Northwest Observer | March 15-21, 2018

March 15 - 21, 2018

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

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Back-to-Back Northern, Northwest girls basketball teams win state championships for second consecutive year Photo by Marc Pruitt/NWO

The Northern girls basketball team celebrates on March 10 after clinching the 3-A state girls basketball title.

Photo courtesy of Madison Ayres/ Northwest Horizons

Junior Cayla King made seven free throws in the fourth quarter.

Hoops, they did it again!

King of the free throw

by MARC PRUITT

by KEVIN SPRADLIN

Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

CHAPEL HILL – It took 26 minutes and 31 seconds after tip-off for Northwest to finally knot the score against Southeast Raleigh on Saturday inside the

Over the final 5:19 of play, the Vikings made their comeback attempt one for the history books. Junior guard

RALEIGH – As senior Elissa Cunane came down with the last of her 21 rebounds and was fouled with 33 seconds remaining in the NCHSAA 3-A state

championship game at Reynolds Coliseum, the realization of winning another championship title started to set in for the Northern Guilford Nighthawks.

...continued on p. 29

...continued on p. 30

Stokesdale town administrator resigns Kim Hemric

by STEVE MANN Hemric held three STOKESDALE – Kim Hemric, who positions for was town clerk for 25 months and for 19 months also held the titles town most of her administrator and finance officer, has 25-month resigned. tenure Hemric submitted her letter of

IN THIS ISSUE News in Brief.................................... 2 Your Questions................................ 4 Town manager comes under fire.. 5

‘I am lucky to be alive’.................. 6 Stokesdale Town Council.............. 8 Firefighter saves a life.................. 12 Business & Real Estate.................. 15 Business News............................... 16

resignation to Mayor John Flynt and Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks in Town Hall on March 9, then notified the rest of the Stokesdale Town Council by email. The resignation was to be effective March 22, unless council wanted to pay her for her two-weeks’ notice to end her employment, accord-

Real Estate Briefs........................... 17 Real Estate Q&A........................... 17 Real Estate Transactions..............24 Northwest students walk out.......26 Community Calendar................. 27

ing to the letter.

The council formally accepted her resignation Tuesday afternoon during an emergency meeting at Town Hall attended by 13 people, including Hemric’s husband and friends and supporters from her church.

...continued on p. 14

Crime/Incident Reports...............28 Northern students walk out.........32 Grins & Gripes...............................34 Classifieds.....................................35 Index of Advertisers.....................39

NEWS in brief

Republic sees ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ SUMMERFIELD – Representatives of Republic Services assured Mayor Gail Dunham and council members during a public meeting Tuesday night that there was “light at the end of the tunnel” regarding the high number of complaints in the Summerfield and Stokesdale areas.

“We’ve had some service shortfalls,” said Tony Krasienko, municipal

sales manager for the waste collector.

Krasienko said that for whatever it was worth, the drivers missed garbage and recycling pick-ups to a wide variety of people, including elected officials.

“We didn’t discriminate,” he quipped. “It’s a terrible joke. I know it’s been a long process. February was definitely a tough month. We definitely apologize for the inconvenience.”

But Krasienko and Bobby Needham said the number of those inconveniences were already dropping.

Needham said the company was back to “98, 99 percent” of where it should be, and the customer service center receives between 75 and 85 calls per day regarding missed pick-ups. That figure is countywide, Needham said, and involves some 37,000 addresses.

Recent improvements can be credited, they said, to realigned routes and the company’s hiring of additional drivers and purchase of additional trucks for an increased workload.

Needham also said that April 16 is “our target” of when recycling and garbage collection will go back to being on the same day in Summerfield.

Councilman Reece Walker seemed cautiously optimistic. He noted that Krasienko has appeared before the council last month to indicate fixes were on the way only to have the issues continue.

“Republic didn’t follow through,” Walker said. “It’s really disappointing.

It’s hard to go to bat for y’all.”

Town Manager Scott Whitaker said the town’s five-year contract with Republic Services expires in December.

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Trash and recycle containers await pickup by Republic Services March 14 at a Summerfield home. Representatives of Republic Services attended the Summerfield Town Council meeting on Tuesday and told those in attendance that problems customers have experienced over the last few months have significantly decreased in recent weeks and the company will continue working on aligning several new routes and placing additional trucks and drivers on the road to bring customer service back to the level it should be.

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2

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

@summerfieldfbc

Streetscape Vision Plan Committee to meet this month OAK RIDGE – The first meeting of the Streetscape Vision Plan stakeholders group is scheduled to meet later this month at Oak Ridge Town Hall.

The Streetscape Committee will prepare a plan for streetscape improvements in the town core and at major intersections.

At the Town Council’s March 1 public meeting, nine members were appointed to the committee: Philip Cooke, Joe Seganish, Dr. Jason Streck, Maureena Shepherd and Steven Lantz; Dr. Steve Wilson will represent the town’s Planning and Zoning Board; Paul Woolf will represent the Historic Preservation Commission; Kevin James will represent Oak Ridge Military Academy; and Town Clerk Sandra Smith will fill an at-large role.

Town Manager Bill Bruce said at the mayor and town council’s Feb. 1 public meeting and anticipates the group will meet no more than three times between now and the end of summer.

In December 2017, the town hired Piedmont Triad Regional Council for approximately $24,333 to serve as consultant on the project. The organization is preparing for the initial stages of public outreach. The town was awarded $33,333 by the state as a grant-in-aid for downtown revitalization. The balance can be used on infrastructure, including sidewalks.

Town officials have indicated there will be two public presentations to garner community input on the streetscape plan.

Town planner resigns, cites ‘bullying,’ promotion

by PATTI STOKES Less than a year after accepting the position of town planner in Summerfield, Sean Taylor is heading a few miles west, to the Town of Oak Ridge.

His move is prompted by two things.

In Oak Ridge, Taylor will assume the position of planning director, a position held by Bill Bruce until he was promoted to town manager in January.

“It’s both a promotion and an opportunity for me,” Taylor said, noting Oak Ridge has a larger and more defined historic district than Summerfield, and working with historic properties takes him back to much of what he enjoyed about working nine years for the town of Abingdon, Virginia.

“That’s one of the reasons they are hiring me (Oak Ridge), because of my historic background,” Taylor said. “That’s the bigger part of this. Over there I will be able to use all of my experience.”

He added that he appreciates Bruce and the town council giving him the opportunity to serve the Town of Oak Ridge and he looks forward to getting started later this month.

Taylor said leaving Summerfield isn’t a decision he made easily, nor is leaving after being employed with the town such a short time (since May 1) characteristic of him.

That leads to the second reason for his departure – the political climate

...continued on p. 14

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Does NCDOT have any plans to landscape the interchange at N.C. 150 and I-73? If not, would the Town of Summerfield consider cost-sharing with NCDOT to do so? This is now a “gateway” and the current look is pretty ugly.

Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker told us the town council has discussed the landscaping at this location and he was directed to convey the town’s wishes to NCDOT and work within the department’s landscaping budget; the town does not have any plans at this time to invest additionally in the landscaping.

Whitaker added that he and Town Planning Director Carrie Spencer met with NCDOT this past year concerning landscaping for both U.S. 220 and the N.C. 150/I-73 interchange, at which time they discussed the town’s scenic corridors, potential focus areas and timelines.

When the Northwest Observer spoke with Patty Eason, NCDOT construction engineer, on Feb. 26, Eason confirmed the town will have input into the landscaping at the N.C. 150/I-73 intersection as well as along U.S. 220.

The landscaping along U.S. 220 will not begin until the project has been signed off on, however. At both locations, a separate contractor will handle all of the landscaping (versus the contractor who oversaw the entire project).

What are all the flags in the wooded area of Oak Ridge Town Park for?

The flags you see relate to a new septic system which will be installed at Oak Ridge Town Park.

“The current ORTP septic system does not adequately handle the large numbers of people who use the park during special events, tournaments and other activities,” Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation Director Terry Lannon explained. “While it is one of four systems at the park, the one in question services the main concession restrooms and is in the process of being upgraded to handle the growth in park use. The flags you see in the woods designate areas that were tested for percolation, though not all of that area will become the new field.

“Care was taken to minimize the amount of trees that would be affected,” Lannon added. “The goal was to have the system upgrade in place for the spring, although we’ve been waiting for drier weather to move this project past the engineering phase.”

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“NCDOT has to design the areas and we’ll be communicating more as they get closer,” Whitaker said.

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MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

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Town manager comes under fire Whitaker: No ‘immediate intentions to resign’

of “eye-rolling” and turning their backs towards their colleagues on the board.

“I know that you can do better.”

She also accused Whitaker of deceit regarding the condition of the Gordon building and Martin House.

by KEVIN SPRADLIN

Geoffrey Gregg referenced the Town of Summerfield’s roots some 22 years ago. The town’s first mayor, Bill Peterson, had a slogan, Gregg said: “No services, no taxes.” Since Whitaker has taken over the day-today operations in June 2012, however, Gregg said the town has “an escalating spending problem.”

“I’m disappointed,” she said. “I value truth and honesty.”

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker was asked if he was “embattled.”

To be clear, the definition being used was from Merriam-Webster, and there, to be embattled means to be “characterized by conflict or controversy.”

Whitaker is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, embattled. After a three and one-half hour public meeting of the mayor and Town Council on Tuesday at the Summerfield Community Center during which several town residents criticized him, Whitaker defended himself and his actions.

“I embrace that title,” Whitaker said. “I have long been embattled because there’s an orchestrated agenda to have me removed. I think that’s as plain as the nose on my face.”

Members of “Team Anti-Whitaker” held the floor for much of the public comment period. Of the 12 people who spoke at the podium, seven of them took turns accusing Whitaker of fiscal mismanagement, project mismanagement, lacking transparency, wielding too much power and having a secret agenda, among other things.

The verbal assault comprised the bulk of the public comment period, which lasted 61 minutes and 24 seconds.

Gail Stanley, a retired teacher and a Summerfield resident for more than 20 years, said she has been “disappointed and embarrassed” at the lack of character and disrespect displayed by incumbent Town Council members Dena Barnes, Reece Walker and John O’Day, along with Whitaker.

