May 30 - June 5, 2019
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Up, up and away – family fun to soar at RidgeFest 2019
File photo
Oak Ridge resident and Merchants of Oak Ridge (MOR) member Randy Floss has been the driving force behind RidgeFest since its inception. RidgeFest 2019, sponsored by MOR in partnership with the Town of Oak Ridge, runs this Thursday, May 30, Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1, at Oak Ridge Town Park.
Three-day festival at Oak Ridge Town Park featuring carnival rides, food, games, hot air balloon rides and live music kicks off this Thursday by CHRIS BURRITT
OAK RIDGE – RidgeFest is adding a second stage for local musicians and hot air balloon rides to its three-day festival which kicks off Thursday, May 30, at Oak Ridge Town Park. In its 11th year, this annual festival has grown from a country fair initially held in the elementary school parking lot to the town’s biggest annual event, said Randy Floss, RidgeFest’s organizer.
IN THIS ISSUE Pilots, retiree apply to panel ...2 News in brief..............................3 Your Questions ..........................4 Oak Ridge water Q&A .............6 Councilman Bill Jones resigns ..9 Calendar Events .....................10 Vacation peace of mind ....... 11 Crime/Incident Report ........... 11 “We the People” reunion .......12 McMath is a winner!
...continued on p. 8
Councilman wants Proposed stipend to revisit 2016 increase criticized, defended water study As prospects for a regional water system dim, John O’Day said it makes sense for Summerfield Town Council to “look at” a shelved water-for-fire protection study by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Councilman John O’Day wants his town to take a fresh look at a nearly three-year-old water study that outlined options for supplying water for fire protection in Summerfield Fire District.
...continued on p. 18
by PATTI STOKES
STOKESDALE – Stokesdale Mayor John Flynt, Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks and council member Frank Bruno are being criticized by their two fellow council members for recommending an increase in council members’ monthly stipend. In recent weeks Bill and Tim Jones have claimed the three other council members have already voted themselves a 300 percent pay raise in the proposed FY 2019-2020 budget and the increase is neither justified nor responsible. Although a stipend increase has been recommended, the increase has not yet been voted on, Town Finance Officer Alisa Houk told the Northwest Observer earlier this week.
...continued on p. 15
Northwest High School band director holds up a $10,000 check he was presented with on May 24, courtesy of the N.C. Education Lottery.......................13
Grins and Gripes ....................16 Classifieds ...............................19 Index of Advertisers ...............23 NWO on the Go! .....................24
eth.
Two pilots among applicants willing to serve on airport panel by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Two airplane pilots and a retired corporate accountant have volunteered to represent Summerfield on Piedmont Triad Airport Authority’s noise committee after three Summerfield Town Council members told Mayor Gail Dunham she couldn’t appoint herself to the committee. A notice posted on Summerfield’s website asks residents interested in serving on the committee to email Town Clerk Lance Heater, with a deadline of 4 p.m. Thursday, May 30. The coun-
o happier!
cil plans to make the appointment at a special called meeting later that evening. As of Wednesday afternoon, the applicants were Andrew Broom, a certified pilot and CEO of the Citation Jet Pilots Association, private pilot Michael Lopez, and Bill Brueckmann, a retired corporate accountant. The council voted 3-1 at its monthly meeting May 14 to seek volunteers after Dunham informed members she had already appointed herself to the committee. The mayor said she was responding
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to an April 25 letter from Kevin Baker, executive director of the airport authority, asking the town to “appoint members to a citizens committee.” The committee will be charged with helping the airport authority, local governments and the Federal Aviation Administration update a study aimed at reducing the number of people exposed to excessive noise around Piedmont Triad International Airport. The airport authority set May 10 as the deadline for Summerfield and seven other municipalities to appoint residents to the committee. Since the deadline was four days before the town council’s monthly meeting, Dunham said there wasn’t time to seek volunteers, so she appointed herself. The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for the first week of June. Mayor Pro Tem Dena Barnes and council members John O’Day and Reece Walker challenged Dunham’s self-appointment and Town Attorney Bill Hill sided with them, saying the council is responsible for appointing a resident to the committee.
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As CEO for the Citation Jet Pilots Association, Broom oversees an organization that puts on educational and social events and programs for more than 1,000 owners of Cessna’s line of Citation planes. Previously, he led marketing and communications efforts for
the launch of the HondaJet for Honda Aircraft Co. in Greensboro. Broom also served as chairman of Summerfield’s Ordinance Review Committee, which was established in 2017 to recommend updates to the town’s draft development ordinance, a set of rules guiding residential and commercial development in town. In an email to the town clerk, Lopez said as a private pilot for more than 35 years and a resident living in the vicinity of the Greensboro airport, he’s attuned to the issue of airport noise. “When moving to North Carolina, a primary concern for my wife and me was avoiding airport noise,” he said. “That resulted in us moving to Summerfield in 1991.” Brueckmann retired as a cost accountant for Syngenta in 2014. He previously served on Summerfield’s Parks and Recreation Committee. He’s also licensed as a railroad brakeman, conductor, steam locomotive fireman and diesel locomotive engineer, and he volunteers in the rail operations division of the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Dunham told fellow council members May 14 she was qualified to serve on the committee based on her role as executive director of the National Air Disaster Alliance/Foundation. The Washington, D.C.-based group was
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founded by air crash survivors and victims’ relatives to improve aviation safety and security. After the council rejected the mayor’s self-appointment and sought volunteers, Dunham expressed her frustration. In a May 19 email to council members and town staff, the mayor said Town Manager Scott Whitaker had no authority to contact airport officials about the appointment. “Nothing gives this authority to the manager instead of the mayor, nothing gives authority to the clerk or manager to control and manage all inquiries, or to make the appointment,” the mayor wrote in her email. “Nothing gives authority to Summerfield Town Council to appoint as the manager posted on the website.”
to learn more Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov and click on “News & Notices.” Open the first link, “Volunteer Opportunity: PTI Citizen Advisory Committee.”
NEWS in brief
Special called meeting set for this Thursday SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council will hold a special called meeting Thursday, May 30, 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. The purpose of the meeting is three-fold. First, the town manager will present the FY 2019-20 budget proposal. The proposed $1,631,611 budget calls for the tax rate to remain at 2.75 cents per $100 of property valuation, the same tax rate the town has had since
the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, when it dropped from 3.5 cents per $100 of property valuation. The budget reflects a 16.4 percent reduction in spending next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The reduction is largely due to lower anticipated capital expenditures, according to a draft budget uploaded to the town’s website in April. The council will also consider appointing a resident to a Citizen Advisory Committee the Piedmont Triad Airport
Authority is forming (see related article on p. 2 of this issue) and appointing one planning professional to a Technical Advisory Committee.
STOKESDALE – Stokesdale citizens are encouraged to attend a budget workshop on Thursday, June 6, 6 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall to offer input on a proposed budget for FY 2019-20 which will take effect July 1. Over the last several weeks town council members and Finance Of-
ficer Alisa Houk have been working on the proposed budget for the town’s operations and water enterprise accounts and the council plans to vote on the budget at its June 13 monthly meeting. Although the budget is still in a draft stage, up to $40,000 may be allocated
for improvements to the town park and potential new park features. “Park-wise, we’re not going to put in a swimming pool,” Frank Bruno said, referencing a suggestion a citizen made when the town park was in the concep-
Finally, the council will consider awarding a bid for the U.S. 220 sidewalk project, which is intended to get A&Y Greenway users safely from where the greenway currently dead-ends at a pedestrian tunnel under U.S. 220 to a trailhead north of Summerfield Elementary School on Summerfield Road.
