April 20 - May 3, 2023
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since November1996
IN THIS ISSUE News in brief ............................................ 2 Your Questions ........................................ 4 S’field April 11 Council meeting .......... 6
Millie Hoffler-Foushee (front row, center) stands with Summerfield Town Council and staff members at the April 11 meeting after Hoffler-Foushee was honored for 18 years of volunteerism. S’dale April 13 Council meeting........ 10 NWO Business & Real Estate ............... 15 PTI is flying high ..................................... 16
Chief weighs in on housing costs ..... 18 Real Estate Briefs ................................... 22 Crime/Incident report ......................... 26 Youth Sync ............................................. 27 NWO Kids’ Korner ................................. 28 Community Calendar ........................30 Grins and Gripes .................................. 32 Classifieds ..............................................35 Index of Advertisers.............................. 39 NWO On The Go ...................................40
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Leadership hard at work to find common ground, mayor tells citizens A statement released April 19 by Summerfield Mayor Tim Sessoms updates citizens on the town’s efforts to thwart a de-annexation threat
“While the town has never denied a rezoning or plan specific to the proposed Villages of Summerfield Farms project, a related text amendment was denied in February, which prompted Mr. Couch to seek a large de-annexation from town limits,” according to the statement.
by PATTI STOKES
“The threat is serious and seemingly has strong legislative support. Most agree this would be state over-reach into local affairs, even though the legislature has broad constitutional authority.”
SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Mayor Tim Sessoms released a statement on Wednesday afternoon which offered citizens assurance that “The town is working diligently to achieve the best outcome for Summerfield regarding the pending de-annexation threat” which came to light last month. “As an initial step, the Council hired two experienced lobbying firms to better understand the pulse of Raleigh and our General Assembly, and they’ve been instrumental in helping us assess and navigate,” the statement read. “The town has also hired a land-use attorney to work alongside our municipal attorney, and the team is consulting other professionals as needed.
The town recently hired lobbying firms KTS Strategies and Ward and Smith at a rate of $7,500 each per month. The firms are encouraging local leaders “to find common ground” with landowner David Couch as quickly as possible, Sessoms wrote. Since word of Couch’s de-annexation proposal surfaced in early March, there has been a looming
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De-annexation battle hikes Town of Summerfield’s legal costs The $150,000 proposed for next fiscal year’s budget may climb depending upon outcome of town’s negotiations with landowner David Couch by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – The first draft of Summerfield’s budget for next fiscal year increases the appropriation for legal fees to $150,000 due to the town’s de-annexation battle with
I’m very happy hiring him. I just want to be responsible. We could spend a small fortune at $580 an hour.” Reece Walker, Summerfield Town Council member landowner David Couch. If approved by the Town Council, the money would cover de-annexation legal and lobbying fees, as well as
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