(April 20, 2017) Snow Hill Council candidate LaToya Purnell said she is seeking office to enhance her efforts to positively impact the town.
“I’m very active in my community with the young people, the elderly people, that is what I do,” she said. “I just wanted to go to the next level of actually having a voice being heard.”
Purnell filed last month to replace retiring Western District incumbent Michael Pruitt. She said Pruitt and Worcester County Commission Vice President Diana Purnell encouraged her involvement.
After graduating from Snow Hill High School in 2005, Purnell attended Chesapeake College, but later transferred to Wor-Wic Community College. She earned an associates degree in business management in 2013.
Purnell was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and held the office of treasurer for the organization while at Wor-Wic. She cofounded the multi-cultural organization Uhuru while attending Chesapeake College.
“That was one of my main goals on campus, because even on campus sometimes you can get divided,” she said. “I want everyone to come together.”
Love and concern for others was imparted at a young age by Purnell’s father, Lyonell Purnell Sr., who serves as pastor at God’s Leading Church Transformation Ministry in Berlin, she said.
Her grandmother Barbara Purnell, who is the president of the Germantown School Community Heritage Center project, was also an influential figure in her life, she said.
Lineage and accomplishments aside, Purnell said she would bring a humble – but driven – approach to the council.
“I don’t see myself as better than anyone,” she said. “I’m very energetic, I’m very outgoing and I’m willing to help a change be made.”
If elected, she pledged to reach collective decisions with fellow councilmembers while remaining responsive to constituents concerns.
“I don’t want to be one of those people who say I promise you we’re going to get this or I promise you that I’m going to do that,” she said. “I want to be that person who says … we’re going to bring this to the table and as soon as we bring it to the table I’m going to get back to you with the decision that we make collectively.”
Since turning 30 earlier this year, Purnell feels she has matured both mentally and spiritually, which will allow her to be an impactful council member.
“I don’t think more on the political side, I just think about my community,” she said. “I’m more for the love of the people of the community. I want the people … to see growth in Snow Hill.”
Empowering youth is another objective for Purnell, who also volunteers as an assistant coach for the Snow Hill High School girls’ basketball team.
“We know we should be out there helping, but we don’t understand, ‘OK are they going to let us be a part of this or will we get rejected?’” she said. “I just wanted to take this initiative to step up to the plate and say, ‘Ok, I’m going to do this and I need everyone else to come along with me.’”
Regardless of who wins the Western District seat on May 2, Purnell feels Snow Hill will be the ultimate victor.
“They do have two good candidates and whatever way it goes I still want to be able to do the outreach,” she said. “Just because I don’t hold the seat or just because he doesn’t hold the seat it doesn’t mean that we have to stop there. It’s all about coming together.”
Purnell will hold a meet and greet on April 28 at the Snow Hill Library on 307 North Washington St. from 6-8 p.m.
“I don’t want to see color, I don’t want to see race, I don’t want to see denomination, I don’t want to see any of that,” she said. “I just want to see all people come together.”
“I’m very active in my community with the young people, the elderly people, that is what I do,” she said. “I just wanted to go to the next level of actually having a voice being heard.”
Purnell filed last month to replace retiring Western District incumbent Michael Pruitt. She said Pruitt and Worcester County Commission Vice President Diana Purnell encouraged her involvement.
After graduating from Snow Hill High School in 2005, Purnell attended Chesapeake College, but later transferred to Wor-Wic Community College. She earned an associates degree in business management in 2013.
Purnell was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and held the office of treasurer for the organization while at Wor-Wic. She cofounded the multi-cultural organization Uhuru while attending Chesapeake College.
“That was one of my main goals on campus, because even on campus sometimes you can get divided,” she said. “I want everyone to come together.”
Love and concern for others was imparted at a young age by Purnell’s father, Lyonell Purnell Sr., who serves as pastor at God’s Leading Church Transformation Ministry in Berlin, she said.
Her grandmother Barbara Purnell, who is the president of the Germantown School Community Heritage Center project, was also an influential figure in her life, she said.
Lineage and accomplishments aside, Purnell said she would bring a humble – but driven – approach to the council.
“I don’t see myself as better than anyone,” she said. “I’m very energetic, I’m very outgoing and I’m willing to help a change be made.”
If elected, she pledged to reach collective decisions with fellow councilmembers while remaining responsive to constituents concerns.
“I don’t want to be one of those people who say I promise you we’re going to get this or I promise you that I’m going to do that,” she said. “I want to be that person who says … we’re going to bring this to the table and as soon as we bring it to the table I’m going to get back to you with the decision that we make collectively.”
Since turning 30 earlier this year, Purnell feels she has matured both mentally and spiritually, which will allow her to be an impactful council member.
“I don’t think more on the political side, I just think about my community,” she said. “I’m more for the love of the people of the community. I want the people … to see growth in Snow Hill.”
Empowering youth is another objective for Purnell, who also volunteers as an assistant coach for the Snow Hill High School girls’ basketball team.
“We know we should be out there helping, but we don’t understand, ‘OK are they going to let us be a part of this or will we get rejected?’” she said. “I just wanted to take this initiative to step up to the plate and say, ‘Ok, I’m going to do this and I need everyone else to come along with me.’”
Regardless of who wins the Western District seat on May 2, Purnell feels Snow Hill will be the ultimate victor.
“They do have two good candidates and whatever way it goes I still want to be able to do the outreach,” she said. “Just because I don’t hold the seat or just because he doesn’t hold the seat it doesn’t mean that we have to stop there. It’s all about coming together.”
Purnell will hold a meet and greet on April 28 at the Snow Hill Library on 307 North Washington St. from 6-8 p.m.
“I don’t want to see color, I don’t want to see race, I don’t want to see denomination, I don’t want to see any of that,” she said. “I just want to see all people come together.”