Citizens encouraged to attend budget workshop
... News Briefs continued on p. 17
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Oak Ridge mayor answers questions about water system This is a solution to a problem that we don’t understand.”
Spencer Sullivan responds to more questions, concerns regarding a possible municipal water system
Oak Ridge Town Councilman Doug Nodine, in response to a proposal that the town establish its own water system
by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – A proposal by Mayor Spencer Sullivan last week for the town to establish its own water system has prompted skepticism among some residents, including council member Doug Nodine. He said a system operated by the town would provide few new benefits to existing homeowners and may wind up costing taxpayers. At a special called meeting May 21, the council voted 4-1 to evaluate whether the town should establish a water system. Nodine voted against the resolution of intent, while Sullivan, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members Ann Schneider and George McClellan voted in favor of it. The system would initially serve new subdivisions with at least 30 houses that rely on community wells, leaving unaffected homeowners who get water from private wells and existing community wells. The plan would set the standard for future development, Kinneman said. Nodine countered that the system wouldn’t help existing homeowners, nor would it provide new sources of water
for drinking or fighting fires or improve distribution to existing subdivisions. Costs for the system, including contracting with a public utility to operate and maintain it, would be covered by user fees, not tax receipts, Sullivan said. As required by law, those user fees would be kept in an enterprise fund separate from the town’s general fund and taxpayer dollars, he noted. Nodine said future councils may be tempted to draw money from the enterprise fund if homeowners dealing with dry wells were to ask for Oak Ridge’s financial help. The town could also possibly be held liable if community wells needed repair or required removal of contamination, he said.
This is a 20-year-long conversation…This wasn’t anything sudden at all.” Oak Ridge Mayor Spencer Sullivan, on why the council voted on a resolution of intent only one week after it was made public
“Unless the end game is to get everybody in Oak Ridge on a municipal water system, I don’t see the benefit,” Jenkins said. Sullivan said a town-owned system would provide higher quality water than supplied by community wells in some neighborhoods. He added that users of the town’s system would possibly pay less than currently paid by some homeowners. To help determine the feasibility of the town operating a water system, the council voted to spend $13,750 for water system operator Envirolink to prepare a proposal outlining how Oak Ridge would develop and implement a system. That study will take a few weeks to complete, Sullivan said.
“This is a solution to a problem that we don’t understand,” Nodine said.
Meanwhile, the mayor is fielding questions from residents. Below are his answers to questions from citizens who attended the council’s meeting last week and from the Northwest Observer.
John Jenkins, chair of the town’s Finance Committee, said a system serving only new subdivisions would depend upon future residential development. As proposed, he said it would supply water to a limited number of homeowners.
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“This is a 20-year-long conversation,” the mayor said. In weekly staff meetings attended by Sullivan and another council member, he said, “water is always on the agenda. I was making other council members aware of what I was working on. This wasn’t anything sudden at all.”
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Sullivan said he and other town leaders began exploring the possibility of Oak Ridge creating its own water system shortly after incorporation in 1998. The town signed an agreement in 2005 for Aqua North Carolina to operate a water system for the town, but the deal fell through. In recent months, the mayor said he’s been pulling together details of his proposal, keeping fellow council members apprised of his efforts.
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wouldn’t change, how might its quality be better when supplied by a townowned water system versus existing community wells? “I have seen comments regarding quality issues in the older systems,” Sullivan said. “The difference in what we are proposing would be a higher set of standards” recommended by the American Water Works Association, a nonprofit science and educational society. “It would improve the delivery,” he said. “It would affect the quality, I think, positively. “In terms of water quality, community wells are better than individual wells if for no other reason than they’re regularly tested and the water is treated,” the mayor said. “The added advantage of the town having a system is that you’ve got local control and local accountability. You have a body that is going to be much more responsive to citizen complaints or concerns than a third party out of town.”
If the town establishes a water system, who would run it? Town staff would not run the system, nor would the town hire employees to run it, at least in the early years of its operation, Sullivan said. “We will sign a contract with a full service utility company to operate and maintain the system,” he said. “They’d handle the billing. All the cost of that is built into the rate charged to the customers. “Our expectation is that they will have an employee in Town Hall two or three days a week if customers wanted to come in with questions about billing.” Contracting with a third party would be “more cost effective” for the town,
the mayor said. Whether Oak Ridge would eventually take over operations of the system, he said, would depend upon whether the system added enough customers to create “the economy of scale” that would justify the town taking control financially and operationally.
Would rates go up or down for customers of a town-owned water system? “The rates will be the same or less, no question,” Sullivan said. Residents of subdivisions with community wells operated by Aqua America pay about 25 percent higher rates than customers of Envirolink in the area, the mayor said, and if the town’s system were to replicate Envirolink’s rate structure, homeowners would pay less than they now pay Aqua America. “Regardless of which private utility company we might be talking about, they’re like any other business,” he said. “They’re going to make decisions on the system – how it is operating, what they might do to it, what they might not do to it – based on their bottom line.”
existing subdivision wanted their system to become part of the town’s water system.” Under the mayor’s proposal, developers of new subdivisions would be required to build community wells to the national standards of the American Water Works Association. Community wells in existing subdivisions would need to meet those standards if Oak Ridge were to accept those neighborhoods into the town’s system, Sullivan said. Acquiring newer systems that meet national standards would be an option for the town, he added.
said. Under that scenario, users might agree to pay for construction of the system upfront or possibly repay over time through financing by the town’s enterprise fund, he said. Municipalities with water and sewer systems are required by state law to maintain separate enterprise funds that rely on user fees, not tax receipts, to cover costs for those systems, Sullivan said. “We are starting slow and starting small,” he said. “As we begin to take on more of these systems, we can explore how we may want to branch out.”
“These are physical assets – a well, well house, equipment and piping in the ground,” the mayor said. “Maybe we treat them as an asset that we may want to acquire.”
At this point, the mayor said his ideas are speculative and the town council will decide whether to proceed with a town-owned water system based upon Envirolink’s review of financial, legal, operational and administrative considerations.
If a subdivision were served by an outdated community well, the town might consider a request by homeowners to build a system for them, Sullivan
“We want to get a very clear picture of what this would look like, and then decide whether or not we want to do it,” Sullivan said.
Rates charged by utility companies are set by the state Utilities Commission, whereas municipalities set their own rates, Sullivan said. The mayor also noted that municipalities “are held responsible by their citizens. They have an obligation to keep the rates as low as they can. If the town is operating the system, the decisions that are made are going to be based on the welfare of our citizens.”
Would Oak Ridge consider taking over community wells in existing subdivisions? Such a move by the town would be “way in the future,” Sullivan said. “There would be options if an
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UP, UP AND AWAY – FAMILY FUN AT RIDGEFEST Sponsored by the Merchants of Oak Ridge in partnership with the Town of Oak Ridge, RidgeFest runs from 6-9:30 p.m. Thursday, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and 4:30-10 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s an opportunity for the community to come together for a great event,” said Floss, who estimates as many as 8,000 people will attend over three days. “It also gives volunteer organizations the chance to serve” as well as to highlight their offerings to the community. The festival kicks off Thursday with Oak Ridge Youth Association
Appreciation Night, when all-evening carnival ride passes will be discounted to $20. It’s a “fun night for families in the organization as well as those from the general public,” Floss said. The youth association is organizing games and contests for its members on the football fields during the festival. Carnival rides, which will be open all three nights, are moving to the Lisa Drive parking lot and a food court with tables, chairs and umbrellas will be set up near the northern end of the parking lot. Thursday’s menu will be limited to mostly desserts and beverages, but on Friday and Saturday about 10 food trucks and vendors will sell blackened pork chops, burgers, pita sandwiches, tacos and other Mexican fare, pizza, pretzels, funnel cakes, ice cream and flavored shaved ice.
