SUNDAY
FEEL THE THUNDER: Event proceeds benefit nonprofit group. 1B
October 17, 2010 127th year No. 290
TALKING TRASH: Trinity to decide on garbage contract this week. 1B
www.hpe.com High Point, N.C.
PIRATES DELIGHT: East Carolina shocks N.C. State in OT. 1D
50 Cents Daily $1.25 Sundays
Exhibitors keep hopes realistic BY PAM HAYNES ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
DON DAVIS JR. | HPE
Lauren West, director of education and development for Natuzzi, discusses trends on Saturday, the first official day of the High Point Market.
HIGH POINT – Exhibitors at the High Point Market began the trade show’s opening day with a positive, yet realistic attitude about their expectations for business this week. And it seemed that in the midst of hundreds of new furniture line introductions, manufacturers and retailers were hearing one request from consumers: value. “Our first day looks pretty consistent with the last few markets,” said Paul Tom, CEO of Hooker Furniture, a case goods manufacturer based in Virginia that exhibits in the International Home Furnishings Center. “Business has settled to a slow, steady pace, so our expectations are more measured this time. It doesn’t mean we won’t grow, but business is going to be challenging for the next few years.” Economic conditions have led companies such as Hooker Furniture and Natuzzi Italy to reshape their price points and product lines, company officials said. Hooker Furniture introduced an accent line with pieces as low as $150 – one of the lowest product price points its ever offered. Toms said the accent line is a means to give customers what they want – value – while maintaining quality.
“We aren’t where we were last year when the stock market saw six months of gains,” he said. “People were more bullish about the future then. But the good news is that (consumers) still seem to be more optimistic than they should be given the current business climate... Based on opening day and a good Pre-Market, I think we’ll have a good, steady market.” Lauren West, director of education and development for Natuzzi, said the company also designed its new lines based on consumers’ reaction to economic conditions. She said she expects value to catch the eye of buyers, which will allow the company a profitable market. “Everybody’s been feeling depressed with the economy. They’re somber,” West said. “That’s why we’ve stuck to grays, which are very calming, and other colors like blueberry and neutral linens for our products. Everyone just wants to be comfortable now.” When it comes to traffic, John Capes, store manager at Sears at Oak Hollow Mall, said his parking lot had been “jampacked” with marketgoers. A shuttle service runs from the mall to the showroom district each day of market. “Traffic has been very good,” he said. phaynes@hpe.com | 888-3617
WALK RIGHT IN!
WHO’S NEWS
–
Jill Thompson joined High Point University as director of alumni relations in the Office of Institutional Advancement. Thompson is responsible for leading, managing, and directing alumni relations.
INSIDE
–
TRAGIC DEATH: Couple want to help save others from same fate. 1E OBITUARIES
–
Barbara Atwood, 73 Sue Barnes, 70 George Brown Willie Jones, 68 Larry Varner, 68 Obituaries, 2B
Guilford County commissioner races already are settled
Before you read...
----
WEATHER
For the first time in recent history, candidates for the Guilford County Board of Commissioners will face no opposition in this November’s elections. But incumbent Republican Sheriff BJ Barnes faces a Democratic challenger on Nov. 2, and if history repeats itself, the county could have an uphill battle in getting a sales tax referendum passed. This three part series highlights these choices voters will have to make. (Note: Guilford County Board of Education races will be featured in future editions).
–
Sunshine High 76, Low 49 8D
BY DAVID NIVENS ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
GUILFORD COUNTY – The election for the Guilford County Board of Commissioners will be easy for voters this year and perhaps historic for the county. For the first time in decades, every candidate running for a board seat is running unopposed. But that does not mean there won’t be a change. One new face from High Point is guaranteed and a second is possible. The slate of unopposed candidates may be the first since the board of commissioners shifted to district elections, said Charlie Collicutt, deputy director of the Guilford County Board of Elections. “We checked the records and found that 1988 was the last time every candidate was uncontested,” Collicutt said. “When all seats were at-large, there were more candidates involved.” This year, neither of the two at-large board seats is up for election.
“I don’t recall this ever happening before,” said veteran Republican Commissioner Linda ELECTION Shaw. “I’m CHALLENGES grateful not to have any Guilford opposition.” County Shaw’s voters face unique ballot husband, Bob, served on the board in the 1960s and 1970s. “He said he could not remember this happening before in November,” Shaw said. Retiring Republican Commissioner Steve Arnold of High Point said the final ballot was unusual given “so much awareness this year about politics.” “But we have no national issues, and the U.S. Senate and Congressional races have not been noisy,” Arnold said. This year, District seats 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 are up for election. There are 11 seats, including the two at-large. It took some special cir■■■
INDEX
SONNY HEDGECOCK | HPE
Political signs dot landscapes throughout much of the city; early voting is under way.
THE JOB
–
A seat on the Board of Commissioners comes with some perks: • Pay: $20,700 each year. • Parking: Downtown parking spaces under the Old Guilford County Courthouse • Offices: In the Old Courthouse. • Expenses: For travel and conventions. • Communications: Some commissioners have used taxpayerfunded cell phones and PDAs.
cumstances to get here. Here’s a review: • District 1: Democratic Commissioner Bruce
Davis of High Point is unopposed while also seeking a State Senate seat as an independent candidate. • District 2: High Point council member Bill Bencini won the Republican nomination to succeed Arnold. No Democrat filed. • District 3: Republican Linda Shaw won her party primary. No Democrat filed. • District 6: Democrat Kay Cashion is unopposed. • District 9: Democrat Carolyn Coleman is unopposed. Bencini will be the only new face on the board unless Davis wins his bid for the General Assembly. If that happens, Democrats will nominate someone for commissioners to approve.
YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR NEWSPAPER.
SERIES BREAKOUTS
–
TODAY: Board of Commissioners races MONDAY: Sheriff faces challenge TUESDAY: The sales tax referendum
Inside...
----
Additional “Meet the candidates” appear on 2C and 2F.
The new commissioner would hold the seat until an election can be held in two years, Collicutt said. dnivens@hpe.com | 888-3626
ADVICE 2E, 5E ARTS | ETC. 3-4F BUSINESS 1-2C CLASSIFIED 3-8C CROSSWORD 2F FOCUS 1-2F HOROSCOPE 2E LIFE&STYLE 1-6E LOCAL 2-3A, 1-2B LOTTERY 2A MILESTONES 4-5E MOVIES 7D NATION 6-8A NOTABLES 8A OBITUARIES 2A OPINION 6-7B RELIGION 5B SPORTS 1-7D STATE 2-3A, 2-4B, 8B TV 5F TRAVEL 3E WEATHER 8D WORLD 4-5A
INFO Circulation Classified Newsroom Newsroom fax
888-3511 888-3555 888-3527 888-3644