WAXHAW – The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners is whole again after the board voted to appoint Candace DeFinis to finish the remainder of the term of former commissioner Fred Burrell.
The vote came at a special board of commissioners meeting on July 22, and DeFinis was sworn in at the board’s regular meeting on July 23.
Burrell resigned from his post in April, and DeFinis will remain on the board until December.
Five residents applied for the position. DeFinis and Robert “Bob” Morgan were named the two finalists following a board meeting on July 19. Both finalists addressed the board and answered board member’s questions at the July 22 meeting before DeFinis was named to the position.
Morgan is one of five candidates running for mayor of Waxhaw in November. Current Mayor Steve Maher is not seeking re-election. The other applicants were Michael Ploch, James Warner and Pedro Morey, who is running for the board of commissioners in the November election.
DeFinis previously served as the vice president and president of the Cureton Homeowners Association in town. She said her family immediately fell in love with Waxhaw after the family moved to the region for employment. DeFinis also served on the town’s promotions committee.
“This is truly an incredible place,” DeFinis told the board on July 22. “When I drove into Waxhaw, it reminded me of home. The train tracks, the small business downtown immediately caught my eye. Over the years I have passionately made public comments on many topics from my own opinions and research. I will bring that same independence to this board. I believe Waxhaw has some challenges in front of us, and I promise that I will work diligently to support the town and its efforts.’’
DeFinis said her experience serving her homeowners association will help with her role as a commissioner. Cureton has over 700 homes.
“I enjoyed serving my Cureton neighbors in solving the complex challenges that we faced,” DeFinis said. “We made tough decisions in Cureton. You are not very popular when you stand up in front of a group of neighbors and tell them that you are raising their HOA dues. You are not very popular when you close the pool in the heat of the summer. You are not very popular when you uphold the rules. I believe I have a thick skin. I am ready to share my opinions and my thoughts. I don’t shy away from that.’’
Morgan has served on the planning commission since 2010. He wanted to “build on the work previously done” by town leaders.
“It’s my home and I want to make it better,” Morgan said July 22. “We all want to be on the board to help Waxhaw because we all love Waxhaw. Town government, from my personal view, is something I would not approach from a selfish point of view.’’
Morgan has filed to run for mayor after applying for the vacant commissioner’s position.
“I believe my experience, my temperament, my background and my education really would make me an asset to the town,” Morgan said. “I felt the obligation to step up and serve. I feel very deeply that I can give a benefit to the town, and I think this is the time to step up.”
Waxhaw hires Smith as interim town manager
Waxhaw commissioners appointed Erskine Smith as interim town manager as they look for a permanent replacement for Greg Ferguson.
Ferguson resigned July 1 after two years on the job.
Most of Smith’s career has been with the Town of Mooresville. He served as Mooresville’s town manager from 2011 to retirement in 2016.
“I look forward to working with all of the departments heads and getting to know the citizens of Waxhaw much better,” he said.