Northwest Observer l Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2020

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Jan. 30 - Feb. 5, 2020

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

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Future of Redmon house, security cameras debated during CIP meeting According to rough estimates, the town would spend $200,000 to restore the Redmon house at Oak Ridge Town Park and $160,000 for a security system for two park properties by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Differing views about the restoration of the Redmon house and installation of security cameras in Town Park emerged last week in Oak Ridge Town Council’s discussion of capital spending plans. A list of spending priorities recommended by the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board estimated that renovating the

IN THIS ISSUE

News in brief ....................................... 2 Charter school site plan gets OK.......... 3 Your Questions .................................... 4 Spending plan for Whitaker property .... 5 Summerfield Town Council meeting..... 6 Calendar Events .................................. 8 Business Notes ................................... 9 Youth Sync: High School Basketball ....11 NWHS musicians dominate ............... 12 Student Profile .................................. 14 Welcome, Coach Evans..................... 15 Crime/Incident Report ....................... 16 Grins and Gripes ............................... 18 Classifieds ........................................20 NWO on the Go!................................ 24

historic farmhouse at Town Park would cost $200,000. It would cost another $160,000 to install security cameras in the park and on the adjacent Whitaker property slated for the park’s expansion. Council members discussed the spending recommendations during a work session last Thursday, Jan. 23, leading to debate over whether turning the Redmon house into a community center and installing cameras would be worthwhile investments. The estimated costs for capital improvements will be refined as the council decides to pursue certain projects and town staff secures bids, Town Manager Bill Bruce pointed out. Even so, the estimates provide guidance for the council, which plans to spend about $500,000 annually on major projects.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

During Oak Ridge Town Council’s Jan. 23 special called meeting to develop a 5-year capital spending plan, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman (center) said horse enthusiasts’ proposal of an equestrian trail on the Whitaker property should be reviewed by the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Shown in photo at left is Councilman George McClellan and at right, Finance Officer Sam Anders. “I don’t think old is necessarily a reason to preserve,” Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman said, questioning

whether the 1,000-square-foot Redmon house is big enough for groups

...continued on p. 9

Creating citizens’ committee on annual retreat agenda Other items on council’s retreat agenda include park projects, meeting space and ways to provide water for fighting fires by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – The Summerfield Town Council plans to create a citizens’ committee to help council members and town staff guide the future of the town. Establishing the Summerfield Tomorrow Committee is on the agenda of the council’s annual strategic planning retreat this coming Saturday, Feb. 1. It is scheduled for 8 a.m. to

5 p.m. at the offices of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council at 1398 Carrollton Crossing in Kernersville. Mayor BJ Barnes said he will ask council members to recommend two residents to serve on the committee and he hopes they will be diverse and represent the broad, sometimes conflicting interests of Summerfield. “Everybody knows to come ready to work,” Barnes said of the retreat. It will be the first town council strategic planning retreat for Barnes, who succeeded Gail Dunham as mayor last month. He said this Saturday’s event won’t be characterized by the discord among council members of the past two years.

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Northwest Observer l Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2020 by pscommunications - Issuu