BRISTOL, Va. – John “Jay” Dorton believes lessons learned in a business career would serve him well as a member of the City Council.
Dorton, 67, is one of five men seeking three seats on the council in the May 4 election. With no incumbents running, the race also has attracted Don Ashley, Ed Harlow, Jim Steele and Lonnie Whitley.
“It’s about time somebody tried to go in and do the right thing. No personal agenda, no single interest agenda,” Dorton said. “If people would just make practical, responsible decisions, I think everything would take care of itself.”
Local government should be accountable, transparent and not surprise its citizens, he said.
The controversy surrounding the possible creation of a Bristol Virginia Utilities authority is “out of his hands,” Dorton said, but if elected, he would work with either entity that emerges.
City residents he has spoken with consider the city’s indebtedness the greatest challenge to prosperity.
“If I’m elected, I know what the [financial] situation is going in. And I don’t believe in looking back and pointing blame,” Dorton said. “We just have to work to improve the city’s financial standing.”
The candidate spent decades working in the vehicle sales business – across the region and in Florida – and formerly owned the Freedom Ford dealership in Wise, Va. He retired in 2005.
“I’m a businessman. I had 40-some people working for me at one time. As a salesperson, I thought I knew how the company should run. As a manager, I thought I knew. But I didn’t really know until I owned it,” Dorton said.
While this marks his first run for public office, it isn’t Dorton’s first council bid. In 2007, he was one of nine men who sought a council appointment when Frank Goodpasture stepped down.
The candidate applauds efforts to revitalize downtown and wants additional attention placed there. He supports additional marketing of both the train station – to attract passenger rail service – and greater emphasis on the Twin City’s country music heritage.
Dorton was born in Russell County, Va., but grew up in Kingsport, Tenn., and is a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School. He served two years in the U.S. Navy and worked at Tennessee Eastman before moving to Florida, to enter the car business.
After returning to this area, he worked in vehicle sales and management at a number of regional locations before buying the dealership in Wise.
He has lived in the city for 10 years.
Dorton is married with three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532
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