Feb. 15, 2024 - March 20, 2024
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Dispute flares over Mountains-to-Sea Trail easement Oak Ridge’s mayor hopes the differing parties can agree upon a trail route before the Town Council revisits the issue in May by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – A three-month delay for Oak Ridge residents to offer their views on a disputed easement for the Mountains-toSea Trail (MST) gives parties the opportunity to work out their differences. At least that’s the hope stated by Mayor Jim Kinneman during the Town Council’s meeting Feb. 1. But if the discord that flared later during
...continued on p. 50
IN THIS ISSUE
News in brief...................................................2 Your Questions......................................... 4 March 5 Primary...................................... 6 NWO Business & Real Estate................ 14 Parker’s Restaurant: 65+ years............20 Triad Golden Retriever Rescue........... 23 S’dale TC Feb.8 meeting highlights...24 NWO On The Go.................................... 27 SFTC Feb.13 meeting highlights..........30 ORTC Feb.1 meeting highlights..........34 Youth Link................................................ 37 Congrats to NWHS coach Ron Bare!.38 NWO Kids’ Korner..................................40 Crime/incident report..........................44 Community Calendar.........................45 Grins and Gripes...................................46 Classifieds............................................... 51 Index of Advertisers...............................55
Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge MST Committee
Volunteers with Oak Ridge’s MST Committee rough cut a trail near the new Pemberley Estates subdivision off N.C. 150 on a recent workday as part of their effort to extend the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through Oak Ridge. An easement for a future MST trail route in Ashford, a new subdivision on Brookbank Road, is being disputed by homeowners in the adjoining Bear Creek subdivision.
Summerfield council puts manager Whitaker on ‘notice’ The 4-1 vote sets the stage for renegotiating Whitaker’s annual employment contract or seeking a successor to run the town by CHRIS BURRITT
Scott Whitaker
SUMMERFIELD – After working 11 ½ years as Summerfield’s manager, Scott Whitaker may be on the verge of losing his job after the new majority of Town Council voted not to extend his annual employment contract. The council emerged from a
closed session in the early hours of this past Wednesday, Feb. 14, as Whitaker, town staff and several Summerfield residents waited in anticipation for the council’s decision. The council voted 4-1 against extending Whitaker’s contract that pays him $150,929 a year plus benefits. The annual contract expires May 31, presumably setting a deadline for the council to decide how to proceed with the position of Summerfield’s top
...continued on p. 42
NEWS in brief
How ‘connected’ does Summerfield want to be? Council members and staff question whether citizens’ views about connectivity – and other topics – have changed since the town’s comprehensive plan was adopted in 2010 by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – In July 2008, a committee of 20 Summerfield citizen volunteers was appointed to work with members of town staff to develop a comprehensive plan that would guide the town into the future. During what became an almost two-year process, they held open houses and sought input from other residents on their concerns, priorities and vision for the town as it continued to grow. Based on the feedback committee members
received, connecting neighborhoods and trails was high on citizens’ priority list. Town leaders are now questioning whether views have changed since the plan was adopted in May 2010. As town leaders have planned the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, some people have expressed safety concerns about it passing through town. That concern has been persistent, emerging last fall during trail-planning meetings and several years ago in early discussions explaining the trail would pass by
Summerfield Elementary School.
“We’ve heard that those people on the greenway might harm or kidnap our kids,’’ Town Manager Scott Whitaker said. “That’s a common complaint… about the greenway.’’ Such resistance runs counter to Summerfield’s comprehensive plan. In numerous places, the blueprint for the town’s development recommends that sidewalks connect neighborhoods and trails connect different sections of town. The disconnection over community connectivity generated much discussion among council members on Jan. 26 as, seated around a long table crowded by notepads and their leftover dinner, they began two days of tackling long-range issues for Summerfield.
Connectivity emerged as a primary topic of discussion. The mismatch between the call for connection, as expressed in the comprehensive plan, and some residents’ opposition to the idea illustrates the 14-year-old document needs to be updated, Mayor Tim Sessoms said. The council adopted the plan in 2010, based partly on “a lot of community involvement saying, ‘yeah, we want a high level of connectivity,’” Whitaker said, adding, “But I'm not sure if neighbors still feel that way.” State law requires that municipalities periodically update their comprehensive plans so they’re “reasonably maintained,” according to Adam Shull, the retreat’s moderator. He works as assistant regional planning director for the Piedmont Triad Regional Council. While the law doesn’t specify how frequently plans need to be updated, municipalities are generally embracing that they need to revisit their plans
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John Blust is the only candidate
running in the Republican primary for North Carolina House District 62 on March 5 who publicly opposed and worked against the Summerfield Deannexation bill and the proposal in the state budget to allow casinos in North Carolina. He even travelled to Raleigh to personally urge legislators to
oppose these bad proposals.
www.blustfornchouse.com (336) 317- 5724 Paid For By Blust For NC House
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FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
John Blust speaking against the casino proposal at a Stokesdale Town Council meeting in August 2023.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
Be mindful of what you say – your comments may be picked up on a hot mic After Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone’s disparaging comment about a citizen was caught on microphone, several citizens have demanded a public apology; almost two weeks since the incident, one has not yet been made By PATTI STOKES A recording of Oak Ridge Town Council’s meeting on Feb. 1 picked up something unexpected, and citizens’ reactions have ranged from indifference to disappointment to, in some cases, outrage. During a period for Citizen Comments, former council member George McClellan – who lost his bid for reelection this past November – raised his hand to speak. However, a person sitting in front of McClellan didn’t see it, and stepped to the podium first. The same thing happened again a few minutes later. Finally, as McClellan made his way to the podium to speak on his third attempt, the microphone picked up Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone saying “Geroge is a f***ing idiot” under his breath. Although it wasn’t audible at the time, a citizen listening to the recorded meeting the next day brought it to the attention of Mayor Jim Kinneman. In an interview with the Northwest Observer, Kinneman said he was “disappointed” after learning of Stone’s remark, and encouraged him to make an apology. Kinneman said he also informed the rest of the council about the incident. “We haven’t discussed what action we will take and I think it is a full council decision to make,” he said.
Kinneman also apologized to McClellan on behalf of the council. “There’s not a lot more for us to do at this point,” the mayor said. “This isn’t a situation where we can command someone to do something or we fire them. Each member of the council is an elected official and responsible for their own behavior.” Kinneman said he’s received five or six emails from citizens about the incident, with most having a common theme. “There is a steady level of disappointment and outrage over this… They feel that at the bare minimum, an apology is warranted,” he said. “Some have asked for his resignation. And there is the suggestion of censure. From an official standpoint, censure is about the only thing we can do. “I definitely think there are two apologies called for – the person the comment was directed to and, since it did go out over live streaming, it would be disappointing if a public apology was not made to the community,” Kinneman added. As of this writing on Feb. 14, almost two weeks after the Feb. 1 meeting, Stone has not yet apologized to McClellan, nor has he offered a public apology. He has, however, responded to the citizens who emailed Kinneman and offered an apology if
...continued on p. 12
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Hallelujah – it looks like that humongous, halffinished house with the neglected yard at the corner of Haw River Road and Warner Road in Oak Ridge is finally getting some love. When I passed by it recently I noticed heavy equipment and big piles of dirt in the front yard, and a dumpster and Port-A-John; also, the grass has been mowed and the ominous “Stop, Do Not Enter – Keep Out” sign has been removed (although there is still a less ominous “STOP” sign by the driveway gate). AND, I heard Dee Snider,
former frontman for the heavy metal band, Twisted Sister, of the ‘70s and ‘80s, is the one who purchased the property. Is this true?
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The large house at 8505 Warner Road in Oak Ridge was sold this past October and it appears that work on the 9,700+ square-foot house (with the potential of up to 20,000 square feet) is once again underway. Initial construction on the house began in 2015, but it was put on hold before the interior of the house and its infrastructure (i.e., heating and AC system, plumbing, electrical, etc.) was completed. It remained in an unfinished and often neglected state until recently.
We can definitely confirm that construction is underway at the house at 8505 Warner Road in Oak Ridge, which we’ve written about numerous times after it was left in an unfinished state for several years. As for the rumors about Dee Snider purchasing it – we can only confirm that we’ve heard the same rumors, and that several people we’ve spoken with say they’ve seen Snider around town in recent months. WFMY aired a feature on the rumor a few months ago, and the manager of StokeRidge Tavern in Stokesdale was quoted as saying his wait staff and employees at neighboring businesses said they had spotted Snider in the area. We’ve also been told that Snider’s manager lives in the area – if it’s true, that would shed light on Snider’s connection to Oak Ridge.
...continued on p. 17
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March 5 primary contests Early voting starts Feb. 15 Early voting for the March 5 primary starts Thursday, Feb. 15, and will run through Saturday, March 2. Voters are required to present a valid photo ID when voting in person. If you do not have a valid photo ID card, you may obtain one from Guilford County’s Board of Elections prior to the election, through the end of the early voting period. In northwest Guilford County, early voting sites will be open at Oak Ridge Town Hall and at Bur-Mil Clubhouse off U.S. 220 just outside the Summerfield town limits, in northwest Greensboro. For comprehensive election-related information, including a list of the early voting locations and voting hours, photo ID information, a list of candidates, and a sample ballot, visit www.guilfordcountync. gov/our-county/ board-of-elections. Voters must vote in their assigned precinct on Election Day, March 5.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (DISTRICT 6) The primary attracted six Republican candidates after the GOPcontrolled General Assembly redrew the statewide legislation map last year. Numerous districts, including the 6th, now lean Republican. Democrat Kathy Manning, District 6’s incumbent, decided not to seek re-election after re-districting. No other Democrat entered the race. On their campaign sites, the six GOP candidates align themselves with some issues embraced by former President Donald Trump, such as southern border security and election reform. The candidates back the Second Amendment right of owning a gun and the support of law enforcement. Addison McDowell, of Raleigh, won Trump’s endorsement. A former constituent liaison for U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, he favors an end to previous administrations’ “free-trade agenda” that cost U.S. jobs.
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Mark Walker, of Summerfield, is the only candidate seeking re-election to the U.S. House. Previously, he represented the 6th District and earlier served as a pastor. If elected, Walker said he will “champion…conservative solutions” that include “cutting wasteful spending and balancing the budget, building President Trump’s border wall and ending illegal immigration.”
A Greensboro plastic surgeon, Mary Ann Contogiannis wants to cut “out-ofcontrol’’ federal spending. She said she’s pro-life and favors school choice for parents and students. Bo Hines, of Salisbury, said he supports “conservative ideologies’’ such as the Second Amendment and immigration reform. In 2022, he lost the Raleigh-area 13th District race to Democrat Wiley Nickel. High Point Mayor Jay Wagner advocates the constitutional right of gun ownership. He’s pro-life and opposes illegal immigration. A former Green Beret, Christian Castelli, of Southern Pines, favors a balanced budget and finishing the southern border wall. He also wants energy independence for the U.S. and vows to support America’s military and parental rights in schools.
N.C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (DISTRICT 62) Five candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for the
...continued on p. 8
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
Vote Michelle C Bardsley for NC House District 62
The "People's Choice" common-sense Republican candidate fighting to: • Preserve our conservative American values • Protect our citizens • Provide opportunities for a brighter future in North Carolina Michelle is a K-12 education leader of 16 years; businesswoman of 13 years in accounting, finance, and IT; wife, mother of four adult GCS graduates, and grandparent.
Michelle is committed to Families, Businesses, & Communities for:
Economic Growth: invest in infrastructure, workforce development & Triad jobs, lower taxes; Education: choice, commonsense curriculum, power back to parents, educator competitive pay; Public Safety: support, fund and equip law enforcement and first responders; Active Military & Veterans: stand behind and support national defense; Workforce Housing: options for all stages and income levels; Health Care: accessible, affordable and protects life; Farmland Protection. Constitutional Freedoms; Rule of Law; Small Town Governance; No De-annexation of Summerfield; No Casinos
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MARCH 5 PRIMARY ...continued from p. 6
District 62 seat. No Democrat entered the race. High Point councilman Britt Moore said he’s pro-life and views supporting first responders as a top priority. If elected, Moore said he would emphasize career readiness and partnering with industry to create careers for students. He embraces support for local businesses and domestic manufacturing as engines for job creation and economic growth. Former Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider said she will bring “commonsense, small town conservative values to Raleigh’’ if she’s elected. Still a member of Oak Ridge’s council, Schneider said she’s built strong relationships with leaders in the towns and cities represented by the district and in the legislature. Schneider said she would stand up for first responders and seek to reduce crime with an increase in prosecution and enforcement. She vowed to “get schools back to basics” by empowering parents and supporting teachers. Jaxon Barber, of northwest Greensboro, said he favors controlling government spending and
implementing common-sense tax reform to spur business and personal economic growth. He said he supports the passage of legislation “to end abortion at any stage of pregnancy,’’ while bolstering foster care, adoption systems and other efforts to help struggling mothers and families. Barber favors giving more resources to law enforcement, raising teachers’ salaries and allowing parents to send their children to the schools of their choice. Northern Greensboro resident Michelle Bardsley said she would support “local town governance” if elected to the House. She added her campaign priorities are the economy, education, public safety, healthcare and housing. If elected, she said she would draw upon her experience in public education and business to work with educational institutions and the state Commerce Department to recruit new employers to the state. Investing in infrastructure and providing opportunities for entrepreneurs are other campaign goals. Former state legislator John Blust said the newly redrawn 62nd district resembles the House district he represented for nine terms ending in 2018. Earlier, he served in the state Senate. Blust, of northwestern Greensboro, said he would seek greater transparency in decision-making by
...continued on p. 10
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
ANN SCHNEIDER NC STATE HOUSE
4 Experienced Leader 4 Proven Track Record 4 Conservative Values 4 Fights for Citizens
Experienced Leader: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
4 years as Oak Ridge Mayor; total of 6 years as Councilmember Served on North Carolina Mayors Association Board Understands distinct needs of each community in District 62 Strong relationships with state, county and local leaders Small business owner for 25+ years
Proven Track Record: ■ Brought record investment to Oak Ridge while never raising taxes ■ Led opposition to state overreach in local zoning, including de-annexation ■ Organized small towns in fight against county-wide mask mandate
A Champion for Responsible Growth: ■ Low taxes, economic expansion and job creation ■ Strategic investment in local infrastructure and economic development ■ Support agricultural industry, open space, and natural/historic resources
Vote for a Proven Leader Ann Schneider for NC State House, District 62 Paid for by NC Committee to Elect Ann Schneider
Defending Citizens’ Rights: ■ Empower parents, support teachers, and get schools back to basics ■ Reduce crime through increased prosecution and enforcement ■ Stand up for those who protect us—Law Enforcement, First Responders and Veterans
Learn more at www.annschneidernc.com Early Voting: February 15–March 2 at Bur-Mill, Oak Ridge Town Hall & Deep River Primary Election Day: Tuesday, March 5
JohnBlust N.C. House District 62
These following are previoulsly published quotes about John Blust during his 20 years of service in the North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House that indicate the reputation he earned while serving in office. “John Blust is a man of character and integrity. You can count on him to keep his word. I am proud to have him representing me in Raleigh.” – Congressman Howard Coble “John Blust is the most honest forthright person I have ever known in politics. He is a tireless advocate for Guilford County.” – Joe Bostic, former Chairman of the Guilford County Commissioners “John Blust is the conscience of the Senate.” – Virginia Foxx, then NC Senator, now Congressman “Over his last two years, Blust has made a name for himself in the Senate as a tireless voice for integrity and openness.” – Greensboro News & Record “John Blust is a stand up guy. He is a fighter who will always stand up for his constituents. Honor, integrity, and work ethic are not just words to John., they are a way of life.” – BJ Barnes, then Guilford County Sheriff “Sen. John Blust of Greensboro, a disarmingly candid, Mr. Smith goes to Raleigh sort of legislator.” – Raleigh News & Observer “Blust, a Greensboro resident shows uncommon integrity. He has been a refreshing voice in the N.C. Senate, where he regularly challenges standard operating procedures.” – High Point Enterprise “A hardworking tenacious representative.” – Greensboro News & Record “Blust is one of the most conscientious and hard-working elected officials I have ever met and I have met quite a few.” – John Hammer, Rhinoceros Times Editor “A Republican of character…a devout conservative whose truest allegiance is to the rule of law, not to any party or clique.” – Author Corban Addison “Blust, a Greensboro attorney and accountant, is an exceptionally conscientious legislator who has served in the House and Senate…He is a fervent advocate of more responsible fiscal management in Raleigh and has pushed relentlessly for zero-based budgeting, among other reforms.’