“Stop this unacceptable behavior,” said Stanley, of Morganshire Drive, who referred to unspecified moments

“Over the last three or four years, at least, we haven’t had a council that could restrain that spending problem,” said Gregg, of Percheron Trail, pointing a proverbial finger at Whitaker.

“This is the formula that’s got New York, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and any number of states into financial trouble. Summerfield should not be going that route.”

Elizabeth McClellan, a Lentz Court resident who served on the Town Council when Whitaker was hired, accused Whitaker of failing to live up to his professional obligations by not having the unified development ordinance completed. She also advocated for the mayor and council members to have access to Whitaker’s personnel file.

McClellan argued that since Whitaker is responsible for the review of other employees, it was the council’s job to check on their town manager.

McClellan then directed her gaze to Mayor Gail Dunham and the council members.

“My best advice,” she told them, is “that I wouldn’t believe everything he says.”

Deer Trail Road resident and former Town of Summerfield Finance Officer Dana Luther asked how it was determined which town employees received longevity pay and hinted that Whitaker, without a written policy, made the town’s practice work to his benefit. She also questioned his supervision of town employees and their use of social media as well as a lack of a written policy regarding recently installed cameras at Town Hall.

“The town council needs to take back its authority,” Luther said.

Wescott Drive resident Frank Ficca said Whitaker and the town had dropped the ball by not acquiring the necessary permits for restoration work inside the Martin House. During the manager’s report, Whitaker said he relied on the contractor to talk with the county and secure the necessary permits.

After the meeting, however, Whita-

“How can they know if he’s done his job if they can’t see his personnel file?” she asked rhetorically.

McClellan also blasted Whitaker for working to pad the rosters of town committees with people who support him.

“If you’re a committee member and you’re on Team Scott, you can stay,” she said. “But if you’re not, you can go.”

McClellan alleged the committees were “to some extent, political action committees.”

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

ker accepted blame.

“If I look back, I relied too much on the contractor,” Whitaker said of Barna Construction, of High Point. “But I take responsibility. At the end of the day, almost everything falls on me. I probably should have, once the work became more intense, I should have gone back and revisited” the issue.

Since Dunham and council members Teresa Pegram and Todd Rotruck wore sworn into office in December 2017, the tension between the incumbents – Mayor Pro Tem Dena Barnes, along with Councilman John O’Day and Councilman Reece Walker, plus several members of the town staff – has been palpable. Whitaker said Tuesday he is unsure what the answer is – or if there is one.

“I don’t know what the solution is,” Whitaker said. “I have no immediate intentions to resign. I enjoy the work.

I don’t enjoy being embattled. I have taken a personnel step to try to find a solution. I can’t talk about it.”

That comment is likely a reference to the subject of a closed session meeting on Feb. 22 of the mayor, Town Council and Bill Hill, town attorney.

There, one of the issues was to “hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee as provided under NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6).

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‘I am lucky to be alive’ Stokesdale woman questions reporting process after tree strikes vehicle

by KEVIN SPRADLIN Michelle Holt sat inside her 2009 Kia and turned the key to start the ignition. It was shortly after 4:30 a.m. on March 7 at her Stokesdale home. Holt was on her way to begin her daily shift at 5 a.m. at a Greensboro grocery store.

She didn’t make it very far. Holt’s commute came to a screeching halt when a large tree smashed into her windshield while traveling on U.S. 158 near Walter Combs Drive in Stokesdale.

Holt’s was the first of two cars struck by the tree, which blocked the roadway.

“I remember seeing green leaves

waving, and blowing to the right side of the road,” Holt recalled. “I thought to myself, ‘it’s not supposed to be windy until later.’ Next, I see a tree in my face.

I hit the brakes, slid down in my seat and held on. There was the loudest boom noise ever. I just knew I was dead.”

One week after the incident, “I still see the vision of that tree in my face,” Holt told the Northwest Observer. “I am lucky to be alive. I am ready to meet our Lord – just not today. It was a very traumatizing experience for me, and I don’t wish this on anyone else.”

In the aftermath, Holt said she learned that several people had noticed that same tree was leaning towards the roadway and were concerned it was going to fall. A question later came to her mind: Whose responsibility was it to manage trees along roadways?

The answer is that it depends on what type of roadway, and on whose property the tree sits. Mike Mills, Division 7 engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, said NCDOT crews remove trees, or portions of trees, that have fallen across the road.

“However, if there is (a) power line within the fallen tree, we have to wait until the local utility company has removed the power line.”

Mills continued: “If a leaning tree is in the right of way, and we have been notified, or have observed the leaning tree, and it is determined that the leaning tree is a potential hazard to fall across the roadway, then we will remove the tree. Also, NCDOT routinely trims limbs that are decayed, interfere with sight distance, or interfere with our mowing limits.”

In Mills’ entire written response, he stresses a key point: “Due to the

amount of roads that NCDOT maintains, we depend on citizens to notify us of these issues.”

The best way to notify NCDOT is to log on to www.ncdot.gov/contact or call 1-877-368-4968.

If a leaning tree is not within the NCDOT’s right of way, the agency still might be able to help. If the leaning tree is on private property, it is, Mills said, “usually the responsibility of the property owner to remove the leaning tree. However, if we are notified of the leaning tree that is on private property, and after we investigate and it is determined that the tree is in danger of falling across the roadway, then we will remove the leaning tree” with permission to access the property from the property owner.

Holt said she is hopeful this type of incident does not happen to anyone else. While she escaped serious injury, her car was totaled.

’

Photos courtesy of Michelle Holt

These photos, taken by Michelle Holt after a tree had fallen onto her moving vehicle, show the damage to the car, which was considered a total loss by Holt’s insurance company.

6

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

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Minutes. Council voted unanimously to postpone approving the Feb. 8 regular council meeting draft minutes so the council can review requested changes before voting to approve the minutes.

 4  1 (with Tim Jones voting

nay) to approve minutes of the Jan. 11 regular council meeting and the Jan. 25 workshop.

NEW BUSINESS Public Safety: District 1. Detective Charlotte Rogers of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office said there were 535 calls for service in District 1 in February; of the 74 calls for Stokesdale, none were for Part 1 crimes.

Rogers said crime in the district was down 51 percent from February 2017.

She warned citizens to lock up their lawn equipment since thefts generally increase as spring arrives.

General Fund Update. Pulliam said total income in the general fund through the first eight months of the fiscal year

The structures at the intersection of Eversfield Road and Kingsley Place have two brick columns – one 9 feet tall, the other 16 – and are connected by a wall about 2.6 feet high.

Wallace gave council members illustrations of additional brick columns 6 feet high with a horizontal sign that says “Northwest Meadows” that he said he hopes to put in the landscape median.

Lawson, who lives on Eversfield Road, said the structures did not comply with the Town’s development ordinance and allowing them to stay would set a dangerous precedent for Stokesdale.  5  0 to uphold Bass’ decision that the structures violated the devel“Compassionate, Comprehensive opment ordinance.

“Compassionate,

During a public hearing held Jan. 11, Bass said the structure was a sign, was constructed without approval of a sign plan and without sign or building permits, and exceeded the ordinance’s maximum sign height of 6 feet. Wallace called the structure a work of art, which is exempt from the sign ordinance.

State-of-the-art Comprehensive State-of-the-art Care”

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1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

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_________________________________ Time

In October, the former town attor“Compassionate, ney wrote that because Keystone had Comprehensive State-of-the-art Care” failed to appeal the decision and had Comprehensive not DVM complied Care” with the ordinance, KarenState-of-the-art Nasisse, Karen Nasisse,the DVM Phtown 336-643-8984 Ph 336-643-8984 was seeking legal remedies that Fax 336-643-8987 Fax 336-643-8987 Karen DVM the structure’s 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, Nasisse, 27310 include 1692 NC removal.

68N, Suite J, 27310 could “Compassionate, Comprehensive State-of-the-art Care” “Compassionate,

Ph 336-643-8984 Fax 336-643-8987 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

State-of-the-art Care”

Comprehensive

“Compassion Comprehens State-of-the-art

State-of-the-art Care” The council Field, Lawn Maintenance. voted 5-0 to accept a $13,800 bid by Karen Nasisse Karen Nasisse, DVM Karen Nasisse, DVM Hunter Enterprises Phto336-643-8984 fertilize and mow Ph 336-643-8984 Ph 336-6 Fax 336-643-8987 336-643-8987 Fax 336-6 theFaxsoccer fields, subject to the town 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310 1692 NC 68N, Suite J attorney approving the contract. The “Compassionate, council also voted 5-0 to extend the Comprehensive Care” Keith Tuggle “Compassionate, “Compassion contract for oneState-of-the-art year with Comprehensive Comprehens Mowing for lawncare around Town Hall.

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Ph 336-643-8984 Fax 336-643-8987 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

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_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ Time Date Time Date Time ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

“People spend a lot of time building stuff that’s on somebody else’s property,” Bill Jones said, “but you don’t come in and say, ‘Gosh, I built it on the wrong lot, but I still want to keep it.’ You’ve got to get the proper planning and permits before you build something.

You can’t build it and come in and ask forgiveness.”

Wallace was sent a notice of violation on July 31, 2017, and given 15 days to correct the violation to avoid further action and 15 days to file “Compassionate, Comprehensive an appeal to the BOA. “Compassionate, “Compassionate,

compassionate

8

Board of Adjustment. An appeal of a notice of violation of the Stokesdale Development Ordinance regarding what the town planner considered a sign at the entrance to the Northwest Meadows subdivision was convened, with three people sworn in: Bass; Scott Wallace, co-founder and president of Keystone Group Inc. (developer of the subdivision); and Mark Lawson.

Has an appointment

Under New Business, Hooks added “Monthly meeting minutes;” Bill Jones added “review of decision by mayor regarding negotiation of delinquent

agenda.

_________________________________ Date

Agenda. Flynt asked that the following be continued to the April 12 meeting, under New Business: the Brunch bill; the Tech Committee discussion; and approving the town attorney to look at Ordinance No. 67 and nuisance ordinance rewrite; and under Old Business, discussion of the water technician’s position. He also deleted “Removal of unauthorized bridge in the town park” under Old Business and moved a closed session further down on the meeting agenda.

