NEW MAYOR PROMISES ‘RESPECTFUL’ DEVELOPMENT DEBATE ...continued from p. 1 together,” Sessoms said in his first remarks as mayor during this past Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. “We want to be transparent in the things that we do and in the conversations that we have, and be respectful to all.”
and John Doggett as new council members. Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider swore in the three newly elected officials.
call them ‘opportunities.’
“We’re going to have opportunities for things that are going to come up,” the mayor said. “But we want to be respectful of the people who bring them, give them the opportunity and time to present to our Planning Board and our council.
Although Sessoms didn’t mention developer David Couch by name, he alluded to Couch’s intent to pursue the residential and commercial development of Summerfield Farms and other tracts totaling about 1,000 acres in Summerfield. In August, citing “divisiveness in the community,” Couch withdrew his application for a text amendment to the town’s development regulations that would allow higher density housing. He said he plans to return with another development proposal.
“We want to hear from the citizens,” Sessoms continued. “We will make decisions together. We want to be transparent in the things that we do and in the conversations that we have, and be respectful to all. That is our intent.”
“The ‘development’ word is going to come back up,” Sessoms said. “We’re going to have development issues. I don’t want to call them ‘issues.’ I want to
Sessoms served as mayor pro tem for the last two years and won his bid for mayor in the Nov. 2 election. He was sworn into office as mayor on Dec. 14, along with Janelle Robinson
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Sessoms succeeded BJ Barnes as mayor. Before leaving his seat at the council table on Tuesday, Barnes listed Summerfield’s accomplishments during the last two years he served as mayor. They include planning for the new town hall and Bandera Farms Park, the renovation of Summerfield Community Center and efforts by committees including Historical and Parks and Recreation. Noting opposition to plans for building the town hall, Barnes said the council listened to all residents in decision making that he described as “legal and above board.” “I told you when I became mayor that we would have order and I told you that we would not have any foolishness and we’d be transparent in everything that we did,” Barnes said. “I
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tried very hard to make that happen. I hope I succeeded.” The council recognized Teresa W. Perryman, who lost to Robinson and Doggett in her bid for a second term on the council. “Everything you did came from your heart,” council member Lynne Williams DeVaney told Perryman as she presented her a certificate of appreciation.
Perryman congratulated Robinson and Doggett. In her departing remarks, she said, “I have kept my campaign promises of being a fiscal conservative. And that was all the ‘no’ votes that you heard. ‘No, no, no, no.’ That was me. “I also said I wasn’t going to be a politician,” she said. “I’m still not a politician. I’m still Teresa.”
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SFD recognizes outstanding service to the department SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Fire District held its annual awards dinner on Monday, Dec. 6, and recognized several individuals for their contributions to the department.
Dep. Chief David Redmon and Engineer Allen Atkins (see photo on opposite page) were congratulated on their retirement and thanked for their many years of service to the fire department and to the Summerfield community. Bradley Lowe, Michael Page, Dustin Barnett, Zach Hardy, Dave Satterfield, Ian Barnes and Colton Ide received an Award of Recognition for their
exceptional performance during a medical emergency in May which resulted in a favorable outcome for the patient. Shane Taylor, Brandon Bull, Jenna Daniels, Ryan Hall and Kirk Daniels received a Medical Life Saving Award for their quick response to a medical emergency in April where they performed CPR that resulted in saving a life.
8 DEC. 16, 2021 - JAN. 5, 2022
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Michael Capps, Michael Landen, Dustin Barnett, Steve Satterfield and Janelle Robinson received a Medical Life Saving Award for their quick response to a medical emergency in April where they performed CPR that resulted in saving a life.
The following volunteer members received E SAF a Call Response Award for their commitment to providing service to the department and the ETY
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community in a time of need: George Baer, Station 9; Anthony Howerton, Station 29; and Rick Moseley, Station 39. The following volunteer members received a Training Award for their commitment to bettering themselves and the department through training and education: Jon Andrew Scott, Station 9; Anthony Howerton, Station 29; and Rick Moseley, Station 39. Other awards were given to: Ian Barnes, Employee of the Year; Rick Moseley, Volunteer of the Year; Jon Andrew Scott, Rookie of the Year and Resident of the Year.
