Date of Birth: January 9, 1973
Phone #: (919) 774-5439
Alternate phone #:
Address: 700 Hawkins Ave, Sanford, NC 27330
Email: sgurwitch@yahoo.com
Facebook: facebook.com/sgurwitch
Blog: sgurwitch.blogspot.com
Current employer/occupation: Historic Preservation Commission, Sanford, NC; Substitute Teacher, Lee County Public Schools
Education: B.S. History, Minor Interdisciplinary Studies; M.A. Candidate, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN
Spouse’s name: Jeffrey A. Gurwitch
Age: 37
Children: Jernigan, 15; Alexei, 14; Gracey, 7; Ethan, 6
Political affiliation: Republican
Elected Office sought: Sanford City Council, At-Large
Have you ever run for office before? If so, what? No
Have you ever held political office before? If so, what? No
Other political experience: Election worker for the Nov 2008 elections, Historic Preservation Commission, I have also spoken before both the Sanford City Council and the Lee County Board of Commissioners regarding the proposed construction of a Level IV Juvenile Detention Facility on Hawkins Ave.
List any community groups or organizations you’ve been involved with:
1. Volunteer-Railroad House Museum Sanford, NC
2. Started a student volunteer docent program for RR House museum
3. Worked with fellow residents of Hawkins Ave Historic District to prevent the construction of a Level IV juvenile detention facility in the area.
List any awards, honors, or other special recognition you've received:
Distinguished Honor Graduate, United States Army AIT
B.S. History, Cum Laude
Junior Fellow, American Academy of Political and Social Sciences
Phi Alpha Theta, History Honor Society (Also President 2006-2007)
Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society
Best Paper, The Other Side of the Ocean: Contemporary British Perspectives on the American Revolution,Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference, Nashville, TN
List any endorsements you've received:
Why are you running for this office? I was not asked to run by any individual, group or organization, rather my decision to seek public office was centered squarely upon my desire to serve my community and to help bring about the changes that so many are clamoring for.
What are the top three issues facing your community?
Growth & Prosperity-Sanford’s population is growing, yet we are failing to experience significant positive economic growth and the resultant prosperity. Sanford’s proximity to Raleigh and Fayetteville make us an ideal location for corporations seeking to expand as well as for families wishing to live in a small town free from the hustle and bustle of the city. Efforts made have been unsuccessful in generating large scale interest in our town. To that end, I believe it is time to start assessing current policies and procedures being employed by both the city and the EDC, to include the practice of offering incentives, to determine their effectiveness, and to make changes accordingly. We should focus on making our community second to none in starting businesses, roads and safety, that's REAL economic development.
We need to create an environment that is “business friendly” through the removal of unnecessary burdens such as the Business Privilege Tax. We should be working to improve our entire infrastructure to foster an image of vitality, innovation and growth, rather than one of lethargy and stagnation. It is time for us to capitalize on our location and potential to move Sanford forward for the good of all.
Crime-While reports of a reduction in Sanford’s crime rate have appeared in the local newspaper lately, a development which is promising certainly, the fact that here in small town America we have people being shot down in the streets, or in their homes, or in their places of business is absolutely inexcusable. There are people among us who have been victims of crime not once or twice but multiple times. We must not allow reports that our crime rates are going down to lull us into a false sense of security. We cannot afford to become complacent on the issues of crime, drugs, and gangs in our community. We must be ever vigilant in proactively seeking solutions that will bring not only a rapid and marked decline in our crime rate, but also an inversely proportionate increase in our sense of safety and well-being. We must look at potential causal factors which contribute to higher crime rates (illegal immigration, high unemployment, low wages, physical deterioration, etc.), and determine how to best minimize or remove the impact of those factors.
Unity - Sanford is plagued by a general lack of unity not only amongst our citizens, but amongst our community leaders and our law enforcement officials. It is important that we identify common goals for our city and the work together to realize those goals.
What will your priorities be if elected? My priorities will be to:
1) Keep taxes as low as possible, especially in these difficult times while maintaining the highest level of service to the citizens;
2) To establish and maintain a connection with the Sanford electorate and to represent the interests of the citizens with all the fervor they expect and deserve;
3) To develop a rapport with my fellow councilmen, and to seek common ground upon which we can build toward a safe and prosperous future for every Sanford resident.
Is there anything you’d like voters to know about you before making their decision?
