January 11, 2017
Two Sections – 14 Pages
WEDNESDAY
©2016WOMACK NEWSPAPERS, INC.
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Martin Luther King Day January 16, 2017
Vol. 39 No. 4
EDITOR – CAROL BROOKS, 841-4933 FEATURES – NORMA B. DENNIS, 841-4933 DISPLAY ADVERTISING – 316-1231
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Epiphany – another opportunity to celebrate By NORMA B. DENNIS Staff Writer
(Photos/Submitted)
Principal Brian Muller watches as students and staff tape him to a wall. When the chair is removed he is fully suspended.
Students duct tape principal to wall
Students at Southwest Elementary School earned the opportunity to duct tape Principal Brian Muller to a wall after surpassing their United Way fundraising goal for the year. The school raised more than $7,700, up more than $2,000 from last year. On Jan. 6, students proceeded to tape Muller to the wall in an elevated position. Of course there was lots of laughter associated with the activity, proving once again, helping others (donating to United Way) can be fun (taping the principal to a wall).
Town’s financial report shows positive signs By CAROL BROOKS Editor In December, the Town of Jamestown issued its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending 20152016, and things are looking good. The report detailed local demographics, current and upcoming projects and financial highlights. Jamestown has higherthan-average income levels, according to the report. “Data reported in the 2010 Census shows a median household income of $79,889 in Jamestown, as compared to $46,288 in Guilford County,” the report reads. “According to the 2010 Census data, approximately 63 percent of the adult residents (16 years and older) of the Town of Jamestown are in the labor force. This is down from nearly 73 percent (from) 2000.” While some of the
decrease can be attributed to unemployment, nearly 40 percent of residents are retired or on Social Security. Unemployment in 2010 was 4.2 percent, up from 2.5 percent in 2000. The 2010 percentage is lower than the 2016 rate in Guilford County of 5.4 percent, which itself is much lower than the 2010 figure of 11.5 percent. Although the figures have undoubtedly changed in 14 years, the report used the 2002 Economic Census, which stated the town had 145 establishments, with 1,201 paid employees. Manufacturing businesses comprise 71 percent of that figure. There is potential growth at the Koury Corporation projects at Jamestown Parkway and Guilford College Road within the next five years. Jamestown remains primarily a bedroom community to Greensboro and High Point. According to the 2010 Census data, only 12 percent of residents worked in town. That number is down from 18 percent of residents who worked in town as reported in the 2000 Census.” The report also states, “Median home values were
reported at $217,300 and median home rental rates were listed as $667 per month in the 2010 Census.” Interim Town Manager Cookie Billings and Finance Officer Judy Gallman made note of the number of projects going on in the town and the financing/grant opportunities available for these projects: • construction of sidewalks along Oakdale Road; • construction of sidewalks along East Fork Road and a pedestrian bridge truss over Koonce City Lake, estimated to begin in early 2017; • Lydia Trail (sidewalk) from Yorkleigh Lane to the existing sidewalk on East Main Street, estimated to begin in early 2017; • water main replacement on West Main Street from Dillon to Oakdale roads, scheduled to be completed in fiscal year 2017; • construction of the Water and Sewer Maintenance Facility (Public Works building) on Harvey Road, expected to be completed in fiscal year 2017; and • extension of Jamestown’s public utilities to the town’s extraSee FINANCIAL, page A5
Martin Luther King Day Closing Town Hall will be closed Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Day.
The majority of the Dennis family was visiting other family members at Christmas and decided to share its celebration of the holiday in Jamestown on Jan. 6, often called Old Christmas or Epiphany. The tree was still trimmed in the home of Norma Dennis, waiting for family members to arrive from near and far. Unfortunately Mother Nature decided she had waited long enough to blast the state with a blanket of wintery weather making driving home after such a celebration hazardous. Although the Dennis celebration was placed on hold, the holiday was not. As always it serves as an additional reminder of the love God sent down in the form of a baby in a manager, a child who would change the course of history and provide access to Him. The following is a repeat of a “Note from Norma” article printed in the Jamestown News in 2016. It details how one family has celebrated Epiphany in the past. Perhaps it will inspire you to continue your own Christmas celebration a bit longer next year. Continuing the Christmas season The lights on the Christmas tree twinkled brightly, festive dinnerware
(Photo/Norma B. Dennis)
There were no presents under the tree on Epiphany. That would have come when family members gathered to celebrate later in the evening. But impending wintery weather meant the space under the tree remained empty, waiting for a celebration yet to come. adorned the table, a cheery fire crackled in the fireplace (on the television) and Christmas music played softly in the background. It was not Christmas day, but rather a celebration of
Epiphany. Epiphany is traditionally celebrated on Jan. 6 in the western world. It marks the Wise Men’s visit to See EPIPHANY, page A5
Council to discuss annexation petition By CAROL BROOKS Editor The Jamestown Town Council will start the new year with a public hearing regarding annexation at its Jan. 17 meeting. The hearing will consider a contiguous annexation petition from Koury Corporation for property located at 4301 Millis Road. This is the location of the
new apartment buildings across from Millis Road Elementary School. Also on the agenda is the audit report for the fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2016. The Council will continue to review the town’s Personnel Policy and present an overview report of duties and responsibilities of the department heads. The Town Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. The public is invited to attend.
(Photos/News staff and submitted)
One person’s misery, another person’s fun
The first winter storm hit the Triad hard with 6-8 inches of powdery snow. Although it left some homebound because of impassible roads, it also created a picture perfect beauty and opportunity for sledding fun. See more pictures on page A8.