– Greensboro News & Record
www.blustfornchouse.com (336) 317-5724
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MARCH 5 PRIMARY ...continued from p. 8
lawmakers. He said he also opposed “the threat by legislative leaders” to de-annex almost 1,000 acres in Summerfield owned by developer David Couch. Blust said he favors the enactment of additional pro-life legislation and protection of the Second Amendment. He added that he supports “Texas-like law’’ to empower law enforcement in North Carolina to arrest and deport people who are here illegally.
N.C. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGESHIPS DISTRICT 24B (SEAT 1)
Tab Hunter (R) High Point Georgia Nixon (R) Jamestown DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 5)
John Parker Stone (D) Greensboro Trip Baker III (D) High Point DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 10)
Moshera Mills (D) Summerfield Charlene Armstrong (D) Greensboro DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 12)
Cynthia Hatfield (D) Greensboro Kelvin Smith (D) Greensboro ShaKeta Berrie (D) Greensboro DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 13)
Gabriel Kussin (D) Greensboro Brian Tomlin (D) Greensboro DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 14)
Tomakio Gause (D) Jamestown
Bill Hill Jr. (D) Browns Summit
RACES NOT ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT NORTH CAROLINA SENATE (DISTRICT 26) State Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, an Eden Republican, faces no primary challenger. Reidsville Democrat Steve Luking is also running unopposed. They will face off in the Nov. 5 general election.
BOARD OF EDUCATION (DISTRICT 3) Incumbent Michael Logan, of northwestern Guilford County, is unchallenged in the Republican primary. Greensboro resident Bill Goebel is a potential challenger in the general election. Earlier this month, Goebel said he’s collected three-fourths of the 2,136 signatures he needs to run as an independent in the District 3 race. David Coats, a Greensboro Democrat, is also running in the general election.
BOARD OF EDUCATION (DISTRICT 5) Democratic incumbent Deborah Napper and challenger Cara Townsend Dohner, a Summerfield Republican, face no primary challengers. The two will compete in the general election.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (DISTRICT 5) Incumbent Carly Cooke, a Greensboro Democrat, and former Summerfield council member Reece Walker, a Republican, will compete in the November election. They face no primary challengers.
Paid For By Blust For NC House
Stephanie Goldsborough (D) Greensboro
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
5 h rc a EM T VO
JohnBlust N.C. House District 62 Leadership ● Integrity ● Results
John Blust served a term in the N.C. Senate and nine terms in N.C. House District 62. He grew up in Northwest Guilford County where he learned the values of faith, family, freedom, individual responsibility, hard work, and initiative. He is a constitutional, common-sense, conservative who believes in limited government.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS Education • Standout student and athlete at Western Guilford High School • B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration at UNC Chapel Hill • Law Degree at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law • Passed Certified Public Accountant exam • Passed bar exam
Military Service • Left home to join the army the day after turning 18 • Earned the rank of Captain – Field Artillery Branch • Earned Airborne Wings at US Army Airborne School • Class leader of Officer Basic Course in field artillery • Served 18 months in the 82nd Airborne Division • While serving as a Fire Direction Officer on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea, John was cited by superiors for “executing one of the most challenging assignments in the battalion flawlessly.”
Professional Service As an accountant and an attorney, John has assisted countless clients with tax problems, wills, trusts, estates, and planning financial affairs to reduce taxes. He has also helped many clients start or expand businesses or work out financial problems.
LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS & PROPOSALS • Got state spending under control and closed $3 billion budget gap • Lowered personal and business income tax rates • Significant regulatory reform • Extensive government ethics reform to fight corruption • Comprehensive lobbying reforms • Increased number of charter schools and school choice • Photo ID to vote and other election integrity measures • Education reform to end DEI, CRT, and indoctrination in schools • Improve school safety and safety of community • Protect the Second Amendment • Additional pro-life legislation and protecting babies born alive • Texas-like law to empower North Carolina law enforcement to arrest and deport those illegally here • Harden North Carolina’s electrical grid • Stop China from buying our land • Opposes and works against casinos and Summerfield de-annexation
www.blustfornchouse.com Paid For By Blust For NC House
HOT MIC ...continued from p. 3 his comment was offensive. “The role of every council member is to be clear that this kind of language is unacceptable,” said Ann Schneider, who served as the town’s mayor for four of the six years she has been a council member. “For a sitting councilman and a mayor pro tem to disparage a resident and a former council member, before they even speak, with this foul language is unacceptable. It shows a lack of self-control and civility, and both are required in order to serve residents. If residents feel they are going to be disparaged before they even speak, how can they step up to the podium?” As for Stone not offering an apology to McClellan or to the public, Schneider said, “I think this would be a non-issue if he would be gracious and generous and make things right.” She added, “If the shoe had been
make mistakes and I am typically the first to apologize when I make one.”
on the other foot, the outrage would have been unlimited.” McClellan said a citizen informed him about the comment the day after the meeting. “After serving on the council for 12 years, you get a thick skin,” he said. “At first, I wasn’t too upset about it – but I was definitely disappointed that he would have said that. “The more I thought about it, though, the more I thought, ‘he really doesn’t owe me an apology, he owes his fellow council members and the public an apology,’” McClellan added. If Stone offers him an apology, McClellan said he’ll accept it – but as of this writing, he hasn’t received one.
McClellan said he sees a pattern with Stone not taking responsibility for his mistakes, referencing a situation years ago when “someone” blew up the beaver dam across the street from the Old Mill, in the subdivision where Stone lives. Stone denied being involved with the incident, but community members at the time said they had reason to believe he was not only involved, but spearheaded it. Most recently, Stone said he had
Stone declined our requests to comment for this article.
“It’s a shame this happened. It seems he isn’t taking responsibility – and he should. The fact that he is mayor pro tem, he’s done a disservice to his role,” McClellan added. “We all
Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO
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“It seems he tries to avoid, deflect and hope that things will go away,” McClellan said.
Oak Ridge fire training tower nears completion
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no knowledge of a campaign flyer endorsing himself, Mike Greeson and Jim Harton that was circulated by members of the Bear Creek HOA, who were later criticized for passing out the flyers in the Oak Ridge Elementary car rider line on Election Day.
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
DAY
Oak Ridge firefighters are preparing to learn the proper use of the training tower nearing completion behind Station No. 15 on Linville Road. After final grading and other driveway work, the facility will be finished by the end of February, Chief Ken Gibson said in a recent email. Staff training is planned for March, followed by a public
walk-through in April. The structure of silvery gray and red consists of 2 ½ stories, providing the setting for training in various emergency procedures: live fire, search and rescue, high-angle rescue, ventilation, forcible entry and ladder. The facility will be available to Oak Ridge’s neighboring departments and mutual aid departments in Forsyth County, according to Gibson.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
Life-Long District 62 Resident Proud American and North Carolinian Constitutional Conservative Ensuring Public Safety and Security Promoting Economic and Job Growth Proven Track Record of Public Service Advancing Educational Excellence
EXPERIENCED. TESTED. PROVEN CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP FOR A STRONGER NORTH CAROLINA
Endorsed by: Rep. John Faircloth NC House District 62 Paid For By Britt Moore for NC House
REAL ESTATE/BUSINESS Q&A
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I recently saw a house for sale with a “Coming Soon” sign in the yard. What does that mean? If it’s “coming soon,” can you still view photos of the house online, and is the house ready to be shown? The “Coming Soon-No Show (CSNS)” rider gives prospective buyers notification that a home is coming on the market, although it cannot yet be shown, said Nicole Gillespie, a REALTOR/broker with RE/MAX Realty Consultants. She explained the seller may use this time to make last-minute repairs and/or preparations for the house to be shown, or may simply want to allow prospective buyers to schedule a showing at a later date, when the house becomes active on the market. Gil Vaughan, a REALTOR/broker with Keller Williams One in Greensboro, said
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he routinely uses the CSNS rider. He noted that not only does it give sellers the opportunity to make buyers aware the house will soon be on the market, but it can also help create “a smaller block of time that the house is being shown,” which limits some of the hassle that can come with making a house available for showings – especially if the homeowners are living in it. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) dictates how agents are allowed to use the “Coming Soon” status. According to its guidelines, it “is to be used when the listing broker and seller are preparing the property for sale and the property is not available for showings on the listing agreement’s marketing date. While the property is in the CSNS status, the property may not be promoted or advertised in any manner other than as ‘Coming Soon.’” The CSNS status is valid for up to seven days; during this time the house cannot be shown to any potential buyers, nor can any open houses be held. However, showings can be scheduled during this time for after the
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
CSNS period has ended. “When the CSNS agreement expires, that is when everyone is allowed to look,” Gillespie said.
being prepared for showing and may not be as photo-ready.
Can prospective buyers view photos of the property online when it is in the CSNS status?
Can a seller accept an offer from a prospective buyer even if the property is in the CSNS status, therefore not available for showing?
Yes, Gillespie confirmed. In fact, she noted you must have at least one photo posted to list a home on MLS, even if it is in the CSNS status. Photos for a home that is “coming soon” are often not as plentiful, however, since the home is still
Yes – however, NCREC points out that “accepting an offer while the listing is in CSNS status could circumvent other potential offers from prospective buyers waiting for the listing to become active and for the property to be available for showing.”
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N.C. 150 property rezoned for 28-home subdivision by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Developer Kevan Combs will advance plans for a new subdivision with as many as 28 houses on a 52-acre tract fronting N.C 150 after Oak Ridge Town Council voted unanimously to rezone the property. At its Feb. 1 meeting, the council followed the Planning and Zoning Board’s earlier unanimous recommendation to approve the rezoning of 2835 and 2843 Oak Ridge Road (N.C. 150), from residential (RS-30) and agricultural (AG) to conditional residential (CZ-RS-40). As one of the conditions of the
rezoning, the developer plans to limit the use of the property to singlefamily detached houses. The number of units won’t exceed 28, according to Bill Greco, principal of Land Solutions, a land surveying and design firm representing rezoning applicants Billy Kanoy and Denise Kanoy. The houses will be similar to those already built and under construction in Pemberley Estates, a subdivision just across Highway 150 from the Kanoys’ property, Greco told the council. Houses in Pemberley Estates have typically been listed for $1 million and above.
Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO
Up to 28 houses are planned for this 52-acre tract fronting N.C. 150 in Oak Ridge.
In an interview after the rezoning vote, Billy Kanoy said the house, barn and other buildings on the land belonged to his parents, who are now deceased. He operates his business next to the property. During last month’s P&Z board meeting, some nearby property owners expressed concerns about
construction traffic and water runoff, board Chair Jason Streck told the council. Homeowners in Stonehenge appreciate the developer’s willingness to address those concerns, according to Debra Cimbala, secretary of the subdivision’s HOA. She spoke during public comments for the rezoning request.
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A 120,000- to 130,000-square-foot-shopping center is planned at the intersection of Spencer Dixon Road and N.C. 150 in northern Greensboro. Developers hope to add “convenience store with gas pumps” to the list of permitted uses in the property’s Conditional Zoning-General Business zoning classification. The county commissioners will consider the developer’s request at their meeting on Feb. 15. More details on p. 17.
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Strader Road rezoning denied after residents object In an uncertain twist, Summerfield Town Council’s unanimous vote creates the potential for a fast food restaurant or a dollar store locating on a portion of the property by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council voted unanimously to deny the conditional business rezoning of roughly 3.2 acres at N.C. 150 and Strader Road after nearby homeowners complained that medical and other professional
offices aren’t suitable for the area. The council’s vote this past Tuesday, Feb. 13, followed the Planning Board’s earlier recommendation to deny the rezoning application. It also reflected property owners’ opposition to a litany of potential problems: increased traffic, safety risks for children, light pollution
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Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO
An application to rezone two parcels at the corner of N.C. 150 and Strader Road in Summerfield for conditional business zoning was unanimously denied by Summerfield Town Council at its Feb. 13 meeting. and the loss of rural tranquility. A plumber who lives across from the site warned that if heavy rainfall were to saturate the development’s septic field, a toxic mix could overflow onto adjacent properties. “We are looking at potential hazardous waste coming down the street,’’ said Craig McGarry, one of more than a dozen homeowners who expressed their opposition to the rezoning. Opponents also crowded last month’s Planning Board meeting. Seeking more time to reach a compromise with opponents, developers Will Stevens and Tim Whelan sought to continue the public hearing for the rezoning request until the council’s meeting March 12. However, a motion to delay the hearing failed. The developers also passed on the opportunity to withdraw their rezoning application and return later with a new request. Instead, they reiterated that the current business zoning of the corner lot allows many uses, such as drive-through restaurants, that would be less desirable than the single-story professional office building they’re proposing for the larger tract. The property up for rezoning consists
of two parcels. The corner lot is currently zoned for general business (BN). The second parcel wraps around the corner lot and is zoned for agricultural (AG) use. Stevens and Whelan applied for conditional business (CZ-BN) rezoning for both tracts, with plans to combine them for development of buildings, parking and septic and well water systems. Earlier, the developers raised the prospect of selling the property if the rezoning request were denied. A new owner could build a range of businesses on the corner lot. Marc Isaacson, a Greensboro lawyer representing the developers, reinforced the possibility with a power-point presentation showing several businesses including Dollar General, Wendy’s and Waffle House that could build on the corner lot under current zoning. On the other hand, Isaacson said, rezoning of the larger tract creates “an opportunity for certainty’’ in how the property would be developed. Some homeowners criticized Isaacson’s presentation as a threat to persuade homeowners to drop their opposition to the rezoning request. “I feel very threatened by some of the
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
slides that were shown tonight about what could go there,’’ said Garland Graham, who lives with her husband, Gary, on a farm across Highway 150 from the site. “I hope that everybody saw through that. If it has to be developed commercially, I hope they’ll do the right thing.’’ Stevens said the presentation wasn’t intended to threaten homeowners. Eventually, the property is going to be developed, driven by market demand, he and Whelan stressed. Some homeowners said further commercial development should take place at N.C. 150 and U.S. 220 and
N.C. 150 and Lake Brandt Road where it already exists. The Strader Road site is roughly midway between those two areas. As opponents were speaking, councilman Jonathan Hamilton asked them whether they were “OK rolling the dice’’ if the rezoning application were denied. Echoing other opponents, Strader Court homeowner Ernest Sutton said he’d accept the uncertainty of how the smaller parcel may be developed. “I would rather take a 1-acre problem and not have a 3-acre problem,’’ Sutton said.
YOUR QUESTIONS
September 2020 it sold to a limited liability company called 8505 Warner Rd, LLC for $750,000.
For those not familiar with Twisted Sister, the heavy metal band was formed in 1972 and disbanded in 1988. According to Wikipedia, “their best-known songs include ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ and ‘I Wanna Rock,’ both of which were associated with music videos noted for their sense of slapstick humor.” Dee Snider was the band’s lead singer and songwriter. He later formed and was the lead singer in the heavy metal bands Desperado, Widowmaker and SMFs.
At that time the listing described it as having 9,700+ square feet, with the potential for up to 20,000 square feet; six bedrooms; eight full bathrooms and seven half-baths; and eleven garages.
NEWS in brief
citizen- focused plan that we're not maintaining?’’ council member Heath Clay asked.
Snider has since produced several solo albums (his most recent in 2021), made numerous guest radio and television appearances, co-authored a teenage adolescence survival manual in 1987, published an autobiography in 2012 and a children’s book in 2020.
...continued from p. 2 every five to 10 years, Shull said. By that measure, Summerfield’s plan is outdated. The council discussed, but didn’t decide, how to proceed with updating the plan. They batted around whether to complete the town’s stalled land use plan before updating the comprehensive plan. “If we focus on the land use plan, what do we do with an outdated
Whitaker suggested the council seek advice from Town Attorney Bob Hornik. He didn’t attend the Friday evening meeting. “I think it's a fair question for the town attorney,’’ Whitaker said. “As a municipal attorney, what do you think about our 14-year-old comp plan and not having a land use plan?’’