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Activities get into full swing Friday and Saturday, when carnival ride passes cost $25 for each evening. Musicians will play at the amphitheater as in previous years, and on a new stage near the food court. “We’ve got a great lineup of music for this year,” Floss said. Three groups will perform Friday evening: Radio Revolver, playing hits from Aretha Franklin to AC/DC, and two duos, GT & Misti and Jacob and Forrest. More than 50 vintage cars will participate in the cruise-in car show Friday evening sponsored by Eurohaus. And just after the sun goes down on Friday, at 8:30 p.m. there will be a three-legged race and 1-mile Run the Ridge GLOW run/walk through the park. As many as 300 people are expected to participate in the walk/run, said Phillip Hanks, GLOW organizer.
MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
Hot air balloon rides are new this year. Sponsored by RE/MAX Down Home in Oak Ridge, the rides will lift off Saturday evening from one of the two football fields in the town park (for the safety of riders, the balloon will be tethered to the ground). The festival will wrap up Saturday evening after dark with a fireworks display sponsored by the Town of Oak Ridge.
Organizers expect as many as 1,500 cars during the festival. There will be about 240 spaces in the large parking lot off Lisa Drive as well as parking in the park’s grassy area along Other 8004 activities get underway at Suite Linville Road, E-3,Road. Oak Ridge Linville 4:30, including the Merchant MarRidgeFest proceeds will be shared ketplace, hay rides around the park, with nonprofit, youth and other groups barbourwilliams.com a climbing wall, face painting and that volunteer during the event. Event SNAP Fitness’ dunk tank. proceeds also make it possible for the
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KidSummit, a full range of kids’ activities sponsored by the Summit Church, will take place on one of the football fields.
Kicking off the live music performances on Saturday will be Northwest Guilford High School’s jazz band and Tracy Williams, attorney Michael Ken, a singer/songwriter from High Point. Also playing is Barefoot Modern, an
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The group won the best alternative Indie award at last month’s Richmond International Film & Music Festival. Oak Ridge Mayor Spencer Sullivan will present the band with the award on Saturday.
Saturday will be packed with more fun. From 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. more than 70 vendors will be on site for a craft fair near the park’s pond.
At around 6:30 p.m., vintage military planes flown in formation by the Bandit Flight Team will pass over the park.
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alternative Indie band based in Boone, North Carolina. Lead vocalist Tegan Dean and guitarist/keyboardist Robert Beverly are from Oak Ridge, where they met as sixth graders growing up in the Twelve Oaks neighborhood.
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Merchants of Oak Ridge to provide annual scholarships to students at Northwest Guilford High School and Oak Ridge Military Academy.
want to go? or more info? Visit the Merchants of Oak Ridge website at www.merchantsofoakridge. com and click on “Ridgefest” for the festival’s flyer or to register for the Run the Ridge GLOW on Friday evening.
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by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – William “Bill” Jones, who was elected to his first four-year term on the Stokesdale Town Council in November 2011 and to a second term in November 2015, has resigned from his council seat after serving as a council member for the last 7 ½ years. Jones emailed his resignation letter to Town Clerk/Finance Officer Alisa Houk on May 19 and informed her his effective resignation date was the same day. In his brief resignation letter Jones said the sale of his home in Stokesdale was to be final on May 28, but he had already moved most of his things to his new home in Kernersville.
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Stokesdale Councilman Bill Jones listens to a citizen speaking during the Public Comments section of the council’s May 9 monthly meeting. Jones, who has served on the town council for the last 7 1/2 years, resigned his council seat effective May 19, a little over a week before closing on the sale of his home in Stokesdale. Jones and his wife have since moved to Kernersville.
Jones served his first six years on the council with Randy Braswell, who was a council member for two years before being elected to a four-year term as the town’s mayor. During the time they served together the two men became close friends and were almost always publicly aligned on town-related issues. Braswell attended the council’s monthly meeting in April and, during Public Comments, spoke glowingly of Jones. “This man played on the streets as a kid in Stokesdale and has come back and served,” Braswell said to those in attendance. And to Jones, he said, “Your service needs to be known. I never knew that day that I met you how important you would be to me as a person and a council member. You
have a true compassion for people and you’re the hardest-working man I have ever worked around. “Bill, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he continued. “… You learned the town and you saved us money by using common sense and hard work. I can’t praise you enough for your service to our town, our county, and your time with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department. Thank you for speaking up and being so bold.”
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Click “community calendar” on the left-hand side Deadline for inclusion in each week’s issue is
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, MAY 30 & 31, JUNE 1
9 a.m. on Mondays
Hall, 8315 Linville Road. During the meeting there will be a public hearing for the proposed FY 2019-20 budget, which will take effect July 1, after which the council will vote on whether to approve the budget. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for a complete meeting agenda. Budget Meeting | Stokesdale Town Council will
ship with the Town of Oak Ridge, invites the community to RidgeFest 2019 on May 30, 31 & June 1 at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Enjoy live music, carnival rides, food trucks and much more! For more details, visit merchantsofoakridge.com.
hold a budget workshop June 6, 6 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. All citizens are 8607 Stokesdale St. This is a fundraising event to help invited to attend and provide input on the proposed families in the community who are less fortunate or budget for next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The are experiencing hardships. More info and to register town council plans to vote on the draft budget at its a custom car: www.stokesdalechristianchurch.com or June 13 monthly meeting. call (336) 669-8108.
FRIDAY, MAY 31
TUESDAY, JUNE 4
RidgeFest | Merchants of Oak Ridge, in partner-
SMA Monthly Meeting | Summerfield-based
Run the Ridge GLOW | The 11th annual Run
the Ridge will take place May 31, 8:30 p.m. as part of the RidgeFest activities in Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Register in advance to get your free T-shirt. More info and to register: www.merchantsofoakridge.com.
SATURDAY, JUNE 1 Car Show Fundraiser | After being rescheduled last
business professionals are invited to Summerfield Merchants Association’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 4, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For meeting location, email info@summerfieldmerchant.com. Visit www.summerfieldmerchant.com or Facebook.com/ SummerfieldMerchantsAssociation to learn more about this local group of business professionals.
month due to weather, the sixth annual Custom Carz THURSDAY, JUNE 6 at Church Car Show is scheduled to take place June 1, Town Council Meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stokesdale Christian Church, will meet June 6 beginning 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town
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Guilford invites area senior citizens (ages 55-plus) to a monthly lunch and activity in June at two local churches. The first is on Tuesday, June 11, at Center United Methodist Church, 6142 Lake Brandt Road, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more info, contact the church at (336) 643-7765. The second is on Thursday, June 20, at Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church, 2334 Scalesville Road, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. RSVP for the program/luncheon at either location by calling (336) 373-4816, ext. 265, or email ruraloutreach@senior-resources-guilford.org.
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MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
For advertising info, contact Laura Reneer, marketing manager (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com
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Is your old friend getting
Keep your senior pet healthy by scheduling routine exams and annual bloodwork to catch disease early.
older?
(336) 665-1286 www.bel-airevet.com
Serving the NW Triad area since 1991
Before you go out of town on vacation… for an extended period of time. You’ll be asked to provide the district office with your name, address and dates you’ll be gone and a deputy will check on your property whenever possible.
Headed out of town for a long weekend or vacation and want a little more peace of mind regarding your home while you’re gone? The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens of its “Vacation Safety Check” program and invites them to contact their local district office before they leave their home
For northwest Guilford County residents, contact the District 1 office during business hours at (336) 641-2300.