I feel that it is important for me to state, unequivocally that I am running for this office to serve them as their representative, not as a means to further either a personal or party agenda.
Elected officials should always remember that they are being given the public trust. When sworn in, they become the stewards of our rights and liberties and are accountable to the people whom they represent: NOT special interest groups and NOT powerful local entities.
I believe that it is incumbent upon each elected official to research every category of decision with which he/she is faced and to make his/her decision based upon the evidence at hand and without the undue influence of those seeking personal, professional, or political gain.
As your councilman, I will represent all the people and not just those who supported me and voted for me. I will work to deserve the trust placed in me by those who cast their vote in my favor and I will strive to earn the trust of those who did not.
As November 3, 2009 approaches, we must all take the time to consider what qualities we value in our leadership, we must carefully assess each of the candidates, and we must vote in accordance with our individual convictions. I invite all members of the public to contact me with questions, concerns or comments. My e-mail address is sgurwitch@yahoo.com and my phone number is (919) 774-5439.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
It's About People, Not Partisan Politics
As a Candidate for the Sanford, NC City Council, I feel that it is important for me to state, unequivocally that I am running for this office out of a desire to serve the people of Sanford, NC as their representative in our local government, not as a means to further either a personal or party agenda.
Members of representative bodies would do well to remember that when elected, they are in effect being bestowed with one of the greatest honors a person can hold, that is the public trust. When they are sworn in and don the mantle of leadership, they become the stewards of our rights and liberties and are accountable to the people whom they represent: NOT special interest groups and NOT powerful local entities.
I believe that it is incumbent upon each elected official to research every category of decision with which he/she is faced and to make his/her decision based upon the evidence at hand and without the undue influence of those seeking personal, professional, or political gain.
If I should be so honored as to be chosen by the people of Sanford as one of their representatives, I will strive everyday to represent all the people and not just those who supported me and voted for me. I will work to deserve the trust placed in me by those who cast their vote in my favor and I will strive to earn the trust of those who did not.
As November 3, 2009 approaches, we must all take the time to consider what qualities we value in our leadership, we must carefully assess each of the candidates, and we must vote in accordance with our individual convictions. I invite all members of the public to contact me with questions, concerns or comments. My e-mail address is sgurwitch@yahoo.com and my phone number is (919) 774-5439.
Members of representative bodies would do well to remember that when elected, they are in effect being bestowed with one of the greatest honors a person can hold, that is the public trust. When they are sworn in and don the mantle of leadership, they become the stewards of our rights and liberties and are accountable to the people whom they represent: NOT special interest groups and NOT powerful local entities.
I believe that it is incumbent upon each elected official to research every category of decision with which he/she is faced and to make his/her decision based upon the evidence at hand and without the undue influence of those seeking personal, professional, or political gain.
If I should be so honored as to be chosen by the people of Sanford as one of their representatives, I will strive everyday to represent all the people and not just those who supported me and voted for me. I will work to deserve the trust placed in me by those who cast their vote in my favor and I will strive to earn the trust of those who did not.
As November 3, 2009 approaches, we must all take the time to consider what qualities we value in our leadership, we must carefully assess each of the candidates, and we must vote in accordance with our individual convictions. I invite all members of the public to contact me with questions, concerns or comments. My e-mail address is sgurwitch@yahoo.com and my phone number is (919) 774-5439.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Score One for Sanford's Finest
Around one o'clock this morning, I was roused from a rather deep and pleasant sleep by the yippity yap barking sound of my long-haired chihuahua, Ubu. I tried in vain to remain amongst my pleasant dreams in my oh so comfortable bed, but Ubu's bark was persistent. I ventured from my bedroom into the darkness of the living room(lit only by the streetlight outside) and began to look out the front window where I saw nothing there that ought to inspire my little dog to such a frenzy. Next, I parted the blinds covering one of the side windows that looked out toward our drive way and there I discovered the source of Ubu's anxiety: and unidentified person was in my husband's jeep attempting (as it appeared) to force open the locked center console.
I ran back to the bedroom after staring transfixed at the criminal no-so-mastermind before finally rushing to the bedroom to wake my husband. "Jeffrey," I called, "Jeffrey, get up, get up, someone is in your car." When we walked out the front door, we saw the individual rounding the end of the treeline and entering our neighbor's yard. The person then left our neighbors yard and crossed the road, trying to get away from the scene of the crime. I grabbed my husband's phone and dialed 911 to report the crime as my husband followed the thief.
