Council elects Sherman Saunders as Danville Mayor

Danville City Council officially elected Sherman Saunders as mayor and chose T. Wayne Oakes as vice mayor Tuesday during the swearing in ceremony for new council members.

City Clerk Annette Crane opened the meeting and Sylvesta Jennings, secretary of the Danville Electoral Board, presented election certificates to each of the new members.

Crane then swore in newly elected council members Albert “Buddy” Rawley Jr., Fred Shanks III and Larry Campbell Jr., as well as the re-elected incumbents Saunders and T. David Luther.

Saunders, who assumed the mayor’s post after Wayne Williams’ resignation, was unanimously elected mayor on a motion from Councilman Gary Miller.

Two council members were nominated for vice mayor. Councilwoman Ruby Archie nominated T. Wayne Oakes and Councilman Adam Tomer nominated Luther.

Oakes won the appointment by a vote of 6-3 over Luther.

“I’m honored to continue to serve out city as vice mayor,” Oakes said. “We are making progress and it’s essential that we continue with that.

“I’m a team player and I look forward to continuing Danville up to path of wellbeing, in every sense of that word.”

Saunders said Danville has a solid foundation for this council to build on.

“All we need to do is travel on that road that’s already been paved and, along the way, fix the potholes and do some repaving,” he said. “Nothing is broken, we’re moving forward. I’m very proud of that.”

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.