by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Three candidates have stepped forward to vie for a District 4 seat on the Sewanee Community Council, which became open when council representative Mary Priestley moved to a different district. Registered District 4 voters can vote in the special election through Friday, Feb. 25, during business hours at the Office of Leases and Community Relations (Blue House). The recently expanded District 4 boundaries include Tennessee Avenue, University Avenue, Texas Avenue, and down Alto Road/Roarks Cove Road. The victorious candidate will serve until the next regular election in November 2022. Read on to meet the candidates.

Jay Fisher has lived in Sewanee since 2000, serving the University in a variety of leadership capacities in the alumni office, marketing and communications, the advancement office and the executive office. He has also served on the vestry at St. Mark and St. Paul. He is currently on the Board of St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School and the Secretary to the University’s Board of Trustees.

Pointing to the University’s focus on economic and sustainable development of the village and the domain, Fisher said, “There must be a strong partnership and good communication between the Community Council and the University so that the growth and development of the town and domain moves forward in a positive, collaborative and transparent way.” His involvement with the many constituencies that make up the University would bring “breadth and depth of experience” and “perspective” to the council. “I have enjoyed living in Sewanee since 2000,” Fisher said. He wants to serve on the council as a way “to give back.”

Greg Maynard moved to Sewanee with his wife Susan Holmes in 1996. His wide and varied career includes serving as a statistical analyst and Director of Planning and Research for three state agencies and as trade book manager at the University Book and Supply store. Since retiring from teaching history and social science at Baylor School, he has managed the couples’ B&B. “Sewanee is both an easy and challenging place to live,” Maynard observed. “It is beautiful, quiet (for the most part), and intellectually stimulating.” But Maynard added, “Everyone feels the weight of the University. Sometimes it’s benevolent, and sometimes less so.” Maynard sees a role for the council in matters both large and small, ranging from implementation of the Village Development Plan, enforcing parking regulations, slowing traffic in residential areas, and requiring fraternities to keep their lots tidy. “Sewanee is a wonderful place to live,” Maynard said. “I look forward to continuing to give back to a place I have come to call home.”

Marilyn Phelps and her husband Tom moved to Sewanee in 2012. Quick to become an active community member, she has served on the board of Folks at Home and with her husband as the Community Chest cochair. She decided to run for the council because she wants “to know more about the interactions between the University and the community…to have firsthand knowledge about who makes decisions and how those decisions are made.” She acknowledges questioning some decisions and wondering “whether or not they were beneficial to the community.” Phelps counts housing needs and caring for the elderly among the community’s most pressing concerns. “So many of our most wonderful citizens have had to leave Sewanee because of a lack of services,” Phelps said. From serving on the Folks at Home board, she learned “the community’s strengths and weaknesses.” With 30 years’ experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Phelps would bring to the council a well-honed skill for understanding community “issues from both a micro and macro level.”