(June 29, 2017) Michael Pruitt, who opted to step down after completing two terms on the Snow Hill council, has a generally positive perspective on his time in office – despite harboring a few regrets.
“I’m a tough grader, but I often joke that I give myself a C-plus as a first-time council person,” he said.
In March, Pruitt, a longtime educator with Worcester County Schools, put his money where his mouth is when he honored a pledge not to pursue a third term in office if a minority community member would run in his place.
On May 2, LaToya Purnell defeated Sylvester Dale, both African-Americans, to become the next Western District representative on the Snow Hill Council.
After serving a pair of two-year terms, Pruitt is grateful his vision to increase minority representation on the council came to fruition.
“I’m stepping away on good terms with the mayor, council, the staff and citizens,” he said.
Despite the warm and fuzzy sentiments, Pruitt appreciates there are challenges facing Snow Hill that need to be addressed.
“We still own too much property,” he said.
Pruitt also feels Worcester County and Snow Hill need to examine the economic impact of having the county base of operations in town.
“Every time they take a house or lot for their expansion it hurts us some,” he said. “With the school properties, office buildings, lots, [and] courts combined with churches and cemeteries, our property tax base is somewhat limited.”
Other points of concern Pruitt highlighted include the historic district boundaries, which he feels are excessive, as well as budgetary issues.
“We still spend over 60 percent of the budget on salaries and benefits,” he said.
Speed cameras are also a point of contention for Pruitt.
“Ours gets speeders as they leave town … what’s wrong with that picture?” he said. “I haven’t been pinched yet, by the way.”
On a positive note, Pruitt feels encouraged that the mayor and council are continuing to foster home ownership and reduce the number of blighted properties.
Other areas Pruitt looks forward to seeing develop further include sewer and wastewater service, along with infrastructure and road repairs.
“In the future, I hope we can begin a dialogue about a sidewalk program that won’t be too costly for our citizens,” he said.
Looking back on his time in office, Pruitt is proud to have spent two terms on the council, in addition to two spells on the Snow Hill Planning and Zoning Commission. Additionally, Pruitt is honored to have volunteered for seven years with the Snow hill Volunteer Fire Company.
“I did close to 100 volunteer ambulance runs per year,” he said.
As for his next steps, Pruitt has a few notions, but has yet to reach a firm decision.
“I’ve been encouraged to run for county commissioner, but I’m not leaning that way at the moment,” he said.
Staying on more familiar ground is also a possibility Pruitt is entertaining.
“In the next months I’m going to weigh running for mayor, when Charlie (Dorman) is done, versus staying behind the scenes and just being Mike Pruitt,” he said.
Regardless of the direction he heads, Pruitt will remain an involved member in the community.
“I like helping people, period,” he said.
“I’m a tough grader, but I often joke that I give myself a C-plus as a first-time council person,” he said.
In March, Pruitt, a longtime educator with Worcester County Schools, put his money where his mouth is when he honored a pledge not to pursue a third term in office if a minority community member would run in his place.
On May 2, LaToya Purnell defeated Sylvester Dale, both African-Americans, to become the next Western District representative on the Snow Hill Council.
After serving a pair of two-year terms, Pruitt is grateful his vision to increase minority representation on the council came to fruition.
“I’m stepping away on good terms with the mayor, council, the staff and citizens,” he said.
Despite the warm and fuzzy sentiments, Pruitt appreciates there are challenges facing Snow Hill that need to be addressed.
“We still own too much property,” he said.
Pruitt also feels Worcester County and Snow Hill need to examine the economic impact of having the county base of operations in town.
“Every time they take a house or lot for their expansion it hurts us some,” he said. “With the school properties, office buildings, lots, [and] courts combined with churches and cemeteries, our property tax base is somewhat limited.”
Other points of concern Pruitt highlighted include the historic district boundaries, which he feels are excessive, as well as budgetary issues.
“We still spend over 60 percent of the budget on salaries and benefits,” he said.
Speed cameras are also a point of contention for Pruitt.
“Ours gets speeders as they leave town … what’s wrong with that picture?” he said. “I haven’t been pinched yet, by the way.”
On a positive note, Pruitt feels encouraged that the mayor and council are continuing to foster home ownership and reduce the number of blighted properties.
Other areas Pruitt looks forward to seeing develop further include sewer and wastewater service, along with infrastructure and road repairs.
“In the future, I hope we can begin a dialogue about a sidewalk program that won’t be too costly for our citizens,” he said.
Looking back on his time in office, Pruitt is proud to have spent two terms on the council, in addition to two spells on the Snow Hill Planning and Zoning Commission. Additionally, Pruitt is honored to have volunteered for seven years with the Snow hill Volunteer Fire Company.
“I did close to 100 volunteer ambulance runs per year,” he said.
As for his next steps, Pruitt has a few notions, but has yet to reach a firm decision.
“I’ve been encouraged to run for county commissioner, but I’m not leaning that way at the moment,” he said.
Staying on more familiar ground is also a possibility Pruitt is entertaining.
“In the next months I’m going to weigh running for mayor, when Charlie (Dorman) is done, versus staying behind the scenes and just being Mike Pruitt,” he said.
Regardless of the direction he heads, Pruitt will remain an involved member in the community.
“I like helping people, period,” he said.