by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of interviews with some of the local candidates running for office.

On Nov. 3, Sewanee residents will elect six members to the Sewanee Community Council, one member in each of the four districts and two-at large members. Council members are elected for a four-year term. The candidates were asked to address the following questions: How long have you lived in Sewanee?; Why are you running for the council?; and What special qualifications or skills will you bring to the position?

Geoffrey M. Smith, Candidate for District 1

Geoffrey Smith is dean of students at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, where he serves as co-chair of the humanities department and coaches boys’ varsity soccer. He teaches a place-based course in American Studies as well as electives on Southern Appalachian history, the Holocaust, and research methods. Smith has been recognized for teaching excellence by Humanities Tennessee and the Tennessee Holocaust Commission. Among other projects, Smith has examined the themes of religion, labor, childhood, and the transition to adulthood in the work of James Agee. Smith taught previously at All Saints’ Academy in Winter Haven, Fla. He is a graduate of the University of the South and lives on the SAS campus in the historic Father Flye House.

June Weber, Candidate for District 1

I moved to Sewanee permanently in 2006 after visiting frequently in the past. A native of Louisiana, I attended Louisiana State University. My first career was as an elementary school teacher, but I soon discovered real estate. I have been a licensed real estate agent and broker over 49 years. I have held many local and regional positions in the real estate industry and sat on many statewide committees. I am the mother of a Sewanee graduate and a Rhodes graduate. Locally, I have been involved in many organizations. I am a past president of the Sewanee Woman’s Club and active in the Morton Memorial United Methodist Food Ministry and other church projects. I support the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance and many other activities here on the Plateau. I look forward to continuing service on the Sewanee Community Council and working with our new Mayor, Vice-Chancellor Reuben Brigety.

Bruce Manuel, Candidate for District 2

I moved to Sewanee in 2016 after I retired from working as a civil servant in the Department of Defense. Prior to that career, I served in the Navy for 20 years. A friend of mine asked me if I would be interested in running for a seat on the council and, after some thought, I decided to do so. Like other residents who are also alumni, I believe it provides me a unique perspective when it comes to fostering a healthy relationship between the community and the University. My many years in the military and working for the federal government helped me develop useful interpersonal and leadership skills. This experience can be a valuable asset to any group.

Louis Rice, Candidate for District 3

My wife Sandy and I retired to Sewanee in June 2015, following my 30-plus year career in university development. I worked five years at Sewanee, 12 at the University of Illinois, and 15 at Georgia Tech. I was born in Sewanee, as were my mother and grandmother.I graduated from the University in 1973. In 1983, I left practicing law in Atlanta to work for the University in the Office of Development to start Sewanee’s Planned Giving Program. I bring to the Community Council the perspective of a native son, an alumnus, an employee of the University, and now a resident retiree. I currently serve on the Board of the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance and have been Superintendent of Abbo’s Alley since 2016. Serving on the Community Council is yet another way I can give back to Sewanee. I would be proud to represent District 3 in that capacity.

Lynn Stubblefield, Candidate for District 3

We moved to Sewanee in October of 1982. We chose Sewanee because we wanted a family and wanted to raise them in the most perfect community we could find. Thirty-eight years later, I’m still here. I am running for the District 3 seat on the Sewanee Council because I care about the present as well as the future of Sewanee. It is important that your voice be heard. I care about all of Sewanee, not just the campus. I feel you need a representative who is familiar with the many aspects of our community. I am a member of the Sewanee Business Alliance, Monteagle-Sewanee Rotary, the Retail Academy, and Otey Parish. I have served on the board of the Civic Association, and as a realtor for 35 years. I am a constant volunteer. I am asking for your vote.

Phil White, Candidate for District 4

I came to Sewanee as a student in 1959 and never left. I have always maintained close relationships with both University employees and local residents.I have been an active member of the Council for three terms and played an active role in lowering the transfer fee, solving the airport light issue, and building and managing a dog park. I wish to continue to work hard for the good of the community.

