PLYMOUTH — The election for 3 seats and mayor to serve on the Plymouth Town Council is ahead in November.  

As such, we’ll be posting candidate profiles in the days ahead so our readers can make informed choices about who they think will best serve the community.

Today’s candidate profile features Micah Weathersbee, who wants to represent Ward 1 on Plymouth Town Council.

“I am not running for a title—I am running to serve. Let’s build a stronger Plymouth together!” she said. 

Candidates who want a profile should contact mileslayton1969@gmail.com

REMINDER —  Choose two candidates — Plymouth

• Benjamin Sexton – Mayor 
• Crystal Davis – Mayor 
• Brian Roth – Mayor 

For each ward – choose 2 candidates

• Selona O’Neil – Ward 1
• Micah Weathersbee — Ward 1 
• Donsenia Teel – Ward 1
• Cornise Debrew – Ward 1
• John Tharps – Ward 1
• Jerry Rhodes — Ward 2
• Karol Freeman – Ward 2
• Terri Pitt – Ward 2
• Danny Wobbleton – Ward 2 
• John Shelton — Ward 3
• Steven Brown — Ward 3
• Kim Williams — Ward 3
• Tristan Spencer — Ward 3
• Mary Ann Byers — Ward 3

Early voting has started and ends Saturday, Nov. 1, with the Election Day being Nov. 4

Weathersbee is a candidate for Plymouth Town Council, Ward 1. 

“The most important characteristic to know about me is that I deeply love our God. I strive to do what is right in His eyes and that which builds His kingdom.”

Weathersbee is happily married to her best friend, Charles, for the past 16 years and they have been blessed to raise four beautiful children.

“I had been told that I would not be able to have children, so God allowing me to be a mother is one of my biggest testaments and greatest joys of life.”

Weathersbee said she has had several jobs ranging from waitressing to a dialysis tech at the local Kidney Center to working at Department of Social Services in several different counties, including Washington County. And her husband has owned and operated Big Al’s Garage for the past 20 years. 

“I came alongside of him eleven years ago and it is a privilege to love and serve our community together,” she said. 

Q: What is the most pressing issue facing Plymouth? As I live here, work here, and raise a family here, it is my observation that division has been our biggest issue. We need unity in our community so that we can heal, forgive, and grow. How do we forgive, heal, and grow as a community? Take the first step, be kind.

We must take advantage of opportunities to support each other such as through our businesses, community activities, visit your neighbor and have a conversation, look to find similarities in one another and not offenses and differences. It may be uncomfortable to attend community activities that you do not have friends or familiar people in attendance.

Instead of looking at these moments as obstacles, let us look at them as opportunities. We will not grow in comfort, those places have already been conquered, we must now jointly take over the uncomfortable. If we were to come together, then we could accomplish so much more towards the other needs of our town.

Q: What do you think about the future of 108 W. Water Street? There was talk of spending around $200K to demolish the building.  

I believe that 108 W. Water Street is salvageable. If we are striving toward building up our downtown area, then we will need to try to keep the real estate there in operative order. Mr. Wayne Pittman has shared his desire to put in a bid on the building, accompanied with a realistic plan and timeline to restore it. Why not?

Mr. Pittman has an outstanding resume doing the same work in other towns. He has shown our town that he is equipped to do so by restoring 3 buildings in downtown Plymouth already.

Through his hard work and commitment, 3 business owners have been given the opportunity to try their hand at entrepreneurship. We now have The Roanoke Heron, The Local Current, and Precious Memories to offer our residents and others who would like to come, more shopping options (The Roanoke Heron and Precious Memories), business opportunities (The Roanoke Heron is a vendor market), job opportunities, and a variety of entertainment options (The Local Current). 

Q: How do you intend to attract business and economic development, particularly to the downtown core that’s in need of revitalization?

I emphasize this because new jobs and new businesses have been what the residents have asked for, so let’s allow Mr. Pittman to continue to partner with our town in restoring, renewing, and adding value to our downtown. This is a major way we can attract businesses and economic development, by supporting business people like Mr. Pittman. We need to also visit our new stores and such, encourage those new entrepreneurs and reassure them through kind words and support that they made the right decision to chose Plymouth as the birthplace of their business.

Q: Speaking of spending — taxes — what are your thoughts on taxes? Earlier this year, there was a discussion of raising taxes to support the purchase of a firetruck.  

I view raising taxes as an added weight to our residents. Many living in town are retired and on fixed incomes, have multiple children living in the home, or are striving to build their lives. I do not take raising taxes lightly and believe that it should be the very last resort.

As a town who has just approved the new budget and have already pulled from our “savings” to cover expenses, we are not managing money wisely. I have questions to which I would research upon being elected. 

Such questions would include, but not be limited to: “Do we have physical resources that we could sell? Are there areas in the budget that could be rectified through other less expensive solutions?

Q: How will you assist the chief of police in attracting and retaining police officers, particularly since the PPD has been understaffed from time to time.   

It is my firm recommendation that our Plymouth Police Department undergo several different courses/trainings to better equip them in their services to our community as well as one another. I also believe that a community watch system be evaluated and implemented to assist with more minor community needs and situations.