 5  0 to approve the amended

_________________________________ Time

Pastor Jason Riddle of Heritage Baptist Church gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

water account without vote of council;” and Tim Jones added “Vote on adding Dana Luther to the town’s approved vendors list.”

_________________________________ Date

Mayor John Flynt called the monthly council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks and council members Bill Jones, Tim Jones and Frank Bruno; Town Administrator/Finance Officer Kim Hemric; Budget Officer Philip Pulliam; Town Planner Oliver Bass; Deputy Clerk Alisa Houk; Town Attorney John Bain; and about 18 citizens.

Ph 336-6 Fax 336-6 1692 NC 68N, Suite J

Has an appointment

as reported by STEVE MANN

_________________________ Date

Water Enterprise Update. Total income for the water enterprise account through Feb. 28 was about $324,839, led by almost $270,932 in water sales.

Total expenses were about $286,584; water purchase accounted for about $146,352, with salaries totaling about $44,025.

_________________________________ Time

March 8 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Keystone didn’t request a sign permit until after the structures were built. Because the structures didn’t comply with the ordinance, the permit was denied. Last month, Keystone filed a formal appeal application.

During the appeal hearing, Wallace said the original intent was for the structures to serve as signs. In addition, the structures were referred to as signs on much of the paperwork. He said his company had spent a lot of time and money building the structures.

_________________________________ Date

STOKESDALE town council

was about $92,759. Expenses were about $150,633, with payroll expenses accounting for about $42,537.

FireKing vertical filing cabinet for the mayor’s office for $1,037.51, plus tax and a $72.06 liftgate charge, and authorized Hemric to set up an Amazon. com account for the Town.

Annual Audit. The council voted 4-1, with Bill Jones voting nay, to send Requests for Qualifications tor auditing firms on the state’s approved list and within 60 miles of Stokesdale; interested firms will have 30 days to submit an RFQ. Rouse, Rouse, Penn & Rouse LLP conducted the audit for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

Revitalization Grant. Stokesdale was notified last July it was awarded $33,333 for downtown revitalization through the Rural Economic Development Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce, but a project hasn’t been selected. The project must be for downtown Stokesdale. Ideas should be submitted to Kim Hemric, town administrator/finance officer, Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel-Pardue Road, Stokesdale, N.C. 27357.

Repaving/Striping Bids. The council reviewed four bids for asphalt repair and sealcoating for the parking lots at Town Hall and the town park and for repainting the lines between parking spaces. Since the estimates used different parameters, the council continued the item to April and will ask the companies to resubmit bids using identical parameters.

Staff Management. After Hooks motioned to authorize Bruno and him to be liaisons between town staff and the council, Bill Jones said he understood Hemric had been told the council was doing away with the town administrator position and wanted to know when the meeting was held to decide that.

Flynt said no such meeting had been held. Bruno said he had asked Hemric if there was a town administrator’s job description and was told no. He said general statutes define the town clerk’s duties, which would

include any administrative duties delegated by the council if no statute requires the duties be exercised by the governing board itself. Bruno said he asked Hemric, “‘If you’ve got the title, where’s the job description?’ That’s where the discussion is.”

Hooks said there is no organizational chart or personnel policy in place.

Bill Jones said he had a problem with the full council not knowing what actions were taking place, to which Bruno responded the town administrator position couldn’t be removed without the council’s vote since the position was authorized by a vote of the council.

Hemric said the town clerk position is a supervisory role and serves as the liaison between the staff and the council. She said an employee handbook was presented to the council multiple times in the last year, and the town administrator’s job description had been discussed numerous times.

“If there are not policies in place, it’s really because the council hasn’t adopted the policy,” Hemric said.

The item was continued to the April meeting to give the council time to examine the Council Candidate Orientation Manual compiled by Hemric almost six months ago.

Meter Tampering. The council discussed stricter enforcement of town ordinances regarding “cheater pipes” and damage to water meters and possibly changing the town’s water specifications to require developers to install hydrant spigots.

Republic Services. Despite assurances in September and January from Republic Services’ officials that improvements in trash service would be made, Flynt said most council members are still getting complaints from citizens. The council voted 5-0 to have the town attorney draft a letter to Republic saying

it had violated performance conditions in Section 11 of its contract with the town and requesting a written response within 15 days. The council also voted 5-0 to request bids from other qualified service providers.

Meeting Minutes. The council voted 5-0 to require draft minutes of regular monthly meetings be prepared by the last day of the month in which the meeting was held.

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Employee Records. The council voted 5-0 for Flynt to provide an inventory of all personnel records removed from Hemric’s office by any council members without the council’s consent, and any copies of those records, the records’ locations and safeguards to protect the records. (See story, p. FC.) Water Account Negotiation. The council voted 5-0 for Flynt to provide to council a written account of unauthorized negotiations with a citizen and settlement of a delinquent water bill after the citizen’s well went dry for review and for development of an emergency policy for similar situations, and for the town attorney to review the Town’s dry tap policy. (See story, p. FC.) Addition to Vendors List. The council voted 5-0 to add Dana Luther, a CPA from Summerfield, to the town’s vendors list as a financial consultant.

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OLD BUSINESS Park Signs. The council voted 5-0 to purchase two “No Trespassing between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.” signs, two “No off-road vehicles or offroading” signs and two posts on which to hang the signs on each side of the entrance to Town Hall.

Update: Feasibility Study. Bruno said the engineering map of the water system layout provided by the Timmons Group during a Feb. 14 workshop needs to be updated because it is missing the portion of the town’s water system down N.C. 68 to King’s

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...continued on p. 10

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MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

9

TOWN COUNCIL

...continued from p. 9

Crossing. Hemric said Timmons had already been notified about this. She also said the feasibility study is still expected by the end of March and that documents from meetings with Timmons requested by the council during the February meeting have been compiled into a binder.

been working on to make it easier for citizens to understand how the town’s money is spent. The visual shows the percentage of each category of expenses and income and, if considered useful, would be in addition to the financial statements provided at the regular monthly meetings.

Closed Session. At 10:09 p.m. the council voted 5-0 to go into closed session to consult with the town attorney as provided in General Statute 143-318.11 (3) related to employee matters.

Administrative. Hemric said she’ll continue to perform her job responsibilities with the “same diligence and responsibility” as when she was hired as town clerk in February 2016 with no government administration experience.

Accomplishments she listed included improving the water-billing process, responding to as many as 14,000 emails on behalf of the town and returning more than 3,712 phone calls, initiating and paying for classes through the UNC School of Government and for other certification to “position the town

At 11:35 p.m., Hemric was asked into the conference room. At 11:42, Houk was asked into the room.

The council reconvened at 11:50 p.m.

REPORTS

Council members examined a visual that Bruno and Tim Jones have

A LITTLE ICE NEVER STOPS US.

in the best possible way for long-term planning,” never missing a deadline for regulatory reports, and playing a key role in communicating with Municode to get the town’s development ordinances online.

Hemric, who was promoted to town administrator/finance officer about six months after her hiring, said she has been wearing three hats for almost 19 months and hopes that demonstrates “I’m a self-starter, I’m reliable, I’m honest and I demonstrate integrity every day.” She also said there was a seamless transition when Carolyn Joyner retired in 2016 after 20 years as town clerk despite her spending just nine business days with Joyner.

“Pretty amazing that the first six-month period was smooth, and the town was cared for very well on a professional level,” Hemric said.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Bill Jones said some of his earlier comments may have been harsh, but it was important that council members notify others before taking action that hadn’t been voted on. He added that he understands there are sometimes special circumstances.

Bruno thanked the four citizens who remained for the entire meeting, and said he appreciated the staff’s hard work. He asked people to say a prayer for first responders, the military and their families.

Tim Jones thanked the N.C. Department of Transportation for scraping the shoulders of U.S. 158 in the downtown area and filling in some ruts. He also said he doesn’t think enough time and energy is being spent pursuing the return of sales tax money from the county.

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In response to those who have criticized the council for its long meetings, Jones added, “Serving on this council, I’m willing to be here until 3 o’clock

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NEXT MEETING Thursday, April 12 • 7pm Stokesdale Town Hall

CONTACT YOUR TOWN (336) 643-4011 stokesdale@stokesdale.org www.stokesdale.org

in the morning to conduct the town’s business if that’s what we have to do.”

Criticizing the town for having too much money in the bank and not spending it is ridiculous, given the debt at the various levels of government, he said, adding he favors small government and no property tax for Stokesdale.

Flynt said the death of a local young man from an apparent drug overdose has many in the community concerned and he would like to see a coordinated effort among churches and other organizations, teachers and administrators, elected officials, citizens and law enforcement to provide programs and education to help fight drugs.

“Let’s work any and every possible way we can to keep another child from either being exposed to drugs or dying by drugs,” Flynt said, adding he welcomes community input.

Flynt apologized if he offended any council member or citizen attending the meeting. He said as mayor he receives more calls than other council members and he can’t wait a month to give someone an answer.

“My obligation is to the people of Stokesdale,” he said. “If I make a mistake or overstep my authority, I’ll take that. … I’m doing the best I can.

If anybody can do better, they’re welcome to the job. I’ll step down tonight if you want me to.”

The meeting was adjourned at 12:11 a.m.

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Quick-thinking firefighter credited for saving a life Summerfield resident suffers stroke while shopping

by KEVIN SPRADLIN SUMMERFIELD – For the second time in about a week, Robert Huber was trying to convey a message. For the second time, words were his adversary.

Only this time, there were no lifesaving measures required.

Huber, 64, of Summerfield, suffered a stroke on Feb. 13 while shopping inside Kohl’s department store on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro. Dave Redmon, a Summerfield Fire Department volunteer firefighter, happened to be in the store, in the same section, as it occurred. Redmon took action, and that action probably saved Huber’s life.

“He kind of said I was headed for a face plant,” Huber said a week later from the comfort of a couch inside his Wilson Farm subdivision home.

The day of the stroke, Huber and his wife, Kim, were preparing for a trip to Pinehurst to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Huber was shopping for new clothes. Kim was at a hair salon. Huber remembers standing in the men’s section. Then he wasn’t standing at all.

“My leg kind of felt a little bit numb, I stumbled a little bit, and I actually started to fall,” Huber said.

Kim shuddered at the thought.

“If he had fallen and hit his head, it could have, you know, escalated to a lot of different things,” she said. “His whole left side just gave out.”

