When Summerfield Town Councilmember Jonathan Hamilton put out a press release on Sunday, June 23, it was obvious that he was very emphatic about what he was stating because the title of the press release was in all-caps and had not one, but two exclamation marks at the end – both of those in red, by the way.
The reason for all the intense energy in the air in Summerfield right now is that this coming week, which starts on Monday, June 24, will likely be one that defines the Town of Summerfield going forward.
The NC General Assembly appears to be on the brink of de-annexing nearly 1,000 acres from the town in order to allow farmer and developer David Couch the ability to build a large residential and mixed-use development with the density he would like.
As the fight intensifies, Summerfield citizens who don’t want to see a large chunk of their town removed and become part of unincorporated Guilford County are ramping up their efforts.
In his press release, Hamilton states, “The majority of our town remains united in the fight against de-annexation, with our citizens even spear heading anti De-Annexation efforts such as the rally in Raleigh planned for June 26th.”
That rally will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at 16 West Jones Street in Raleigh.
The councilmember also states in his release, “As anticipated, last year’s election caused a shift in power that has been met with a desperate backlash from a small yet vocal minority. Recent months have seen a continued concerted effort by those who have lost this grip on power to aggressively lash out…..While there has been a huge amount of press regarding our previous staff’s departure, we must tread carefully over commenting on staff issues. However, make no mistake that I am excited to see a new administration be established and I believe Summerfield has a lot to gain from it.”
Since the mass exit of the entire Summerfield town staff – largely due to the way former Town Manager Scott Whitaker was treated by the majority of the Town Council – the town has chosen a well-respected interim town manager, Dana Luther, who actually held that interim manager job over a decade ago when she was the town’s finance officer.
Hamilton states, “Our enemies both outside and from within are livid at our resolve. Regardless of the attacks, our town will undoubtedly continue to thrive and I am grateful for the support from the majority of our residents.”
He concluded by saying that he’d had great conversations with a lot of town residents over the last few weeks and he understands that the town’s citizens are seeing a bias in the local news.
“I urge our Summerfield citizens to continue paying attention,” he concludes.
“In his press release, Hamilton states, “The majority of our town remains united in the fight against de-annexation, with our citizens even spear heading anti De-Annexation efforts such as the rally in Raleigh planned for June 26th.”
That rally will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at 16 West Jones Street in Raleigh.”
“I know that everyone be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard,”
I have friends her in the Triad who grew up with the original model of Villages ” columbiaassociation.org ” which was originated by Mr. Rouse in the 50’s and thrives to this day. Check it out. Then consider the lifestyle of “walkability” as your new normal. Not the Car Centric as the Triad is presently and in the future will add to our taxes with hopes of a transportation option of RAIL as the larger cities do nationwide, due in large part to poor planning for growth.
Man look Greensboro is already taking applications for the housing complex in Summerfield this thing is beyond over the old smith homes site has been dedicated to UNCG and we have a major low income housing shortage you can waste your time but it’s over next stop stokesdale then back to Julian small town life will cease to exist in the coming decade! We don’t need it or want it we need our “living space”
Get real
Africa has lots of space big city and you’ll fit right in.
Not so much I don’t speak the language.
Go to Babbel you’ll be speaking it in no time
Yeah lol that’s what Hitler called it as well….living space.
“Our enemies both outside and from within are livid at our resolve.” Hamilton has been the outspoken firebrand with such language. Those in Summerfield who believed trying to compromise with Couch would be best are apparently labeled as “enemies.” It doesn’t seem to me that the best way forward would be to demonize your fellow residents. Hamilton is not a peacemaker. He is too strident and it will not end well. I grew up in a town similar in size to Summerfield. Only, it was a “REAL” town: police dept, fire dept, water and sewer dept, garbage pickup, building inspections and permitting, a town library, a downtown with restaurants, clothing stores, a theatre, soda shop, two pharmacies, furniture stores, law offices, other businesses, etc. Summerfield was incorporated for one purpose: to keep Greensboro away. For a “town” that provides so few services, how did they manage to get a charter? If cooler heads had prevailed, they might have been able to negotiate with Couch and have a better community. I don’t think this end well for the NIMBY crowd.
This de-annexation is about backroom deals. Do you believe that the deal was between Phil Berger and Couch? No. The chicanery by groups that will benefit from de-annexation was part and partial of the deal to de-annex Couch’s land. The players in the background who qualify for orchestrating the de-annexation outcome are the Republicans in Raleigh, Greensboro City, Skip Alston and his cadre, and any entity that will benefit from the de-annexation. Of course, don’t forget the real estate players. Phil Berger was the bandleader and the backroom dealer. However, remember 100% of the Republicans in the Senate voted for de-annexation. Now the House has an opportunity to vote. Regardless of how an individual may view the de-annexation, the entire process causes a nauseatingly offensive taste.