Developer seeks additional permitted use NORTHERN GBO – The developer for the proposed Shaw Farms Shopping Center at the corner of N.C. 150 and Spencer Dixon Road hopes to add one more permitted use to the property’s zoning – a convenience store with gas pumps. Tim James of Greensborobased T. Cooper James & Associates confirmed last year that plans for the initial phase of the 30-acre shopping center call for a grocer anchor tenant, other retail businesses and an outparcel fronting N.C. 150, with construction getting underway once a grocer has signed on.
Dec. 28 the developer filed an appeal to the board’s decision to deny the additional permitted use. The appeal will be heard by the county commissioners at their meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Old County Courthouse in downtown Greensboro.
Stated conditions currently on the property allow for the following uses: medical or professional office; personal service; bank or finance with drivethrough; insurance agency; laundromat or dry cleaner; pest or termite control services; studio/artist/recording; retail The developer’s request to add a (general); auto supply sales; auto rental convenience store with gas pumps to or leasing; car wash; garden center or its Conditional Zoning-General Busiretail nursery; used merchandise store; bakery; restaurant with drive-through; ness classification was denied by the The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 county’s Planning Board on Dec. 13; on and wireless communications tower.
...continued from p. 4
The musician/songwriter/author and his wife, Suzette, have been married for 45 years and have four children. As for that house on Warner Road, it was built in 2015. The original owner, listed on tax records as JF Homes, LLC, built the homes in the adjacent subdivision, Warner Pointe. The LLC eventually put the unfinished home up for sale and it was listed “in its current state of construction (no HVAC/plumbing/electrical yet).” In
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Until recently, the house had been boarded up and a large wooden sign posted in the front yard warned that any trespassers would be prosecuted. When we followed up with Oak Ridge’s planning director, Sean Taylor, last October after readers again inquired about the house, he told us a contractor had just inquired about a building permit for the house and indicated he hoped to get construction underway in a few months. A property search this week indicated the 5.08-acre Warner Road property was sold in October to GAIA Holding Trust for $1,250,000. If Dee Snider and his wife are the new owners – or whoever the owners are – I hope the soon-to-be Oak Ridge residents will become readers of the Northwest Observer, and would love to meet them. I can have my people contact their people to arrange it – or, I can just be reached directly at editor@nwobserver.com or through our office at (336) 644-7035. Nor Mentio thw est O n this a bser d in t h ver for 1 e 0% off
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builder/realtor SPOTLIGHT
Smith Marketing Award-winning team offers expertise to navigate real estate market Over the last two decades, Smith Marketing has established itself as an expert in new construction while developing valuable relationships with local premier home builders. It’s that experience that has enabled the company to navigate through any real estate market – regardless of its challenges. Regarding conditions most affecting the local market, Jason Smith, co-owner/vice president of Smith Marketing, said, “We continue to experience very low inventory levels, rising cost of construction and development, and interest rates that are trying to drop. While many other economic and global factors come into play, those are the direct challenges we face on a daily basis.” Buyers looking for new homes are facing an uphill battle. As a result, Smith said volume-home builders are entering the market to attract them. “It is not uncommon to see the volume builders now offering homes in the $500,000s and $600,000s,” he
said. “With a few occasional exceptions, the custom home builders are pretty much building in the $600,000s and up. “Interest rates seem to be the wildcard at the moment. Industry leaders indicate rates may continue to fall slightly in 2024,” he continued. “If that is true, the market should see a boost.” The Smith Marketing team is committed to staying on top of this ever-changing market and is constantly adapting to current conditions. Those looking to purchase new construction homes have the assurance that Smith Marketing has worked with the builders they represent for many years and can attest to the quality and care they put into every home. Smith offers this advice to buyers: “It’s so important to know who is building your home. Do your due diligence on builders and make sure they are the right fit for what you are looking for. We specialize in this area of real estate and are here to assist
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you in any way we can.” Smith Marketing is currently representing the custom home builders in several luxury new home communities. One of the most popular is Pemberley Estates, located on the site of a former 52-acre farm in the heart of Oak Ridge along N.C. 150. The development is limited to 25 lots, from 1 to 3 acres each, which are large enough to accommodate many amenities such as swimming pools and outdoor gathering places, and perfect for estatetype homes. Homes in Pemberley Estates
are being built by an exclusive slate of local builders that includes R&K Custom Homes, Don Mills Builders, Walraven Signature Homes and Friddle and Company. Smith Marketing will soon introduce Lion’s Gate, located just off Lake Brandt and Plainfield roads in northern Greensboro, with homes starting around $1 million plus. And late this summer, Smith Marketing plans to begin selling custom-built homes in Riverside at Oak Ridge, with prices starting around $900,000.
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Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO
Parker’s on U.S. 158 in Stokesdale was established in 1958 by Parker Joyner and his wife, Lucie. Their oldest child, Jerry, took over the restaurant in 1978 and although he remains involved, his three daughters now run the restaurant on a day-to-day basis.
By ANNETTE JOYCE People doing a quick pass through the town of Stokesdale might not take much notice of the small, unassuming building near the crossroads of U.S. 158 and Ellison Road. However, if they’re looking for some authentic and delicious home cooking served up with a side of hometown hospitality, it’s worth stopping by Parker’s Home Cookin’ Restaurant, which locals have for decades simply referred to as “Parker’s.” Established 65 years ago by husband-and-wife Parker and Lucie Joyner, what was then Parker’s Café sits on 3.5 acres that Parker purchased from his father-in-law, Clay Wilson, who lived in the family farmhouse across the highway. What soon became a popular eatery has since spanned three generations of the Joyner clan. Jerry Joyner, the eldest of the Joyner’s seven children, took over the restaurant in 1978. In recent years he’s stepped back from
the daily operations and his daughters, Misty Joyner, Sheena Rumley and Amy Joyner, now run the restaurant. When Parker’s Café opened in August 1958, it was much more than just a local eatery. It also served as home to the couple and their then five children, who occupied two bedrooms and a bath located in a small space at the back of the restaurant beside the kitchen. It’s hard to imagine that many people fitting into such a tiny area, but Lucie said it worked fine for the family, which eventually grew to include two more children. She added that the family ate all their meals in the dining area and rarely ever sat down at the same time for a meal. Even after the family moved out of the restaurant, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were, and are ever present. “When I was a little kid, I’d ride my tricycle through the door and get a hot dog and applesauce,” recalled Misty,
adding that she started working in the restaurant when she was 10, washing dishes for $1 an hour. The trend continues as Sheena’s two daughters, Parker, 7, and River, 4, spend time with their mom in the afternoons. Parker is already waiting tables and running food. “She’s a natural and loves it,” Misty said. Jerry remembers how isolated it was on U.S. 158 when his father started building there. “People would stop by as he was building the restaurant, and they told him he was going to starve to death in the middle of nowhere,” Jerry said. “(Plus) people didn’t eat out much back then.” Lucie said it was truckers with the now-defunct McLean Trucking Company out of Winston-Salem who made the big difference in those first years. Back then, Parker’s became known as more of a truck stop, with trucks lining up along the highway before they headed north. “After a few months we knew the truck drivers by name and even knew what they wanted to eat. They were like family,” Lucie said. Parker added a small motel beside the café and in 1963 built the family a separate home behind the restaurant.
On the same property sits a “round” house, where he and Lucie resided until Parker passed away in 1994. Lucie still lives in the uniquely shaped structure. The motel has been converted into apartments and Jerry and his wife, Glaisa, live in the original family home. When Parker’s initially opened, the restaurant sold hamburgers for 15 cents each and hot dogs for a dime; a drink added another nickel to the meal. Country-style steak, along with a couple of vegetables, was available every day. Just what is it that has enabled this little family-owned restaurant to become a local icon that has lasted for more than six decades? The answers are simple – the food and the friendly, family atmosphere. The family members who work in the restaurant eat most of their meals there, which gives them an extra incentive to go above and beyond for quality and taste. Misty said they use real potatoes (never instant!) and dry pinto beans, which are soaked overnight. Hush puppies, slaw and onion rings are all homemade, as is their tartar sauce. But that’s not all – there are also those homemade biscuits made from scratch daily. “I make all the biscuits and take a lot of pride in how they turn out,” Misty said.
Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO
Lucie Joyner (center) is shown here with two of her granddaughters, Misty Joyner (left) and Sheena Rumley, who are part of the family-owned Parker’s Home Cookin’ Restaurant team.
The restaurant features a different special every day – for example, you’ll find meat loaf on Mondays, countrystyle steak every Thursday and fried chicken on Fridays. Another key to Parker’s success is that the family members who run it love what they do, they love each other and they love their customers. “Most of the folks are regulars, but we get new people, too,” Jerry said. “A
lot of guys come in almost every day for breakfast, and we have people who come here three or four nights a week.” New customers often tell the owners they’re there because someone else recommended they give it a try, and they’re usually pleasantly surprised when they visit this little restaurant for the first time. It only takes one visit to realize why Parker’s is known as one of the best places to eat for miles around.
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by ANNETTE JOYCE Paisley and Tucker are typical golden retrievers – happy, clumsy and loving. They enjoy nothing more than rolling around with one another and being with their people. Paisley, 4, is quite calm; however, her 10-month-old ‘brother,’ Tucker, is the complete opposite. These two adorable pups are “foster fails” – a term used when someone intends to temporarily foster a dog but ends up falling in love and adopting them instead. In this case, it happened to Helen Williams, who has been a volunteer with Triad Golden Retriever Rescue for the past five years.
TGRR has placed over 2,500 dogs in loving homes. Williams, who lives in northwest Greensboro, discovered TGRR at a time when she was looking for an opportunity to make a difference in her world.
“I had volunteered a lot at school when my kids were younger,” she said in a recent interview. “I needed something meaningful in my life and wanted to give back.”
Over the years, Williams and According to its website, TGRR, her family had rescued a couple of a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteersweet mixed-breed dogs and also run organization, is “dedicated to had a golden retriever they loved the rescue, rehabilitation, humane dearly. Williams was drawn to the treatment and placement of homeidea of helping find homes for these less golden retrievers, and to the lovable dogs. education of the public about the The Northwest Observer • Totally...continued local sinceon1996 breed.” Since incorporating in 1995, p. 49
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STOKESDALE town council
FEB. 8 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES Mayor Mike Crawford opened the monthly council meeting at 7 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy, council members Jimmy Landreth and Tim Jones, the town clerk, finance officer, attorney and about a dozen citizens were present, along with Scout members, parents and troop leaders with Scouts BSA Troop 600 based out of Oak Ridge. Council member Jim Rigsbee arrived later in the meeting. The Scouts in attendance led the Pledge of Allegiance and council member Tim Jones offered the opening prayer, after which Foy presented Scout James Reed with a plaque recognizing the flag retirement ceremony station he recently constructed in the town park for his
Eagle Scout project. “It’s a nice complement to our facility,” Foy said.
4 0 (in separate motions) to
approve a revised meeting agenda, and minutes from the Aug. 20, 2023 regular council and closed session meetings, the Dec. 14, 2023 closed session meeting and the Jan. 11, 2024 regular council meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY Fire Department. Chief Todd Gauldin reported Stokesdale Fire Department responded to 113 calls for service in January; 58 were medical-related, 16 fire-related and 39 miscellaneous. In response to inquiries Gauldin said the fire department gets about fire
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Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO
Flanked by (L-R) Stokesdale mayor Mike Crawford, and council members Jimmy Landreth and Tim Jones on his left, James Reed, a Scout with BSA Troop 600 based in Oak Ridge, accepts a plaque from Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy (far right) at Stokesdale Town Council’s Feb. 8 meeting. The plaque is in recognition of the flag retirement station Reed designed and constructed in Stokesdale’s town park, with help from his fellow Scouts, for Reed’s Eagle Scout project.
extinguishers, he offered this advice: “Remember what you’re buying one for – it’s for something small, very small.” For this purpose, he recommended an ABC extinguisher, which can be purchased at a local hardware or home supply store, or Walmart. “They are for small fires – don’t try to use it on something bigger than you can handle,” he stressed. “If you have to use it and do extinguish a fire, still call the department and let us check it out – especially if the fire was inside a structure.” Gauldin also said he was very proud of his department for recently earning a Class 2 ISO rating (on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best rating possible), which will go into effect in May. “Our folks put a lot of effort into that,” he said.
Sheriff’s office. Town Clerk Robbie Wagoner read a report from the sheriff’s District 1 office, which noted it responded to 155 calls for service in Stokesdale last month, resulting in eight formal case reports. As of the Feb. 1 report date, the theft of a truck from the lot of Priority One Auto Sales on U.S. 158 on Jan. 22 remains under investigation.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Wagoner updated the council on the water line extension project on Coldwater Road and said preparation for the geotechnical boring along the alignment is in progress. Deputy town clerks Dale Martin and Mason Winfree were thanked for working through the backlog of minutes from past council meetings that had accumulated for months – or longer – before the current staff came on board. Wagoner said town staff is working with GFL Environmental, the town’s contracted solid waste and recycling collector, to schedule a bulk waste collection event this spring. The county’s Technical Coordinating Committee recently approved Wagoner and clerks from other small towns in the county to be voting members on the committee.
COMMITTEE REPORTS Town Park Improvement. Chair Tee Stephenson said the committee has received another request for an Eagle Scout project (see discussion about this later in the meeting). Rules/Regulation signs for the town’s new basketball and pickleball courts have been sent to the vendor
and will be posted soon. Duke Energy has replaced the nonfunctioning light bulbs on the soccer fields at no charge. Two additional security lights will be installed at the basketball and pickleball courts. Additional cameras, security lights and fencing for areas of the town park are under consideration and District 3 county commissioner Pat Tillman has been asked to help obtain county funds to pay for them.
FINANCIAL
Town Finance Officer Kim Thacker said Rex Rouse, whose firm previously performed the town’s financial audit, passed away on Feb. 3. “It was a pleasure to work with him, and we wish his family courage and peace during this time of mourning,” Thacker said. (At 7:27 p.m., council member Jim Rigsbee arrived and took his place at the council dais). Thacker offered highlights from the written financial report provided to council members, noting assets in the town’s operations account totaled $3,377,648 as of Jan. 31. Of this, $2,655,645 is in CDARS (certificates of deposit); interest earnings on investments were $56,559 in January. The town’s other major source of revenue is its share of state-collected franchise tax on utilities, which is estimated to bring in $295,000 this fiscal year.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
your next representative, I will continue to fight for our small towns. I think I can get things done in Raleigh. I have a strong backbone … I will fight for low taxes and responsible growth. I will defend citizens’ rights and will stand up for those who protect us and give them the tools they need,” she said. When asked by Jones whether she supports a change in the way the county distributes the sales tax it collects (currently the ad valorem method), Schneider said this was a county, not a state issue, but she would love to help find a better solution for Stokesdale (based on the ad valorem method, since Stokesdale does not charge a property tax, the town does not get its share of sales tax paid by its citizens).
NEW BUSINESS 5 0 to schedule budget work-
shops on Tuesdays, March 5, April 2, May 7 and June 4, at 7 p.m. Per Foy’s request, council agreed that advertising these meetings as budget workshops means no other line items will be added to the workshop agendas. The state budget for this fiscal year includes $175,000 for Stokesdale, which the town plans to use for installing lights on the soccer field in the town park. Council discussed the scope of work this project involves, and must provide details to the state’s grant manager before the funding is released. To date, the town has spent about $10,000 for lighting engineers to review the project and create a lighting plan. 5 0 to direct the town clerk to put together an RFP for installing lights on the park’s soccer field. The town hopes to select a contractor by early spring and complete the lighting project this summer.
Ann Schneider, an Oak Ridge Town Council member, introduced herself and said she has been on the council for six years, four of which were as the town’s mayor. She is running for N.C. House 62, which for the last several years has been represented by John Faircloth, who is retiring. Fencing. Council discussed the merits Schneider said she has leaderof installing fencing around the soccer ship experience, relationships and field, distance it would be from the conservative values, and is the only field, and whether it would deter cars Republican candidate running in the from driving across the field as has upcoming primary with deep knowlhappened. A fence around the playedge of the small towns in the district. ground area was also discussed. “I have a proven record of leading The Northwest Observer local an since 1996 the fight against state overreach; as 5•Totally 0 to submit RFP for
fencing around the soccer fields and around the playground (with costs for each separately broken out).