CRIME / INCIDENT report
District 1 Sheriff’s Office has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest Guilford County ... The District 1 office encompasses Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Stokesdale, Colfax and northwest and northern Greensboro. It is bounded by Rockingham County on the north, runs east along U.S. 29 South, west along Forsyth County and south along the Greensboro city limits. reported that around 3:52 a.m. a
THEFT
took his car and used the debit card several times before returning both the car and the debit card. Warrants were obtained for a woman residing on Jett Drive in Reidsville for several offenses. May 27 | A resident in the 6900 block of Summerfield Road reported that sometime between 4:30 and 8:45 p.m. unknown suspect(s) stole his 2000 Saturn SL1, valued at about $2,000, from the driveway of his home. The resident said the vehicle was unlocked but the keys were not in it.
VEHICLE DRIVER VIOLATIONS
Stokesdale for driving with an expired registration plate. May 25 | A 59-year-old woman was cited near the I-73/N.C. 150 interchange in Summerfield for driving while impaired.
OTHER ARRESTS/CITATIONS
May 24 | A 40-year-old female resident of Brittains Field Road in Oak Ridge was arrested on a criminal summons charge. May 24 | A 27-year-old female resident of Myers Fork Road in Summerfield was arrested on a warrant from another agency.
May 24 | A 23-year-old woman was arrested near the I-73/N.C. 150 interchange in Summerfield on an out-ofcounty warrant.
District 1 Sheriff’s Office 7506 Summerfield Road
May 24 | A 25-year-old female was arrested near the I-73/U.S. 158 interchange in Summerfield for driving 15 mph (or more) over the speed limit.
Main number: (336) 641-2300
May 24 | A 23-year-old female was cited near the I-73/N.C. 150 interchange in Summerfield for driving with a revoked license.
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
Report non-emergency crime-related incidents by calling:
(336) 373-2222
in case of emergency, dial
May 24 | A 39-year-old woman was cited at Clintwood Drive/U.S. 158 in
911
www.guilfordcountync.gov/ our-county/sheriff-s-office
Capt. Brian Hall
known offender entered his home, stole
May 27 | A resident of Northwest School Road in northwest Greensboro
his debit card and car keys, and then
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‘We the Peeps’ attend reunion on May 18 Northwest High School alum and longtime history teacher Ray Parrish said he was overwhelmed at being surrounded by some of his former We the People (WTP) students who attended a reunion at the school May 18. Parrish taught the WTP class at Northwest High School for 22 years before it was eliminated after the end of the school year in 2017 due to budget cuts.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Parsons
For the Former students in Ray Parrish’s 22 We the People classes at Northwest High School attended a WTP reunion at the school on May 18. Parrish (shown on last few years second row, second from left) said he was “overwhelmed” by seeing so many of his “peeps” and “incredibly grateful” to all who made the reunion possible. there had been discussion about ously – pursuing truth and friendship. ible parents of peeps – it all overreunion,” Parrish told the Northwest having a reunion, but it wasn’t until The families, friends, We the People whelmed me. Observer. “I worried only a dozen or this year that all the details came program, Northwest High and Northso peeps would show up. Then so together, thanks to the assistance of “I am so incredibly thankful to all west Observer created a wonderful many great things happened that I parent and school PTSO president who made this happen,” Parrish said. culture for awesome young students didn’t expect. Peeps from almost 20 Kelly Parsons and a couple of former “Remembering the past is the ‘Trailer (known as peeps). They were (and still years ago with lots of children runWTP students. 211’ job but the real job is creating are) a joy in my life.” ning around – recent peeps – incredteams who take our motto very seri“I was overwhelmed by the
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MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
McMath named N.C. School Hero N.C. Education Lottery awards Northwest High School’s band director $10,000, with an additional $10,000 going to the school’s band program and $1,000 to nominator and parent Anna-Liv Deardorff by PATTI STOKES NW GUILFORD – Northwest High School band director Brian McMath doesn’t hesitate when asked how he’ll spend the $10,000 he received from the N.C. Education Lottery on May 18. Selected as one of 10 “school heroes” from among 6,000 nominees in a statewide contest held this spring, McMath said he’ll use the money to pay off debt he acquired while earning his bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in music education. “I will pay for my student loans,” he told the Northwest Observer. “So in a way it still goes back into the (educational) program.” Thanks to the thousands … and thousands … of current and former students, friends, family members and supporters nearby and across the world who voted for McMath in an
Photo by Patti Stokes, NWO
(From left) Van Denton from the N.C. Education Lottery, Northwest High School band director Brian McMath, N.C. School Hero winner, Dominic Deardoff, student, Anna-Liv Deardoff, nominator and mother of Dominic, and Ralph Kitley, school principal, stand on the school’s auditorium stage May 18 while McMath was presented with the N.C. School Hero award.
N.C. School Hero contest the state education lottery program sponsored, not only was McMath awarded $10,000, but an additional $10,000 will also be awarded to the school, which will funnel the award money to the band program – and $1,000 will
go to Anna-Liv Deardorff, the parent who nominated McMath for the award. In her nomination letter, Deardorff expressed that McMath “gave her back” her son, Dominic, a senior who has been under McMath’s
music direction all four years of high school. She credits the band director for encouraging Dominic, a talented trumpet player, through an extremely difficult emotional period after his arm was crushed in an UTV accident
...continued on p. 14
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“When I started it (the nomination process), I didn’t think about a vote count,” Deardorff told the Northwest Observer in March, as online votes for McMath to be a school hero were increasing exponentially by the day. “I was trying to show our son that he has been on the hard side, but something good can come out of it. I wanted people to know this man gave us our child back. There is not a way to thank someone enough for that. To have this person, as a teacher, make the choice to say, ‘Oh my gosh, I think I know how to help with this. In that moment he made that choice. These are the people around your child more than you are sometimes, and you can only hope there will be a person in a moment of need who will say, ‘Okay, I will help.’ “He knew we had a very hard road,” Deardorff continued. “They told us Dominic would never be able to use his arm the same way. He would never be able to get the feeling back in the center of his arm. Brian helped him and told him, ‘You play these songs and you do this. You focus this here and you help take the pain away.’ Dominic blew through nine months of rehab in weeks. He went to a jazz camp. Those are the things that pushed him through. “Mr. McMath was the one teacher who made it his mission to help our son fight through the darkness and come out on the other side a stronger kid and even better musician,” Deardorff wrote in her school hero nomination letter. “McMath taught him to use music as therapy to manage his pain while healing. Mr. McMath’s jazz program inspired our son to keep playing the jazz he loved with gigs out in the community.” “I am extremely honored and sort
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MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
of humbled by it. The way I truly view it, I don’t consider people doing it for me, but for our program,” McMath said of being named a school hero, which in large part was based on the number of votes he received. “Our band program budget is huge – and for us, it’s often either about fixing broken instruments, or replacing new instruments that can’t be fixed. This is a $10,000 windfall we didn’t expect. For me, I do want to make sure people know I wasn’t doing this for me to win money – it’s for the kids.” After being presented with the hero award on May 18, McMath said he didn’t feel like a hero. “I just feel like I did what any teacher would do,” he said. “That’s what we do. We support our kids. It’s a band family. Family takes care of family.” The North Carolina Education Lottery created the N.C. School Heroes campaign to showcase the positive impacts teachers, principals, and other school workers have in public schools every day. “There are thousands of heroes like Brian McMath doing amazing work in our public schools,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians, school resource officers, all make a big difference for our students every day. We’re glad our School Heroes program shines a spotlight on their great work.” Money raised by the lottery assists many of those School Heroes, including $386 million this year that supports the work of school support staff such as office assistants and custodians. Additional money will help build and repair schools, support the N.C. Pre-K program for “at-risk” 4-year-olds, provide college scholarships and grants based on financial need, and help meet school transportation needs.
