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• Mustang all-stars want to go to Texas — page 2 • Electronics stolen from area business — page 9 Church news......5 Obituaries.............8 Classifieds........11 Police report.........9 Fire report..........2 Sheriff’s report.......9
The story is on page 10.
• Hopewell Elementary — page 6 • Wheatmore High School — page 10 • Archdale Elementary — page 10
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Archdale-Trinity News w w w. a r c h d a l e t r i n i t y n e w s . n e t
USPS [432-990]
50 Cents
Randolph County: hardest budget in years R
andolph County Commissioner Darrell Frye said that the 20102011 budget, approved at $110 million, is the hardest one he has faced in years. The budget includes a 3.1 cent property tax increase, a $4.1 million fund balance transfer, a 6 percent cut for departments and a 3 percent cut for schools. BY ROBYN HANKINS The budget, $110,193,510, was approved June 21 in a 3-2 vote. The county’s property tax rate will go from 55.5 cents per $100 valuation to 58.6 cents per $100 beginning July 1. “I don’t like any tax increase and we worked hard to get it down,” said Frye. In addition to a 6 percent cut in depart-
mental budgets, the Commissioners also “That’s when we really started addressing eliminated 401k retirement plan matches the schools.” for employees and three open positions. The Commissioners took another hard Frye, however, remains hopeful. look at school funding this year. The re“We hope the economy will pick up, sult was a 3 percent cut for the Randolph, especially our sales tax revAsheboro and Randolph Comenue,” Frye continued. “But munity College school sysif we hold the line in our bud- Archdale and Trin- tems. “What most people don’t get we’ll (be able to) manage ity approve bud- realize is that if not for funding our money.” Page 4 the schools, our tax rate would gets. The county still has plenty be about 21 cents,” Frye said. of money in its fund balance, “But our schools are importhe county’s savings account, tant, so we fund them. Still, even after the $4.1 million transfer. over the last 10 years we have increased “It’s our rainy day fund,” Frye explained. school funding about 6 percent each year, “It rained.” excluding capital projects. All in all, Frye said it was the hardest “In that respect,” he continued, the budget he’s faced in two decades. “schools were not actually cut.” “I only remember one other budget this However, the schools may get more hard, back in the early 1990s,” he recalled. money because the state is changing the
Commissioners’ vote Aye: Harold Holmes, Darrell Frye and Stan Haywood Nay: Phil Kemp and Arnold Lanier Ayes: ‘It’s our rainy day fund and it rained,’ said Frye. Nays: Budget relies too heavily on borrowing from fund balance (savings account), said Kemp
formula used to determine how much lottery money a county receives. The state may allocate lottery money on a per-pupil basis. SEE COUNTY BUDGET ON PAGE 4
Archdale approves law to regulate sweepstake centers
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statewide ban on sweepstakes businesses would have little effect on the budgets of Archdale and Trinity. BY ELIZABETH SAUNDERS As the Archdale City Council prepared to consider regulations on electronic gaming, the N.C. Senate approved a ban on video sweepstakes games June 21. The bill moves to the House next for consideration. The Winston-Salem Council passed a budget that included $400,000 of tax revenue from “Internet cafes” and “business centers.” If the bill banning these businesses passes in the House, the city will be forced to find that money elsewhere. Archdale did not factor such revenue in its budget, nor did Trinity. Sweepstakes centers in Archdale may feel the pinch instead. Business license fees of $500 per machine for electronic gaming, including sweepstakes, take effect today (July 1). Sweepstakes centers have popped up at various locations in the city, but future businesses will be restricted. At the June 22 meeting, Council approved a zoning ordinance that limits hours to midnight, limits the number of terminals to 20, adds parking and location requirements for new businesses and prohibits alcohol. No one spoke at the public hearing.
Meet your neighbors .. at Guil-Rand’s fire camp! More than 50 children learned about fire safety, the work of a firefighter and physical training at the annual summer camp held by the Guil-Rand Fire Department. Most campers list physical training as a top activity. In the top left photo, Mashayla Lester goes over the wall with the encouragement of Counselor Aaron Routh. In the photo top right, Camp Director Charles Cardwell chases his son Jesse. In the photo right, Charlotte Blue clears the tunnel. While fun remains a top priority, teaching fire safety is the main goal. The story, and more photos, are on pages 7 and 12. Photos submitted, Graphic by American Graphics
WE² meeting July 20 L
ocal businesswomen want to gauge interest in the start of a noontime group for the American Business Women’s Association, named WE². The Wet Whistle will host the floating event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20. A complimentary tasting of North Carolina wines will be offered. “So many people are busy at night, we felt that there was a need for a lunchtime business group,” said Susan Halo of CommunityOne Bank. Halo appreciates the networking opportunity the ABWA offers. She was selected as the 2010 Most Notable Business Woman of the Year for the Golden Arch Charter Chapter of the ABWA. “Come to the social and get information about what the group has to offer,” she said. For more information, contact Halo at 861-6316 or visit the WE² page on Facebook, or the national ABWA website at www.abwa.org. The Wet Whistle is on Bonnie Place in Archdale.
SEE SWEEPSTAKES ON PAGE 4
celebration early!
Get to Archdale’s
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ourth of July fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. at Creekside Park, depending on when it rains, Archdale Parks and Recreation Director Elaine Albertson said. The comment drew some laughs at the June 22 Archdale City Council meeting because rain has been a factor at every Fourth of July in recent memory. Somehow, the rain has never dampened the spirit nor the number of people who attend.
Last year, it was a Fourth of July “madhouse,” Albertson 3 p.m. Amusements said. From observation by rides, vendors NEWS staff members, cars 4 p.m. Deejay music were parked in fields, in the grass and a few even made 7 p.m. Part Time it to the greenway. Not this Party Time Band year. 9:30 p.m. Fireworks When the parking lots are full, the entrance to Creekside Park will be closed. Nine officers will be stationed to direct motorists. Parking enforcement will add up to a speedy exit from the event, Albertson said. In the past, it took about 45 minutes for the parking lot to empty. This year, with DOT tweaking stop lights, it should take about 15 minutes. And by the way, according to the Accuweather link on www.archdaletrinitynews.net, sunshine is expected on the Fourth of July with the high set at 84 degrees. Those with mobility issues may contact the rec-
Photo by Michael Hill reation department for special parking arrange-
Vendors sold Fourth of July souvenirs in 2009.
ments. Call 431-1117, ext. 315.
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