New Member Appointed to New Market Town Council

Buz Menhardt, associate pastor, fills vacant seat after longtime council member's resignation.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:51am

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Buz Menhardt, an associate pastor at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Market, Virginia, has been appointed to fill a vacant seat on the New Market Town Council. Menhardt was encouraged to apply for the position by his neighbor, Mayor Peter Hughes, and will serve on the council until the end of 2026, with the seat up for election this November.

Why it matters

The appointment of Menhardt, a community-focused religious leader, to the town council could signal a shift in the council's priorities and representation, potentially bringing a new perspective to local governance and community engagement.

The details

Menhardt has served as an associate pastor at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Market and says he enjoys connecting with community members in and out of the church. He will fill the seat previously held by longtime council member Daryl Watkins, who resigned on March 4. Menhardt plans to be someone who listens to town residents and works to best serve them alongside his fellow council members.

  • Daryl Watkins resigned from the New Market Town Council on March 4, 2026.
  • Buz Menhardt was appointed to the vacant seat on the New Market Town Council in April 2026.
  • Menhardt's seat will be up for election in November 2026.

The players

Buz Menhardt

An associate pastor at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Market, Virginia, who has been appointed to fill a vacant seat on the New Market Town Council.

Peter Hughes

The mayor of New Market, Virginia, who encouraged Menhardt to apply for the vacant town council seat.

Daryl Watkins

The longtime member of the New Market Town Council who resigned from his seat on March 4, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“You should apply, you should interview, and I thought about it talked to my wife, and talked to the Church staff here and thought it would be a good opportunity to connect our campus with the Town of New Market.”

— Buz Menhardt, New Town Council Member

What’s next

Menhardt's seat on the New Market Town Council will be up for election in November 2026, where he could seek to keep his position.

The takeaway

The appointment of Buz Menhardt, a community-focused religious leader, to the New Market Town Council could signal a shift in the council's priorities and representation, potentially bringing a new perspective to local governance and community engagement.