Nature Trail. Tee Stephenson said a Scout has proposed working on the future nature trail in the park for his Eagle Scout project. With the council’s blessing, the Scout would present a plan to his Scout leaders and if they approve it, he would submit it to the town for approval. There are 38 members in the Scout’s troop and eight more coming up, so 46 Scouts could be involved in the project. “It’s a great opportunity for us, and I was hoping something like this would happen,” Landreth said. When Stephenson mentioned the nature trail will be as wide as 6 feet in some places, Jones expressed objection. “I won’t vote for a 6-foot-wide trail,” he said. “If we build it that wide, it won’t be long before someone would ask for it to be paved.” Stephenson said the trail’s width
would vary, and be as narrow as a few feet in some places. Landreth emphasized that citizens had indicated a nature trail was a top priority for park features and having Scouts participate in developing the trail was exactly what he had hoped would happen. “If we don’t put nature trails on there (referring to a 9.8-acre tract adjoining the park that the town purchased in 2021) and let people start using it, we’re going to have a piece of property we bought but aren’t using,” he said. 5 0 endorse working with a Scout troop on designing a plan for the nature trail and let the Park Improvement Committee serve as liaison on the project. 5 0 have Wilson Pumping pump the septic system at the town park for $700. 5 0 to request Justin Snyder, a senior planner with Guilford County
...continued on p. 26
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STOKESDALE TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 25 who serves as the town’s contracted planner, to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to use in training new Planning Board applicants. 5 0 to authorize the town clerk to serve as the town’s special voting member on the county’s Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC), which is an advisory board to the TAC (Technical Advisory Committee), and to request that he keep a record of all votes he makes.
Thoroughfare & Collectors Street Plan. Wagoner said GUAMPO (Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) would like all municipalities in the area to endorse this plan – however, the plan still includes the U.S. 158 bypass. “Last fall, NCDOT representatives came to Town Hall and seemed uniform in their answer that data doesn’t support the bypass happening in 20 or more years,” Foy said. “I-73
has alleviated much of the traffic on Highway 158 – but MPO is asking us to endorse a map with the bypass on there. “I struggle with having this bypass on the MPO plan,” he said. Wagoner said NCDOT has indicated that traffic counts now show traffic doesn’t warrant the widening of U.S. 158, so it is very unlikely to happen – however, in a discussion with Craig McKinney with MPO and a DOT representative, McKinney initially felt Section C of the U.S. 158 bypass should remain on the map. “The answer has been very consistent from DOT and MPO, and they have both said it is very unlikely the bypass will ever be constructed,” Foy emphasized. Landreth said he wanted GUAMPO and DOT representatives to attend a council meeting and explain the map before the council takes any action on it.
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5 0 to invite MPO and DOT
representatives to attend the March 14 council meeting to answer questions about the thoroughfare and collector map. 3 2 (Landreth and Jones opposed) to work with NCDOT to get an encroachment agreement east on U.S. 158, for those coming into Stokesdale’s town core, and purchase and install a Stalker radar sign, with cost not to exceed $5,200, using money coming from the American Rescue Plan fund.
Social media policy. Wagoner noted that he gets requests to add things to the town’s Facebook page – such as promoting other group’s events – and tries to make good decisions about what to post, but the town has no social media policy. With that, Jones made a motion to eliminate the town’s Facebook page, saying the town spends too much money on staff overseeing its Facebook page and attention should instead be directed to the town’s website. “That would be a terrible idea,” Foy said. 1 4 to take down the town’s Facebook page, with Jones casting the only vote in favor of his motion.
CITIZEN COMMENTS John Blust, a Greensboro-based attorney, introduced himself as a Republican candidate for N.C. House 62. Blust has served terms in both the state House and Senate, and his districts included Stokesdale for 14 of the years he served. He is seeking a state seat again after being away from state government for the past six years. Blust said over 50 years ago he was in the same Western Guilford High School graduating class as Bi-Rite owner David Wrenn. Landreth told Blust that Stokesdale is one of the most (fiscally) conservative towns in North Carolina. The town does not charge a property tax, and therefore doesn’t get its share of sales
tax from its citizens’ purchases. “We would like to have our sales tax distribution money back,” he said. “We’re not asking for something that doesn’t belong to us. Stick this in a bill somewhere… I don’t like the system, but if that’s what it takes…” Blust talked about the wrongness of burying one item in a bill that has nothing to do with it. “There needs to be a single subject rule (in a bill),” he said. “Putting together things that shouldn’t be together is poor legislation.” “I agree, but until it happens, we would like to get our money back,” Landreth said. Ryan Mayberry introduced himself as a Republican candidate running for the 5th District U.S. House of Representatives. He said he served as a county commissioner in Alexander County for three terms. “I was fascinated to learn you don’t have a property tax,” he told the council. “I am impressed with you guys.” Michael Logan, the District 3 representative on the county’s Board of Education, offered an update on Northwest Middle and High schools, saying progress is being made on a land purchase for a new middle school. When constructed, the existing NWMS may be used for ninth-grade high school students.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Foy gave a special thanks to Logan for attending council meetings in recent months and providing schoolrelated updates. Landreth said he was “thankful to God for living in such a good community with good people.” Jones thanked the six people who stayed until the end of the three-hour meeting, then said, “I’m going to vote for John Blust.” Following announcements, the meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
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SUMMERFIELD town council
FEB. 13 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Mayor Tim Sessoms called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Janelle Robinson, John Doggett, Jonathan Hamilton and Heath Clay present. Sessoms reported that first responders recovered the body of a person who may have died by suicide earlier in the day by jumping into Lake Higgins on U.S. 220, just south of Summerfield’s town limits. The presence of numerous emergency vehicles throughout the day prompted questions by passing motorists.
ANNOUNCEMENT Founders’ Day. Town Manager Scott Whitaker reported the town’s Founders’ Day celebration is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 17-18.
RECOGNITION Board of Adjustment. Sessoms presented a plaque to Ron Willis in appreciation for his 20 years of service on the Board of Adjustment. Willis “should serve as an example to participate in government, instead
of just complaining about it and not doing a darn think about it,’’ board Chair Jim Brady said. He thanked Willis’s wife, Modene, for “giving all that time away from you.’’
PUBLIC SAFETY Summerfield Fire District. The fire district reported that it ran 115 calls in January. They included 25 fire-related calls, 51 EMS-related calls and 39 other calls. Staff installed 15 car seats. Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s District 1 office reported it responded to 249 calls in Summerfield last month, resulting in 16 formal case reports. Deputies responded to a residential breaking and entering in the 5600 block of Green Dale Court and the theft of copper wiring from the cellular phone tower on Winfree Road. Both incidents remain under investigation.
COMMITTEE REPORTS Trails and Open Space Committee. Chair Ginger Lambrecht reported the committee has seeded an openspace wildflower garden at Summerfield Community Park. In the next step,
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At left, Mayor Tim Sessoms presents a plaque to Ron Willis for his 20 years of service on the Board or Adjustment. Willis is joined by his wife, Modene, and board Chair Jim Brady (far right).
volunteers will build bluebird houses, benches and “a few meandering paths,” she said. During a workday on Saturday, March 16, committee members plan to relocate eroded sections of trails in the community park, as well as design new trails, Lambrecht said.
History Committee - Bugler Boy monument rededication. Sessoms reported that he and Bruce Petersen, chair of the History Committee, spoke during a Feb. 11 rededication ceremony for the Bugler Boy monument on N.C. 150. Last year, a contractor stabilized and refurbished the monument honoring James Gillies, a teenage bugler for American General “Light Horse’’ Harry Lee who was killed by British troops in 1781.
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N.C. House District 62 candidates
Republicans Michelle Bardsley, Ann Schneider and John Blust spoke in support of their campaigns to win the
GOP primary for the 62nd district of North Carolina’s House of Representative. They said they oppose the possible legislative de-annexation of landowner David Couch’s nearly 1,000 acres, as an example of what they described as an overreach by the state’s General Assembly. Reece Walker told Robinson that he understands she reported his wife, Sierra, to her employer, Guilford County Schools, for a Facebook post criticizing the council member. Robinson said she didn’t contact the school system to complain about the Facebook post. Bill Goebel said he’s collected more than 2,000 of the 2,136 signatures he needs to run as independent in the District 3 school board race in the Nov. 5 election.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Commercial rezoning request
5 0 to deny the conditional
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business rezoning of roughly 3.2 acres at N.C. 150 and Strader Road for the development of offices for medical and other professional services. (See related article on p. 16)
Voluntary annexation rezoning
5 0 to approve the rezoning
of 11 parcels that became part of Summerfield last month due to voluntary annexation requests by property owners. The tracts were rezoned to the town’s residential (RS) district, comparable to their residential (RS-40) zoning when they were part of unincorporated Guilford County.
MANAGER’S BUSINESS Water system engineering
5 0 to proceed with the engi-
neering of the first phase of a municipal water system with a smaller elevated tank and smaller transmission lines than originally proposed last year. Last month, the council delayed a decision on advancing the project with engineering firm Freese and Nichols to give newly seated council members more time to review the project. As revised, the cost of the project increased to a maximum of $575,000 from its original estimate of $485,510. The revised plan shrinks the size of the tank to 100,000-130,000 gallons from 200,000 gallons and narrows the diameter of the transmission lines from 12 inches to eight inches. Those steps will allow the lines to extend further on Summerfield Road and Highway 150 from the tank to be located on the northern Gordon tract at Highways 220 and 150. Earlier in the meeting, Dwayne Crawford reiterated his opposition to a proposed municipal water system initially proposed to aid firefighting. He said Summerfield’s fire department extinguishes most fires with water from tanker trucks arriving on the scene. Teresa Perryman said the extension of water lines would eventually
necessitate the development of a municipal sewer system. The combination of water and sewer services would open Summerfield to rapid development, according to residents opposed to investing in water and sewer infrastructure.
County tax collection agreement
5 0 to extend by five years
through June 2029 the town’s agreement with the county to collect property taxes for Summerfield.
Lobbyist contract
5 0 to approve a contract retaining lobbying firm King and Co. to represent the town in its fight against the legislative de-annexation of Couch’s property in Summerfield. The firm’s monthly fee is $7,250, down from its earlier contract of $8,000. Board reappointment
5 0 to reappoint Jim Brady
to the Board of Adjustment for an additional three years, while moving Anthony Donato from a board alternate to a full-time member for three years.
Planning Board conflict of interest policy
4 1 to adopt a conflict of
interest policy for the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment that will force Clark Doggett to resign from the Planning Board. Last month, Hamilton asked Town Attorney Bob Hornik to draft a policy prohibiting relatives of a council member from serving on the boards to align with conflict-of-interest rules for other town boards and committees. The policy adopted by the council states that “an immediate family member of a Town Council member or the Mayor may not serve as a voting member on the Planning Board or the Board of Adjustment.’’ Clark Doggett’s son, John, serves on the council. Both father and
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son supported the text amendment adopted by the council last October to create a zoning district that would accommodate Couch’s plans for Summerfield’s first apartments. Newly seated council members Hamilton and Clay have criticized the council’s negotiations with Couch, while DeVaney and Robinson voted against the text amendment. “No one is attacking Clark Doggett,” Hamilton said. However, Doggett’s wife, Jane, John Doggett and his sister, Beth Kaplan, disagreed. “We do take it personally,” said John, the only council member who voted against adoption of the policy. Kaplan said the council wants “to rewrite the conflict of interest policy so that they can start systematically removing Planning Board members that don’t vote the way they feel they should vote.” After the council’s vote to adopt the conflict-of-interest policy, Jane Doggett spoke from the audience. A former
council member, she said she and her family members have volunteered and supported Summerfield as part of their “civic duties” to the town. Doggett said she plans to resign her committee assignments. She serves as an ex-officio member of the Trails and Open Space and Founders’ Day committees.
Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway
5 0 to instruct the Trails and
Open Space Committee to evaluate and prepare a proposal to shift the course of the southern leg of the Atlantic and Yadkin (A&Y) Greenway. As previously envisioned, the trail will exit the U.S. 220 pedestrian tunnel and turn immediately south along the highway toward Lake Higgins. The route follows the watershed and tracks north before connecting with Summerfield Road past the mobile home park. Partly due to objections from some property owners along the route, town
...continued on p. 32
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staff recently explored with the North Carolina Department of Transportation an alternate route, Whitaker told the council. State highway planners were supportive of the proposed route that would turn north from the pedestrian tunnel. It would follow the sidewalk along U.S. 220 before traveling along the eastern side of Summerfield Road, opposite the mobile home park. The council plans to hold a meeting to gather feedback from Summerfield Road property owners and others in town, according to Whitaker. It will also have to negotiate with engineering firm Kimley-Horn to perform a survey and other evaluations of the stretch of Summerfield Road proposed for the greenway, he said. The shorter route may offset costs that have spiraled upward since the pandemic, Sessoms said. “It makes total sense to me to go down Summerfield Road,” said Priscilla Olinick, who grew up and still lives
on Pleasant Ridge Road property that backs up to the Lake Higgins watershed. After rain, the area is so swampy that a bridge may be required for the trail. Earlier in the meeting, Ginger Lambrecht, chair of the Trails and Open Space Committee, said the committee was aware of exploratory discussions to relocate the greenway. She said Summerfield Road is already a popular route for cyclists, runners and pedestrians. Placing the trail to the stretch of road would support “safe connectivity,” she said.
CLOSED SESSION 4 1 (Doggett opposed) not to
extend Whitaker’s annual employment contract. The council voted in public session after discussing the terms of the manager’s employment in closed session. (See related article on FC.) With no further action, the meeting was adjourned shortly before 1 a.m.
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Sondra Beene, spreading joy and caring for others ‘I just enjoy doing for other folks. It’s the Christian thing to do.’ by ANNETTE JOYCE You don’t have to be around Sondra Beene more than a few minutes before you realize how caring and full of joy she is. She’ll tell you it comes from knowing Jesus, and sharing His love is what motivates her to give so much of herself to serving others. From founding and directing the Stokesdale Community Choir to regularly checking in on friends and neighbors, Beene finds countless ways to show others she cares about them. In 2015, she organized what was then a senior adult choir consisting of 16 singers. “Even though God spoke to her and told her to start a choir, she said ‘no’ for months,” Pete, her husband said. “I felt I wasn’t competent – that I wasn’t talented enough,” Beene said. “I just didn’t feel I had the ability.” She finally gave in, and credits God with leading the way from there. These days, Beene works with a choir of about 44 community members ranging from 30 to 90 years old. The group performs two concerts a year at Gideon Grove Church in Stokesdale, as well as at local retirement homes a week prior to their major performances and a week after. Over the years, Beene has sought ways to ensure the group is about more than singing and just as much about fellowship. Refreshments are
served during their Monday morning practices and outside of practice times they often get together for meals at restaurants. “I most enjoy the fellowship and the laughter,” she said. Giveaways at the concerts are plentiful, and include money, gift cards – and once, even a storage building donated by the House of Stars which Pete managed for several years (the building was given to a veteran at one of the choir’s patriotic concerts). And of course, refreshments are always served at the concerts. “I want to make it fun for everyone,” Beene said. Besides working with the choir, she often fills in at churches that need a temporary pianist until a permanent one is in place. Upon request, she’s also sung for people at their loved one’s funeral. Beene has a special place in her heart for the elderly, and often visits residents living in retirement homes. Two of her favorite things are playing handbells and leading sing-alongs, and she and her sister have also hosted bingo (as well as donated prizes). A caring and thoughtful “people person,” Beene regularly reaches out to neighbors and friends to check on them and make sure they’re okay. She also has what Pete refers to as her “card ministry,” and he estimates she mails 40 to 50 cards every month just to let people know she’s thinking of them.
Sondra Beene loves Jesus, music and finding ways to show others she cares about them
It doesn’t stop there, though. She also has a heart for children and has been involved in several children’s ministries at Woodbine Baptist Church in Mayodan, where she and Pete are members. Most recently, she was co-director of Vacation Bible School and director of the children’s Christmas musical. A former special education teacher, Beene volunteers at Huntsville Elementary School in Madison, where she helps with festivals, dances and plays the piano for special events. “I just enjoy doing for other folks. It’s the Christian thing to do,” she said. “We are so blessed and the least I can do is bless others.”
