By Taylor Boyd
William W. Westberg Jr., was appointed to the Ridgeway Town Council effective March 1 to serve the unexpired term of former council member Timothy Wood.
Westberg’s term will expire January 1. Wood resigned from the position after relocating to Ohio in late 2025.
Westberg said his love for Ridgeway and Southern Virginia led to him seeking the role.
“I just think we have a little gem here. Too many people want to sit idle and not partake in their” local governments. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to be involved in their own town,” he said.
Westberg said he doesn’t have any major priorities he feels Ridgeway needs to address.
“I think the council and the mayor’s done a fine job. I just want to lend a hand. I’m looking forward to serving on it and seeing where we go,” he said.
Westberg’s first council meeting as a member was March 17.
“I think we’ve got a really good group of people there that work together. I’ve always been impressed with that kind of” relationship, “observing it from being on the committee and sitting down, talking with them, and working with them. They definitely show that they work well together, which is kind of nice to see,” he said.
While he’s only attended one council meeting, Westberg said he plans to seek a full four-year term in the November election.
When he and his wife, Darman, relocated to Ridgeway from Colorado in 2024, and began serving on the town’s Community Events and Improvements Committee.
“I really enjoyed that, and of course I had involvement with the town council and the mayor, and it kind of forged from there,” he said.
While serving on the committee, Westberg helped create Ridgeway’s first ever Bee Festival and plan its annual Christmas Parade.
“This year we’re adding to our repertoire a Fourth of July Parade,” he added.
According to a media release, Westberg is a decorated veteran of the United States Army and has served with multiple law enforcement agencies across Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama.
“His extensive experience in public safety and community engagement will be a valuable asset to the town council,” the release states.