BILL JONES
...continued from p. 9 “I’ve met some great people,” Jones said in an interview a few weeks before he vacated his seat. “Randy (Braswell) and I accomplished a lot. I feel it got dismantled a little bit and that’s frustrating.” Among other things, Jones has concerns about the town’s water system. “I feel like we had the water system going in the right direction and now I’m not comfortable at all – I just don’t feel we have control of it,” he said. “You need an experienced operator. Why would you turn it over to somebody with a part-time job (referencing the town’s part-time water operator hired last year) … He has an operator’s license, but it’s when you have a real problem that I have concerns … if he were to decide to move out of town, you have no backup. If you have a company with access to an engineer, or if you have an engineer issue, you can have access to them in an hour.” Business being conducted without all council members being called to a meeting, contracts being approved without full-council oversight, spending authority being ignored and work done without work orders are just some of the long list of grievances Jones says he has
with the majority of current council members. “Maybe I shouldn’t be proud of it, but I’m probably the most vocal person; I’ve always been one that will speak up and if I have a problem with someone I’ll tell them,” he said. “They can’t wait for me to leave … and that’s fine. I’m working hard to get some different people to run and I’m going to work harder to get some people to run than I’ve ever worked for myself. Fair and honest is what I’m looking for. You don’t have to agree with my politics... “The rub comes in because we have a totally different form of government (mayor/council as opposed to council/manager),” he continued. “If I were going to stay here I would probably try to get a referendum to change our charter and go to a town manager form of government.” Still, Jones said his roots run deep in Stokesdale and until he and his wife moved to Kernersville earlier this month, they lived in a subdivision off N.C. 68 on land that generations of his family farmed for tobacco. He said he’ll continue to keep a watchful eye on the town he grew up in and he plans to still attend council meetings. “It’s a great little town,” he said.
STIPEND
...continued from p. 1 “It will be discussed along with the proposed budget for 2019-2020,” Houk said. Bruno, who along with his fellow council members and Houk created the town’s draft operating and water enterprise budgets this year, said the issue of a stipend increase first surfaced last year. “Thearon (Hooks) and John (Flynt) realized that the stipends had been the same for almost 20 years, and they looked at what other towns were paying their council members,” Bruno said. Stokesdale’s mayor currently gets a monthly stipend of $233. 34; the mayor pro tem gets $216.67 and the three other council members get $200 each. A suggested increase in next fiscal year’s proposed budget, which will be voted on by the council June 13, could take the mayor to about $600 per month, the mayor pro tem to $550 and the three other council members to about $500 each. Unlike its neighbors in Summerfield and Oak Ridge, Stokesdale does not have a town manager or town administrator, or parks and recreation manager, so council members oversee the day-today decision making and operations of the town and park property. “We looked at what it would cost to hire a manager — about $100,000plus including benefits,” Bruno said. “If the town were also to hire a parks and recreation manager, that could cost
another $80,000.” “We figured, if we could do it ourselves, it would be a good deal,” Bruno said, explaining that during a typical week he spends about 10 hours on town-related business and sometimes as much as 15 to 20 hours; Flynt and Hooks, who are at Town Hall almost every weekday, routinely spend even more time than that, he said. “We never get reimbursed for mileage, office supplies, etc. – that’s for staff only,” Bruno said. “For example, when we went to the School of Government for a seminar, the town paid for the fee and we had to pay for our mileage. Anything we’ve done through the League of Municipalities, Piedmont Triad Regional Council, etc., we’ve usually done on our own and paid for ourselves.” Besides the time commitment, Bruno said the out-of-pocket expenses can be a deterrent for anyone considering running for town council in the future. “If you show people what they have to do, they say ‘you’re crazy … I don’t have that much time’,” Bruno said. “At least if you compensate them a little it might be more enticing.” The council will host a budget workshop June 6, 6 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall and invites citizens to attend and offer input on the proposed budget. “It is a working budget and nothing is set in stone until we adopt it,” Bruno said. The council hopes to adopt the budget for next fiscal year, which begins July 1, at its June 13 monthly meeting.
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MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
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GRINS and GRIPES
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We’re all ears.
Grins to those who donate time and money to charities.
Gripes to BJ Barnes for running for mayor of Summerfield.
Tell us how you feel.
(but please, keep it to 40 words or less) E-mail grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com
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MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
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online: nwobserver.com e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.
GRINS to... Michael at Lowes Foods’ Beer Den in Oak Ridge. I know my beer – seriously – but only regarding British ales and my preferred German pilsners. He knows them all – an excellent cicerone! “He knows his onions.” Cheers!
www.trane.com
Grins to BJ Barnes for running for mayor of Summerfield.
Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in words or less
Roger, the mailman, for going the extra mile and putting packages in bags so they do not get wet. We do appreciate your service, even though we do not thank you. Job well done! All the churches, no matter the size, that have served the northwest area for many, many years – all are equal in the sight of God when we follow the Bible and not the world. JJL Construction for doing excellent work, being very professional, easy to work with and going above and beyond. Everyone who has supported the weekly Oak Ridge Farmers Market. And a very special thank you for all our volunteers who are helping out Thursday nights. We really appreciate your involvement!
GRIPES to... BJ Barnes for running for Summerfield mayor. Part of the good ole’ boys’ network? Absolutely! The swamp needs to be drained on the Summerfield Town Council. We need both Barneses out of Summerfield politics.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
To the person griping about the Mitsubishi female driver: Bless your heart! I’ll say a prayer for you. In the meantime, read Romans 2:1. Have a blessed day! Editor’s note: Romans 2:1 of the Bible (New International Version) reads: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” Those against a connected community water system for Oak Ridge. Maybe they weren’t here during the last drought. Councilmen/women who believe readers of the NWO are gullible and easily deceived with audacious, insolent language and diversion techniques. Their impenitent and supercilious behavior does not hide their lack of good judgement and common sense. Owners of local home service businesses who believe you can charge significantly higher prices without the prior knowledge and consent of the customer. I support small local businesses, but only those that are fair and perform quality work. Those considering three traffic circles in Oak Ridge. One would suffice (on N.C. 150) between Oak Ridge Commons and Tractor Supply. Eliminate the possibility of turning left from Marketplace, the gas station and Linville – problem solved. John Flynt, Thearon Hooks and Frank
Bruno for voting themselves a 300% stipend increase. They vote lockstep for unauthorized spending, no-bid contracts with Bruno’s business associates and have no financial accountability, transparency or respect for taxpayers. Property owners on N.C. 150, directly across from the Birkhaven entrance. The piled-up trash in front of the house is a disgrace and the property looks like it should be condemned. Hoping the proper authorities will investigate this situation.
“While the nuisances in this case are clear to see, all nuisance cases allow property owners to correct violations through a series of legally issued warnings and notices before we can take stronger action to remedy,” Spencer wrote in an email to the Northwest Observer in February 2018. “…This particular case has been complicated by questions in ownership and responsibility and we’ve had to take time to ensure we follow legal proceedings. That said, we’re on it!”
Editor’s note: In February 2018 we reached out to then Summerfield Planning Director Carrie Spencer to inquire about whether this property was in violation of the Town’s nuisance ordinance. At that time, Spencer confirmed the property was in violation of the ordinance and Summerfield’s contracted code enforcement officer was working the case.