Enter Redmon.

“There happened to be a gentleman there who caught me,” Huber recalled. “He kind of helped me regain my balance. He started asking me questions about how I felt, and if I could raise my arm and raise my leg.”

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Huber said Redmon asked him to smile, and “all of the things that are related to things you ask when somebody’s having a stroke. He asked me if I was okay. I thought I was. He said, ‘you’re not okay, you’re having a stroke.’”

After Redmon ordered a store clerk to call 911, Huber was transported by ambulance first to Cone Hospital, then to Forsyth Medical Center in WinstonSalem.

“Luckily, everything was done quickly enough,” Huber said, crediting Redmon’s quick reaction, which “essentially saved my life.”

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Kim, meanwhile, was in a chair in a salon across town. She noticed a missed call on her phone. It was from her husband, which she thought was odd since he, of all people, should know she was getting her hair done. When she called back, no one answered. The two finally connected by phone.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

“He made pretty good sense” considering the circumstances, Kim said. “An EMT got on the phone and said he believed he had a stroke, and they were taking him by ambulance to a hospital.”

To make matters worse, Huber had special considerations when it came to facing an operation. He was taking a blood-thinner called Warfarin (also known as Coumadin) after having successfully undergone open heart surgery.

After Dr. Donald Heck and his surgical team successfully performed an embolectomy on Huber he was released from the hospital. That’s when his attention turned to the man who helped begin the chain of events that has allowed him to tell the tale. The couple looked to their neighbor, Cheryl Gore, to help track down Redmon.

“He was pretty insistent, even in the hospital, that we find Dave, track him down and thank him,” Kim said.

“During his recovery he even wrote a handwritten note to Dave.”

It wasn’t easy, though – in part because Redmon thought he had come to the aid of someone named Jim. “I actually was pretty aware of everything,” Huber said of his experience. “But not completely. Some things were a little bit fuzzy. Dave … asked me what my name was. Apparently I responded ‘Jim.’ Well, obviously that’s not correct. My name is Robert.

Sometimes I go by Bob but, no, never Jim. Sometimes Bill, but never Jim. I have no idea where that came from.”

The Hubers made Redmon a coffee cake – using Robert’s mother’s recipe — and added a bag of Costa Rican coffee from his sister, who lives overseas. The two met with Redmon and his wife a week after the stroke at the Summerfield Fire Department.

Photo courtesy of Robert and Kim Huber

Summerfield resident Robert Huber, right, credits Summerfield Fire Department volunteer firefighter Dave Redmon with being in the right place at the right time, and with the right heart, to take the steps needed to save his life after he suffered a stroke on Feb. 13 while in a Greensboro department store.

“Basically, I wanted to thank him profusely for saving my life,” Huber said. “I still get emotional about it.”

When Redmon expressed interest in his condition, Huber had good news.

“I’m actually doing quite well,” Huber said a little more than a week after his stroke. “I think I surprised all of the doctors and people who worked on me. They indicated that the outcome I had, which is everything really back to normal, is very, very unusual. Usually the outcome is not that good. I’m still a little weak and tired, but otherwise everything works.”

The Hubers will be eternally grateful to Redmon for his quick response.

“From what we understand, time is of the essence when you have a stroke,” Kim said. “With his experience and training, Dave recognized the signs and symptoms right away (and) wasted no time before asking someone to call 911. Someone without that training or experience might have

delayed (because) my husband said he was fine and didn’t need to go to the hospital. We’re just so grateful (Redmon) was there at the right place at the right time.”

Huber tried to express his thanks to Redmon in words by submitting a “grin” to the Northwest Observer, but he simply could not whittle down what he had to say to get within the 40-word limit.

“The whole thing was, I thought Dave really should be recognized for his efforts,” Huber said. “I thought, well, I’ll write a ‘grin’ to the newspaper.

I wrote it all out but I wasn’t even close to being within the 40-word limit.

In fact, he was at 100 words when he visited the newspaper office and explained his predicament.

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“I tried to pare it down,” Huber said. “I said, ‘this just can’t go into 40 words.’”

But a little over 1,000 words seemed to tell the story just fine.

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13

TOWN PLANNER

tions of the mayor towards the town manager are clearly that. The hardest thing that I have had to do was to keep observing the bullying and turn a blind eye towards it. People will continue to not want to work for the Town of Summerfield if they are bullied by those in the public and in elected positions.”

...continued from p. 3

in Summerfield, which he said has become increasingly difficult for town staff to work within.

In a letter Taylor emailed to the town council on March 12, he spoke highly of his co-workers and of Whitaker, while offering an added explanation for his resignation.

Reached for comment, Mayor Gail Dunham said she had had very little interaction with Taylor.

“The only interaction I ever had with Sean was when he showed us the interior of the Martin house and the Gordon building, which was very helpful,” Dunham said. “I agreed with his recommendations. This (resignation) reflects all of his interactions with Scott Whitaker.”

“… my decision to leave Summerfield is partly based on seeing and witnessing abuse towards members of staff and the town manager by the current mayor,” he wrote. “Being the father of a special needs child, I am very sensitive to bullying, and the ac-

TOWN ADMIN

Wednesday afternoon meetings), and being short staffed.

...continued from p. 1

Hemric was hired as town clerk in February 2016 without any government administration experience and promoted to town administrator and finance officer six months later.

Her resignation came the day after a five-hour council meeting during which: there was a discussion of Flynt and Hooks removing employee records from Hemric’s custody and an apparent attempt to limit her supervisory role of staff; she was called into the conference room to meet with council during a closed session; and several council members again questioned how she built up comp time without the council approving overtime, a condition for her employment.

During that March 8 council meeting, Hemric said she had told the previous council several times about the number of hours she worked and she requested the current council reduce her work hours to the 25 to 30 hours a week for which she had been hired, effective April 1. According to her resignation letter, however, she changed her mind and decided instead to resign.

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In the emergency meeting on Tuesday, Hemric said about 85 percent of her estimated 90 hours of accrued comp time was the result of preparing for and attending the number of meetings council held (until this past December, this included weekly

“I was not wanting to work overtime, but it was dictated by the workload and the demands,” she said.

Town Attorney John Bain said Hemric, who was paid $28.25 an hour and working an average of 40 hours a week, should be paid at a time-and-ahalf rate for the comp hours.

Flynt originally made a motion to accept Hemric’s resignation, pay her for her two-weeks’ notice and terminate her employment, and pay her for an additional two weeks. The motion was later amended to include paying the comp time and asking her to be available for consultation during that four-week period. The motion was approved 4-0, with Frank Bruno absent.

Following a closed session where the council discussed employee qualifications as provided in general statute 143-318.11 (6), the council voted 3-1 – with Tim Jones voting nay – to appoint Deputy Clerk Alisa Houk interim finance officer and 4-0 to also appoint Houk interim town clerk.

The council also voted 4-0 to extend an employment offer to Priscilla Hunsucker for a part-time deputy clerk position at $13 an hour with a maximum of 32 hours a week; no benefits; reviews after 30 days, 60 days and 90 days; and effective upon receipt of proper credit and background checks.

The deputy clerk’s position has been vacant since Oct. 20.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Get. Be. Stay.

Connected facebook.com/NorthwestObserver

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Winter met spring earlier this week, as evidenced by colorful new growth coming to life with a backdrop of snow-covered ground. March 20 is the first day of spring, and with warmer temperatures on the horizon, expect to see more earth-moving heavy equipment coming to life on a number of projects in northwest Guilford County.

17 Rezoning hearing set for March 22

18

What’s going on beside GTCC?

23

Update on Autumn Ridge

BUSINESS NEWS

Barber cuts out travel, works from home

by STEVE MANN STOKESDALE – It took Joshua Barton almost 14 years to achieve his dream, but he believes he has found it in Stokesdale.

Working from home.

Barton’s Barber Shop, a one-chair operation that opened Feb. 20, is in a building less than 40 feet from the house at 9000 U.S. 158 that Barton and his wife, Megan, have lived in for about a year.

“We liked the community,” Barton, 36, said. “It’s a place I can see myself working in until I retire.

“We liked the house, and when I came in (this building), I was like,

‘I think I can put a shop out here.’

We bought this so I could work from home.”

is made, that time is automatically reserved, and the customer receives email reminders. Appointments also can be made by phone.

He said there are several reasons for appointments.

It was basically a dwelling, Barton said, with a kitchen area, plumbing and a bathroom, and heating and air conditioning.

“If you do walk-ins,” Barton said, “you could be overworked and it becomes an assembly line. It takes away from the art, and it takes away from being able to customize your work for the individual.”

“The only thing I’ve done is paint, basically,” he said.

It also allows him to offer more hours and to do other things instead of

waiting for customers.

One of those things is trail running.

Barton, who said an “easy” run is nine miles a day, finished fourth in the Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock 50K race last October.

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To schedule an appointment, visit BartonsBarberShop.com or call (336) 298-7449.

Barton began barbering at age 22 and owned his first shop at 24 in Princeton, West Virginia. He also owned a shop in Greensboro, and for the last three years had one in Walkertown.

His business is by appointment only. He said about 90 percent of his customers use his website to book appointments. Once the appointment

Photo by Steve Mann/NWO

Joshua Barton has been barbering since he was 22 years old and operates his business in a building less than 40 feet from his home.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

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REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

Rezoning hearing on P&Z Board’s March 22 meeting agenda OAK RIDGE – The Town of Oak Ridge’s Planning and Zoning Board will hold a public hearing March 22, 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall for a request to rezone approximately 29.45 acres on the west side of N.C. 68, about 800 feet south of the intersection with Fogleman Road.

The request is to rezone the property from HB (Highway Business) and AG (Agriculture) to CU-TC-R (Conditional Use-Town Core-Residential) to allow the property to be developed for

a maximum of 48 townhomes and one single-family detached home.

The property is owned by Israel Family Limited Partnership and Larry J. and Kathy R. Mills.

After closing the public, hearing the Planning & Zoning Board is expected to vote on a recommendation to the Town Council. The council will then hold a second public hearing at its April 5 meeting, at which time it will likely vote or whether to approve the rezoning request.