Thanks to Tire Max for sponsoring this monthly feature in which we recognize “ordinary” people in our readership area who make an extraordinary impact on others. To nominate an “ordinary” person for this feature, email editor@nwobserver.com with their name, a detailed description of how they positively impact others, and your contact info. Stokesdale
7705 Highway 68 N (336) 441-8066
Summerfield
4420 US Highway 220N (336) 793-5391
Madison
706 Burton Street (336) 548-6674
High Point
619 McDonald Court (336) 885-4321
High Point
2410 Eastchester Dr (336) 841-6553
Eden
406 N. Bridge Street (336) 627-9400
OAK RIDGE town council
TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS
FEB. 1 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Mayor Jim Kinneman called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone and council members Ann Schneider, Jim Harton and Michael Greeson present. Oak Ridge resident Mike Hansen offered the invocation.
PROCLAMATION
theft of construction equipment and building materials from multiple residential construction sites, according to the report. Separately, a 21-year-old employee of McDonald’s was charged with larceny by an employee after he was reported for stealing from the business.
Cheer champions. Mayor Kinneman read a proclamation congratulating Northwest Guilford High School’s competitive cheer team and coaching staff for winning the 2024 National Cheerleading Association Championship.
Fire Department. Fireman/EMT Devin Teague reported the department responded to 92 calls last month; of those, 31 were EMS-related calls, five related to structure fires and one to a brush fire.
The team made history as the first in North Carolina to win the national honor, and followed six successive victories as state champions since 2018.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail easement
PUBLIC SAFETY Sheriff’s Office. Deputy V. Chusakul reported the District 1 office responded to 147 calls for service in Oak Ridge in January, resulting in 12 formal case reports.
PUBLIC HEARINGS 5 0 to continue until the council’s May 2 meeting the public hearing on the disputed Mountains-to-Sea Trail easement next to the Bear Creek subdivision. (See related article on front cover)
N.C. 150 rezoning request
5 0 to approve the rezoning of
Jim Kinneman
Mike Stone
mayor
Ann Schneider
mayor pro tem
Michael Greeson
(RS-30) and agricultural (AG) to conditional residential (CZ-RS-40) for the development of a subdivision. As conditions of the request, applicants Billy Kanoy and Denise Kanoy said the number of building lots won’t exceed 28 and the use of the property will be limited to single-family detached housing. (See related article on p. TK.)
PUBLIC COMMENTS Eric Strimple recommended the town install synthetic turf on the two multi-purpose fields under construction in Heritage Farm Park.
Jim Harton
tion of the county. As of mid-January, the acquisition of land for a new Northwest Guilford Middle School at a cost of $7.5 million was the only northwest-area project listed as a priority of GCS’s bond program. So far, $2.26 million has been committed for buying land. Logan added that some of the bond money earmarked for deferred maintenance of facilities countywide will go toward HVAC improvements at Oak Ridge Elementary School. Logan reiterated comments that he offered at Stokesdale Town Council’s meeting last month, when he said plans for building a 1,200-seat northwest-area high school with an aviation technology magnet program have been taken off the priority list for bond funding.
Vikings Spirit Store
“There’s got to be money somewhere for synthetic fields,’’ Strimple said. While grass is great,’’ he explained that fields with artificial turf would be available for play year-round and generate usage fees for baseball, lacrosse and soccer tournaments.
All profits from Spirit store purchases are used for ORYA. Any profit from breast cancer items is split between ORYA and a local Breast Cancer Organization.
Kinneman told Strimple that synthetic grass has already been installed on the fields.
Later in Oak Ridge’s meeting, Stone said funding for northwest-area schools is “really thin’’ and “just ought to be called out.’’
Michael Logan, District 3 representative on the Guilford County Board of Education, urged people in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale to “get involved’’ in pushing Guilford County Schools (GCS) to expedite spending of bond funds in the northwestern por-
Tomakio Gause introduced herself as a Democratic candidate in the March 5 primary for the county District Court judgeship being vacated by retiring Teresa Vincent. A Jamestown resident, Gause cited her 18 years of experience in practicing civil and criminal
Officers are investigating the
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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
law and her volunteerism, such as mentoring at the Women’s Resource Center, as qualifying her to serve as a judge. Bill Goebel said he’s collected 75% of the 2,136 signatures he needs to run as an independent in the District 3 school board race in the Nov. 5 election.
MANAGER’S REPORT Board reappointments
5 0 to reappoint John Jenkins and Paul Kress to two-year terms on the Finance Committee and Edyie Bryant and Danielle Walraven (alternate) to one-year terms.
5 0 to reappoint Michael Bell to the Board of Adjustment.
Separately, Gigi Williams withdrew from seeking reappointment to the Tree Committee.
5 0 to add Gumwood Road
(extension) to the state’s road maintenance system.
5 0 to end the town’s partici-
pation in a U.S. Geological Survey groundwater monitoring program after the annual cost increased from $5,000 to $6,600. Oak Ridge has participated in the program since 2008. The agency compiled data from the town’s well and others across the region and the state to create a historical record of groundwater levels. The information “in its raw form has little practical value for staff,’’ according
Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO
Members of Northwest High School’s competitive cheerleading team pose with head coach Jennifer Loveday-Donovan (second row, second from right) and Oak Ridge Town Council members at the council’s meeting on Feb. 1 after Mayor Jim Kinneman read a proclamation congratulating the team on winning the 2024 National Cheerleading Association championship.
to a Jan. 26 memo from Town Manager Bill Bruce. It also has generated little interest among residents, despite the posting of a link to the program on the town’s website, he said Haw River Road digital speed sign. Digital monitoring of traffic speeds on Haw River Road last year “indicates that the radar sign has calmed traffic,” according to a Jan. 31 memo by
Ashley Royal, deputy town clerk. Bruce presented the findings to the council. (See related article in News Briefs)
Road improvements update. Bruce reported the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) plans to start N.C. 68 and 150 improvements in Oak Ridge’s commercial district in late spring, pushing back the initial start date of mid-March.
Bruce shared NCDOT’s plans for routing traffic during construction. At least one lane of Highways 68 and 150 will always be open, with both lanes open during “the school rush’’ in the morning, he said. At least one entrance/exit will be open in Oak Ridge Commons and the Marketplace shopping centers at all times.
...continued on p. 36
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O.R. TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 35
The town manager also noted that Linville Road may be closed to thru traffic at some point, requiring the rerouting of traffic.
Veterans Honor Green restricted fund
5 0 to establish a restricted fund for the second phase of Veterans Honor Green, after council member Harton recently donated his annual stipend pay. Due to costs, the council broke the project down into two phases, starting with the construction of the veterans’
memorials in Heritage Farm Park. As funding allows, a second phase will include the construction of a boardwalk leading to an area with benches in a pine grove, providing shade in hot weather and a place to rest and reflect while viewing the Honor Green.
through a pipe along N.C. 150 from Kernersville to an elevated storage tank to be erected behind Town Hall on Linville Road. Property owners along N.C. 150 will be able to tap into the line, Bruce said. Hydrants are planned at 1,000-foot intervals to aid firefighting.
NEW BUSINESS
The town has four years to start using water. If it does not, the agreement will terminate without penalty. Separately, if Oak Ridge doesn’t tap into Forsyth County’s water, it won’t be required to pay a one-time reserve capacity fee of $224,000, Bruce said.
Water distribution agreement
5 0 for Oak Ridge to enter a
30-year agreement with the WinstonSalem/Forsyth County Utilities Commission to buy up to 350,000 gallons of water a day; the town plans to use the water for both firefighting and human consumption. As proposed, the water will flow
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Meeting schedule revision
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Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Co-chair John Garrett reported the board approved a project for Boy Scout Troop 779 to install five “pollinator hotels” for honey bees, bumble bees and other insects; he noted they won’t be located near trails, playgrounds or other areas where people congregate. Triad Municipal ABC Board. Oak Ridge representative Jimm Barbery reported the town collected a recordsetting $109,555 in ABC profits last quarter.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Comments by some council members focused on the opposition of Bear Creek homeowners to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail easement.
the council’s CIP (Capital Improvement Planning) meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 2 p.m. to 11 a.m.
Greeson told easement opponents that he understands “where you’re coming from.”
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Stone suggested the town try to facilitate conversations between differing parties to resolve the easement dispute.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee. Chair Anne Steele said committee member Mike Kimel is working on a proposal for the construction of a trail information kiosk at Town Park. Conservation Easement Committee. Chair Stephanie Farrell reported that discussions are progressing between the committee, town staff and five property owners who are considering placing their land under conservation easements. Special Events Committee. Chair Patti Dmuchowski reported the town’s 25th annual volunteer dinner last month was “an amazing event” with more than 100 people in attendance.
Please join us for the Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show & Rodeo
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Later in the meeting, Oak Ridge resident and former councilman George McClellan described the agreement as “truly a momentous event” marking Oak Ridge’s efforts to create a municipal water system over the past 25 years.
contrast, a gum tree in Town Park is dying and needs to be cut down, he said.
Tree Committee. Co-chair Austin Goldman reported that a state forester examined the three pine groves in Heritage Farm Park and determined the trees are in “good condition.” By
Schneider said she opposes Stone’s idea of allowing committee members to aid negotiations because “it’s a legal issue at this point. I wouldn’t want to put them in that position.” “All of our public amenities are in someone’s backyard,” Kinneman said. “Even if we move this easement, it’s going to be in someone else’s back yard or side yard.” Harton reminded the council that some big donors to the Veterans Honor Green had given money for the entire project – both the memorials and the boardwalk. At the time of their giving, they didn’t know the project would be broken into two phases, he said. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
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7705 Highway 68 N (336) 441-8066
Summerfield
4420 US Highway 220N (336) 793-5391
Madison
706 Burton Street (336) 548-6674
High Point
619 McDonald Court (336) 885-4321
High Point
2410 Eastchester Dr (336) 841-6553
Eden
406 N. Bridge Street (336) 627-9400
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welcome to ... youth link
A regular section in the Northwest Observer focused on the youthful matters of northwest Guilford County
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NWHS Coach Ron Bare recognized for 600Reynolds wins & Stoner
ORTHO NTICS Described asD Ohumble, a ‘man of few words’ and a ‘pillar of coaching excellence,’ Northwest High School’s wrestling coach is celebrated for 600 dual wins
By PATTI STOKES Ron Bare has been at the center of Northwest Guilford High School’s wrestling program since he accepted a teaching position at the school in 1989. He served as an assistant wrestling coach for seven years before taking over as head coach in 1996. On Jan. 23, Bare was presented with a plaque in honor of 600 dual wins (as of Dec. 21) during his high school head coaching career. A quiet man who is quick to direct attention away from himself and onto his players, Bare is known for his attention to detail, calm demeanor – and his humility. Even after his wrestlers won a dual team state championship last year –the second state championship under Bare’s coaching in four
38
years – he was quick to give his wrestlers all the credit. “The kids really have to rely on their teammates to be successful. We had a really great team effort. They set their goal last year and did everything I asked them to do, in-season and off-season,” he said in an interview with the Northwest Observer in February 2023. And just what did he ask of his players? In short, to work hard, be disciplined, condition themselves mentally and physically, and commit to a long season. In recognition of Bare’s latest accomplishment, we asked some of the coaches and staff members who have known him the longest to share their thoughts on this unassuming
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO
Ron Bare (left), Northwest High School’s head varsity wrestling coach, receives congratulations from Athletic Director Jason Allred on Jan. 23 at a ceremony celebrating Bare’s 600 dual wins as of Dec. 21
coach and mentor, and here’s what they had to say… John Shumate is the wrestling coach at Northwest Middle School. “Coach Ron Bare has a very disciplined and measured approach to coaching. I’ve learned a lot from him over the last 27 years, mostly regarding doing the right things and doing things the right way,” Shumate said. “We (Northwest) win the right way
and we lose the right way. We put in the hard work every day to get better. “Just a comment: our wrestling room won’t accommodate all the wrestlers in one practice. Most days the JV wrestlers will practice from 4 to 6 p.m. and the varsity practices from 6 to 8 p.m. I look up at the high school most nights when my middle school practice ends at 6 p.m. and think about Ron’s practice just starting… I don’t know how he does it day after day.”
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
youth link
Derrick Rice is the JV coach for Northwest High School and one of the assistant coaches to Coach Bare. “My first time meeting Coach Bare was in 2007, when I was a high school wrestler at East Forsyth High School,” Rice said. “It was a match for the Conference Championship against Northwest High School, and we lost. I remember the structure and culture he and that team had like it was yesterday. So, coming in to coach and teach at the school 15 years later, I was eager to see just how this man does what he does. “It's amazing – his attention to detail and how he holds his athletes accountable both in the classroom and on the mat; the coaches who care about him and this program, and how wrestlers he coached still come back and volunteer.
“He has built an unbelievable culture here. His drive, determination, and passion are contagious. I woke up every morning during the season knowing it was going to be a long day, but a rewarding one. Not many people get to say they are coaching with and learning from one of the best coaches they possibly could. I soak it up like a sponge. 600+ hard-fought dual wins do not come easy, but his structure has proven why it is possible.”
Jason Allred is NWHS’s athletic director. “Coach Bare is a pillar of coaching excellence in high school sports. Despite his consistently calm demeanor, he has a passion and intensity when it comes to wrestling,” Allred said. “His attention to detail is evident in how his athletes are prepared to compete each and every match.
“600 wins is a tremendous milestone and Coach Bare is deserving of the highest praise, but he is always quick to give credit to the athletes he has worked with over the years. So not only is he a great coach, he has continued to remain humble and that is a rare quality today.” Lee Reavis is the head men’s basketball coach at NWHS. “Coach Bare has a huge impact on our Northwest community, school and obviously our athletic programs here at NWHS,” Reavis said. “He continues to lead us towards a standard of excellence through his hard work and dedication to students, staff and the entire Northwest community.” Ashley Young is the principal at NWHS. “I am fortunate to have worked
with Coach Bare for 18 years,” Young said. “He has remained humble through the years, but he is always very eager to praise his athletes. While Coach Bare is a man of few words, the care and concern he has for Northwest High School student-athletes is obvious. We are very proud of his accomplishments, and thankful for all that he has done for the Northwest community.” Among his many accomplishments, Bare has coached 25 regional champions, 58 state place-winners, and nine individual state champions winning 12 state titles. He has been named conference coach of the year 19 times and in 2019 was named the Mat News 4A Coach of the Year. In 2019, Bare also received the NCHSAA’s prestigious “Toby Webb Outstanding Coach Award” and is the first wrestling coach to receive this award.
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Student ambassador program offers opportunities for involvement, leadership By BREANNA ADAMICK NW GREENSBORO – Northwest Middle School recently implemented a program in which selected students are invited to become student ambassadors for their school. The foundation for the program first began around two years ago after the school counselors discussed the possibility of more actively including students in representing the school. Initially, a student’s involvement was limited to providing school tours to incoming students and their families, but the recently expanded program offers selected student ambassadors the opportunity to engage in a variety
of activities, from assisting school faculty and staff in the office, setting up and speaking at events such as the monthly Spotlight Breakfast – an event honoring students who have displayed a specific positive character trait – and participating in local town council meetings by handing out agendas and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, both from families and the student ambassadors themselves. Counselors Katie Thompson and Sharla Martin, leaders of the student ambassador program for Northwest Middle School, work to ensure the
...continued on p. 43
Photo by Francine Bock (ELA teacher at NWMS)
Northwest Middle School student ambassadors (L-R) Annabelle Lee, Jackson Brady, Ray Phelps, Kessler Bock and Holden Bullins pose with then Oak Ridge Town Council mayor Ann Schneider (center) at the council’s Dec. 7, 2023 meeting, when the ambassadors passed out meeting agendas and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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WHITAKER ...continued from p. 1 administrator. Councilman Jonathan Hamilton suggested two options for the council: renegotiating Whitaker’s contract or starting the search for a new manager.
