Backs Caulfield in Huntersville election

by Josh Lanier

HUNTERSVILLE – Sandy Tilley said this week she is dropping out of the mayoral race because she feels she can bring more change as an advocate and private citizen.

Tilley, founder and operator of the Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen, said she intends to focus her energy going forward on lobbying for under-represented communities in Huntersville, such as Pottstown and New Haven.

“I got the feeling that I could do a lot more to help out this town as a private citizen than I ever could as the mayor,” Tilley said Monday. “The mayor has constraints, they represent the entire town. As an advocate and private citizen, I can be a louder voice speaking for the issues of those neglected people at the town board meetings.”

Tilley’s departure leaves incumbent Mayor Jill Swain and current town board member Danae Caulfield to battle it out for the town’s top spot. Tilley’s departure comes so late in the race, however, her name will still appear on the ballot.

Tilley said she is throwing her support behind Caulfield and asking her supporters to do the same.

“She and I have very similar ideals” Tilley said. “Danae is a true public servant who cares about each and every citizen of every variety. She’s very similar to me, just not as loud.”

Caulfield said she was honored by the endorsement.

“Sandy and I share a similar vision for our town,” she said. “We both believe that the role of Mayor can be utilized to do much more for our community.”

Tilley, 69, moved to Huntersville from Atlanta in 2008 and quickly became a well-known figure throughout the area for her charitable works with Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen.

Angels and Sparrows serves lunches everyday of the year to the area’s poor and hungry. This summer, the organization bagged more than 350 lunches for area school children.

Tilley won the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award last year.

Election information

Municipal elections are held Nov. 8 in Mecklenburg County. To find a polling place or to register to vote, visit charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/BOE/Pages/default.aspx for more information.

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce will host a forum with Huntersville candidates Thursday, Oct. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Huntersville Town Hall.