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When the N.C. General Assembly voted to de-annex nearly 1,000 acres from Summerfield, the move marked a blow for a town that had strongly resisted interference from the state.
Now, nearly a year after the land was taken out of Summerfield, the town appears to be facing a more fundamental threat, one that raises questions about Summerfield’s existence as a town. The Summerfield town limit sign on Oak Ridge Road the west side of town. On Tuesday, a bill filed in the N.
C. House, House Bill 801, would require the legislature’s research commission to review the state of services in certain towns throughout the state. These municipalities are referred to in the bill as “paper towns,” defined as “a town that exists in fact but does not provide adequate services, as required by law, to its residents.
” The commission would then be responsible for recommending the potential suspension or revocation of charters for towns that are failing to provide such services. People are also reading..
. An aerial view of the main intersection of Oak Ridge and Summerfield roads in Summerfield. The research commission would also be tasked with reviewing state statutes to determine if any changes should be made to laws governing incorporation “to ensure that towns continue to provide a sufficient level of services after being incorporated.
” The bill does not name Summerfield, but the measure seemed squarely aimed at the town of roughly 11,000 people. The town operates on what Councilwoman Janelle Robinson has referred to as a “limited services government.” Summerfield does not offer municipal water or sewer, contracts out for sanitation collection, and relies on Guilford County for law enforcement and fire protection.
The legislation also specifically covers municipalities incorporated since 1995. Summerfield was chartered in 1996. Rep.
Sarah Stevens, a Republican representing Surry and Wilkes County who is a primary sponsor of House Bill 801, has been vocally critical of Summerfield. During debate over the Summerfield de-annexation last June, Stevens said the legislature should consider going further than just removing some land from the town. “By the time I got finished (researching the town), I thought, ‘We don’t need to de-annex this property.
We need to de-charter the town,’” Stevens said. The term “paper town” was also invoked several times during the debate over the Summerfield de-annexation. A historical marker and the Summerfield Town Hall, the historic Brittain Store, at the main intersection of Oak Ridge and Summerfield roads.
The initial responses to the news from Summerfield leaders have been measured. Summerfield Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins said in a statement Friday that the town is “committed to cooperating fully with any legislative review or study regarding the provision of municipal services.” “Summerfield takes pride in its unique character, carefully balancing the preservation of our rural heritage with thoughtful community-driven growth,” Rollins said via the statement.
“We firmly believe that local governance best serves the needs and desires of our residents, who have consistently chosen a measured approach toward development and municipal service provision.” Rollins said that Summerfield “remains dedicated to transparent governance, fiscal responsibility, and maintaining an open dialogue with both our residents and state authorities.” He closed by saying the town “welcome(s) the opportunity to demonstrate our ongoing efforts to deliver essential services effectively and efficiently” while also “engaging constructively with the General Assembly throughout this process, emphasizing collaboration, local autonomy, and the preservation of our community’s core values.
” PHOTOS: Summerfield An aerial view of the main intersection of Oak Ridge and Summerfield roads in Summerfield on April 9, 2025. A historical marker and the Summerfield Town Hall, the historic Brittain Store, at the main intersection of Oak Ridge and Summerfield roads. A view of Summerfield Town Hall, the historic Brittain Store, as seen from the porch of the historic Alexander Strong Martin House, currently Martin's Mercantile, at the main intersection of Oak Ridge and Summerfield roads on April 9, 2025.
A sign on Summerfield Town Hall on April 9, 2025. The historic Ogburn Store (foreground) and Summerfield Town Hall, the historic Brittain Store (background), are pictured at the main intersection of Oak Ridge and Summerfield roads on April 9, 2025. A sign on Summerfield Road designates the southern boundary of the Summerfield Historic District, seen on April 9, 2025.
The district, which encompasses 33 contributing buildings, was placed on the National Historic Register in 2005. An aerial view of the main intersection of Oak Ridge and Summerfield roads in Summerfield. A medallion on the historic Alexander Strong Martin House, built c.
1835, at 4118 Oak Ridge Road, the intersection of Oak Ridge and Summerfield roads in Summerfield. The building is currently occupied by Martin's Mercantile. The Summerfield town limit sign on Oak Ridge Road the west side of town.
Councilman Jonathan Hamilton noted in a text that “while the bill does not explicitly mention Summerfield, I recognize its potential implications for our community and others across North Carolina.” “If such a bill passes, I will be closely monitoring the progress of this study and engaging in discussions to better understand its findings and recommendations,” he continued. “My priority remains advocating for the best interests of Summerfield and its citizens while respecting the legislative process and the General Assembly’s efforts to address important issues.
” The legislation comes during a tumultuous period in the history of Summerfield. After years of dispute between developer David Couch and town leaders, Couch emerged victorious last year when the N.C.
General Assembly took the 970-plus acres of land he owns out of the town of Summerfield’s hands. Residents and several town leaders had pushed back against Couch’s development plans because they felt the scale of the project was too great for the town. Following the de-annexation, Couch has continued to press ahead with his plans.
Last month, the Greensboro City Council annexed and zoned a portion of Couch’s land to clear the way for one of the first phases of development, a project featuring 268 housing units of various types along with retail and community space. Conflict between former town staffers and the council majority – a group that includes Hamilton, Mayor Pro Tem Lynne DeVaney and council members Janelle Robinson and Heath Clay – has been another point of contention in the last year. The tension began last year when those four members ended the tenure of longtime Town Manager Scott Whitaker by voting in Feb.
2024 to allow Whitaker’s contract to lapse without renewal. That decision prompted all nine members of the town’s workforce to resign because they felt the town council had treated Whitaker unfairly. Whitaker himself left in June after reaching a $105,000 severance agreement with the town.
Summerfield has a new manager and has moved to fill or contract for the vacant positions created by the mass exodus of staff, but the controversy involving former staff and current town leadership continues. The town is currently in the process of investigating former staff following a report from State Auditor Beth Wood which raising questions about the potential mishandling of town finances and records. In February, the town council voted to move forward with a forensic audit of the town’s IT system.
Earlier this week, the council voted to hire the firm of Sands Anderson – the firm of current town attorney Ashley Anderson – to investigate former town employees. The former manager Whitaker and former Finance Officer Dee Hall have strongly denied any claims of wrongdoing. Last month, they announced plans to pursue defamation claims against certain current and former town officials.
Their attorney, J. Heydt Philbeck, sent letters to those officials directing them to save relevant documents and files. Philbeck said in an email Thursday afternoon that he and his team are currently “reviewing facts related to the various acts engaged in by Summerfield officials and the harms, losses and damages that these acts have caused our clients, including Dee Hall.
” Hall said in an email that she and Whitaker are still pressing forward with litigation but referred other questions to Philbeck. Hall also addressed the vote this week to open the investigation into herself and other staffers. While Hall said the action was “upsetting because we have been gone 10 months, and we wonder when this nightmare will ever end,” she also said she saw an upside.
“I welcome a hopefully unbiased investigation into my work,” Hall said. “I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I did not do anything illegal or unethical. She added: “I also believe with all my heart that none of my beloved coworkers have done any of these things either.
” Whitaker also weighed in on the situation, saying in an email: “If Summerfield wants to use its wealth on creating accusations, investigations, battling the General Assembly, and paying attorneys instead of providing citizen amenities and services, that’s a leadership choice.” kevin.griffin@greensboro.
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