Bill Harper, At-Large Candidate

I graduated from the University as an economics major in 1978, my wife (Knowles) in 1979 and my boys in 2007 and 2010. I spent my career with various Wall Street firms as a financial advisor in the DC area. While there, I was involved in a number of church and nonprofit leadership roles. In 2006 we bought a second home in Sewanee, becoming residents in 2009 as I learned to work remotely. I retired 2 years ago. In addition to University volunteer activities, including currently serving as a trustee, I co-chaired the Community Chest drive with Knowles and established the Civic Association’s Opportunity Fund, for which I serve as chairman of the investment committee. I have also served on the South Cumberland Community Fund board. If elected, I believe I will be an effective advocate for this warm, inclusive community of which I am proud to be a member.

Ed Hawkins, At-Large Candidate

My family and I moved to Sewanee Christmas Day, 2007. I immediately became interested in our local businesses. Formerly, I was a Senior VP in the Commercial and Consumer sectors for Wachovia, now Wells Fargo Bank, and have held positions ranging from Head of Marketing to Chief Financial Officer. I’m currently a real estate professional and partner at The Blue Chair and University Realty. A founding member of the Sewanee Business Alliance, I worked to create a team of business owners that work together for the good of our community. I also assisted in forming a village partnership between the SBA and University and helped advance the Angel Park vision, Friday Nights in the Park, AngelFest, the Light Up the Village festival and the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. I’m eager to help the town and University succeed together and to serve in a new capacity as a Community Council member.

Augustine “Spike” Hosch, At-Large Candidate

Spike is a 2012 graduate of the college, returned to the Mountain in 2015, and has lived in Sewanee since. In serving Sewanee and its neighboring communities as an AmeriCorps VISTA, as the president of the Grundy County Rotary, as the treasurer of the Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace, and on the board of the South Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, Spike recognizes the importance of including perspectives from stakeholders across the Mountain in the Community Council. Spike cares deeply about his adopted home and thinks he can continue the accessible and responsible representation demonstrated by past at-large council members. Whetherelected or not, Spike frequently can be found at the Phil White Dog Park with his fluffy dog, Mavis.

John C. Solomon, At-Large Candidate

John Solomon, born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, came to the United States in 1966 to attend college at Sewanee where he received a B.A. in Economics.In 2008, following a 34-year banking career in St. Louis, John was offered the opportunity to return to Sewanee to restart the Pastoral Spanish program at the School of Theology.After retiring in 2017, he focused on family, local volunteer roles, outdoor activities, and travel. During his recent tenure as President of the Rotary Club of Monteagle-Sewanee, John became increasingly aware of the needs, and opportunities to address these needs, in the local area.He sees communication, public awareness, and bringing people and resources together as the best way to address these.

It is John’s love for this community that drives him to run for an at-large position on the Community Council, where he hopes to continue offering his time and talent.

Bess Turner, At-Large Candidate

Bess Turner moved to Sewanee in June of 2012 and began working for the University that same summer in the Office of Admissions, while also maintaining a small real estate practice with Gooch Beasley. In 2015, she transitioned to University Relations to work on the capital campaign and now serves as the Director of Development, Alumni, and Church Relations for the School of Theology. Bess and her husband, Chris Crigger, are parents to four teenagers, three of whom attend St. Andrew’s–Sewanee. Bess has been an active supporter of the sustainable development of the Sewanee Village, serving on the Village Advisory Board and the Sewanee Business Alliance. She believes that a vibrant local economy, along with accessible housing options for all Sewanee residents, will help the University attract and retain faculty, staff, and students, and will cultivate a community with a strong sense of belonging.

Early voting for the Sewanee Community Council candidates continues at the Lease Office (The Blue House), 400 University Ave., Sewanee, through Oct. 30, during regular business hours. Election Day voting, Nov. 3, will be at the Sewanee Elementary School.