With as much turmoil that’s going on in Summerfield right now, you might think no one would want the job captaining the ship – however, there was at least one person who wanted that job, and, at a Thursday, June 6 meeting of the Summerfield Town Council, the council named Dana Luther, a former interim town manager from 13 years ago, as the new interim town manager.
She was also given the role as the temporary finance officer for the town.
The entire staff of the Town of Summerfield submitted their resignations two weeks ago after the majority of the Summerfield Town Council refused to renew the contract of 12-year Town Manager Scott Whitaker.
Staff members said the majority of the council showed Whitaker disrespect by not providing severance pay or allowing him to remain on the town’s insurance plan even though his wife is battling cancer. The council eventually provided both of those benefits but by then it was too late.
Before the June 6 meeting, there was a lot of speculation by town residents that it would be Luther who would be called on to save the day.
One Summerfield Town Council member, Jonathan Hamilton, was extremely pleased with the appointment of Luther to the position.
In a statement he sent out Thursday night, Hamilton wrote, “Dana, a familiar face and pillar of support to our community, has graciously accepted the role of Interim Town Manager once again. Her return comes highly recommended by esteemed former Council Members, who witnessed her exemplary service firsthand.”
Thirteen years ago, when Luther served as the town’s finance officer, she was named as the interim town manager of Summerfield, a job she took on while keeping her finance officer role – and while running a CPA firm as well.
“Dana’s roots in our community run deep,” Hamilton wrote. “Since building her home here in 2000, she has been an active and cherished member of Summerfield, drawn by the same qualities that we all hold dear: our excellent schools, low taxes, and the serene rural beauty that surrounds us.”
He added, “A proud mother, wife, and business owner, Dana embodies the spirit of Summerfield. Her acumen as a Certified Public Accountant will be invaluable as she oversees our town’s finances with the same intelligence, talent, and respect that has earned her widespread admiration.”
Hamilton also said that he recognizes the town faces many big challenges right now, but Luther’s resilience, strength of character and courage are exactly what the town needs to overcome its problems.
Summerfield is currently facing the possibility of having 1,000 acres de-annexed by the State of North Carolina and there has also been some talk that the state could revoke the town’s charter, though few people believe that will happen.
The town still has plenty of other positions to fill since, currently, town councilmembers and volunteers are the ones picking up trash and trying to keep the town somewhat operational.
One step at a time. Stay focused, Summerfield.
stay focused on what ? one step @ a time heading in what direction ?
Town Manager Dana Luther is an excellent appointment from the town council. If you like the community park, ball fields and more we can thank Town Manager Dana Luther as she completed those projects–successful grant applications, contractors, legal agreements and more. As a CPA the Town has her excellent spreadsheets from programs that she supervised so when/if something needs repair the town can easily know who to contact. We are thankful that with her busy professional and personal life that she will make time for the town she loves as much as we do. Everything she did in the past was excellent as manager/finance officer, and there is much work to do. Town has hired the best person. Thank you Manager Dana Luther!
Gail – please have get your facts correct. “If you like the community park, ball fields and more we can thank Town Manager Dana Luther as she completed those projects”….those projects were completed by the first Town Manager, Michael Brandt. Dana was the Finance Manager during that time.
There is so much work to do during Transition — we are thankful to have expertise at the top with Manager Dana Luther.
NOW, JUST STOP THE HATE STUFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA, so Summerfield can and will move forward.
A bit odd that the interim town manager would also be “temporary” finance manager. Clear lack of segregation of duties. Hopefully the upstart council will provide some oversight during this transition. Appointing an interim manager and filling the staff positions is all very minor compared to the big mess that was created: lack of dealing honestly with Couch. So far, it appears the new bloods intend to go head to head and risk de-annexation.
If Dana Lither was such a marvelous interim town manager, why wasn’t she given the job originally? They fire the town manager who came in to replace her and now they fall back on their same old used to be!
I keep hearing the strains of that old song, ” We Can Work It Out”….
My guess is that the reason for not hiring Dana Luther as town manager the first go-round is she had a business to run and chose not to devote the time necessary to actively managing a town and running a successful business.
Dana Luther was never fired and as finance officer and town manager between Michael Brandt and Scott Whitaker Dana accomplished those projects. Town council hired her then and now. If someone is “acting” or “interim” they are still Town Manager, with that authority, and thankful to have someone professional and experienced as “manager.”
Don’t get me wrong, Dana will make an excellent Interim Town Manager until a permanent Town Manager is hired. She was the Finance Officer when both the Town Park ( phase 1 and phase 2) and Ball Fields projects were completed. It is Michael’s name on the plaque in the ball fields, which was placed there while he was Town Manager.
Gail! You are not helping Dana by continually arguing points. Dana is well qualified and her resume and professionalism shows it. The last thing she needs is YOU and your comments. Dana will do just fine on her own. She doesn’t need you. She will report to the Town Council, not Gail Dunham. Just let her be and do her job. We all know she is a great professional and will do a good job. Just close your mouth for once.