There’s a good chance that the Town of Summerfield might have 1,000 acres of the town removed from it by the North Carolina General Assembly.
About two weeks ago, the entire staff of the town turned in their resignations after feeling mistreated by a majority of the Town Council and also in the wake of staff’s disapproval of the way the council terminated now lame duck Town Manager Scott Whitaker.
The town residents are badly divided over the degree of development that should take place in Summerfield.
Town councilmembers are picking up trash and keeping restrooms clean at some town facilities.
The NAACP has filed a civil rights complaint against the town for unfair housing practices.
A much-anticipated mid-June fishing derby for kids just got canceled because the town has no one to run it.
And, as for the possibility of the state taking away the town’s charter, it is “part of the conversation” one state legislator told the Rhino Times this week.
That’s where Summerfield stands today, and Mayor Tim Sessoms, who loves the town and has for a long time, said on Wednesday, June 5, that he’s absolutely devastated by what has happened to the town due to the actions of the four councilmembers who, he says, mistreated town staff and led Summerfield to this edge of a cliff by their irresponsible actions.
Sessoms said that, for years, the citizens of the town and the town’s leaders had worked very hard to make it a great place to live but that the current majority on the Town Council threatens the very existence of Summerfield.
“I’m heartbroken for our town,” the mayor said.
He added, “Please quote me on this: Summerfield is a premiere town in the state of North Carolina. It may be the best town in North Carolina – but what they have done is ripping it all apart.”
The mayor said it’s unbelievable the way that the town of 11,000 has grown and prospered over the years and now has a capital fund of $7 million.
“The town has one of the lowest tax rates and some of the nicest amenities you can find anywhere,” the mayor said, pointing to the new Farms Park as one example.
The mayor doesn’t get a vote on town matters except in the case of a tie, and, since four of five council members wanted Whitaker gone, and, according to Sessoms, drove the entire staff away as well, there was nothing he could do about it.
The mayor said that much of the time he doesn’t even know what the four councilmembers are planning next.
Sessoms also said he intends to resign as mayor but he hasn’t decided when yet.
“I don’t want to resign, but to be the master of ceremonies over this Ringling Brothers circus is pointless when I can’t do anything about it,” he said. “I’m growing weary.”
There’s a lot of emotion in his voice when he talks about the current plight of the town.
“I have great respect for all of our citizens who have made an attempt to compromise,” Sessoms said.
Much of the current fallout is over a disagreement as to whether farmer and developer David Couch should be allowed to build a 1,000-acre residential and mixed-use development the way he would like. Sessoms said that, for years, he was “at the head of the table” when it came to opposing the development as proposed; however, he added, when it became apparent that the state legislature might honor Couch’s request to take 1,000 acres away from the town and let Couch have the development with the density he wanted, it became clear that compromise was necessary.
He said that if the council had worked with Couch and allowed development while protecting the water and septic systems, it could have maintained some control over how things took place – and the town could have worked through its troubles with everyone offering some give and take.
“That would have been a better path,” Sessoms said.
He added that it is very tiring to see the recurring pattern in recent years.
“It’s been an endless cycle of, every 12 to 24 months, this bomb going off,” he said.
He added the reason that councilmembers were now having to go around picking up trash is because they mistreated what was an excellent staff. He said that the four councilmembers now in charge should have been respectful to the staff for the great job they were doing, but instead they were abrasive towards staff.
“They didn’t have the forethought to do that,” he said of treating the staff well.
Sessoms was highly critical of a public statement sent out by Summerfield Town Councilmember Jonathan Hamilton, who said he sees this as a chance for the town to start fresh and finally get the small town on the right track.
Hamilton’s statement read in part: “While I believe the resignations were at least in part politically motivated, I see this as a great opportunity for Summerfield. With our current town manager’s contract ending soon, we will be able to hire a new town manager that can start fresh. This transition will allow that manager to carefully assemble a dedicated team committed to serving Summerfield, while also forming a cohesive staff that is essential for effective governance. I believe this is going to position our town for success.”
Hamilton’s statement also said, “We have such a wonderful and supportive community here in Summerfield. I’ve already had multiple citizens volunteer to step in as we move forward, and I am confident that our town won’t miss a beat.”
Sessoms said he wonders if Hamilton still believes that, given the situation Summerfield is in today.
“He said we won’t miss a beat,” the mayor said. “The reason councilmembers are collecting trash is because they imposed on the town staff. Ask them if we’re missing a beat now.”
Sessoms said it was also sad that the town had to cancel the Children’s Fishing Derby that was scheduled for Saturday, June 17. He said the event had been growing every year and it was a wonderful and popular event that many people were greatly looking forward to.
Unfortunately the same thing is happening to my country …..America
This is the death knell, for Summerfield, and surrounding area. Obviously, the Couch development is only the beginning, and then here come the storage facilities, tire and auto stores, car washes, vape shops, gas stations. Since 1978, I’ve witnessed this on Battleground, from New Garden to Horse Pen Creek, and now Battleground is west side Gate City Blvd. The crime will grow, along with the unbridled development, apartments, etc. I applaud the people of Summerfield, with foresight, as they fought as hard as they could, for their little town. Unfortunately, the money Goliath will win, eventually.
Death knell? Maybe so,but better to negotiate with Couch who will build something nice than dig in their heels and have de-annexation or lose the town charter altogether. We can bemoan growth, but the fact is, as populations grow or shift, they need a place to live, work and play. Except for the vape shops, all the other businesses listed I need and use (gas station, car washes, etc). It is possible to have controlled, planned growth that is not an eyesore. Good luck Summerfield. It didn’t take long for the new leadership to “step in it.”
