and Buddy Rawley. Along with Dr. Gary Miller, who was appointed to replace Dr. Wayne Williams, City Council has four new faces — and the task of replacing a highly effective city manager.

But change is a constant, as so many laid-off tobacco and textile workers have been told over the past few years. Stokes Daniels, John Hamlin and Pete Castiglione are examples to new City Council members of how to deal with challenging times and tough problems. Their leadership and contributions will be missed.