Because the police officer's initial search proved unfruitful, it appeared that the culprit had evaded capture. After the first officer's colleagues (who arrived while he was searching for the defiler of my husband's Jeep)collected the necessary information, we bid the officers a good evening and went to sit on our front porch and lament the theft of my husband's knife and his Ipod cable. As we were contemplating the events of the evening (or rather morning), we heard voices and saw a the bright light of an officer's search lamp. Realizing that police officers had not only continued to look for thief, but that they had caught her (yes, it turned out to be a woman), I pointed and said to my husband, "look that is the person who was in your Jeep."
As I write this blog post, my husband is at the police station filing a police report and hopefully collecting his $80 rescue knife. I am not sure if they located the Ipod cable to his car stereo, I guess I will find out when he arrives home.
We are grateful to the responding officers for their efforts and we appreciate both their determination and their professionalism.
As for Ubu, he was rewarded with lots of love and a tasty Iams dog biscuit.
I ran back to the bedroom after staring transfixed at the criminal no-so-mastermind before finally rushing to the bedroom to wake my husband. "Jeffrey," I called, "Jeffrey, get up, get up, someone is in your car." When we walked out the front door, we saw the individual rounding the end of the treeline and entering our neighbor's yard. The person then left our neighbors yard and crossed the road, trying to get away from the scene of the crime. I grabbed my husband's phone and dialed 911 to report the crime as my husband followed the thief.
Because the police officer's initial search proved unfruitful, it appeared that the culprit had evaded capture. After the first officer's colleagues (who arrived while he was searching for the defiler of my husband's Jeep)collected the necessary information, we bid the officers a good evening and went to sit on our front porch and lament the theft of my husband's knife and his Ipod cable. As we were contemplating the events of the evening (or rather morning), we heard voices and saw a the bright light of an officer's search lamp. Realizing that police officers had not only continued to look for thief, but that they had caught her (yes, it turned out to be a woman), I pointed and said to my husband, "look that is the person who was in your Jeep."
As I write this blog post, my husband is at the police station filing a police report and hopefully collecting his $80 rescue knife. I am not sure if they located the Ipod cable to his car stereo, I guess I will find out when he arrives home.
We are grateful to the responding officers for their efforts and we appreciate both their determination and their professionalism.
As for Ubu, he was rewarded with lots of love and a tasty Iams dog biscuit.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Shannon on Being the "Mother of Four"
Ok, I can face it, I am without a doubt the underdog in this race to fill the seat currently held by Councilman Joe Martin on the Sanford City Council. It was daunting enough facing an incumbent with 16 years experience, but now I will be up against the first ever Sanford female Lion of the Year (indeed an impressive honor). In fact, even the newspaper seems to be predicting a David against Goliath battle, except here in Sanford the story pits a Lion against a mother of four, as it seems I will be known. Don't get me wrong, I am a mother of four and happily so, but I do have much more to offer than my superior reproductive skills.
I am not only the wife of a Special Forces soldier, I am a former service member myself, having served in the Oklahoma and Tennessee National Guards as well as the United States Army, though that was years ago. As an 18 year old young woman, I made the decision to enter the armed forces and proudly shipped off to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO where I, like every soldier before me, was put through the wringer for eight long weeks.
After basic training, I traveled to Fort. Jackson, S.C. for my Advanced Individual Training as an Administrative Specialist. On the first day of classes, I inquired of the primary instructor what was required to earn the title "Distinguished Honor Graduate." He replied that the honor is almost always earned my the trainee who earned 100% in all academic work as well as all military skills tests. I, rather arrogantly I admit, announced to the rest of the class that I intended to earn the title. A Lofty claim, indeed, but one that proved accurate.
While in the Oklahoma National Guard, I served on a counter-narcotics team which operated in conjunction with the DEA and the Civil Air Patrol to eradicate illegal drug growth along the Red River. While in the Regular Army, I was assigned to the 230th Military Police Company in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
In recent years, I have watched several times as my husband left me and our four children to head overseas. While he was away, I not only stayed home and watched over home and hearth, but I also earned a Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in interdisciplinary studies, and I graduated with honors. I also served as the Family Readiness Group Coordinator for my husband's military unit, and worked to keep the wives of other deployed soldiers informed and connected to the many valuable services available to them.