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Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center (shown) is 100 percent leased, as is 68 Place on N.C. 68 and The Village office/retail complex near the intersection of N.C. 68 and N.C. 150, according to Philip Cooke, co-owner of Weyhill Commercial, which manages the properties.

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REAL ESTATE Q&A What is happening with the JP Looneys’ building in Oak Ridge Commons shopping center?

After operating in Oak Ridge for almost 10 years, JP Looneys gave its “last call” on July 30. The closure ended the

restaurant group’s almost 30-year era of brick-and-mortar operations in the Triad, JP Looneys co-owner Kevin McCallister wrote in a letter to customers that he posted on the restaurant’s door this summer.

Although the Looneys Wing Wagon, an offshoot of the JP Looneys restaurant enterprise, is still thriving, the restaurant building located in Oak Ridge

...continued on p. 18

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MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

17

REAL ESTATE Q&A ...continued from p. 17

Commons shopping center is listed for sale with Freeman Commercial Real Estate based in Winston-Salem.

The building is owned by McCallister and his partners, although the ground underneath it is owned by JP Monroe, developer/owner of the shopping center.

Bob Anderson, a Realtor with

Freeman Commercial Real Estate, said since his company listed the 5,000-square-foot building in October there has been a tremendous amount of interest in it.

“It’s a fully equipped restaurant, and that is probably the best use for it,” Anderson said. “Many people have called and are interested in leasing it for a restaurant, but the owners prefer to sell, rather than lease the building,” Anderson said. “We are talking to prospects interested in a broad range of uses.”

There is a large tract of land being cleared at the corner of Leabourne Road and N.C. 68 in Colfax (just outside the Oak Ridge town limits), on the same side of the highway as GTCC’s Donald Cameron Campus.

I think you wrote about

the plans for this property a while back, but I wondered if you would bring us up to speed on what’s going on, since I now see land being cleared.

At the time we wrote about this property last spring, it was being marketed by Collett, a Charlotte-based commercial

...continued on p. 23

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

JP Looneys closed its restaurant in Oak Ridge on July 30 after almost 10 years. Although the ground that the building sits on is owned by JP Monroe, developer/owner of Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center, the building, which is for sale, is owned by JP Looneys’ owners.

Photo by Kevin Spradlin/NWO

Two tracts totaling 106 acres are being marketed by NAI Piedmont Triad. Owned by Greanlea 68 Land, until there is a buyer no development plans will be submitted to the county.

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Ray and Lisa Bullins have created beautiful custom homes since 1993.

29 years of hands-on experience Owners Don & Annette Mills

Ray Bullins was just 12 years old when he started working at his father’s construction company.

Bullins learned a lot, and said he has done every job you can possibly do on a construction site.

“I made cement, brick and mortar mix, drove nails, just whatever he told me to do around the site,” Bullins said.

“My father often told me, ‘Come on, let’s go learn how to do something.’”

“At this point it’s not a business, it’s part of who I am, it’s my passion,” he said.

In 1993, Bullins and his wife, Lisa,

...continued on next page

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...continued from previous page

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started Ray Bullins Construction Co. The following year they sold their first house for $83,000. Now, they sell homes for up to $1 million. Ray oversees the daily job site activities such as scheduling, estimating and quality control while Lisa oversees the design work and managing the office. Lisa is also a licensed Real Estate Broker for Berkshire Hathaway Carolinas Realty.

The couple believes building a custom home should be “an exciting event filled with hope and expectation for the entire family,” and they are committed to making sure this happens for all their clients. Their approach to home design is to offer living spaces that are both elegant and comfortable – without sacrificing quality.

Bullins realizes the relationship between the builder and the homeowner is key to a successful building experience.

“We are selective with our clients. It has to feel like a good fit for both sides, and it has to have some chemistry,” Bullins said.

“You’re involved for six or eight months, and you’re a part of each other’s lives.”

After 25 years in business and more than 40 years of home-building experience, Bullins has a few tips for anyone con-

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sidering building a new home.

First, don’t expect the experience to be just like you see on HGTV. A good custom builder works closely with the homeonwer while managing expectations of the building process.

Second, think to the future, and allow the possibility of expansion.

“Especially if you really like your location,” Bullins said. “Home sites that are conveniently located are becoming increasingly hard to find. I’ll give you an example, I have done renovations that cost more than the original home sale price simply because they love their neighbor-

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After Ray and Lisa built another couple’s first home, the couple decided the Bullinses were the only ones who could build their second home 10 years later.

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“In 2012, Ray completed our dream home for us and we couldn’t be happier.

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hood and wanted to stay.”

Finally, Bullins suggests finding a local builder with whom you work well.

“You will get more personal attention, have more flexibility, and have someone to walk you through every step of the process,” he said.

Ray and Lisa like nothing better than hearing their clients express how much they appreciate their partnership with Ray Bullins Construction Co. “Our family absolutely loves our home,” affirmed one homeowner. “Ray and Lisa made the entire process fun and easy to understand, with the end result being

Besides building custom homes, Ray and Lisa offer a full line of construction services that include home plan design, interior design, upscale renovations and additions, and outdoor living spaces.

Ray Bullins Construction Co. is currently building in the Dawn Acres and North Ridge communities in Stokesdale and the Birkhaven community in Summerfield.

The company will also build on a lot that a homeowner already owns or on a lot the company has available.

Anyone interested in seeing the Bullinses’ unique home style may visit one of their homes in the Dawn Acres subdivision during the GBA’s spring Parade of Homes tour. The tour spans two weekends, April 28-29 and May 5-6.

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, publisher of the Northwest Observer, presents

Spring

Spring 2018

2018 edition

Coming March 22 Home-grown stories about everything from maintaining and improving your home, to housing trends, history and humor of life in northwest Guilford County icati published by pscommun

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REAL ESTATE Q&A ...continued from p. 18

real estate company. According to the company’s website, plans for a tract of land at the corner of N.C. 68 and Leabourne Road, across from Guilford Technical Community College’s Donald W. Cameron Campus, were for it to be part of a 106-acre multi-use development that would potentially include a shopping center with a Walmart Supercenter and multi-family housing.

Owned by Greanlea 68 Land, the property consists of two large parcels which have been combined and are being marketed as one potential mixed-use development. It is bordered on the west side by the Piedmont Saddle Club.

The property is now listed with NAI Piedmont Triad. Tom Flanigan, co-owner and broker with NAI, told the Northwest Observer on March 14 that the property is for sale but until there is a buyer no development plans will be submitted to the county. If the site is developed into a shopping center, it is likely Greensboro would have to annex the property to provide water and sewer, Greensboro Zoning Administrator Mike Kirkman told the Northwest Observer last spring.

Piggybacking onto the previous question, I know you wrote about this last month but I wonder if there is any update to what’s going on at the property across the street from GTCC’s Donald Cameron campus?

There sure seems to be a lot of activity going on there.

Sorry, although there is a lot of clearing activity going on at this location, the two adjacent tracts – one, a 17.65-acre parcel and the other, a 33.23-acre parcel – owned by East Wind Development Company based in Greensboro are still for sale and until sold, we don’t expect that any development plans will be announced.

What’s happening with the townhomes that are being built off Zack Road in Oak Ridge?

Photo by Kevin Spradlin/NWO

A representative with Smith & Jennings, of High Point, said the company is moving earth in compliance with a grading permit. Owned by East Wind Development Company in Greensboro, there are no development plans.

Buddy Lyons, a partner in LD Equity, told us the weather has slowed the project down but construction on the Autumn Ridge community, which will consist of 22 twin patio homes on Zack Road, should get underway within the next few months.

Lot reservations are being taken already, and Lyons expects that, based upon the interest so far, 90 to 95 percent of the townhomes will be presold.

The one-story patio homes with a 2-car garage will sell in the low- to mid-$300,000 range, with an option to finish out the top floor and gain an

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I think it was commendable that Oak Ridge was forward-looking and saw that residents wanted to stay in Oak Ridge but didn’t want to spend half a million dollars to do that” For more information on Autumn Ridge, visit NextHomeInTheTriad.com.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

FEATURED ON

23

7489 Weitzel Drive (Elmhurst Estates) $395,000

TRANSACTIONS The following are recent new and existing home sales for the northwest- and northern- Guilford County area. Home sales in and near your neighborhood impact the current market value of your home.

COLFAX 8436 Pheasant Ridge Drive (Pheasant Ridge) $283,000

SUMMERFIELD 3943 Lewiston Road $175,000

5401 Ashbey Lane (Pelham) $220,000 3294 Minglewood Trail (Waters Edge of Summerfield) $371,000 5771 Highland Grove Drive (Highland Grove South) $347,000

6015 Carlson Ridge Court (Carlson Ridge) $476,500

5777 Highland Grove Drive (Highland Grove South) $353,500

7231 Wyatt Drive (Armfield) $455,000

6956 Toscana Trace (Vineyards at Summerfield) $734,500

7136 Strawberry Road $320,000

7501 Weitzel Drive (Elmhurst Estates) $214,000 7569 Auburnwood Drive (Auburndale) $319,000 7013 Equestrian Trail (Polo Farms) $390,000 5775 Highland Grove Drive (Highland Grove South) $338,000 5201 Torney Court (Highland Grove South) $338,500 7518 Whitaker Drive $320,000

8304 Cavelletti Court (Farm at Lake Brant) $625,000 3805 Eagle Downs Way (Eagle Ridge) $689,000 5213 Dylan Way (Trotter Ridge) $450,000

OAK RIDGE 7606 Keating Drive (Weatherstone) $242,000 5211 Harley Stafford Drive (Stafford Forest) $635,000 2332 Oak Ridge Road/ 2408A Oak Ridge Road (79.195 acres) $1,350,000

5719 Oakhurst Downs Drive (10.31 acres, Oak Ridge Township) $217,000 5700 Oakhurst Downs Drive (Oakhurst Downs) $418,500 6638 Linville Ridge Drive (Linville Ridge) $560,000 1238 N.C. 68 North $207,000

NW/N G’BORO 6401 High View Road (Edinburgh) $268,500 6730 River Hills Drive (River Hills Plantation) $160,000 4109 O’Briant Place (Prestwick) $289,500

6402 Lakebend Way (The Cardinal) $312,500 3651 Cherry Hill Drive (Cardinal Manor) $180,000 6204 Millwright Court (River Hills Plantation) $210,000

STOKESDALE 8603 Boones Landing Court (Boones Landing) $170,000 8107 Northwest Meadows Drive (Northwest Meadows) $350,000 8109 Northwest Meadows Drive (Northwest Meadows) $410,000

Find out about your community and our part of Guilford County SUMMERFIELD

COLFAX

OAK RIDGE

GUILFORD COUNTY

STOKESDALE EDITION

photo courtesy of Sandi O’Reilly

ary Annivers ION EDIT

Jam-packed with a variety of community resource information for northwest Guilford County.

