By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorThe new mayor of Warrenton says he plans to act as a caretaker during the short time he is in office.Mike Shilharvey stated he has no intentions to run for mayor during the current election cycle and is “humbled” to be chosen to fill the mayoral vacancy.Shilharvey was sworn in as mayor on Dec. 22 and succeeds Jerry Dyer, who resigned in October for health reasons. Dyer had served as mayor since April 2012.Shilharvey said he respected the job Dyer did as mayor.“I think Jerry was moving the city in a better direction than it had been in a while,” he told The Record. “He was getting the city and the county working together again and getting the lawsuit behind them. He and the board seemed to be moving in a more positive direction and trying to get the city moving forward again. I want to see that continue.”Shilharvey does have some experience in city politics. He is a former alderman and most recently served on the city’s tourism commission.Warrenton aldermen voted 4-2 to approve Shilharvey’s appointment during a special meeting held Dec. 16. He will fill the mayoral position on an interim basis until a new mayor is elected in April.Following Dyer’s resignation, Shilharvey said he was approached by some aldermen to consider filling the vacancy. Some board members preferred having an interim mayor be someone who currently does not serve on the board and was not interested in running for mayor in the April election.Two current aldermen, Eric Schleuter and John Clark, have filed to run as mayor. The filing period continues through Jan. 20, with the election on April 7. Until then, Shilharvey will preside over the board of aldermen meetings.“I have no agenda,” Shilharvey said laughing. “It’s more of a caretaker-type position right now. It’s more trying to help them move forward until there is a new mayor elected.”Shilharvey acknowledged he may be interested in running for mayor in the future, though at the same time he’s resisted opportunities to seek other elected positions when approached, such as county commissioner.“It’s possible; it’s a wait-and-see,” he remarked. “Maybe down the road, I would be retired then and have time to devote to it.”In the meantime, Shilharvey plans to fill the mayoral position as best as he can.“I am kind of humbled that the board members were supportive of me and chose me,” he said.Mike Shilharvey