Spencer is no longer with the Town of Summerfield, but when we were reviewing Grins & Gripes for this week’s paper on Wednesday and read this one, we reached out to Town Manager Scott Whitaker and asked for an update on what has been done to address the ordinance violations at this property. We’ll provide Whitaker’s answer next week, after he has had a chance to respond.
NEWS in brief
whiteboard and software.
...continued from p. 3
“They’re the only ones who have requested anything,” Bruno said.
tual stage. Bruno said he and fellow council members have been looking at the list of citizen-submitted suggestions from several years ago as well as some that have been made since then and will consider new park features that are not too expensive to install or maintain.
The draft budget may also reflect a transfer of funds from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Designated Fund Balance for future property acquisition, should additional property become available someday for park expansion.
Stokesdale Elementary has again asked the town for a donation to fund technical equipment and Bruno said $9,000 is included in the draft budget for equipping three classrooms with a
“Hopefully, people will show up on June 6 to participate in the budget process,” Bruno said. “But if they can’t and they have input or a request for funding, they can call Town Hall (at 336-643-4011) or email stokesdale@stokesdale.org.
According to Zippia … OAK RIDGE / SUMMERFIELD – According to career expert Zippia, Oak Ridge and Summerfield are among the top 10 best small towns in North Carolina for finding jobs.
Of the top 10 towns with a minimum population of 5,000, Oak Ridge ranked No. 1 and Summerfield No. 3 out of about 106 small towns in the state.
“Holly Springs takes the cake among the biggest cities in North Carolina, while Oak Ridge is bursting with jobs if you’re looking for a slightly smaller place to call home,” the online career search company wrote on its website, Zippia.com.
Zippia’s criteria, which are based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, include current unemployment rate, unemployment change, current median household income and median household income change.
A special insert in the Northwest Observer featuring home-grown articles about facing health-related challenges, fitness trends, the benefits of healthy lifestyles, and more.
In print every summer and online year-round at nwobserver.com
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
17
WATER STUDY
analyze options for providing a supply of water for fire protection inside the town limits, and to submit a report. The report was presented to citizens at a special called meeting in July 2016.
...continued from p. 1
Faltering support for a regional water system leaves Summerfield, Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and unincorporated areas of northwest Guilford County essentially where they were in mid-2016 when they agreed to study the feasibility of the regional system.
“There may be some opportunities there,” O’Day said in an interview last week. “At least we can pull it back out and look at it.”
In July of that year, Summerfield Town Council voted to explore the possibility of joining its neighbors in a regional water authority. While doing so, it set aside consideration of an independent study an engineering firm had just completed on behalf of the town.
Chris Johnson, Summerfield Fire District chief, said he’d welcome reconsideration of the Wooten study. It laid out six options for Summerfield to increase the supply of water for fighting fires. With no municipal water system, the fire department relies on ponds and lakes to refill tankers when an emergency supply of water is needed.
Now O’Day wants the council to revisit recommendations from The Wooten Company, a Raleighbased civil engineering firm. In January 2016 the town contracted with the firm in the amount of $8,500 to
Jam-packed with valuable info for northwest Guilford County residents
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In print every January and online year-round at nwobserver.com 18
MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
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The number of water access points has declined steadily in recent years due to road construction and development of agricultural property for subdivisions. At the same time, the number of personnel fighting fires has slipped, as hiring of permanent employees hasn’t kept up with slumping numbers of volunteers, Johnson said in an interview earlier this week. In one option, Wooten proposed placing small tanks holding 30,000 to 50,000 gallons of water at six locations in Summerfield. In two other scenarios, water drawn from four wells on town property at U.S. 220 and N.C. 150 would supply a ground-level storage tank or an elevated tank on the property. An elevated tank would enable the Summerfield fire department to refill trucks more quickly while diverting fewer personnel from fighting fires, Johnson said. Accessing water from ponds requires two trucks with three firefighters, whereas pressurized water from a tank would allow a single firefighter to fill up a tanker, he said. Another option proposed by Wooten would extend water lines to fire hydrants in six locations in Summerfield, at an estimated cost of $2.7 million. In another, if Summerfield were to connect to a neighboring water system such as Rockingham County’s, the water could be converted for drinkable use in the future. An elevated tank could possibly provide water for residential use on a limited basis, Town Manager Scott Whitaker said. As an example, water lines could be extended to homeowners along Summerfield Road and N.C. 150. “It would take a big user” for the town council to commit to funding one of Wooten’s recommendations, council member Reece Walker said in an interview earlier this week. He noted supplying water to Summerfield
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
Elementary School or a large subdivision relying on community wells would be a possibility.
“I don’t see us running water lines just to run water lines,” Walker said. If Summerfield were to pursue recommendations in the Wooten study, it would join Oak Ridge and Stokesdale in distancing themselves from a regional water system. As proposed last year by consultant Timmons Group, it would cost more than $50 million and require mandatory hookup by potential users. “It is a loser for the citizenry,” O’Day said. “It is outrageously expensive. Most people on well water don’t want their well water taken away.” O’Day echoed recent skepticism by the mayors of Oak Ridge and Stokesdale. Both questioned prospects for a water system serving northwest Guilford. At the recommendation of Mayor Spencer Sullivan, Oak Ridge Town Council held a special called meeting May 21 and voted to evaluate the feasibility of starting its own municipal water system; initially, the system would serve only new subdivisions relying on community wells. Homeowners on existing community wells and private wells would be unaffected by a system operated by Oak Ridge, Sullivan noted. Given the estimated cost of a regional water system, the mayor said during the meeting last week, it is “extremely unlikely that anything will come of it.” Three weeks earlier, Stokesdale Mayor John Flynt said in an interview his town “would be crazy” to participate in a regional water system because it already operates its own municipal system for residents and businesses.
AUTO SALES & SERVICE
EMPLOYMENT
YARD SALES
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER, burnt red, 650 miles, 1,200cc five-speed w/ windshield, crash bar, sissy bar. $11,500. (336) 427-7852.
ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE. Help wanted. Call (336) 643-9157.
GARAGE SALE, Sat., June 1, 7am-12pm, 6406 W. Belgrave Terrace, Summerfield. Furniture, tools, lawn equipment, camping gear, clothes, toys, etc.
EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE & REPAIR We specialize in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Mini and Porsche. 32 years experience. Knight Import Specialty Service, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669.
EMPLOYMENT Place online at
DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue
NEED HELP? Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -12:30pm
INDEX
HIRING DEPENDABLE DUMP TRUCK DRIVERS. Experience preferred, CDL & valid medical card required. (336) 949-9060. FULL-TIME RECEPTIONIST position open at a small family-friendly eye care practice. We are passionate about our patients and are looking for someone to join our amazing team! Prior optometry or relevant medical office experience preferred; excellent customer service, attention to detail, and multitasking skills required. Email resumes to drbarts@summerfieldfamilyeyecare.com. VENDORS WANTED. Stokesdale Marketplace is accepting new vendors. Booths are available now. Come pick yours! 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale. (336) 949-9269. We are growing fast.
Auto Sales & Service ................... 19 Employment ............................... 19 Event Registration........................ 19 Save the Date ............................. 19 Yard Sales ................................... 19 Home Services ........................19-21 Misc. for Sale .............................. 21 Misc. Services.............................. 21 Misc. Wanted .............................. 21 Pets & Animal Services ................ 21 Real Estate.................................. 22
Carson Dellosa Education is now hiring SEASONAL WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATES for June, July and August. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Great pay and flexible hours. Perfect opportunity for students. Conveniently located off Pleasant Ridge Road at 657-A Brigham Road Greensboro. Please contact human resources at (336) 808-3225 for a tour.
