Roger Dunleavy has been Mayor of Woodson Falls for the past 28 years, having been elected to 14 successive two-year terms beginning back when he was 32. Even now, pushing 60 years of age, he’s planning to run for the office again, saying he hopes to “die with his boots on” rather than relinquish the post.
Mayor Dunleavy’s hold on the mayoral office has rarely been challenged. Although he has no more than a high school education, he has highly developed people skills, most likely honed in his work as a salesman for a furniture store in Prescott. He’s charming, with a ready smile and a hand extended to everyone he meets.
Dunleavy is responsive to the community’s needs, keeps taxes low and roads in good repair, and extends himself to help others through his volunteer work with the fire department. His office door at Town Hall is always open to drop-in visitors. He listens carefully to others’ opinions on issue of importance to the town, declining to offer an opinion until he’s heard and weighed both sides of an argument.
Dunleavy has been known to plow driveways and shovel snowy walkways for elderly residents as well as visit hospitalized residents and shut-ins. He maintains a presence in the town by attending all manner of events, seemingly appearing everywhere a group is gathered. He’s managed to endear himself to parents by writing congratulatory notes to students marking their achievements. He’s a willing judge at the annual spelling bee held at the school, attends graduation ceremonies, and serves as emcee at the annual Independence Day celebration as well as at the more somber Memorial Day commemoration.
Dunleavy was born and raised in nearby Prescott, marrying Woodson Falls’ lovely Annie Baxter and moving to the town she wouldn’t leave. They live in a modest home on Pine Hill Road and have three grown children.