news-record.com

Dianne Laughlin

Summerfield Town Council candidate

Occupation: Retired

Age: 67

Education: High School Graduate; Continuing Education courses during various employment on computer programs and bookkeeping

Address: 2261 Scalesville Road, Summerfield, NC

Web site/blog/email address: www.diannelaughlin.com

Previous elective experience: None

Other relevant experience: Dynacon: Summerfield Youth Council; Town Committees; Secretary to Board at Praise Assembly.

Why have you chosen to run for this office? My campaign slogan is “Preserving Community Heritage” and as a twenty-one year Summerfield resident, I believe I know the pulse of our town on priorities and ideas about the future of Summerfield and I am seeking a chance to help the town move forward in these areas.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job: As former town clerk and member of several town committees, I have been allowed the privilege of working closely with some council members and the staff of our town.

Family: Married to Willie Laughlin. Together we have eight children, fifteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two on the way.

What distinguishes you most from your opponents? My opponents are good people, but I think it’s time for a more positive attitude at our council meetings and in decision making for our town.

Please list the top three issues in Summerfield and your stances on those issues:

1. Proactively developing recreational choices for everyone in our community;
2.  Keeping taxes reasonable; while recognizing necessary expenditures as investments in our town’s future
3. Conserving open space by following and reviewing our Town’s Ordinances.

If you were to give Summerfield a letter grade on its effectiveness in managing growth, what would it be? A-

What vote or decision of the current council would you overturn? Why do you disagree with the decision? Summerfield Committees, as most municipalities, are made up of volunteers. I don’t think a committee should have to bring items that have been approved through the annual budget process back to the council for re-approval. A request for funds, approved by the town manager, to the finance officer, would be more respectful of everyone’s time and would prohibit delaying payments and projects for months.