In print every January and online year-round at nwobserver.com 24

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Summerfield | Colfa x | Stokesdale | Oak Ridge published by

| northwest Greensbo ro

Every home is valuable.

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Carlson Farms $1,795,000 MLS 853027 Nancy Hess 336-215-1820

Henson Farms $1,495,000 MLS 798373 Kay Chesnutt 336-202-9687

5260 Bunch Road

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1616 NC Highwat 68 North Oak Ridge $918,000 MLS 855234 Nancy Hess 336-215-1820

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6800 Palomino Ridge Court Polo Farms $699,000 MLS 850452 Nancy Hess 336-215-1820

3905 Eagle Downs Way

Summerfield $680,000 MLS 858099 Jacob Letterman 336-338-0136 Johnnye Letterman 336-601-6012

5603 Feather Court

Eagle Ridge $665,000 MLS 853026 Nancy Hess 336-215-1820 Jacob Letterman 336-338-0136

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Armfield $575,000 MLS 857231 Nancy Hess 336-215-1820

Keston Downes $537,000 MLS 870232 Nancy Hess 336-215-1820

466 Mashie Drive

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Stonebridge $649,000 MLS 850922 Michelle Porter 336-207-0515

8306 Linville Oaks

Linville Oaks $515,000 MLS 850296 Chandra Tippett 336-749-7977

761 Hudson Road

Arbor Run $475,000 MLS 856841 Jamie Harrelson 336-889-9192

Twelve Oaks $475,000 MLS 872452 Melissa Greer 336-337-5233

Dawn Acres $460,000 MLS 861164 Waban Carter 336-601-6363

Greensboro National Golf Club $414,900 MLS 850542 Jaree Todd 336-601-4892

Summerfield $399,500 MLS 871811 Nancy Hess 336-215-1820

3811 Summit Lakes Drive

779 Kallam Mill Road

3814 Obriant Place

7504 Henfree Drive

4026 Windspray Loop

Summit Lakes $389,900 MLS 859455 Michelle Porter 336-207-0515

Madison $389,000 MLS 870867 Ashley Meredith 336-202-4964

5960 Pepper Road

1407 Woodside Drive

Oak Ridge $199,900 MLS 821238 Melissa Greer 336-337-5233

Brookwood Hills $142,500 MLS 875675 Todd Rotruck 336-402-1668

Adams Farm 336—854—1333

Cardinal $379,000 MLS 871164 Catherine Feeney 336-509-3188

Elmhurst Estates $365,000 MLS 873759 Mark Yost 336-707-6275

Crosscreek $259,900 MLS 807804 Deryle Peaslee-Wood 336-601-4765

Lot 113 Brassie Lane

Lot 7 Lake Meadows

5803 Crutchfield Farm

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• Elm Street 336—272—0151 •

Waters Edge $87,900 MLS 724063 Mark Yost 336-707-6275

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Oak Ridge $61,500 MLS 858023 Susanne McIntire 336-601-5929

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Northwest students walk out in protest of gun violence Identifying, fixing issues will ‘take time’

by KEVIN SPRADLIN GREENSBORO – Abigail Jones, Alex White and Adam Craft were among the last to leave the football field behind Northwest High School Wednesday morning after participating in the National School Walkout in protest of gun violence in schools.

They took a moment to reflect on the events that brought them to gather with several dozen fellow students despite the 33-degree temperature and brisk wind. Jones, a senior, said that in the month since the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 14 students and three staff members, the discussion surrounding the many issues has been frustrating.

“It’s really sad … because students have to act like adults since the adults are acting like children,” Jones said.

She acknowledged that addressing the issues – access to guns and mental health, among others – is “going to take time.”

White, also a senior, said he was there to support the victims and survivors of the Florida shooting, along with Jones, who spurred White and Craft, a junior, to participate in the 17-minute protest.

Craft, for his part, hopes lawmakers come to an understanding that gun violence on school campuses needs attention and answers regardless of whether one leans conservative or liberal. Craft expressed hope that politicians could “find a middle ground.”

Standing in another group was a ninth-grade trio of Sarah Hollowell, Claire Kusse and Isis McLachlan.

Kusse said they, too, wanted to honor the victims of the Florida shooting

26

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

“and to let them know that other schools care about what happened.”

Freshman Dylan Reeves, meanwhile, was ensured he was not misidentified as being in favor of gun control even while standing among his fellow classmates during the protest.

“I’m not liberal,” Reeves said. “I don’t support gun laws.”

Reeves said he feels relatively safe at Northwest High School but recognizes that gun safety is an issue at schools across the country. He supports increasing the number of school resource officers in schools as well as the idea of arming teachers.

Like Reeves, senior Isaiah Licorish supports improved security in schools – though they don’t necessarily agree on how that can be accomplished. Licorish said he doesn’t feel unsafe walking the halls at Northwest, but that he is “a little cautious.”

Photo by Kevin Spradlin/NWO

Students at Northwest High School participated in the National School Walkout on Wednesday to protest gun violence on school campuses nationwide. The event came nearly one month after the Feb. 14 shooting at a Florida high school in which 17 students and staff members were killed.

Licorish looked over the crowd of several dozen students on the football field and said it’s important students recognize that what happened in Florida “can happen to any of us.

Imagine 17 of them dead and nothing was done about it. That’s the scary part.”

Students began leaving the field promptly at 10:17 a.m. to return to their classes. Principal Ralph Kitley said students had not approached him in advance of the walkout to obtain permission or help. Still, Kitley had distributed an email Tuesday to indicate some students might choose to participate. Administrators were stationed throughout campus to help guide students to the football field. He encouraged staff to neither “encourage or discourage participation … for obvious reasons.”

...continued on p. 33

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

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host its third annual “Stop, Drop & Roll” 5K walk/run on Saturday, April 7, at 9 a.m., with free chili and refreshments served afterward. Register by Friday, April 6, at jonesracingcompany.com/stopdropandroll5k/.

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will host its third annual “Viking Nation Color Run” on Saturday, April 21. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. at the school, 5300 Northwest School Road in Greensboro; race starts at 10 a.m. Register at www.runsignup.com/ vikingcolorrun for $25 before March 31. Questions? ptsonwgms@gmail.com. zz Be the Match 5K | Join the fight against blood

cancer and other blood diseases by supporting “Be the Match,” a 5K run and walk on Saturday, April 21.

Race begins at 9 a.m. at First Christian Church, 1130 N. Main St. in Kernersville. Pre-register at bethematchfoundation.org/TriadBeTheMatch5K.

EVERY MONDAY

zz Community Choir | Stokesdale Community Choir

Carlotta Lytton

, CPA, PC

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SATURDAY, MARCH 17

zz Bazaar/Bake Sale | Flat Rock United Methodist

Church, 6720 U.S. 158 in Stokesdale, invites the community to its spring bazaar and bake sale on March 17, 7 to 11 a.m. Enjoy a country-style breakfast while shopping for homemade baked goods, handmade crafts, jewelry and other items for sale. More info: (336) 643-5700.

On the left side, click community calendar

zz Pinto Bean Supper | Mt. Carmel United Method-

March: Senior Care Month Wellness Packages designed for pets over 7 years old.

Call for details.

(336) 665-1286 • bel-airevet.com Serving the NW Triad area since 1991

ist Church, 9102 Mt. Carmel Road in Stokesdale, invites the community to a free pinto bean supper on March 17, 5:30 to 7 p.m. More info: Rev. Craig Toth at (336) 500-1767 or craigmtoth@gmail.com.

add your event Click and fill in your details

MARCH 19, 20

zz Budget Input | Summerfield’s Finance Committee will

meet Monday, March 19, 7 p.m. at Summerfield Town Hall, 4117 Oak Ridge Road, Summerfield. There will be a period for public comments on the 2018-2019 FY budget at this meeting. Summerfield Town Council will hold a special call meeting for a budget planning session on Tuesday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m., also at the town hall.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

27

Info class for CCH permit holders to be offered The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office will be providing an informational class entitled “The Citizen Role/Responsibility as a CCH Permit Holder” for Guilford County residents who are current, valid concealed carry handgun permit holders.

3

rd

Saturday, April 7

Summerfield Fire Department, 7400 Summerfield Road

Sparky’s Dash starts at 8:45am

5K starts at 9am

Red Dog Farm Adoption Fair

Enjoy chili from Summerfield Fire Department after the run

Register at jonesracingcompany.com/stopdropandroll5k

The class will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 21, at the District 2 substation, 5440 Millstream Road in McLeansville. The class is not mandatory.

This informational class will include updated material on firearms laws, a refresher on use of force and how laws regarding lethal and non-lethal force apply to private residents, personal safety and protection, basic firearms safety, firearms simulation exercises and more.

Due to space limitations, each ses-

sion will be limited to 15 people on a first-come, first-serve basis. Enrollment deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, April 16.

All class participants should meet at the front entrance to the building, located directly behind the fountain, at 8:45 a.m. for class to begin and end on time.

The District 2 location is a weaponsrestricted area, and firearms or ammunition are not permitted in the facility.

•••••

want to go?

Visit www.gcsonc.com for an application form, or contact Master Corporal J. Page at (336) 641-3378 or Deputy T. Chandler at (336) 641-5313.

DEADLINE: Friday, April 6, at 9 am

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MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

March 5 | A Greensboro man was arrested after crashing his car following a Summerfield retail store break-in.

According to the incident report, at about 3:53 a.m. on March 5, the suspect broke the glass of a front door to The Happy Vaper, located at 4446 U.S. 220 North in Summerfield, and took several items with a total retail value of about $3,375.

The suspect then fled from the scene but wrecked his car shortly afterward; he was transported to Moses Cone Hospital for evaluation. Warrants were obtained for

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

one felony count of fleeing to elude, with additional charges pending.

