(May 4, 2017) LaToya Purnell will join the Snow Hill Town Council as the Western District representative, following her election victory over Sylvester Dale on Tuesday.
Mayor Charlie Dorman emerged from the Old Train Station on Belt Street shortly after 7 p.m. to announce Purnell had won by 45 to 36 votes, with two absentee ballots remaining to be counted by the end of the month.
Dale’s face broke into a massive smile when the results were announced. He instantly congratulated and embraced Purnell.
Dorman thanked both candidates for their well-run campaigns and desire to improve the community. He said although Purnell will not be officially sworn into office until June, she is invited to next week’s council meeting to start the familiarization process.
Engaging the community, Purnell said, was the most rewarding part of her campaign.
“The outpouring of support has really been amazing,” she said. “I’ve been truly blessed to be able to network with people.”
Initially running unopposed, Purnell announced her candidacy in mid-March after incumbent Michael Pruitt offered to step aside in an effort to improve minority representation on the council. An election was mandated when Dale submitted his application on the March 31 filing deadline.
After spending the last month visiting nearly every home in the Western District, Purnell said she felt empowered by the warm reception she received from the community.
“I had a lot of people that I was hesitant to approach and they welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “I’ve had people come to my house to talk to me.”
She said the process taught her the importance of communicating with constituents.
“People actually want to sit and talk,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opening of the heart.”
Dale, who served as a Marine during the Vietnam War, attempted a similar approach during the amicable campaign.
“I’m a battlefield man, so I walked door to door and exposed myself,” he said. “I think that was the best way to talk to people.”
Dale said there was a recurring sentiment heard from numerous residents during his outreach efforts.
“I hope you will do something, because right now this town’s at a standstill,” he said.
In addition to attracting new businesses to Snow Hill, Dale said another vital concern for residents was providing positive outlets for youth. He suggested the town look into building a skate park.
“There’s a law in this town that you can’t skateboard on the streets,” he said. “They’ve got the big rec center right here, but a lot of kids like to skateboard.”
Purnell also made attempts to gauge the pulse of the community.
“I even gave them the opportunity to write on cards any comments, concerns or things they would like to see improved,” she said.
Although Purnell, 30, said she appreciates her election to the council places her in unchartered waters, she feels prepared to set sail on a new course.
“I’m absolutely nervous, but I am going to take the initiative to learn a lot,” she said. “The people that have already been at the table, including the mayor, I want to sit down and ask questions.”
Despite the learning curve ahead, Purnell is confident her enthusiasm for absorbing knowledge will translate into success.
“I’m coming in here humble, because I know mistakes are going to be made,” she said. “The only thing I can promise is to put my best foot forward and that’s what I’m definitely going to do.”
Central District Councilwoman Jenny Hall, who ran unopposed, will return for another term.
Mayor Charlie Dorman emerged from the Old Train Station on Belt Street shortly after 7 p.m. to announce Purnell had won by 45 to 36 votes, with two absentee ballots remaining to be counted by the end of the month.
Dale’s face broke into a massive smile when the results were announced. He instantly congratulated and embraced Purnell.
Dorman thanked both candidates for their well-run campaigns and desire to improve the community. He said although Purnell will not be officially sworn into office until June, she is invited to next week’s council meeting to start the familiarization process.
Engaging the community, Purnell said, was the most rewarding part of her campaign.
“The outpouring of support has really been amazing,” she said. “I’ve been truly blessed to be able to network with people.”
Initially running unopposed, Purnell announced her candidacy in mid-March after incumbent Michael Pruitt offered to step aside in an effort to improve minority representation on the council. An election was mandated when Dale submitted his application on the March 31 filing deadline.
After spending the last month visiting nearly every home in the Western District, Purnell said she felt empowered by the warm reception she received from the community.
“I had a lot of people that I was hesitant to approach and they welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “I’ve had people come to my house to talk to me.”
She said the process taught her the importance of communicating with constituents.
“People actually want to sit and talk,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opening of the heart.”
Dale, who served as a Marine during the Vietnam War, attempted a similar approach during the amicable campaign.
“I’m a battlefield man, so I walked door to door and exposed myself,” he said. “I think that was the best way to talk to people.”
Dale said there was a recurring sentiment heard from numerous residents during his outreach efforts.
“I hope you will do something, because right now this town’s at a standstill,” he said.
In addition to attracting new businesses to Snow Hill, Dale said another vital concern for residents was providing positive outlets for youth. He suggested the town look into building a skate park.
“There’s a law in this town that you can’t skateboard on the streets,” he said. “They’ve got the big rec center right here, but a lot of kids like to skateboard.”
Purnell also made attempts to gauge the pulse of the community.
“I even gave them the opportunity to write on cards any comments, concerns or things they would like to see improved,” she said.
Although Purnell, 30, said she appreciates her election to the council places her in unchartered waters, she feels prepared to set sail on a new course.
“I’m absolutely nervous, but I am going to take the initiative to learn a lot,” she said. “The people that have already been at the table, including the mayor, I want to sit down and ask questions.”
Despite the learning curve ahead, Purnell is confident her enthusiasm for absorbing knowledge will translate into success.
“I’m coming in here humble, because I know mistakes are going to be made,” she said. “The only thing I can promise is to put my best foot forward and that’s what I’m definitely going to do.”
Central District Councilwoman Jenny Hall, who ran unopposed, will return for another term.