I am now in the process of completing my M.A. degree in Military History. Having completed all required coursework while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, I need only to complete my Master's Thesis. While in Graduate school, I served as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of History during which time I assisted professors in developing new courses, grading exams, and presenting guest lectures.
I have presented original research in the field of history at conferences in Nashville, TN at Tennessee State University and in Lexington, Kentucky at the University of Kentucky, winning best paper honors at the latter for my work entitled The Other Side of the Ocean: Contemporary British Perspectives on the American Revolution.
I am a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and was named a Junior Fellow in the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences. My background in history has provided me with not only a clear understanding of the American system of government, but also an appreciation for its creation by our founding fathers more than 200 years ago. I am blessed to be an excellent researcher and to possess the ability to grasp concepts outside my field of study: a skill which allows my to research data and make decisions independently based upon facts.
Since moving to Sanford, I have striven to be actively engaged in our community. While indeed my efforts have not been as conspicuous as others, I nonetheless work to make a difference wherever I go. I have a strong sense of obligation and loyalty to my family, my friends, and my community. I am honest and hardworking (which you know if you have ever seen me working in my yard), and I never ever take anything for granted.
I do feel strongly that my background, my education, and my ability to research and think independently have provided me many tools useful to a public servant. I recognize fully that I also have a lot to learn. I have already begun to study city ordinances and the city budget, and I plan to hold several community forums for the purpose of learning what all citizens of Sanford need and how I can best be of service to them. While my roots may not run as deeply in the community as do others', I am nonetheless invested in the future of Sanford. I want to serve this city as a councilwoman, and would be honored to have the opportunity.
I am not only the wife of a Special Forces soldier, I am a former service member myself, having served in the Oklahoma and Tennessee National Guards as well as the United States Army, though that was years ago. As an 18 year old young woman, I made the decision to enter the armed forces and proudly shipped off to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO where I, like every soldier before me, was put through the wringer for eight long weeks.
After basic training, I traveled to Fort. Jackson, S.C. for my Advanced Individual Training as an Administrative Specialist. On the first day of classes, I inquired of the primary instructor what was required to earn the title "Distinguished Honor Graduate." He replied that the honor is almost always earned my the trainee who earned 100% in all academic work as well as all military skills tests. I, rather arrogantly I admit, announced to the rest of the class that I intended to earn the title. A Lofty claim, indeed, but one that proved accurate.
While in the Oklahoma National Guard, I served on a counter-narcotics team which operated in conjunction with the DEA and the Civil Air Patrol to eradicate illegal drug growth along the Red River. While in the Regular Army, I was assigned to the 230th Military Police Company in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
In recent years, I have watched several times as my husband left me and our four children to head overseas. While he was away, I not only stayed home and watched over home and hearth, but I also earned a Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in interdisciplinary studies, and I graduated with honors. I also served as the Family Readiness Group Coordinator for my husband's military unit, and worked to keep the wives of other deployed soldiers informed and connected to the many valuable services available to them.
I am now in the process of completing my M.A. degree in Military History. Having completed all required coursework while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, I need only to complete my Master's Thesis. While in Graduate school, I served as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of History during which time I assisted professors in developing new courses, grading exams, and presenting guest lectures.
I have presented original research in the field of history at conferences in Nashville, TN at Tennessee State University and in Lexington, Kentucky at the University of Kentucky, winning best paper honors at the latter for my work entitled The Other Side of the Ocean: Contemporary British Perspectives on the American Revolution.
I am a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and was named a Junior Fellow in the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences. My background in history has provided me with not only a clear understanding of the American system of government, but also an appreciation for its creation by our founding fathers more than 200 years ago. I am blessed to be an excellent researcher and to possess the ability to grasp concepts outside my field of study: a skill which allows my to research data and make decisions independently based upon facts.
Since moving to Sanford, I have striven to be actively engaged in our community. While indeed my efforts have not been as conspicuous as others, I nonetheless work to make a difference wherever I go. I have a strong sense of obligation and loyalty to my family, my friends, and my community. I am honest and hardworking (which you know if you have ever seen me working in my yard), and I never ever take anything for granted.
