The battle over the correct amount and pace of high-density development in the town of Summerfield is still up in the air; however, one important piece of that equation is in place after the Tuesday, Nov. 7 election: Summerfield Mayor Tim Sessoms, who will play a large role in regard to the pace of coming development, was chosen by town voters to keep that job.
Sessoms was up against challenger Linda Wendelken, who many argued would have put more checks and balances on future development in the town than Sessoms will in his next term.
After the voters spoke with their ballots on Tuesday, Sessoms had garnered 1,457 votes for mayor to Wendelken’s 1,228 votes. That meant that the incumbent Sessoms pulled in just over 54 percent of the vote, while Wendelken garnered just under 46 percent.
There were only six write-in votes in that race.
One of Sessoms’ first orders of business as the new mayor will be continuing his attempt to keep the town in one piece. Sessoms has been trying to work with developer and farmer David Couch to come to an agreement on terms for Couch’s proposed nearly 1000-acre residential and mixed-use development. If no agreement can be reached, Couch may pursue an ongoing effort to work with state lawmakers to de-annex that property from the town.
After the votes were counted on Tuesday evening, Don Wendelken – the husband of Linda Wendelken who helped manage her campaign – said that, despite the loss, he felt much good had come from the run.
He said his wife and other Town Council candidates on the same team –who did win seats on the Town Council – really got the word out and helped inform a substantial number of Summerfield residents about the issues now facing Summerfield.
“It was a lot of hard work,” he said. “Linda fought well and knocked on a lot of doors and did a lot to open people’s eyes.”
Congrats to Mayor Sessoms, hoping he has the cojones to keep the democrats in a marginalized position and humiliate them when he can. Time the conservatives play the same game as the dems do, and I hope he is one. Notice I didn’t say repubs, as most of them are on the same team as the dems, ie: the Uniparty.
God Speed to Mr. Couch as all of his opposition is coming from the same people that voted for Mrs. Wendelken. Hopefully, she and the rest of them will move back into Greensboro and leave us alone.
The fun thing is that I never used to be so partisan until learning this from the dems, they drew the lines and need to be reminded of that at every opportunity.
I have to agree with you on what you just said about the Dems. They play dirty, lie, cheat, and whatever else they need to do to win. We have to return the favor. No more Mr Nice Guy. The Dems dont respect honest people or their opinions. We should treat them the same…..
Congratulations to the Mayor. Summerfield chose well. I am still concerned that too much development on the north side of Lake Higgins could threaten the water supply even though I am not a GSO water customer. Proper safeguards should be established so that the watershed is not threatened. Perhaps with some cooperation we can do this.
You can be sure the responsible state and local governmental entities will look very hard at the environmental impact of such a large proposed development. And likely go overboard in their restrictions.
Does his office in Slummerfield have wheels and axles under it?
Congrats he is now the mayor of Slummerfield. Which mobile home is his office?