Garry Burnett died today as the result of a heart attack.
Burnett was both head of High Point's Parks & Rec Department and a member of the Guilford County School Board. From conversations I have had today, it was clear to many that this long time public servant was under an enormous amount of pressure of late which very likely could have contributed to his demise.
Burnett was recently caught between a rock and a hard place which took the form of his employed life and his elected life. Burnett has been pushing hard to gain voter approval for an upcoming P&R bond for High Point. However, because of threats from groups who were angry with his vote to implement the High Point Choice Plan, they vowed to work to thwart the upcoming bond referendum for his department. Instead of risking or jeopordizing his department's future, Burnett decided to not run for another term on the School Board.
My condolences go out to Garry Burnett's family. Also, my thanks go to his family for allowing him to serve the public so faithfully and diligently for so many years.
6:07:23 PM 
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