“We are clearly giving him notice,” Hamilton said shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday after the council emerged from the approximately 1 ¾-hour closed session during which it discussed the terms of Whitaker’s contract. Hamilton joined Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Janelle Robinson and Heath Clay in voting against extending the manager’s contract. Councilman John Doggett voted in opposition to the move. In years past, Whitaker’s contract has essentially renewed automatically, with little public discussion by council members except for praise for his performance that accompanied
annual pay increases. After Wednesday’s meeting, DeVaney declined to explain why she voted against extending the manager’s contract after supporting pay raises for him in recent years. About six months ago, DeVaney joined Robinson and other council members at that time in the unanimous approval of the 5% raise for Whitaker. Roughly a year earlier, Sessoms presented a plaque to Whitaker congratulating him for 10 years of service to the town.
“No one else cares as much as this guy does,” Sessoms said during the council’s meeting in June 2022, as DeVaney, Robinson and other council members flanked the manager. “He does a magnificent job.” Wednesday morning, Clay offered a partial explanation for the vote
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on the manager’s contract. While appreciative of Whitaker’s historical knowledge about town affairs, Clay said he considered the manager’s contract to be an unjust agreement’’ that favored Whitaker and provided limited safeguards” for the town. Several years ago, the council added a severance agreement to Whitaker’s contract, entitling the manager to roughly a year’s salary, he said in an interview last week. After the meeting, Whitaker declined to comment on the council’s vote. Public notice of the council’s intent to discuss the manager’s contract in closed session created anticipation for town staff and drew criticism from some residents in posts on the Northwest Observer’s Facebook page. Vicky Bridges, chair of the town’s Finance Committee, joined others in supporting Whitaker. She praised the manager for his “depth and breadth of knowledge” in day-to-day operations, as well as annual budget preparation, capital spending and other long-term planning. Calling Whitaker a “true asset” for Summerfield, resident Pam Tocornal said letting him go would be “horrible.’’ Bridges added that “some of our council members don’t understand finance. They don’t understand what it takes to run a town. We need someone who can do that.’’ Signs of tension and distrust have arisen between Whitaker and the new majority of the council created by the Nov. 7 election. While asking for better communication from town staff, the council’s majority has scrutinized Whitaker’s decision making and the town’s spending on major projects such as Bandera Farms Park, the proposed municipal water system and a proposed Welcome
to Summerfield sign on U.S. 220 at Strawberry Road. The majority consists of newly elected Hamilton and Clay, DeVaney, who was re-elected, and Robinson, who wasn’t up for re-election. On the other hand, Mayor Tim Sessoms and Doggett have aligned with the manager.
Whitaker “has done nothing but work hard for the town of Summerfield and the wishes of the majority of the council,” the mayor said in an interview earlier this week before the council’s vote. The majority’s scrutiny turned to criticism during the meeting. They questioned Whitaker and Sessoms about their recent meeting with landowner David Couch, asking whether they discussed the state legislature’s de-annexation threat. The mayor and the manager said they discussed with Couch the possible location of public trails on his property, not de-annexation or the text amendment adopted by the council last October in an effort to discourage Couch from seeking de-annexation. Robinson sought a pledge from Sessoms and town staff that they’d alert all council members if they plan to meet with Couch again. Some council members may want to suggest questions for Couch and attend the meeting, she said. Clay said he’s not met Couch. “This citizen is not an ordinary citizen,’’ said Hamilton, who has taken responsibilities from the mayor in deciding how the council should respond to the de-annexation threat.
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Shortly after midnight Wednesday, Whitaker initially entered the closed session with the council, Town Attorney Bob Hornik and Town Clerk Sarah Tibbetts. Whitaker then exited the session, giving the council more time to discuss the contract before calling him back into the session. The council reconvened in public session, voted on Whitaker’s contract and quickly adjourned.
“What has been done to Scott is an unimaginable injustice,” Sessoms said in an interview hours after the meeting’s 1 a.m. end time. “That they could do this to someone who has worked so hard on behalf of our town and who has done nothing to deserve the way he has been treated is so wrong. “To let Scott go shows these guys
have never run a staff before, and what they have done to the confidence and moral of the entire town staff is a travesty,” he added. Another option the council didn’t publicly discuss was a possible switch in the form of government to give council members greater authority in running the town. With a majority vote, the council could enact an ordinance to change the town’s form of
government from council-manager, as it operates now, to mayor-council, without an opportunity for citizens to vote on it. Stokesdale Town Council is organized as a mayor-council form of government, relying upon a clerk and other staff to perform town duties under the direction of the five council members.
STUDENT AMBASSADORS...continued from p. 43 program is as beneficial to new students and their families as it is to the students. Through participating as a student ambassador, it is hoped that each student will grow in their presentation and public speaking skills, gain confidence and further their leadership abilities. The successful achievement of these goals by many of the ambassadors has already been realized, even in such a short history of the program, the counselors say. Student ambassadors must be selected by at least three teachers. In addition, they must be in seventh or eighth grade and have demonstrated their ability to keep up with all class assignments despite their extracurricular activities. The ambassadors make up about 5% of the entire student body, and before being selected must have demonstrated maturity, leadership potential and determination, making them excellent candidates for a program designed to both showcase and enhance those qualities. Three such student ambassadors, Morgan Jackson, Sara Erwin and Robert Caldwell, have found the program to be rewarding and enjoyable throughout the nearly two years they have been participating. Now in eighth grade and nearing the end of their middle school student ambassador experience, they recently
reflected on their favorite part of the program. “My favorite part of being a student ambassador is meeting new people, giving tours and having a great time at school with friends,” Robert Caldwell said. In addition to having fun, new experiences, these student ambassadors all feel they have benefited in other ways from this program. Stating that she wants to become a veterinarian, Sara Erwin remarked, “This [experience] will help me a lot. The career I want to go into involves talking to new people and helping them find their way around,” which are skills she and her peers now possess and can attribute to their time as student ambassadors.
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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
Photo courtesy of Julia Denton
Summerfield residents Aubrey Denton (second from left) a high school freshman, and her younger sister Holly (second from right), a sixth grader, pose with their parents after the sisters placed 1st in the local VFW Post 7999 and District 10-level essay contests and went on to place 1st in state-level VFW essay contests. This was the first time in state VFW history that two sisters have won 1st place in the state in the same year. The sisters were honored to read their essays to over 300 people attending the VFW’s Council of Administration Banquet in Raleigh on Feb. 3.
BELEW SL
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FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
43
CRIME / INCIDENT report
District 1 Sheriff’s Office
has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ...
District 3 candidate What I plan on doing as your School Board District 3 Representative Our children are more important than anything! I propose a 5-point plan to keep our children safe while getting an excellent education. I’m calling this the “Starfish Plan,” where we collaborate between parents’ rights, school curriculum, local businesses, the faith community and government agencies.
Starfish Plan
Parents’ Rights Local Businesses
School Curriculum
Ultimately, our goal is to prepare our children with a Faith competitive advantage to Community be productive members of society. We can do this by being “Better Together” as a team.
Local Businesses
Government Agencies
Beginning in March, I will give you deep insight into each part of the Starfish Plan. If we can teach our children Duty to God, Duty to Country and Service to Others we will have a strong society.
bill@goebelforcommonground.com
www.goebelnc.com | 336.202.6485 paid by Citizens for Common Ground
44
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
ARSON
Summerfield (off Strawberry Road).
Feb. 3 l Officers conducted an arson investigation after two clothing donation bins in the parking lot of Walgreens in Summerfield were found burned.
BREAKING & ENTERING
ASSAULT Jan. 22 l Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 1800 block of Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge. Jan. 25 l Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 3900 block of Lewiston Road in northwest Greensboro. Jan. 25 l A 43-year-old female was arrested in the 6000 block of Lomond Drive in Summerfield (near Northwest School Road) for simple assault. Jan. 26 l Officers responded to a reported assault in the 8400 block of W. Harrell Road in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N). Jan. 27 l Officers responded to a reported physical altercation in the 7700 block of Eversfield Road in Summerfield (off Oak Ridge Road). Jan. 27 l Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 8300 block of Wrights Farm Lane in Summerfield (off U.S. 158). Jan. 28 l A 49-year-old male was arrested in the 6400 block of Winnington Court in northwest Greensboro (near Pleasant Ridge Road) for assault on a female. Feb. 6 l Officers responded to a reported physical altercation in the 6500 block of Horseman Trail in
Jan. 17 l A 58-year-old male was arrested in the 800 block of N.C. 68 N/Pleasant Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro for breaking and entering.
DEATH INVESTIGATION Jan. 15 l Officers conducted a death investigation in the 7100 block of Ellison Road in Stokesdale (off U.S. 158).
DRUGS Jan. 27 l Officers responded to an attempted suicide via narcotics overdose in the 6900 block of Summerfield Road in Summerfield. Feb. 1 l An employee of Summerfield Charter Academy reported a known suspect stole 20 Adderall pills.
FALSE PRETENSES Jan. 28 l A 46-year-old male was arrested in the 6800 block of Brookbank Road in Summerfield for obtaining property by false pretenses; the incident involved animal pedigrees.
FOUND/STOLEN PROPERTY Jan. 30 l Officers discovered a wooden trailer and an air pump that had been stolen from property at the intersection of S. Bunker Hill Road and W. Market Street in Colfax. Feb. 2 l An employee of Oak Ridge Auto Sales in northwest Greensboro reported a citizen left a black/gold Smith & Wesson firearm with ammunition, a holster and a wallet.
...continued on p. 48
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
PRE-ORDER BY MARCH 11 z BBQ butt sale l Stokesdale Fire District, 8401 U.S.
158, will take pre-orders for a BBQ butt sale at $40 per butt. Pre-order by Monday, March 11, and pick up Saturday, March 23. Call (336) 643-0790 to order.
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
z Waggin’ Wild 5K & fun run l Loving Pet Project NC
z Town Council meeting l Oak Ridge Town Council will
invites dogs and their families to the 11th annual Waggin’ Wild 5K & fun run on March 2 at Bur-Mil Park, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road in northwest Greensboro, starting at 10:35 a.m. More info or to register: https:// runsignup.com/Race/NC/Greensboro/WagginWild5k.
meet March 7, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for more info or a meeting agenda.
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
fee and fellowship at Bethel Methodist Church, 8424 Haw River Road in Oak Ridge, on March 8, starting at 8:30 a.m. More info: Larry McDonald, (336) 215-3141.
z Kiwanis Club l Kiwanis Club of NW Guilford will
FRIDAY, MARCH 8 z Veterans’ coffee l Local veterans are invited for cof-
SATURDAY, FEB. 17
meet March 5, 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.
z Pancake supper fundraiser/auction l A pancake sup-
z SMA meeting l Summerfield Merchants Association
z Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club l NWGWC will
invites Summerfield-based professionals to its next meeting on Tuesday, March 5. More info: www.summerfieldmerchant.com (also, see display ad on p. 45).
hold its monthly meeting March 11, starting at 7 p.m. For more info about the club or to attend as a guest, contact: Tiffany Hansen, president, at (336) 404-8038 or tiffanykhansen96@gmail.com.
per and silent auction will be held at Flat Rock Methodist Church, 6720 U.S.158 in Stokesdale, on Feb. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. Donations accepted for all-you-can-eat pancakes, bacon or sausage, fresh fruit, and a beverage, with all proceeds going to Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show & Rodeo (to be held March 29 and 30). More info: oakridgehorseshow.com, and see ad on p. 36.
TUESDAY, FEB. 20 z Informational meetings l Town of Summerfield
will host two informational meetings for rezoning requests Feb. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Summerfield Town Hall, 4117 Oak Ridge Road. Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov for the meeting agendas.
SATURDAY, FEB. 24 z Food pantry l Good Samaritan Ministries’ food
pantry in Stokesdale will open for those in need of food on Feb. 24, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road. More info: (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com.
MONDAY, FEB. 26 z Lions Club l Oak Ridge Lions Club will meet
Feb. 26 at Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons. Members and guests are encouraged to come at 6 p.m. to order dinner and socialize; the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. More info: Jim Kinneman, (336) 207-7166 or james.kinneman@gmail.com.
z Friends of Stokesdale l Friends of Stokesdale will
meet March 5, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. More info: www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 z Blood drive l Morehead UMC at 3214 Horse Pen Creek
Road in northwest Greensboro will host a blood drive March 6, 2:30 to 7 p.m. For an appointment, visit www. redcrossblood.org and type ‘27410.’ Walk-ins welcome. z Community meal l Gideon Grove UMC at 2865
Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale will host a free community meal with soup and fixin’s on March 6, 5 to 7 p.m. More info: www.facebook.com/gideongroveumc.
MARCH 6, 12, 14 & 21 z Senior programs | Senior Resources of Guil-
ford County will sponsor programs for seniors from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon on March 6 at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church (2445 Oak Ridge Road); March 12 at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church (119 N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax); March 14 at Stokesdale United Methodist Church (8305 Loyola Drive); and March 21 at Summerfield First Baptist Church (2300 Scalesville Road). To RSVP, call (336) 373-4816, ext. 265.
Since 2008
Wishing our community a healthy, love-filled season! Set up your FREE consultation today (336) 644-8078 | orchiro.com Oak Ridge Business Center (Linville Rd & NC 68)
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
MONDAY, MARCH 11
TUESDAY, MARCH 12 z Town Council meeting l Summerfield Town Council
will meet March 12, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov for a meeting agenda.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14 z Town Council meeting l Stokesdale Town Coun-
cil will meet March 14, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Visit www.stokesdale.org for a meeting agenda.
MARCH 15 & 16 z Kids consignment sale l St. Paul’s Catholic Church
at 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road in northwest Greensboro will host a kids consignment sale Friday, March 15, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. More info: www.saintpaulskidssale.com.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19 z Northwest Guilford VFW l Northwest Guilford VFW
Post 7999 invites veterans to its monthly meeting March 19, 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info: Andy Schlosser, (336) 456-2199, or Rick Dunlap, (336) 601-0941.
NORTHWEST Loving care for pets ANIMAL HOSPITAL (336) 643-8984
and their families
Full-service medicine, surgery and dentistry Surgical and therapeutic laser Acupuncture and ultrasound
Wendy Camp, DVM | Tina Becker, DVM 1692-J NC Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge • (336) 643-8984 www.nw-animal-hospital.com
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
45
GRINS and GRIPES
Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in
40
words or less
email: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com
Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.
Summerfield Fire Department for helping me figure out the problem with my smoke detectors on Jan. 21 after they kept going off.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation for paying off the mortgage for the family of Sgt. Nix who was killed in the line of duty. This is a great charity – $11.55 a month if you can afford it, and money well spent. Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge for
kindly allowing us to set up a Girl Scout cookie booth inside the store on Jan. 20, which was a very cold Saturday afternoon. We appreciate this kind gesture. Dillon Tree Service for doing an amazing job taking down trees at our Oak Ridge home and cleaning up afterward. They also have state-of-the-art equipment. I highly recommend them! The gentleman in the truck in front of me at McDonalds who paid for our order. The kindness and generosity from a complete stranger was so uplifting, especially after the day I had! I certainly will be paying it forward. The mystery person or persons who surprised Stokesdale Fire Department the morning of Jan. 31 with the fantastic “Congrats Stokesdale Fire #12” yard sign! We recently received a new ISO rating of #2, which we are very proud of. The high school student on Bus 1107 who turned in my child’s lost watch to the bus driver! Also, grins to your parents for teaching you right! Ann Schneider, for your dedication to our town council. Your diligent research, insightful contributions, and impressive command of relevant information make you an invaluable asset. We appreciate your commitment to ensuring informed decision-making for our community’s betterment.