March 5 | A Reidsville man was apprehended at about 2:51 p.m. on March 5 at Barham Grocery on U.S. 158 in Summerfield after he was allegedly found to be in possession of high-grade marijuana.

March 6 | During a traffic stop in the 6500 block of U.S. 158 in Summerfield, a Summerfield woman was cited for operating a vehicle with a fictitious registration plate, and for operating a vehicle with a revoked driver’s license, driving without insurance, failure to register a vehicle with the state Department of Motor Vehicles, and an inspection violation. A Reidsville woman who was a passenger in the vehicle was

...continued on p. 33

NORTHERN

...continued from p. 1

Cunane flashed a broad smile as she headed to the free throw line at the other end of the court to try to add to a 5-point lead. The players and coaches on the Northern bench sensed the game was at hand by high-fiving and hugging as Nighthawk fans rose to their feet with booming appreciation.

Cunane sank both free throws and senior Mercedes Wampler added one more 15 seconds later to polish off a 60-52 win against Jacksonville last Saturday – and with that Northern won its second straight 3-A state title.

Senior Kassie Robakiewicz, named the game’s Most Valuable Player, led Northern with 24 points – 18 of which came in the first half as Northern raced out to a 37-20 halftime lead.

Robakiewicz made six of eight field goals in the first half, including all five of her 3-pointers.

An emotional Robakiewicz was fighting tears after being named the MVP. She accepted her plaque and turned to face her family in the stands, who were jumping up and down and clapping in appreciation.

Robakiewicz’s mother, Kim, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December, was wearing her “Robo Strong” shirt during the game.

“This means so much to me,” Robakiewicz said. “It’s all my team. It’s not for me. It’s for everyone.”

Cunane, who was named the Most Outstanding Player, finished with 23 points and 21 rebounds on the same floor she will spend the next four years of her playing career.

“There’s no better way to end it,” said Cunane, who has signed with N.C. State.

Wampler, the other senior for the Nighthawks, played a strong defensive game and finished with three points.

Photo by Marc Pruitt/NWO

The Northern Nighthawks girls team and coaches celebrate March 10 after winning the 3-A state championship for the second consecutive year.

“It’s what we wanted as our goal for this year and we did it,” said Wampler, who will continue her playing career at Catawba.

Despite holding a 17-point lead at halftime, Coach Kim Furlough said that she knew Jacksonville was going to make a run, and that’s exactly what the Cardinals did.

Jacksonville scored the last five points of the third quarter to trim its deficit to 45-36, then used a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to trail 50-47 with 4:18 left.

Cunane scored four straight points to push Northern’s lead to 54-47, but Jacksonville’s Areon Laurent drilled her second 3-pointer of the quarter with 2:51 left to make it 54-50.

On the next trip down the floor, Janelle Henderson delivered the dagger by draining a 3-pointer from the left baseline – her only made field goal of the game – with 2:20 left to put Northern back up by seven points.

That was just enough breathing room to hold off a late Jacksonville charge.

“The last eight minutes felt more like eighty,” Furlough said. “It felt like a long, long time. But I kept looking at the score and looking at their faces and I knew we were fine. They’ve been in this position before and we’ve handled it well. I really wasn’t worried about us. We knew they were going to make a run. We just kept waiting on it and it happened in the fourth quarter

to make it interesting for everybody in the stands. I’m so proud of their composure. We didn’t waver, especially the seniors. They just took control.”

Cunane, Robakiewicz and Wampler have played in three straight 3-A state championship games and have won the last two.

“It’s beyond amazing,” Robakiewicz said. “I have no words. It’s not real yet.”

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

29

NORTHWEST

...continued from p. 1

Cayla King, voted the Most Outstanding Player for the game, connected on seven of eight attempts from the freethrow line down the stretch to help the Vikings complete a come-from-behind 44-36 victory over Southeast Raleigh in the NCHSAA Class 4-A girls state championship basketball game.

It was the second straight year Northwest (29-2) defeated Southeast Raleigh (30-1) in the state title game.

The Bulldogs are 62-2 over the past two seasons, with both losses against the Vikings in the championship games. In the 2017 contest, Northwest controlled the pace from the start en route to a 36-34 win.

In 2016, Northwest fell 46-45 to Millbrook in Chapel Hill in the championship game. It was a burden both last year’s and this year’s senior class wanted to get off their backs – and they did so in rather memorable fashion.

Senior forward Bria Gibbs said the loss in 2016 had left “unfinished business” for the Vikings. That business was settled once and for all after they clinched their second straight title following a near-flawless second-half rally.

“It felt great to play my last game here and win it,” Gibbs said.

For nearly three quarters, the Bulldogs did everything right – they hit easy layups on breakaways, grabbed the of-

Photo by Kevin Spradlin/NWO

Members and coaches of the 2018 NCHSAA Class 4-A girls basketball championship squad celebrate a second straight state title with a photo at midcourt.

fensive rebounds and played in-your-face defense against a Vikings squad that seemed ill-prepared for the intensity.

“I thought they did really well in this little battle that we had,” said Vikings coach Darlene Joyner. “That was the one thing they were working hard to do,” but “we have a transition game. We have a very good half-court offense as well. I think they (the Bulldogs) made an adaptation to the pace of the game (compared to 2017). That

was a mission of theirs.”

It nearly worked. Time and again, Most Valuable Player Elizabeth Kitley, the Vikings’ star junior, had the ball knocked from her hands or was forced to the floor in a tussle. More than once, she and her teammates looked at the referees with question marks in their eyes.

It also didn’t help that the Vikings seemed to be in a hurry when they did have the ball. Northwest went 1-for-8

from the floor (12.5 percent) in the first quarter as the Bulldogs built a hardy 14-4 lead.

Joyner, however, didn’t seem fazed.

The Vikings made adjustments when it counted.

Northwest trailed 32-27 after three quarters but controlled the tempo of the rest of the game. Senior point guard Lindsay Gauldin hit the second of two free throws to pull the Vikings within 32-28 with 6:37 to play. Kitley

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

took an in-bounds pass and hit a layup at the 6:09 mark to cut the deficit to 2 points.

The Vikings outscored the Bulldogs 12-4 the rest of the way. Seven of those 12 points came from King, cold as ice at the free throw line. Northwest made good on six of seven free throw attempts in the first half but went to the charity stripe 15 times in the fourth quarter, making 11 of them.

After King forced a turnover by the Bulldogs and was fouled, she made two free throws to knot the game 32-32 with 5:19 to go. Southeast Raleigh’s Anya Poole connected on two free throws 13 seconds later for a 34-32 advantage. In control of the offense in the second half, Gauldin dribbled in and penetrated the Bulldogs’ defense to tie the game 34-34 with 4:54 to play. Southeast Raleigh went up 36-34, but King made one of two free throws with 2:55 to go.

Gibbs then grabbed an offensive

rebound and hit a layup for a 37-36 lead – the Vikings’ first of the game – with only 69 seconds left on the clock. King hit four more free throws to ice the game. Kitley was fouled with 11.3 seconds remaining and before she took her first shot, she wore a smile that didn’t fade until long after the postgame press conference.

Kitley finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks while King tallied 15 points, three assists, two blocks and two steals. Gauldin, who won a tournament sportsmanship award, made the most of her move to point guard in the second half, when she scored all seven of her points. Thalia Carter added four points to round out the Vikings’ scoring. Reagan Kargo added four rebounds and Gibbs contributed three key second-half rebounds.

For Gauldin and Gibbs, the second straight championship – and third state title appearance in as many years – caps a historic four-year run as Vikings.

The team has compiled a 117-16 record over that stretch and has gone undefeated at home over 39 contests.

“These are two seniors who have never lost a home game,” Joyner said.

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31

March Madness

(n.) Failure to schedule your kid’s wisdom teeth procedure while they’re already out of school for spring break. Because that’s just crazy.

Synonym: Call Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery today at 336.447.7550 and schedule your consultation.

Students stage peaceful protest

by PATTI STOKES GREENSBORO – Northern Guilford seniors Hannah O’Kelley and Abby Mercer weren’t sure what kind of reaction they would get from fellow students and administrators when they began making plans to participate in a student walkout at their school as part of the National School Walkout planned for March 14.

No matter. They had a message they wanted to convey, and they were prepared to convey it in the most

peaceful way possible – and with conviction.

“I don’t know why it has taken so long, but it seems as though this school shooting has woken us up,” O’Kelley told the Northwest Observer after the 17-minute walkout – one minute for each person who died in the mass shooting on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

While all the mass shootings in the last two decades have rocked the country, the most recent one struck an even deeper chord with many high

school students.

O’Kelley and Mercer were both around 12 when the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary occurred in December 2012.

“Their fellow students couldn’t speak for themselves,” Mercer said.

“But this one was different. With the most recent shooting we had a group of high school students who were the same age as us… And a lot of people who are organizing are also students, and that speaks specifically to us.”

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

u Over 250 students congregated in Northern Guilford High School’s atrium on March 14 to participate in a student walkout as part of the National School Walkout.

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MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

t Northern Guilford seniors Hannah O’Kelley (left) and Abby Mercer, who spearheaded plans for a student walkout at Northern on March 14 as part of the National School Walkout, briefly address their fellow students during a 17-minute period of time where students sat quietly, many of them holding hands, and reflected on the recent mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Near the end of the walkout O’Kelley encouraged her peers to register to vote and become more politically active.

“I have a political motivation behind this because I don’t believe Congress is listening to the message we are trying to convey,” she said. “Our youngest generation has been the least politically active in recent years and I think there is a push for younger people to become more politically active. To be honest, I’m hoping that this new generation of people will vote out those who support the NRA.”

NORTHWEST WALK OUT Both Kitley and school district officials said students who participated in peaceful protests are not subject to disciplinary action.

Other protests are planned, including another national event scheduled for April 20 that falls on the anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, which resulted in 13 deaths and more than 20 others

...continued from p. 26

wounded.

Meanwhile, officials at Northwest are preparing students in case of an active shooter incident on campus.

According to a report by Emma Welsh in the Vikings’ student newspaper Northwest Horizons, School Resource Officer Matthew Parsons has recently been bringing the “run, hide, fight” method to students.