PART-TIME HOST/HOSTESS. Do you like HGTV? Enjoy touring homes? Become a host/hostess! Part-time employment hosting open houses in New Construction. Works with your schedule, Sunday after afternoons. Desired qualities: customer ser service/sales, gather information, punctual/ reliable. Call us today! (336) 485-1881. EXPERIENCED SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC needed in Oak Ridge. Contact Tom, (336) 202-3256. TIRE MAX TOTAL CAR CARE in Stokesdale and Summerfield is seeking top talent. If you or someone you know has experience in the industry, we’d love to talk with you. Call (336) 441-8066 in Stokesdale; (336) 793-5391 in Summerfield, or just stop by.
EVENT REGISTRATION RUN THE RIDGE GLOW at RIDGEFEST, Friday , May 31, 8:30pm in Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Register online for a T-shirt, or at the event. For more info, visit merchantsofoakridge.com.
SAVE THE DATE RIDGEFEST 2019, Thursday - Saturday, May 30, 31 & June 1 at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. For all of the details, visit merchantsofoakridge.com. HANDMADE CRAFTS AT RIDGEFEST, Saturday, June 1, 11am-7pm, Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive in Oak Ridge. 60+ handmade craft vendors featuring jewelry, dolls, sewing, wreaths, glass art, quilts, crochet, soaps, signs, baked goods, jams & jellies, and much more! Off Linville Road, across from town hall. For more info, email Mary at mandmjordahl@aol.com.
Tell our readers about your event! Place your classified ad online at
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE, Saturday, June 1, 8am-until, 1075 Hwy. 150, Summerfield. Children's & adult clothes, toys, household goods, glassware, fishing/outdoor equipment & more! YARD SALE, Saturday, June 1, 7am-12n, 9429 Gideon Grove Ch. Rd., Stokesdale. Toys, clothes, misc household items, more!
Place your yard sale ad at
HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Repair and service. Checkup special $39.95. Call (336) 382-3750.
CLEANING OLGA'S HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE If it needs to be done, I'll do it. If it needs to be clean, I'll clean it. You will be satisfied. References provided. (336) 289-0008. THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN INC. For a one-time clean or bi-weekly, I can fit your schedule. Licensed, bonded and insured. Call Lisa (336) 207-0770. CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873. MAIDS OF HONOR HOME CLEANING $25 off! Locally owned, bonded staff. 40 years in service. BBB A+ rating. (336) 708-2407. 708-2407 KOONTZ CLEANING SERVICE, serving Summerfield and surrounding areas since 1985. Quality carpet and upholstery cleaning, tile and grouted floors, leather furniture, Oriental rugs. Ask about our hardwood floor deep-cleaning system and finish application. Spring specials. Please call (336) 643-6323 or (336) 392-8802.
... continued on p. 20
MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
19
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
ELECTRICAL
MOWER DECKS WELDED & REPAIRED. Pickup and delivery available. Call or text Morris at (336) 880-7498.
DELIMA LAWNCARE. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured. Commercial & Residential. (336) 669-5210.
MASONRY
APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.
SOUTHERN CUTS LAWN CARE, complete lawn maintenance services. 13 years experience. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086.
Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486. BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192. Need an electrician? Call BLACKMON ELECTRICAL, INC. Free estimates. Commercial & residential. Licensed & insured. Call (336) 430-5018.
FLOORING
Your business should be here! Let us introduce you to our readers. Place your ad online at
MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free est., exc. references. Call (336) 215-8842 or visit Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com.
GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate, call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350.
OLD SCHOOL
HOME REPAIR/IMPROVEMENTS “No Job Too Small”
Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Painting • Decks and much more! • Insured
Contact us for a free estimate!
(336) 669-7252
oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com
FIX YOUR MOWER. Free pickup & delivery. Call Rick, (336) 501-8681. L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE "We get you mowing!" Comm./res., all models. 2103 Oak Ridge Rd., Oak Ridge. Call (336) 298-4314, landtsmallengineservice.com. GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES “Providing value for the home-ownership experience.” Gary Gellert, serving NC’s Piedmont Triad area. Garygellert@gmail. com, (336) 423-8223.
20
GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale. (336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844.
GRADING / HAULING E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282. BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647. PEARMAN QUARRY HAULING Fill dirt, gravel, sand rock, mulch & more. Joel Richardson, (336) 803-2195. GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150. ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt. available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.
LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maint, landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764. COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming, pine needles. Complete lawn care maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the Triad for 28 years. (336) 362-5860. ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875.
MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
ATCHISON LAWN CARE. Dependable. Honest. Local. Call (336) 486-9837. STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic/Ins. 40 yrs. exp. Lots & natural area thinning and cleanup. Large shrubbery jobs, chipping. Oak Ridge, (336) 643-1119. ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981. ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. Call Joe at 643-9157. STOKESDALE LAWN. Mowing & weedeating. $45 minimum. (336) 423-2692. GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490. FAY'S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Complete landscape maintenance & hardscaping. Tree work. Reasonable & honest. Call Taylor, (336) 458-6491. AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor. We service all systems. Free est. (336) 644-1174. CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workwork man’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com. AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPING for all your landscaping needs, including irrigation, installation and repair. Call Joe at J. Gibson Landscaping, an Americanowned and operated small business. Built on Capitalism, not Socialism. In God we trust. (336) 419-7236.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
COLONIAL MASONRY 40 years experience. Check us out at www. colonialmasonry.com or call (828) 312-0090. MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone MASONR concrete & repairs. Free est. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com. SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes. How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.
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MISC. SERVICES & PRODUCTS COX POOL SERVICE. Openings, closings, routine maintenance, weekly service. No contracts, free estimates! (336) 327-5122. GRILLS, FIRE PITS, gas logs, heaters, gas inserts, tankless water heaters. General home repairs. Call Don Hill, (336) 643-7183.
PAINTING & DRYWALL PAINTING – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.
BEK Paint Co. Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners
(336) 931-0600
BEKPaintCompany.com • References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
MISC. SERVICES
CARLOS & SON PAINTING, interior and exterior. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210.
PREMIER CONSTRUCTION for all your remodeling/renovation needs. (336) 430-9507.
PREMIER ROOFING, LOCALLY OWNED. Catering to all your roofing needs. Call
SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470.
STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com. LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block fill, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089.
PLUMBING WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded. 24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info. BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic. & insured. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.
PRESSURE WASHING PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873. HOUSE SOFT WASHING, licensed and insured. Free estimates. (919) 931-0856. www.MartinsPressureWashing.com.
REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, vinyl siding and windows, painting, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and linoleum floors, and remodeling of all kinds. No job too small. Free est. Call (336) 362-7469. JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured. NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com. BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 39 years exp. (336) 362-6343.
ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981. DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING, LLC. Custom Builder, sunrooms, garages, additions, kitchens baths. Licensed & Insured, BBB A+ accredited. Free est. Visit www.douglascr.com or call (336) 413-5050. RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. We are a locally owned, full-service design and build company, A+ accredited with the BBB. Visit www.myrenovationworks.com or call (336) 427-7391 to start your next project.
Need something?
(336) 430-9507 for free assessments.
MISC. FOR SALE HOME WOODWORKING POWER TOOLS, wide variety including Delta, Dewalt, Makita, Jet. (336) 668-2415.
