Council candidate: LaNita L. Herlem
LaNita L. Herlem grew up in Henry County, graduated from Bassett High School in 1986, served in the U.S. Army, was medically discharged, and lost her husband while he was deployed in Iraq.
"I know what the struggle is like back here," said Herlem. "My dad worked at Tultex and my mom worked at Bassett-Walker and both lost their jobs. I've worked with Gold Star for military families, the American Widow Project, podcasts, a Facebook group for military widows and a program with the Charlotte Motor Speedway."
Herlem said when she decided to downsize, she came back home.
"I got involved with the Amvets and the American Legion," Herlem said. "I have a master's in history, an associate degree in business administration and social science, and a certificate in information technology database management."
Herlem said as a council member the priorities with her included upgrading the city's infrastructure, improving communications between the city and its residents, and mending relations with Henry County.
Regarding budget matters, Herlem said her approach was fiscally conservative, but the dilapidated conditions at City Hall had to be addressed and infrastructure needs had to be met.
Herlem said she had only heard the city's side of the $9 million disagreement with the Henry County Public Service Authority, but "it sounds pretty cut and dry; the county owes the city $9 million and if that's the case, I'm going to support the city side of it."
Herlem learned the importance of getting along with others while serving in the U.S. Army, and said she was confident she could work with the other council members.
"I'm not going to rubber stamp anything. If I'm alone, that's OK too," said Herlem. "I'm going to do what's best for the city."
Herlem disagreed with the expenditure for upgrades to Hooker Field with the use of pandemic-era relief funds through the America Rescue Plan Act.
"I'm a huge baseball fan, but with two teams in Danville, one in Lynchburg, Salem, and Winston-Salem, people from those areas are not going to come here to see a baseball game, so it's a local attraction," Herlem said. "And I don't like the contract we have with them either."
Herlem said she would like to see the city include a monthly newsletter with the utility bill and make better use of MGTV, a cable access channel that originates from City Hall and would support a referendum that would add a 1% sales tax for new school construction, similar to the tax already implemented in Henry County.
Bill Wyatt (276) 591-7543
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