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FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
The people who cut in the merging drivethrough line at McDonald’s in Oak Ridge. Why are you more important than anyone else in line? The driver of a Rav4 at Starbucks’ intersection with a medium-sized dog on her lap, hanging out the window, and large dogs in passenger and rear seats roaming freely. How do you expect to keep your dogs, others, or yourself safe? Those who support the Redmon
house renovation, costing over $650/ sq. ft. in an area where the nicest homes sell for less than half that. Bar Construction will be the only beneficiary of this financial stupidity. Easiest money they’ll ever make. The ignorant person who dumped a dead, headless deer on Linville Road. It stinks, and it is gross. There are tons of wooded areas and even a large dump. Don’t be a jerk. Spectrum for losing their contract with ESPN/Disney and blaming them for high prices, which costs us viewers. We pay for these packages, not for your poor business practices and failures. Use your profits to pay them, not punish us! McDonald’s Oak Ridge. I asked to substitute my drink for a McFlurry (60 more cents), but they forgot to add it, so it wasn’t on my receipt. When I asked for it, I didn’t have enough money, so they threw it out. The lady who was smoking underneath the picnic shelter at Oak Ridge Town Park with kids and babies all around her. At least find a secluded spot rather than one with kids so close by. Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughn. Greensboro needs to use city funds and resources for our police department first, then housing, etc. We need law and order and protection, not homes which cannot be protected! The audacity of NC House 62 candidate Ann Schneider, who claims to have been a leader “while never raising taxes” in Oak Ridge! When mayor, she imposed a huge property tax hike, and she knows it. So do we. Editor’s note: To clarify, when Oak Ridge Town Council voted to approve its FY2022-23 budget, the property tax remained unchanged from previous years (8 cents per $100 valuation). However, when the county released its residential and commercial property revaluations in the spring of 2022, it showed Oak Ridge property values had increased by an average of 23%; as a result, the town’s revenue from property
tax increased. While Oak Ridge property owners are still paying the same property tax rate as before the revaluation, most property owners’ taxes increased because the value of their property increased – thus the argument that the town voted to increase property taxes when it approved its 2022-23 budget with the same 8% property tax rate. Mike Stone, for his ‘hot mic’ comment disparaging and cursing a citizen who came to speak to Town Council. He owes him and us a public apology. If he cannot respect and serve all our citizens, he should resign. People who don’t understand the drive-thru line system at McDonald’s. It is not “1,2,1,2 order.” Lane 1 can go three times in a row if Lane 2 is slow. Online orders move ahead to keep the food in order at the window. Councilman Mike Stone for his under-the-breath profanity directed at a citizen during the Feb. 1 Town Council meeting. Such disgraceful
conduct demonstrates the hypocrisy of Mr. Stone’s calls for increased ethics and transparency in our town’s government. Oak Ridge Swim Club management for not letting me (a senior citizen) park my car in the lot during off-season while walking my dog. Support local small businesses? How about local small businesses supporting local seniors? Jennifer Mun and the wonderful staff at Bistro 150 for the wonderful food and service provided to the ladies of Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church at our recent visit. We’re grateful to have you in the Oak Ridge community. Happy Tail Puppies for selling puppies with Giardia (a parasite that is contagious to humans) and gripes to Oak Ridge for allowing this business in our community in the first place. The two men who dumped a donation bin into the grass on Bronco Lane in Summerfield and set it on fire at
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3 a.m., and then quickly fled. I hope you know the police are looking for you! Oak Ridge Councilman Mike Stone, who talks about showing “a little grace” on nextdoor.com but who gives no grace or respect to the constituents who disagree with him and who believes that vulgar name-calling at a Town Council meeting is acceptable. Cone Pharmacy at Drawbridge Parkway in northwest Greensboro. Thanks for helping me get the medicine I needed and fighting thru the bureaucracy of Cigna Insurance company. You all are awesome, and God bless you for what you all do! NWHS for taking WIN away from 10th graders for a presentation about
class rings. They don’t graduate for two years and it shouldn’t be mandatory. It especially shouldn’t take away from possible learning time. Newly elected councilman Mike Stone – he needs to apologize and resign after he is heard and recorded calling a private citizen a f***ing idiot during the most recent town meeting. He once again shows his true colors. The company responsible for grading and laying the asphalt for the walking path at Heritage Park. What a poor job and waste of money. When it rains, there are water puddles all along the sidewalk making a messy, unenjoyable walk.
...continued on p. 48
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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
47
GRINS & GRIPES
Remember you are a figurehead with no vote, responsible to the Town Council and people!
Rockingham County elected representatives. The casino looks like a done deal. The power lines to the site have been upgraded and the green sewer pipe along U.S. 220 will soon be buried.
Outside the
directors for voting Cal, Stanford and SMU into the Atlantic Coast Conference. Why do we need teams from the other side of the country to make profits? Just pure greed!
…
For those who are going to vote for President Biden, don’t. Please don’t
...continued from p. 47
Mike Stone. “I intend to return integrity,” he said when campaigning. Yet, his under-the-breath profanity towards a former council member during the Feb. 1 council meeting were captured on the YouTube recording, 43:30 and 52:08 minutes in. The Mayor of Summerfield for meeting with David Couch without including the rest of the Town Council.
The following reader-submitted GRIPES express opinions about state and/or national topics, and have been separated from the other Grins and Gripes as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on state and/ or national political and other non-local topics in a local newspaper.
GRIPES to... ACC presidents and athletic
An association of professionals supporting each other and our community
For more info about SMA:
email info@summerfieldmerchant.com visit www.summerfieldmerchant.com or Facebook.com/SummerfieldMerchantsAssociation
Thanks to Emma Legg (left) and Sydney Foley, co-owners of Kindred Interior Studios, for hosting our meeting on Feb. 6! Join us for our next monthly meeting on Tuesday, March. 5, from 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. RSVP on our website.
CRIME..continued from p. 44 Feb. 3 l Officers seized a firearm and several rounds of ammunition in the 6000 block of Lomond Drive in Summerfield (near Northwest School Road). FRAUD Jan. 24 l A worker on a construction site in the 6300 block of Whitaker Trace in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 150 W) reported an unknown suspect stole a pallet fork attachment and a grapple rake attachment, with a combined value of $5,850. Jan. 31 l A resident of the 7500 block of Summerfield Road reported an unknown suspect defrauded her of $56,940.95 over the course of 11 transactions. Feb. 2 l A resident of the 8200 block of Coldwater Road in Stokesdale (off Belews Creek Road) reported a known suspect defrauded him of $21,845.97 during two transactions. LARCENY Jan. 18 l A 21-year-old male was arrested in the 8000 block of Marketplace Drive in Oak Ridge for four counts of larceny by servants and/or other employees. Feb. 11 l A 19-year-old female was arrested in the 4500 block of Peeples Road in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N) for larceny. THEFT Jan. 18 l An employee of Food Lion in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect shoplifted three cans of beer, with a retail value of $7. Jan. 19 l A cashier at Dollar General
48
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
contribute to elder abuse. The U.S. is in such a chaotic mess under his presidency. God, please protect us in 2024. Senator Tillis for flip flopping on the border bill when the former president came out against it. It should be country before party.
on Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect shoplifted two pairs of pants and a pack of socks, worth $45 altogether. Jan. 22 l An employee of Priority One Auto Sales in Stokesdale reported that between Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 an unknown suspect stole a white 2019 Dodge Ram. Jan. 23 l An employee of Oak Ridge Auto Sales in northwest Greensboro reported an unknown suspect stole a vehicle, but it was later recovered. Jan. 24 l A worker on a construction site in the 6300 block of Andrew Henry Court in Oak Ridge (near Alcorn Road) reported an unknown suspect stole several windows, worth $9,500 altogether. Jan. 26 l An employee of Walgreens in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect shoplifted a pack of Crest 3D white strips worth $64. Jan, 30 l A worker on an industrial site in the 7900 block of Winfree Road in Summerfield (off U.S. 220 N) reported an unknown suspect stole $2,500 worth of copper wire. Feb. 6 l A citizen at Oak Ridge Town Park reported an unknown suspect broke into her vehicle through a window and stole her purse, which contained her wallet and glasses. VANDALISM Feb. 1 l Officers responded to a report of damaged property at a home in the 8500 block of Benbow-Merrill Road in Oak Ridge (off Beeson Road) and found $200 worth of damage to grass in the yard.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
FOSTERING FOR TGRR ...continued from p. 23
After meeting with TGRR president Faye Wilhite, Williams was completely on board and eager to help. “I really wanted to be heavily involved with the dogs and people,” she said. Her first volunteer jobs with the organization were conducting phone interviews with potential adopters and picking up surrendered dogs. The more she volunteered, the more responsibilities she took on wherever she saw a need. Within a year, Williams accepted an invitation to join the organization’s board of directors. Around that time, she decided to give fostering a try. With the blessing of her husband, Stuart, she brought home two 8-week-old puppies from a litter that had been surrendered to Forsyth Humane Society. Since then, she has fostered other dogs, bringing the total to 13. While that may seem like a lot to some people, Williams pointed out that TGRR has volunteers who have fostered many more dogs than she and her husband have. In fact, over the years one local couple has shared their home with 87 rescues. As a foster, Williams is helping to provide one of the organization’s most vital needs – providing a home for a rescue until it can be evaluated, make
whatever adjustments are needed and placed in a loving permanent home. TGRR is constantly on the lookout for foster homes for its dogs. Williams said the group has already taken in nine dogs this year and has 10 on the waiting list for foster homes. “We just don’t have enough fosters,” she said. Fostering isn’t that difficult for those who have the inclination, Williams noted. “All you need is a willingness to take a dog who’s not perfect and have the patience to allow them to settle,” she said, adding that a structurally fenced yard is the one requirement that’s not negotiable. TGRR covers all the expenses of caring for the dog. “We provide everything you need – crates, all the food and vet services,” she said. “If you have a dog (with behavioral issues) that requires training, we’ll send them to a professional trainer.”
transportation for the dog if needed, and to do as much as possible to ensure a positive experience for both the dog and the foster. And about those foster fails? Williams is the first to admit they can be both a good and a bad thing. While the dog has found a loving home, the rescue organization often loses a foster home if the adopter decides one dog is enough. She advises someone who is considering providing a permanent home for a dog to look at adopting a dog that would be the best fit for their home and situation. Besides a need for more foster homes, TGRR relies on donations to
cover expenses, especially veterinary bills. “All our dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations and they’re spayed and neutered if they’re at least 12 months old,” Williams said. “Plus, a lot of dogs come to us with medical issues. On average, we spend about $1,000 per dog and the only way we cover that cost is through fundraisers and donations.”
want to help? To make a donation, volunteer, or consider fostering a golden retriever, visit www.tgrr.org
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Williams noted that Tri City Canine and Cultured Canine, both located in Winston-Salem, have done an amazing job with helping dogs overcome behaviors that might hinder their adoption. Each foster is assigned a dog support person who is available to answer questions, provide
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49
MOUNTAIN-TO-SEA TRAIL ...continued from p. 1 the meeting persists, efforts to agree upon the trail’s route on the eastern side of Oak Ridge may prove difficult. Even after the council voted earlier this month to continue, or delay, the public hearing until its May 2 meeting, several property owners used the public comments section of the February meeting to voice their opposition to the easement. The easement is an 8-foot-wide strip of land set aside for a future section of the MST, a North Carolina mountains-to-coast trail that bisects Oak Ridge. According to the town, developer Joe Brady offered the easement as he was seeking the town’s approval for plans for Ashford, a new subdivision on Brookbank Road. However, Brady’s lawyer said Oak Ridge forced the developer to offer the easement.
The assertion fueled anger by homeowners in the abutting Bear Creek subdivision. While the easement is located in Ashford, the future trail route touches the eastern side of Bear Creek. Calling the easement “unauthorized and unprecedented” in Oak Ridge, Lindsey Clark told the council earlier this month that she and other Bear Creek homeowners have retained a lawyer, incurred legal expenses and spent many hours dealing with the “living nightmare that this town has created.” “We think we’re a better town than that; we think we’re a wonderful town,” said Kevin Brekka, president of Bear Creek’s homeowners association. “But this experience has certainly tested that.”
YOUR INPUT NEEDED On TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS! “It is never too late to do the right
thing,” said Jonathan Deline, who lives in one of the Bear Creek houses that abuts the easement. The possibility of erecting a fence to separate the easement from its border with Bear Creek arose during discussions between homeowners and town leaders, according to Deline.
“That says so much,’” he said. “Instead of building fences, we should be building bridges across these communities. So, let’s come together and see if we can’t find something in the next three months that’s better than this.”
The dispute surfaced last year when Bear Creek homeowners learned about the easement. It’s part of the trail section that volunteers on the town’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail The Greensboro Urban Area is considering upcoming transportation Committee are building from N.C. 150 nearon: the Pemberley Estates subdiviprojects for years 2026-2035. The MPO wants YOUR input sion through the woods to Brookbank How the Highest Priority Projects Should be Identified Road. From there, the trail travels to the future site of Summerfield’s Bandera Farms Park on Bunch Road. You may and Comment on the The Greensboro Urban Area isReview considering upcoming transportation
YOUR INPUT NEEDED ON YOUR INPUT NEEDED On TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS!PROJECTS! ProjectThe Ranking Methodology projects for years 2026-2035. MPO wants YOUR input on: through March How the Highest Priority Projects Should be7Identified
Bear Creek’s opposition intensified last October when Margaret Chase, a Greensboro lawyer representing the subdivision’s HOA and some individual Onlineandat:Comment www.guampo.org You may Review on the homeowners, sent a letter to town Project Ranking Methodology leaders. She told them to “immediately through 7 Send comments to:March Greensboro Urban Area MPO cease and desist from any future develP.O. Box 3136 opment” along the easement. Three Online at: www.guampo.org individual lots and the subdivision’s Greensboro, NC 27402-3136 common area that abut the easement Send comments to: Greensboro Urban Area MPO would be harmed by construction of P.O. Box 3136 For more information or for anyone intrail, she said. the Greensboro, NC 27402-3136
need of auxiliary aids Letters between lawyers in recent interpretive services to review months demonstrate the depth of the For or more information or for anyone in the material discord. In a fundamental disagreeneed may of auxiliary aids 373-3117. call (336)
or interpretive services to review the material may call (336) 373-3117.
50
FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024
ment, the attorneys representing the developer and Bear Creek homeowners said the town required Brady to
grant the easement as a condition of the approval of his subdivision plat. Rust, representing Brady, went on to tell Oak Ridge Attorney Michael Thomas in an Oct. 17 letter that “there has not been a valid acceptance of the plat.” Thomas countered, telling the lawyers in separate letters last fall that the town didn’t require Brady to grant the easement to obtain approval of his subdivision plat and its recording by Guilford County.
“The town cannot require an easement,” Kinneman reiterated during the council’s Feb. 1 meeting. “We push hard, but there is no strong arming” of developers. Brady can seek to revoke the easement in an application that would be reviewed by the town’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Board and decided upon by the Town Council, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce. Brady started that process last month, when the P&Z board considered his application for removal of the easement. The board has recommended the council deny the application. The council scheduled a public hearing on the easement for its meeting on Feb. 1; it decided to delay the hearing until May 2 after learning letters had not been mailed to adjacent property owners advising them of the hearing earlier this month. Then, scheduling conflicts among some of the parties on the dates of the council’s meetings in March and April pushed the hearing into May. “Hopefully, this will give time for the developer, the neighborhood and the trail committee to explore alternate easements,’’ Kinneman said.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
AUTO SALES & SERVICES CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002.
2024
COX CUSTOM COATINGS, LLC. Automotive paint and body repair in Oak Ridge. In business 5+ years. We work with all insurance companies. Quality work at an affordable price! Call Kyle Cox, (336) 707-6219.
Place online at
DEADLINE: Monday prior to each monthly issue
KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE. European Auto Service & Repair. Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini, and Porsche. 32 years experience. 4559 US Hwy. 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669.
Luxury Auto Service Call EuroHaus for the very best in luxury auto service at (336) 891-3876.
NEED HELP?
SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 965-7955.
Auto Sales / Services ........ 51 Employment....................51-52 Homecare Available......... 52 Consignment Sale............ 52 Home Services ........... 52-54 Misc. Services .................. 54 Misc. for Sale .................. 54 Misc. Wanted .................. 54 Pets/Animal Services..........54 Real Estate ...................... 54
north
d Summerfiel
Don’t be left out of the
only community directory specifically for northwest Guilford County
Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -12:30pm
INDEX
Stokesdwaleest Greensboro
16th annual edition coming soon!
EMPLOYMENT OAK RIDGE SWIM CLUB is now accepting applications for the 2024 season. We are offering competitive wages for lifeguards, cafe workers, cafe cooks, and greeters! See our website for more info or to apply: www.orcaswim.org. STAFF OPENINGS in local childcare center. Need fun, loving, energetic teachers, full- or part-time. Experience preferred but not required. (336) 643-5930. NORTHWEST DAY SCHOOL – The Baby House Childcare. Seeking to hire experienced infant and toddler teachers. Full-time and part-time positions available. Pay scale based on experience and education. Nurturing and caring individual a must. Please call (336) 617-7700.