I do feel strongly that my background, my education, and my ability to research and think independently have provided me many tools useful to a public servant. I recognize fully that I also have a lot to learn. I have already begun to study city ordinances and the city budget, and I plan to hold several community forums for the purpose of learning what all citizens of Sanford need and how I can best be of service to them. While my roots may not run as deeply in the community as do others', I am nonetheless invested in the future of Sanford. I want to serve this city as a councilwoman, and would be honored to have the opportunity.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Shannon on Experience
As I sat on my front porch Sunday morning (as I do most mornings) drinking my coffee, cream only, and reading The Sanford Herald, something I read started me thinking. On page 6A of the paper, in the Opinion section, appeared one of my favorite little snippets, “Sunday Thumbs,” in which the editorial board of the paper highlights some of the city’s most important positives and negatives from the previous week. In this Sunday’s “Thumbs” the board awarded a “thumbs up” to the incumbents who had in every race chosen to defend their seats because “it not only shows that they enjoyed their first four years enough to do it again, but it also shows that each position will have somebody with experience looking to win.”
It is the last part about experience that has me perplexed. I mean, should length of time in public office really be the most important consideration? Don’t get me wrong, experience can be a valuable asset, but it is certainly not the only one. How about sincerity? How about a real passion for service? How about the willingness to research issues as they relate to ALL members of the community and make decisions accordingly?
Come to think of it, the incumbent candidates are not the only ones with experience; the Sanford electorate has experience, too. Maybe Sanford voters should consider experience a primary factor in their decision at the polls, but not just that of the incumbents. They should consider what their own experience as constituents tells them about municipal efforts to prevent crime, reduce unemployment, increase property values, encourage positive growth, and improve education, (as well as other issues of concern to voters) and cast their ballots accordingly.
It is the last part about experience that has me perplexed. I mean, should length of time in public office really be the most important consideration? Don’t get me wrong, experience can be a valuable asset, but it is certainly not the only one. How about sincerity? How about a real passion for service? How about the willingness to research issues as they relate to ALL members of the community and make decisions accordingly?
Come to think of it, the incumbent candidates are not the only ones with experience; the Sanford electorate has experience, too. Maybe Sanford voters should consider experience a primary factor in their decision at the polls, but not just that of the incumbents. They should consider what their own experience as constituents tells them about municipal efforts to prevent crime, reduce unemployment, increase property values, encourage positive growth, and improve education, (as well as other issues of concern to voters) and cast their ballots accordingly.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The March for the Cause
This morning, July 11, 2009, I attended The March 4 the Cause. The march was organized by community members in the Woodland Ave area of Sanford, NC who daily face the threat of gang violence. The march took participants down some of the most dangerous streets in Sanford.
There was a good turn out for the march, but I was nonetheless disappointed that more citizens did not attend. The problems of gang and drug activity affect the entire city, not just those who are forced to live in fear as the gangbangers rule the streets. I was glad to see, however, that several of my Hawkins Avenue neighbors attended as did Sanford Mayor, Cornelia Olive and Lee County Sheriff, Tracy Carter.
There are many among us who live in areas that are untouched by violent crime, as a result, we have become complacent, we have let down our guard and we have let the gangsters infest many of our neighborhoods and threaten our fellow citizens. That is NOT okay.
As a city, we must stand united against violent crime in our neighborhoods; we must serve notice to all those who would threaten our peace, security, and prosperity that their activities will no longer be tolerated and that their days are numbered.
Following the march, there was an afternoon of inspirational and uplifting speakers, vocalists and other performers. My friend Lauren and I stayed for the entire program and enjoyed every minute of it.
My sincere hope is that the courage of these citizens who organized this show of strength and unity will not be wasted. How this tale ends will be determined by all of us, Sanford.
There was a good turn out for the march, but I was nonetheless disappointed that more citizens did not attend. The problems of gang and drug activity affect the entire city, not just those who are forced to live in fear as the gangbangers rule the streets. I was glad to see, however, that several of my Hawkins Avenue neighbors attended as did Sanford Mayor, Cornelia Olive and Lee County Sheriff, Tracy Carter.
There are many among us who live in areas that are untouched by violent crime, as a result, we have become complacent, we have let down our guard and we have let the gangsters infest many of our neighborhoods and threaten our fellow citizens. That is NOT okay.
As a city, we must stand united against violent crime in our neighborhoods; we must serve notice to all those who would threaten our peace, security, and prosperity that their activities will no longer be tolerated and that their days are numbered.
Following the march, there was an afternoon of inspirational and uplifting speakers, vocalists and other performers. My friend Lauren and I stayed for the entire program and enjoyed every minute of it.
My sincere hope is that the courage of these citizens who organized this show of strength and unity will not be wasted. How this tale ends will be determined by all of us, Sanford.
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