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HIGH POINT - City Councilwoman Lisa Stahlmann won't seek another term representing the city's 6th Ward.

"It's been a terrific and rewarding experience," Stahlmann said of her time on the council. "But it was also a much greater time commitment than I anticipated."

Stahlmann said she's looking forward to spending more time with her family, which includes two sons: Phillip, 10, and Oliver, 16.

"Not running again wasn't a decision I made lightly," she said. "But I know that in order to do this job well, it requires you to have a certain amount of time and flexibility."

After winning a seat in 2005, the council appointed Stahlmann to complete Laura Wiley's term when Wiley left to represent the 61st District in the N.C. House. Stahlmann found herself serving longer when the council added a year to its members' terms in 2007 to transition to an even-numbered election year cycle.

Stahlmann said she's enjoyed representing the ward, which includes the area of North High Point that has experienced a lot of growth over the past decade.

"The growth has been explosive," she said. "Since I've been on the council we've been working with a lot of good people to get people going left on Wendover instead of right, to make them feel part of the High Point community rather than a part of the bedroom communities that have developed."

Stahlmann said that growth has left her feeling that High Point is headed in the right direction.

"Without a doubt, I feel better about High Point having served on the council," she said. "It let me see the enormous cadre of people who all come together to make things happen in this city. It's great to see that firsthand."

Contact Joe Killian at 883-4422 or joe.killian@news-record.com