Kenneth Watts was reelected in November 2024 to serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2028, and presently serves as Vice Mayor. Mr. Watts has completed over four terms on Town Council, first elected in 2012. Showing his involvement in the community, Mr. Watts has ensured that the Town of Amherst thrives by serving on several Town committees throughout those terms.
In his professional capacity, Mr. Watts worked as Officer, an Investigator and was the Chief of Police of the Amherst Police Department. As such and with time spent with the Amherst Rescue Squad and the Amherst Fire Department, Mr. Watts brings plenty of knowledge, expertise, and perspective to the Amherst Town Council.
Mr. Watts sees economic development as one of the most important issues that the Town faces. It is his hope that we will soon see progress on a few of his favorite projects bringing economic development and interest to the Town – seeking the interest of a grocery store chain and building a splash pad in an established recreational park for family-friendly activities.
Ms. Wheaton is the mother of two sons. She has worked as an account executive for a financial advisory firm. She served on the Board of the Nelson County Community Fund and volunteered as a 6-year facilitator at the UK International Soccer Camps in Nelson County.
He would like to maintain our small town charm with its small businesses, restaurants, and farmers’ markets while attracting larger industries or businesses to our industrial park. He will work toward having the recreation and housing findings from the Community Vision Survey incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan and then to bring them to fruition.
Mr. Martin is a 2006 graduate of Timberlake Christian Schools and 2021 graduate of Hartford Community College. In his professional capacity, Mr. Martin has worked for the City of Richmond Fire Department as a First Lieutenant since 2018 and is a Captain with the Amherst Fire Department volunteering since 2005. He is a member of Clifford Baptist Church.
Mr. Martin hopes to see the relationship between the town and small businesses be strengthened in the near future. He is also hopeful to start obtaining more input from citizens that will allow the council to better serve all those doing business or living in the town.
Ms. Gibson is a U.S. Navy veteran. With a career that spans more than 40 years in Federal Government executive and professional positions, she was then appointed as Director of the US Mint in October 2021. She retired on March 2025. Ms. Gibson is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute, Executive Technique, and Aspen Institute, and attended the University of Maryland, University College. She has three children and four grandchildren. As a resident and member of Town Council, it is important to her that the town maintain its small town feel and close-knit community. Her favorite saying is “Good, better, best; Never let it rest; Until your good is better and your better is best.” 