Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan emailed Summerfield Mayor Tim Sessoms a cease and desist letter on Tuesday, May 10.
The letter, with the subject line “Cease and Desist – Violation of Agreement and Amendment,” was also sent by certified mail.
The letter states that on Tuesday, April 26, the Summerfield Town Council met with residents in an area subject to the “Greensboro-Summerfield Joint Annexation Agreement (“Agreement”) and the Amendment to the Greensboro-Summerfield Joint Annexation Agreement (“Amendment”) to seek voluntary annexation to the Town of Summerfield. Such solicitations violate the Agreement entered on May 6, 1997 and the Amendment entered on March 2, 1999.”
Vaughan states that the agreement and the amendment were ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly and remain in effect until May 6, 2027, and adds, “If you continue to make such solicitations, the City of Greensboro is prepared to institute legal action to compel you to conform to the Agreement and Amendment.”
Last year the Town of Summerfield asked the Guilford County Board of Commissioners for extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) for an area south and east of the Summerfield town limits. The Greensboro City Council passed a resolution opposing Summerfield’s ETJ request and the Guilford County commissioners unanimously voted down the request. An ETJ gives a municipality planning and zoning authority over areas outside its municipal limits.
Vaughan said, “This appears to be their way of backdooring it.”
In the letter Vaughan states, “In addition, assertions are being made that Greensboro is somehow taking over Summerfield territory. As proof the Growth Tier Map in our GSO-2040 Comprehensive Plan is cited, the Growth Tier Boundary that is being referred to has not changed since 1997. It is the boundary both Greensboro and Summerfield agreed to in our annexation agreement.”
Vaughan said that no one from the Town of Summerfield had contacted her. She said, “They have not approached me with any issues they have with Greensboro.”
The letter also states, “In the interest of maintaining a positive relationship between the Town of Summerfield and the City of Greensboro, I would caution you that such solicitations for getting around the Agreement and Amendment are taken seriously by my office and the Greensboro City Council and will not be tolerated in the future.”
Summerfield Town Attorney Hornik promoted this action and told people to start petitions and more. Appears Hornik, Scott Whitaker, Tim Sessoms, Reece Walker, Lynne Devaney, John Doggett, and former council member John O’Day promoted this public meeting action as part of their action to grow government.
Maybe attorney Hornik should be sanctioned!
Summerfield town citizens usually pay $1,000 for Hornik to drive from his home in Raleigh, and prep time with Scott Whitaker before a meeting. Summerfield also was spreading fear about Greensboro taxes and the city taking them over. Fact is, the group promoting the action is working hard to raises taxes for Summerfield and promoting expensive water and sewer.
Those of us that were around in the late 1990’s remember the Annexation Agreements. There are also agreements with High Point and Jamestown
Did the residents request a meeting with the Summerfield Town Council or did the Town Council actually “solicitate” the residents to come to a meeting. There is a big difference between the two. Looks like this is another example of the Mayor stepping in something before all the facts are in. Typical.
Why don’t you leave Summerfield alone nancy and answer the questions about you, Matt brown and the gun shows at the taxpayers coliseum. Did Greensboro buy the gun show rights from Mr. Sorrell or not. This is not going away.
Really nancy, answer the questions about the gun show before you attack Summerfield
Vaughan said, “This appears to be their way of backdooring it.”
The Queen of Backdoor It, like the 400K buy out of the Gyn Shows by Matt Brown and Council!
https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/greensboro-coliseum-bought-gun-show-using-event-related-income-before-ending-the-show/
Mandate Nancy needs to go. If Summerfield was not incorporated in 1997 doesn’t that make the agreement null and void? Pulling for David against Goliath again.
Summerfield incorporated in 1996
I’m not saying anyone is right here. Scott Whitaker should have known about the agreement made just after Summerfield incorporated.
Facts is facts.
Get em big nance
I suggest that the Rhino and anyone considering voluntary annexation study the NC Annexation Reform Act passed into law in 2011. This reform law is unknown to most people, and it could help them with their decision. Like the other comments this effort seems to be driven by the desire to increase municipal tax revenues.
I sure hope the voters delivery a cease-and-desist notice to Mayor Nancy.
Guess the mayor has everthing in great shape in Greensboro. Must need more votes for the upcoming election.
she needs to go