Got
stuff? Sell it here in the
classifieds
DESIREE'S PERMANENT COSMETICS SPECIALS: Microneedling facial session, $150 or 3 sessions for $375! Semi-permanent eyelash enhancement, $150 (includes touch-up)! Limited time. Conveniently in Oak Ridge. Appointment only. Call or text (336) 777-6444. On Facebook & IG. ERRANDS AND MORE, LLC. With summer around the corner, we are able to pick up kids from camps, sporting events, or other appointments. House sitting along with appointment scheduling, waiting for deliveries, repairmen or installation! Senior care services including companionship & transportation. Corporate er errands also available. Insured & bonded. Email errandsandmore64@gmail.com or call (336) 202-2420.
MISC. WANTED
submit your ad at
$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk or wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.
Find it here in the
classifieds
FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, golf carts, ATVs, generators, power washers, chain saws, mini-bikes, gocarts, and most grills. (336) 689-4167.
submit your ad at
nwobserver.com
PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.
ROOFING
PET SITTING
BEST PRICES IN TOWN! Shingle and metal roofing. Top-notch quality. Res./comm., licensed & insured. Financing available. Belews Creek Construction, (336) 362-6343. CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience. Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 580-3245. RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of roofing. BBB accredited A and listed with Angie’s List. Call (336) 944-6118, or visit redrhinoroofing.com. KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Residential shingle & metal roofing. Free est. (336) 362-7469.
WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING. Registered & Insured. Follow me on Facebook! Call or text, (336) 339-6845.
MISC. SERVICES FAT RABBIT FURNITURE REFURBISHING Call us today for all your furniture needs! Repairs, painting, staining. We will pick it up and deliver it back to you, new again! (336) 816-3641 or (336) 408-3434. FIVE-ACRE STORAGE LOT. Convenient
We
critters
Check out our Pets & Critters section in the first issue of every month
and clean. RVs, campers, boats, trailers. (336) 486-9837.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
...continued, p. 22
MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
21
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
HOMES FOR RENT
ACREAGE, Summerfield address in Southern Rockingham County. 15 mins. to Greensboro airport area. 5 to 25 acre tracts. Gorgeous trees, creeks, pond and gentle terrain. No HOA or dues. Paved road frontage. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.
CONVENIENT ONE-LEVEL TOWNHOUSE, no stairs, 2BR/1BA, $795, (336) 392-1454.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
45 +/- ACRES AVAILABLE in southern Rockingham County. Gorgeous property, call (336) 430-9507.
Call for Buyer or Seller Representation
Gil Vaughan, REALTOR /Broker (336) 337-4780 ®
JustCallGil.com gilvaughan@gmail.com
SUMMERFIELD, AWESOME LOCATION. Fantastic piece of property with open & wooded acreage, creek on back of proper property. Magnificent estate/horse farm site. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime!
Property to rent? List it here! Visit www.nwobserver.com.
We Help Everyone! SELLERS & BUYERS
REAL ESTATE OPEN HOUSE: Sun, June 2 • 2- 4pm
7004 Mustang Court, Summerfield
MOVE-IN READY Southern Colonial in exclusive Polo Farms on 1.9-acre lot. Master BR on main level, finished daylight basement, new carpeting, granite counter tops and SS appliances. 4BRs, 4.5BAs. Neighborhood amenities include clubhouse, pool and tennis courts. Walking/ Biking trails lead to Greenway and Bur-Mil Park. Owner will consider trade. $549,500
Dorothy Coble (336) 324-6063 • dorothycoble@yahoo.com
Roger Coble, (336) 324-5505
REAL ESTATE SUMMERFIELD RETREAT!
Come enjoy this 4BR/3.5BA retreat in Armfield. Beautiful detail everywhere: moldings, coffered ceilings, and meticulously maintained grounds. The Paradise deck alone is worth a look! Ceiling fans, a fireplace, bed swing and beadboard ceilings entreat you to come and relax. Come and see this home, it might be yours! Offered at $619,500
Nancy J. Hess
nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820
West Market Realty Co.
HOMES FOR SALE ELMHURST ESTATES!
Open Sun, June 2, 2-4pm
SIMPLICITY AND STYLE!
(336) 643-4248
www.ANewDawnRealty.com
3807 Eagle Downs Way Stafford Mills – Oak Ridge
LAND FOR SALE 79.9 ACRES located in Stoneville, NC, with water and sewer. 56 acres +/- timber. Plenty of road frontage with roads already cut in. $279,000 for total acres or can separate as needed. (336) 549-2158. NORTHERN SCHOOLS, wooded 1.5+/- acre
7604 Tiarella Court, Summerfield Custom-built on 2.5-acre cul-de-sac lot, approx. 3,400 sq. ft. 4BR, 3.5 BA. Bonus room plus 5th BR/office. NEW HVAC! Summerfield/Northern schools! $385,000
Ashley Fitzsimmons ashley.fitzsimmons@allentate.com
(336) 312-4543
Flexibility galore! Lovely master suite on the main level. 4 BR/3.5 BA, plus a second great room and a bonus! Private acre +/with a pergola-covered patio. All of this in a well-maintained, private neighborhood in a sought-after school district. Come see us Sunday! Offered at $465,000
Nancy J. Hess
nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820
lot. No HOA, no dues. Approved for 4BR septic. Priced to sell. Call (336) 430-9507.
22
MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2019
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
Artfully designed home has popular open plan w/ current yet classic architectural elements: A dining room that seats 8, multiple coffered ceilings, generous bedrooms all en suite, a gathering area that includes large C-shaped kitchen w/oversized island, breakfast & keeping room, great room & large covered porch. 2nd main-level BR can flex as office or living room. Perfect size, perfect plan in a perfect location. Sought-after schools. $669,000
Jake Letterman (336) 338-0136
index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS
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ACCOUNTING
LEGAL SERVICES
Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC........ 2
Barbour & Williams Law ....................... 8
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS Guardian Ad Litem Program .............. 15
DENTISTRY DeVaney Dentistry ............................... 2
MEDICAL CARE LeBauer Healthcare ............................. 5
ORTHODONTICS
Summerfield Family Dentistry ............ 10
Olmsted Orthodontics ........................ 13
EVENTS
PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS
Stonefield Cellars Summer Concerts .... 3
Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ............... 10
HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Northwest Animal Hospital .................. 6
BEK Paint Company ........................... 20
Westergaard Kennels ........................... 6
Budget Blinds .................................... 10 Carpets by Direct ................................. 9
REAL ESTATE
Nature’s Select .................................. 11
A New Dawn Realty .......................... 22
New Garden Landscaping & Nursery ... 7
Ashley Fitzsimmons, Allen Tate .......... 22
Old School Home Repair ................... 20
Dot Coble, West Market Realty .......... 22
Prostone Inc. ..................................... 11
Gil Vaughan, Keller Williams .............. 22
Stokesdale Heating & Air ................... 16
Jake Letterman, BHHS Yost & Little ... 22
INSURANCE
Nancy Hess, BHHS Yost & Little ......... 22
Justin Fulp, Farm Bureau Insurance .... 10
Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ..................... 4
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...and to these advertisers who have renewed their partnership with us: BEK Paint Gil Vaughan, Keller Williams Guilford Technical Comm. College King’s Crossing Animal Hospital Oak Ridge Chiropractic Summerfield Family Dentistry Summerfield First Baptist Church
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Mr. Hubbard and his third-grade students at Pearce Elementary School enjoyed reading the Northwest Observer after NWO Editor/Publisher Patti Stokes visited the class on March 27 for Community Reading Day.
Matt Waugh and his daughter Quinn read the Northwest Observer while wait18. ing for their caricature to be drawn at Founders’ Day in Summerfield on May
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