Scott, I love seeing the long format of articles that gives far more detail like John used to do when the paper was in print. Hope you continue that with the summary of council and school board meetings.
Best wishes
As I’ve said about the council of four (Hamilton, Clay, Robinson and Devaney) you will reap what you sow. It’s here. I, like. Mayor Sessoms hate it for Summerfield. These folks as well as others who support them have lied about and demeaned the staff as well as other citizens to get their way.
Now they have it and like a dog chasing a car, they don’t know how to drive it.
BJ Barnes has been Sessoms “RABBI” for years. Stick to writing your comic books!
Hmmm I recall you Ms. Flowers telling me not to let certain people in town get a building permit, except you were very detailed in your description of minorities and poor white people. The NAACP lawsuit has just started. You only want rich white people in Summerfield and made that more than clear to all staff. No less than 5,000 sq ft homes. “The RULE” as you said. All of it. Only rich white people. I think you have well trained the new Council. Reap what you sew!
I think you have the wrong Flowers. I sold residential real estate for years and am well aware of the law. I worked hard for every client no matter what race. I have no idea what ” Rule” you are referring to. If what you say is true, I would not be allowed to live in Summerfield. Please get your facts straight and learn to spell.
Who is “Sun the liar?” Town needs a volunteer to clean up Dog Park and “Sun” could volunteer.
Development will come to Summefield. Now or later, this year or 100 years from now. It will come as communities expand. At least with Couch, his plan shows a unique and well designed vision and build into what he wants to do. I’d rather see this plan go forward than some other developer putting up a subpar design and development. One way or another, as visible all across America, expansion is coming. At least with Couch, it is a quality design and build
I thought that the town cancelled the Children’s Fishing Event but just found out that the manager cancelled it. I remember the very first fishing event that was run by all volunteers. The kids got trophies, free t-shirts, free rods and reels and it did not cost the citizens one cent. I don’t think Sessoms lived in Summerfield then.
“ thought that the town cancelled the Children’s Fishing Event but just found out that the manager cancelled it” Huh?
Are we trying to fix the blame or fix the problem?
Sorry, I don’t play the ” Blame Game”. Just the facts !!!
Did you volunteer or handle a fish or hug a child? Doubtful!
I was there .Where were you?
Elections do indeed have consequences, there are supposed to be over twice as many registered republican voters as democrats in this community, so this is on them for being apathetic and enabling this to happen. Mr. Sessoms does not need to go down with this ship, leave it to those clowns that created this mess.
The reason, I think, that we get the kind of local government we get are from the off year elections. I’m certain of Summerfield town elections and probably county and city also. If elections were every even number year, like state and federal, we wouldn’t have such low turnout. So few people vote in these off year elections, very few people are selecting our politicians. A lot of people don’t even know an election is happening. !!Conspiracy Alert!!, it’s on purpose.
No dog in this fight, but we DO travel through the beautiful area.
Question is, how will they deal with the increased traffic on the main road from Greensboro,(Hwy. 68), which is only two lane and very congested many hours of the day now. NC State DOT doesn’t have widening of this highway planned anytime soon. If this 1,000 acres includes multifamily dwellings, I see nothing but deterioration of Summerfield’s quality of life.
Might want to pull out your road map. The main road from GSO to Summerfield is Hwy 220 and it is 4 lanes. Hwy 68 heads to Oak Ridge where we have a sane town council and good leadership.
It’s good that Council members are picking up trash. Makes sense. As much as I think Sessoms does a good job, his business is not in Town. None of them work in Town but one. Summerfield Council and residents do not want minorities or even poor white people living in their white northern 5,000 sq ft homes. It had been made obvious thru the ever lasting Ordinance Update and the actions of Town Council in turning down any subdivision with homes proposed for less than $350,000, a hidden policy. Reap what you sow. Whitaker was in,y doing what he was told and when Couch came in he did what any manager should, said nothing. A Manager that lets Council make decisions and stays out of it…imagine…that’s what Managers are supposed to do. Impartial. Reap what you so and the rest of us will laugh out loud.
Summerfield winner of the “new smith homes” Sweepstakes I told you guys last year it was over but you insisted I’m so ready for this to be over so we can move onto stokesdale after this, the black people in Greensboro need more “living space” if you catch my drift. lol your welcome.
An employment contract with an end date is not a guarantee of continuous employment until you’re able to retire with a generous pension.
The affordable care act will fill in the need for his family’s Health insurance coverage without regard to pre-existing conditions.
The town in on life support…the General Assembly needs to just pull the plug and revoke their charter. That will settle all the problems, the de-annexation, the fact there are zero services offered and no staff.
Anonymity, the refuge of cowards and purveyors of falsehoods. Lacking substantive facts that would gird their assertions, many of those hiding behind the mask of anonymity devolve to assassinating the character of those they engage and when that fails they top their assault with false claims of racism. No first and last name on a slanderous post reveals one’s true character. My name is Alicia Flowers and you’re free to spread any false and ugly aspersion about me that your heart and soul gives rise to. I know who I am.
My name is Bob Ross and I said what I said…
PLEASE JUST BUILD A CHIPOTLE IM TIRED OF DRIVING 18 MIN EVERYWHERE I GO BECAUSE NOTHING IS AROUND HERE.
yeah our town looks like it’s hanging on by a thread, what are you guys thinking putting a shopping center OUT OF ALL PLACES in front of northern middle and high. As if we don’t already have enough traffic at the beginning and end of the day. Like how about focusing on building a chipotle instead of more useless stores that nobody is interested in.