LAST CALL
Reserve your ad space TODAY! For more information call (336) 644-7035 or email advertising@nwobserver.com Directly mailed to over 12,950 homes (EVERY HOME with an Oak Ridge (27310), Summerfield (27358) and Stokesdale (27357) zip code)
Plus over 4,000 copies available throughout the year for free pickup
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The Northwest Observer FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 • Totally local since 1996 FEB. 15, 2024 - MARCH 20, 202420, 2024
51 51
HOMECARE AVAILABLE
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
SENIOR HELPERS. Homecare for seniors and others including companion, personal needs, transitional, chronic disease, VA, respite, post-surgery assistance. Can provide house chores as part of service at no extra charge. Knowing your loved one is happy, safe, and cared for is your priority and ours too! Locally owned and operated. Call (336) 893-0300.
CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING
FLOORING / TILE
GRADING / HAULING
MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 20 yrs. exp. Free est., excellent references. Visit our new showroom at 605 N. Main St., Kernersville, or Monteros-hardwood-flooring. com, or call (336) 215-8842.
BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS, LLC. Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647.
CONSIGNMENT SALE KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALE. Friday, March 15, 9am-8pm; Saturday, March 16, 8am-1pm. St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, GSO. Some items 50% off on Sat. www.saintpaulskidssale.com.
HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Furnace check-up, $79.95. (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750.
CLEANING MAID-2- SHINE. Excellent ser vice, 15 years experience. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223 PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential & commercial. Insured. (336) 669-5210.
Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com. (336) 595-2873. CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Quality cleaning/ budget friendly. Pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838. ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family-owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941.
www.nwobserver.com DECORATING EXPERIENCED INTERIOR DECORATOR & personal furniture shopper will help you with style, color, shopping & furniture placement. E-mail appeninc@gmail.com or call Ann Appenzeller, (336) 314-1411.
ELECTRICAL Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? It's portable generator season. Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486. BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192.
Didn’t get your NWO? Please let us know! Direct-mailing the NWO is one of our largest expenses, and one of our most important commitments to our readers!
52
If you live in zip code 27310, 27357 or 27358 and didn’t receive your copy on Thursday/Friday, please email info@nwobserver.com.
GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES OLD SCHOOL HOME IMPROVEMENTS. New decks, repairs/replacement, wood rot repairs, bathroom remodeling and other home repairs. “No job too small.” (336) 669-7252. See our display ad on p. 5 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace). 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. CLOCK SERVICE. Free house calls for sick clocks. 8103 Windspray Dr., Summerfield. (336) 643-9931. L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE. “We get you mowing!” Comm./res., all models. Oak Ridge, NC. Please call (336) 298-4314. Ltsmeng16@gmail.com. APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707. GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations, assemblies, etc. Light electrical and plumbing. Yard work and power washing. Insured. No job too small. Give Gordon a call, (336) 253-7700.
AFFORDABLE
HOME REPAIR
ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035. GRADING CONSULTANT, Bobby Lipstreu, former owner of H&L Grading. I can match your project to appropriate local contractor. I also provide custom rough-cut cutting with a portable sawmill. (336) 543-7867. GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.
Your
HOME SERVICES company could be here! E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282.
GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS
S&M
SEAMLESS GUTTERS
install new gutters repair and clean old gutters FULLY INSURED
Call for a FREE estimate 336.587.8223 | 336.709.5944
Why move when you can improve?
GUTTER CLEANING. Affordable. Dependable. Call anytime for free est. (336) 706-0103.
handyman ● construction well pumps ● plumbing ● foundations sagging floors...and much more!
ALLPRO SEAMLESS GUTTERS. Installa-
licensed general contractors
and leaf protection. Insured, free estimates.
One call fixes all! (336) 643-1184
tion of 5” and 6” seamless gutters, downspouts (336) 362-2099. See our display ad on p. 5 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).
FEB. 15,FEB. 2024 - MARCH 20, 202420, 2024 The Northwest Observer •The Totally local since 1996 • Totally local since 1996 15, 2024 - MARCH Northwest Observer
HOME SERVICES
WILSON
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
R C LAWN CARE. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 231-9599.
MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS
GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE
Refinishing
CARLOS & SON PAINTING. Interior & exterior. 24 hours/7 days per week. Free estimates. Licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210. See our display ad on p. 17 of this issue. STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.
Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree prun-
Seamless Gutters
ing, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490.
Phil Barker’s
Furniture Refinishing & Repairs Colored lacquering on furniture
Installation, repair, replacement, Leaf Guard
GOSSETT'S LAWNCARE. Complete lawn
Stokesdale
sured. In business for 33 yrs. (336) 451-5216.
(336) 275-5056
DSL DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING. (336) 362-4354.
Philbarkersrefinishing@gmail.com
336-420-0200 LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING DILLON TREE SERVICE. Certified arborists. BBB accredited. Fully insured. Familyowned. Tree removal and trimming. Available for emergency removals 24/7. Free estimates. (336) 996-6156. www.dillontreeservice.com. info@dillontreeservice.com. See our display ad on p. 46.
care/maintenance. Res./comm. Fully in-
INTEGRITY TREE SERVICE, LLC. Tree removal, risk assessment, tree pruning, dead wood removal. Affordable/competitive pricing. Fully insured. Owner-operated. Call for free estimate, (336) 210-8310. HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free estimates. Call (336) 669-5448. WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC.
DELIMA LAWNCARE. Commercial & residential. Free estimates. (336) 669-5210. See our display ad on p. 17 of this issue.
scape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape
CM STUMP GRINDING, LLC. Family owned and operated. Commercial/residential. Free quotes! (336) 317-4600.
MEDLIN'S LANDSCAPING. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 817-3036.
SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE. Offering complete lawn maintenance services, landscaping, bush hogging, privacy fence installation/repair/staining, and stump grinding. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086. BRADY LANDSCAPES. BBB accredited A+. A full-service landscape contracting co. Seasonal color, mulch & pine needles. Shrubbery bed installation & renovation. 40 years exp. Fully insured. FREE EST. (336) 621-2383. www.bradylandscapes.com. EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456.
Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/landlighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764.
ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157.
MASONRY NEW PHASE CONCRETE. Here for all your concrete needs including pouring driveways, patios, garage slabs, pool decks, etc. Specializing in decorative stamp, stained, epoxy and all other concrete finishes as well. Also offering refurbishment of existing stamped concrete. Make your existing
1316 Headquarters Dr., Greensboro, NC
PEARMAN QUARRY LCID. Inert debris landfill. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Mulch and fill dirt available. (336) 803-2195 or (336) 558-7673. ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519.
HOME SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER. Oak Ridge and surrounding area. Will run errands and do light housekeeping. M,W,F. Call (336) 707-4946; ask for Katrena.
PRESSURE WASHING
JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470.
PAINTING & DRYWALL
BEK Paint Co. Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners
(336) 931-0600
or (336) 595-4654.
• References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed
STRAIGHT EDGE LAWN CARE. Free estimates. Please call (336) 306-0274.
or anything else you would like! Call (336)
cializing in outdoor living spaces; dry-stack natural stone and flagstone. Let us help you plan your patio, fire pit, fireplace, kitchen – 949-9019. www.colonialmasonry.com.
BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR. No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924. 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.
BEKPaintCompany.com
COLONIAL MASONRY. 40 yrs. exp. Spe-
PLUMBING
BOB RENTS. Whether you’re planning a small project or a major one, we’ll deliver the tools you need to do the job yourself. (336) 298-8387. See our display ad on p. 5 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).
stamped look like new again. (336) 399-1474
STEVE NEWMAN, TREE SERVICE. FREE EST. 40+ yrs. exp. Fully insured. Any phase of tree work. Natural area thinning and cleanup. Oak Ridge. (336) 643-1119.
PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR, 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.
LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block fill, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089.
PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com or (336) 595-2873. HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING. Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856.
REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Senior discount. 44 years exp. (336) 362-6343 or (336) 215-6122. KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC. N.C. general contractor with 30 years experience. Specializing in new homes, room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, decks, vinyl siding and windows, painting, tile, laminate and vinyl plank, and remodeling of all kinds. Quality for the right price. Free est. Please call (336) 362-7469.
continued on p. 54
The Northwest Observer 2024 - MARCH 20, 2024 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 • Totally local since 1996 FEB. 15, FEB. 202415, - MARCH 20, 2024
53 53
decks, vinyl siding and windows, painting, tile, laminate and vinyl plank, and remodeling of all kinds. Quality for the right price. Free est. Please call (336) 362-7469.
HOME SERVICES AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350.
KIMBERLY THACKER. Accounting & Tax Services for individuals and businesses. Intuit Quickbooks ProAdvisor. See our display ad on p. 5 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace). PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906. WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR. Call Tim, (336) 402-3869.
RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New conbath and decks. We are a locally owned, full-service design and build company, A+ novationworks.com or call (336) 427-7391 to start your next project.
CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. 40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191. BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 362-6343 or (336) 215-6122. DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles,
and other gas-powered items. (336) 689-4167. Wanted: FARM EQUIPMENT to buy. All kinds. Please call (336) 430-9507. $$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.
PETS/ANIMAL SVCS
locally owned & operated 6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale
(336) 643-9963
ROOFING
FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, mini-bikes, golf carts, go-carts
YARN NEEDED to make children's hats for homeless shelter. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155.
struction, remodeling, additions, kitchen,
accredited with the BBB. Visit www.myre-
MISC. WANTED
(affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)
MISC. FOR SALE COMFY CHAIR, opens to twin bed with matching storage ottoman. Very good condition. Perfect in den or cottage for kids or small adult. $200. (757) 620-4471.
metal, and leak repairs. Certified for 50-
WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING, LLC. Certified, bonded & insured. Summerfield/Oak Ridge area. wendycollinspetsitting.com. (336) 339-6845. When veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare products. For dogs, horses, & cats. At Tractor Supply®.
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
We Help Everyone!
year non-prorated shingle warranties. Call (336) 268-1908.
SELLERS & BUYERS
PIANO LESSONS, all ages and levels, Summerfield area. Patti, (336) 298-4181.
&
(336) 643-4248
www.ANewDawnRealty.com 2016 ZERO-TURN BAD BOY mower. 60inch electric deck. 747 Kohler engine. 368 hours. Good condition. $1,500. (336) 491-1565. HAY for sale, round bales. $40 per bale. (336) 430-9507.
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance (336) 643-9963 • 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale
54 54
FINISHED CORNER LOT. Located on Stafford Mill Rd., Oak Ridge. (336) 209-1296.
REAL ESTATE LAND WANTED WANTED: LAND. Any size or shape. Vacant or with dwellings. Matters not. We pay CASH! Quick closings! Call (336) 430-9507.
VACATION PROPERTY VACATION RENTAL on Smith Mountain Lake, VA. Only a 2 hour drive from Greensboro! Sleeps 10. Allows dogs. Has fenced yard. Visit vavacationrentals.com, listing #73, Dream Come True, to see pics & get rates and contact info. Rare openings for weeks of 6/9 and 8/25. Weekly only in summer months. 3 night min. in other months.
Thanks to our advertisers for supporting this community newspaper and making it possible to
MISC. SERVICES
ATCHISON WELDING. General welding, blacksmithing & custom iron work. Local & honest. Mike Atchison, (336) 486-9837.
Call (336) 314-3773 today. Owner financing may be available.
SEASONED FIREWOOD. Any size load delivered or you pick up. Steve Newman Tree Service. Call (336) 643-1119.
The Northwest Observer
Keeping you connected since 1996!
provide it free-of-charge to our readers.
HOME FOR RENT STUDIO APARTMENT, Oak Ridge / Summerfield border, all open, full kitchen, all appliances, Wi-fi & digital cable TV, electric incl., $850/mo. No pets. Available March 15. (336) 508-5232.
LAND FOR SALE LOTS for sale! Exclusive homesites. Only 4 remain. No HOA. Summerfield address. Rockingham County taxes.
FOR ADVERTISING RATES/INFORMATION, email advertising@nwobserver.com or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10
FEB. 15,FEB. 2024 - MARCH 20, 202420, 2024 The Northwest Observer • The Totally local since 1996 • Totally local since 1996 15, 2024 - MARCH Northwest Observer
index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS
Please support our advertisers, and tell them where you saw their ad! ACCOUNTING
Bill Goebel, candidate school board.......... 44
Kimberly Thacker Accounting....................... 5 Anders & Barrow CPAs, PC.......................... 26
CHIROPRACTICE SERVICES
ART/DANCE/MUSIC
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Destination Arts.........................................29, BC Indigo Art Studio............................................... 12
AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE
EuroHaus............................................................. 51 Prestige Car Wash............................................ 29 Tire Max......................................................... 33,37
BUILDING / REMODELING
CJ Builders ......................................................... 16 Don Mills Builders ............................................ 22 Disney Construction Company ................... 20 Old School Home Repair ............................... 5 Ray Bullins Construction ............................... 21 R&K Custom Homes ...................................... 19 Walraven Signature Homes ......................... 21
CANDIDATES
Ann Schneider, candidate NC House ........ 9 Britt Moore, candidate NC House ............ 13 John Blust, candidate NC House ..... 2, 10, 11 John Parker Stone, district court judge....... 8 Michelle Bardsley, candidate NC ................. 7
Oak Ridge Chiropractic.................................. 45 GTCC.................................................................... 43
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Oak Ridge Horse Show ................................. 36 Summerfield Merchants Association......... 48
DENTAL SERVICES
Magnolia Shores Family Dental....................... Summerfield Family Dentistry............... 39, 49
EVENTS
OREHS Pancake Supper................................ 36 Greensboro DOT.............................................. 50
FINANCIAL SERVICES
John Proia, CFP................................................. 47
FUNERAL SERVICES
Forbis & Dick...................................................... 42
HAIR CARE
Great Clips........................................................... 28
INSURANCE
Gladwell Insurance Agency............................ 3
HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Affordable Home Repair................................ 52 Allpro Seamless Guttering LLC...................... 5 Bob Rents, LLC.................................................... 5 BEK Paint Company........................................ 53 Carlos & Son Painting..................................... 17 Carpets by Direct.............................................. 23 DeLima Lawncare, LLC.................................. 17 Dillon Tree Service............................................ 46 Nature’s Select.................................................. 30 New Garden Landscaping............................ 18 Phil Barker’s Refinishing................................. 53 Rymack Storage................................................ 54 S&M Seamless Gutters.................................. 52 Stokesdale Heating & Air.............................. 25 Stokesdale Storage........................................... 54 Wilson Seamless Gutters............................... 53
LEGAL SERVICES
Barbour & Williams Law................................. 32
MEDICAL / HEARING / PT
Aim Hearing & Audiology............................. 47 Forsyth Pediatrics.............................................. 28 New Hope Medical............................................ 6 Novant Health/Summerfield........................ 31 Oak Ridge Physical Therapy......................... 28
ORTHODONTIC CARE
Olmsted Orthodontics............................. 29, 41 Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics................. 42
PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS
Northwest Animal Hospital........................... 45
REAL ESTATE
A New Dawn Realty.................................... 5,54 Kara Winicki....................................................... 24 Kelly Wagner...................................................... 50 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX.........................27,43 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams.................... 15 Smith Marketing, Allen Tate......................... 18
RESTAURANTS
Bistro 150............................................................ 29 Rio Grande.......................................................... 28
RETAIL
David Cole Pottery............................................. 5 Golden Antiques & Treasures........................ 4
SCHOOLS
Bethany Middle School..................................... 3
SCIENCE CTR/ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Greensboro Science Center.......................... 40
YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS
Oak Ridge Youth Association............... 34, 37
WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT MARCH 21 To place a DISPLAY AD in our next issue, or to ADVERTISE in our upcoming community directory, the 16th annual northwest FINDER, call or email today:
(336) 644-7035, ext. 11 | advertising@nwobserver.com
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
Postal Patron PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035
PAID
Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22 ECRWSS
Coming this fall to
Destination Arts...
Let us help your little ones bloom into lifelong learners, prepared for Kindergarten and beyond; through positive social interaction and creative opportunities.
Half-day preschool with a fine arts focus. For more information, visit
www.BloomPreschoolOakRidge.com