As fallout continues from the chaos that the Town of Summerfield government faces right now, another Town Council member has spoken out in the form of a press release.
Councilmember John Doggett was the sole councilmember who voted against the move not to renew Town Manager Scott Whitaker’s contract, and it turns out, that when Whitaker leaves in early June, the entire town staff will be leaving with him. All town staff collectively announced their resignation last weekend saying that Whitaker, and staff, have been treated unfairly by the majority of the Summerfield Council.
Summerfield Mayor Tim Sessoms also opposed the move of not renewing the contract of the manager of the town for the last 12 years; however, the mayor only gets a vote in the case of a tie.
“My family has called the land that is now Summerfield home for approximately 150 years,” Doggett wrote in his public statement that was sent to the media. “I hope the Doggetts can say the same for another 150 years. I speak for all of us when I say we love this town.”
He adds, “It is for that reason I feel compelled to say publicly what I have been saying in private for months; something has to change.”
Doggett also said he has been left out of the mix by the four councilmembers who now control the town government.
“I have been kept out of all substantive decision-making,” he stated, “and I understand that is the nature of being the sole voice of dissension, but those in control of the town need to take stock of what has happened in the past few months.”
He then recounted the major troubles Summerfield is currently facing.
“The town’s lobbyists resigned weeks ago, and de-annexation seems imminent. Rumors about the town potentially losing its charter grow louder by the day. Our outside Auditor resigned. Our entire staff resigned. We face very serious legal action from the NAACP. I do not know who will be here to manage the day-to-day functions of Summerfield, if anyone. We cannot continue on the path we are on. I urge my colleagues on town council to change course before it is too late.”
Perhaps Mr. Doggett could muster up the courage to start a petition to remove all current Council members.
Maybe Concilman Dogget should step down. Do we want someone on the Council whose own mother requested that the Town Charter be revoked?
Actually a great idea
John doggett is just a yes man to David
Couch as his family sold land to him, for him to say these incedious things is crazy, he is laid and bought and so is the mayor whom owns a construction company that will get rich building the apartments, both should resign because summerfield was made not to be urban sprawl!
People like you should join together, and as a private group pool your money and buy out Couch. Either that or petition the new Power Group to raise taxes, float a bond and buy out Couch. Then you can have a 1000 acres of unspoiled beauty to look at every day. Couch is the only person who has built anything worth visiting in the entire town. In fact, “town” really doesn’t fit what Summerfield is. Crossroads. That is all.
You are jealous that you don’t have 1000 acres of unspoiled land to view. Then again, maybe your definition of beauty is the view that is seen of New York City when traveling toward New England.
Correct. There was a time when Summerfield was all locals and Couch is a lical. Now it’s all rude northerners that are money hungry, racist, rich well I don’t have a nice word to end that with…. NAACP will certainly find one on their successful lawsuit
Wrong. Who going to maintain that land? Your staff? And your one Open Parks Director? lol. You have no idea. All lies.
Please share what construction company Mayor Sessoms owes.
Doggett is a “yes” man to David Couch because Doggett hopes to make a lot of money for his construction business. David Couch can make that happen.
Have your 4 councilmembers get their bright neon orange and yellow vest ready. Time for them to clean up their mess.
Well, as soon as Summerfield loses their charter and gets rolled back into Guilford County, you won’t have John Doggett anymore. Now you’ll get to watch as Skip & his buddies build some Section 8 housing to promote diversity. Enjoy your “town” while you got it…
You’re right.
Section 8 Housing destroys every community, doesn’t it?
Could there be hidden forces at work here?
Section 8 doesn’t destroy every community. Nor do3s mixed use development that Mr. Couch has proposed for his land. But his development will impact the community much as living next to Section 8 housing may impact your property values. What Summerfield fears is change; Summerfield residents want to tell Mr. Couch what he can do with his property while at same time resisting the extension of a Greenway based upon their private property rights. It’s enjoyable to see the contortions the residents make in justifying their hypocrisy. Summerfield residents should remember change by itself isn’t painful but the resistance to change can be very painful….and expensive.