Britton Won't Seek Re-election to City Council

John Britton will not seek a third term on the Rockville City Council. The councilman said he sent the following note to supporters through his campaign email list early Friday evening:

"As you may already have realized, the Rockville Mayor and City Council campaign season is once again upon us. Alas (or maybe hooray for some!), I will watch this campaign from the sidelines. I have struggled with this for the past few months but decided that, for personal and professional reasons, I will not run for reelection in November. I certainly appreciate your past encouragement and support and wanted to take the opportunity at this time to thank you. After 5 years on the Planning Commission and 4 years on the Council, however, it will not be possible for me to not have any involvement with City affairs. So, I hope to find a way to continue contributing to our community after my term on the Council expires. In the meantime, I hope you will follow closely the issues addressed in the upcoming campaign and vote in the City elections this November.

Thanks again.

John Britton”

Britton is the only council member who is not running for mayor or for the council.

Councilman Piotr Gajewski is challenging Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio, who is seeking reelection. Both are certified to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, as is Councilwoman Bridget Donnell Newton.

Councilman Mark Pierzchala announced in January's Rockville Reports that he would run for reelection, but is not yet certified as a candidate.

There are six candidates—including four for council seats—whose candidacy petitions have been certified by the city clerk's office.

On Wednesday, the city clerk's office reported that Virginia Onley, who served on the city's Compensation Commission for 14 years and ran for the council in 2009, is a confirmed council candidate.

Other confirmed council candidates are former Councilman John Hall and city Compensation Commission Chairman Tom Moore, who also ran in 2009.

City Planning Commissioner Dion Trahan announced his candidacy for the council in June but is not yet certified as a candidate.

The city holds nonpartisan elections in odd-numbered years for the four seats on the City Council and for mayor.

Correction: The original version of this article misidentified Tom Moore as the former chairman of the city's Compensation Commission. Moore is currently serving as chairman.