Summerfi eld Town Council meeting

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.”

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.

“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 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.

“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.”

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 and John Doggett as new council members. Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider swore in the three newly elected officials.

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 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.

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 a Call Response Award for their commitment to providing service to the department and the 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.

LIFE SAFETY

Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

Summerfield Merchants Association (SMA) supports our local businesses and community. To join or for more info, email

SummerfieldMerchants@summerfieldmerchant.com or visit www.summerfieldmerchant.com or Facebook.com/SummerfieldMerchantsAssociation

Summerfield Merchants Association members

and we look forward to seeing you in 2022!

(Above left) John Doggett, who was elected to Summerfi eld Town Council in the Nov. 2 election, takes the oath of offi ce administered by Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider at the Dec. 14 Summerfi eld Town Council meeting. While being sworn in, Doggett placed his hand on a Bible that was given to his great grandmother in 1910 and held by his wife, Angie, while the couple’s daughter, Lexie, and granddaughter (shown in photo on left), parents and other family members look on. (Above) Janelle Robinson was also sworn into offi ce during the Dec. 14 Summerfi eld Town Council meeting. Robinson’s father held the Bible her hand was on while she took the oath of offi ce with her mother, husband, three children and other supporters standing by.

Summerfi eld Town Council member Lynne W. DeVaney (left) presents a certifi cate of appreciation to outgoing council member Teresa Perryman before Perryman left her seat at the council table on Dec. 14. After serving a four-year term, Perryman lost her bid for reelection in November.

Welcome to our newest members,

Southern Lights, Summerfield Wealth Advisers, NextGen CFO, Village Beverage, Magnolia Shores Family Dental, Hundred Acre Farm, Yoga Lane and Blue Nest Design.

AUTUMN RIDGE ...continued from p. 4

of the septic fields and the pumping of homeowners’ septic tanks if needed, Thornton said. Thornton said Slatter would be willing to extend its contract to help homeowners take over the homeowners’ association from Oak Ridge Partners 1 LLC, Autumn Ridge’s development company. 10 DEC. 16, 2021 - JAN. 5, 2022 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 Some Autumn Ridge homeowners, however, are wary about taking charge

of their homeowners’ association amid their unresolved complaints, according to Thornton.

“It’s like a Catch-22,” she said. “Because of all of the issues they don’t want to accept the association. However, from a legal perspective, they have more authority and weight behind their requests if they did take over and had an elected board from the owners. They need to be in a position of authority.”