While mental health and bullying have often been cited as key factors in many of the recent mass shootings, O’Kelley and Mercer say gun reform is their No. 1 concern. They agree that raising the age requirement for people who buy guns and prohibiting people from owning assault weapons would be a critical first step.

“I do not think people need assault rifles,” Mercer said. “In countries where assault rifles have been restricted, the amount of mass shootings have gone down significantly.”

A sign a student held up during the walkout read, “I should be lucky to go to school, not lucky to come home.”

To O’Kelley and Mercer, that sums it up.

Photo by Kevin Spradlin/NWO

Students at Northwest High School participated in the National School Walkout on Wednesday to protest gun violence on school campuses nationwide.

CRIME/INCIDENTS ...continued from p. 28

found to have two orders for her arrest from Rockingham County for possession of marijuana and driving while her license was revoked. The passenger was arrested, transported to the Greensboro Jail and held on a $1,305 bond. The vehicle was impounded due to no one being licensed to drive it and not having insurance.

March 8 | A man was arrested at about 12:52 a.m. in the 8300 block of West Harrell Road in Oak Ridge for seconddegree trespassing and littering.

March 8 | A woman was arrested at about 12:59 a.m. in the 8300 block of West Harrell Road in Oak Ridge for communicating threats.

March 8 | A woman was arrested at about 9:51 a.m. in the 7300 block of Lee’s Ridge Road in Oak Ridge for cyberstalking.

March 9 | During a traffic stop at about 3:01 a.m. on in the 8200 block of N.C. 68 North, a 20-year-old man from Bassett, Virginia, was cited for possession of $50 worth of marijuana, a Schedule VI controlled substance, and a rear lamp violation.

March 10 | A woman was arrested in the 8300 block of West Harrell Road in Oak Ridge at about 9:35 p.m. on a charge of second-degree trespass.

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All who contributed to the Veterans Memorial in Summerfield. I’m a resident who finally (and ashamedly) ventured off the beaten path around the pond to take an up-close and personal look. It’s beautiful and impactful. Thank you.

Chief Simmons and the Oak Ridge Fire Department for the escort they gave the Northwest girls basketball team on Saturday as they headed to Chapel Hill to play in the state championship game.

Derrick and Nicole at Bank of Oak Ridge. I was worried when they got the new ITMs (Interactive Teller Machines) that it would be impersonal, but they are always so great!

Janelle Robinson for being a good citizen, pointing out what she observed – that Rotruck’s Strawberry Road home appeared to be uninhabitable.

She did it without malice or anger, only trying to assure Summerfield’s citizens are represented as they should be.

mph. I hope someone who loves you sees this.

Wendy’s drive-thru employees who fill “I would like a Coke” with Diet Coke – every time. I never said the word “diet.” Stop. Just. Stop.

The person complaining about the dilapidated building on N.C. 68 (at the corner of Haw River Road in Stokesdale). Are you even from around here?

The gray-haired man driving a white van (behind a school bus) March 9 at 4:20 p.m. on Alcorn Road. Your reckless driving led you three times into the other lane. You could have killed someone – like a child!

NWMS teachers who constantly assign projects. These 11- to 14-year-old kids deserve a relaxing weekend occasionally, just like everyone else. They grow up too fast. Please let us enjoy some time with them without the stress of another project.

GRIPES to...

Northwest Observer for not admitting the obvious fact that NCCJ promotes a leftist agenda. I wonder how many parents were informed about NCCJ “field trips.”

The driver of a BMW who passed two cars on a double yellow line March 7 on N.C. 150. I was glad no car was coming over the hill at 50+

Editor’s note: In response to how many parents were informed about the NCCJ field trip, the trip is coordinated by Guilford County Schools, and Northwest High School principal Ralph Kitley confirmed that all NWHS parents were informed about the field trip in advance and required to fill out a permission slip for their child to participate, which is the same process that is in place for all field trips.

Second Amendment defenders who feel any sensible gun laws (keeping offenders from purchasing, background checks, banning assault weapons of war) amounts to an assault on their rights. We just want to protect our kids – get real, folks!

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

AUTO SALES & SERVICE

EMPLOYMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE & REPAIR We specialize in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Mini, Porsche, and Lexus. 32 years experience. Knight Import Specialty Service, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion).

(336) 337-0669.

Help wanted: GUTTER and / or CARPENTRY experience. Call (336) 643-0531.

TOWN OF OAK RIDGE PUBLIC HEARING The Oak Ridge Town Council and Town of Oak Ridge Planning & Zoning Board will hold separate public hearings to consider requests to amend the official Town of Oak Ridge zoning map. The Planning and Zoning Board and Town Council may also consider requests for subdivisions and other matters. Any zoning decision of the Oak Ridge Planning and Zoning Board is forwarded as a recommendation to the Oak Ridge Town Council.

Planning & Zoning Board: March 22, 2018, 7 pm, at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Town Council: April 5, 2018, 7 pm, at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road.

EMPLOYMENT

Place online at

Outstanding CNAs & NURSES needed FT / PT. Countryside Manor. Apply in person, 7700 U.S. Hwy. 158, Stokesdale. (336) 643-6301.

CHILD CARE center is seeking qualified substitutes. If interested, please call (336) 643-6140.

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

HIRINeGca?n help!

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NEED HELP? Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -2pm

INDEX Auto Sales & Service .................. 35 Employment ............................... 35 Seeking Employment ................... 35 Home Care Available ................. 35 Public Notice .............................. 35 Save the Date ........................ 35-36 Yard Sale ................................... 36 Home Services ....................... 36-37 Misc. Services.............................. 37 Misc. For Sale ........................ 37-38 Misc. Wanted .............................. 38 Pets & Animal Services ................ 38 Real Estate .................................. 38

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Portable storage rental company is looking for a FULL-TIME OPERATIONS/OFFICE MANAGER. 5+ years office management required. Sales experience a plus. Must demonstrate ability to work independently, be a self-starter and highly motivated. Must be able to multi-task and handle changing priorities with attention to detail. Must possess strong computer skills, with proficiency in Excel. General office and sales duties include providing customer quotes, processing orders, invoicing, sales analysis, marketing (i.e. competitive research, digital marketing), and general office and warehouse clean-up.

Logistics management includes coordinating and directing delivery schedule. Email dede@miboxtriad.com.

Wanted: PIANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR for $125 per week. Browns Summit UMC, 4426 Hwy 150 East, Browns Summit, NC. Inquire: huneycuttdavid@att.net.

Spring and Summer help needed! CarsonDellosa Publishing Company is hiring SEASONAL WAREHOUSE EMPLOYEES. Must be 18, willing to work in a fast-paced warehouse environment. Competitive pay and flexible hours. Perfect job for students!

Contact Human Resources, (336) 632-0084 or (336) 808-3225. 657A Brigham Road, Greensboro (near Pleasant Ridge Road).

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT Need a BABYSITTER? Mature 18-yearold certified in first aid and CPR available to care for your children. References upon request. Call (336) 420-0473.

HOME CARE AVAILABLE EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER AVAIL. for homebound adults/seniors; afternoons, evenings, overnight. Exc. ref. (336) 552-3917.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally since 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal since 1996

PUBLIC HEARING: REZONING CASE # RZ-18-01: HB and AG to CU-TC-R. Located on the west side of NC Highway 68N, approximately 800 feet south of the intersection with Fogleman Road, in Oak Ridge Township, being Guilford County Tax Parcels # 0162806, 0162815, and 0162821 (part), consisting of approximately 29.45 acres. Located in the Greensboro (GW-III) Watershed, and Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone. Owned by Israel Family Limited Partnership and Larry J. and Kathy R. Mills. All citizens will be given an opportunity to be heard at these meetings. Ron Simpson, Planning & Zoning Board Chair.

SAVE THE DATE Free PINTO BEAN SUPPER, Mt. Carmel UMC, 9102 Mt. Carmel Rd., Stokesdale, Sat., March 17, 5:30-7:00pm. More info: visit mtcarmelumcstokesdale.org.

WANT TO GET HEALTHY? The next 56 days free intro meeting. Tuesday, March 20, 6pm at Central Baptist Church. 1715 Hwy. 68 in Oak Ridge. Registration is 5:30pm. Contact Daniel, (336) 485-8218, or email Daniel56days@gmail.com.

EASTER EGG HUNT at Countryside Village, Saturday, March 24, 2pm. Toddlers to 3rd-graders. Bring your camera for photos with the Easter bunny. 7700 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale. (336) 643-6301.

... continued on p. 36

MARCH15 15- -21, 21,2018 2018 MARCH

35 35

SAVE THE DATE

HOME SERVICES

Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Rd., Stokesdale. Annual EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, March 24, from 10:30am to noon. Egg hunt begins at 10:30am followed by crafts, egg dyeing, games & snacks. Contact Laura at (336) 643-6042 for more information. Rain or shine.

MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years exp. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223.

Apply for a HISTORIC HERITAGE GRANT! Up to $2,000 available to preserve historic properties in Oak Ridge. For more info, visit www.oakridgenc.com, or come

by Oak Ridge Town Hall for more information and an application. Application deadline is March 26.

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YARD SALE YARD SALE. Saturday, March 17, from 8am-12pm. 2412 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge. DVDs, books and board games only.

HOME SERVICES

CastleWorks WINDOW CLEANING Includes gutters, pressure washing, chandeliers and other high ladder work. Fully insured and bonded, free estimates. (336) 609-0677. www.castleworkswindowcleaning.com.

NIDIA’S CLEANING SERVICE. 10 years experience. Call Nidia, (336) 362-4173.

THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN INC. Winter is here, kids are inside more, let us lighten your load and do a detailed cleaning to help your day. Licensed, bonded & insured. Call Lisa (336) 207-0770.

MAIDS OF HONOR HOME CLEANING $25 off! Locally owned, bonded staff. 40 years in service. BBB A+ rating. (336) 708-2407.

MARCH 1515 - 21, MARCH - 21,2018 2018

OLD SCHOOL

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DECORATING

Mobile SMALL ENGINE MOWER and trailer service and repair. (336) 501-8681.

ELECTRICAL BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192.

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call (336) 209-1486. Rodney A. Coble, licensed electrician.

FLOORING IT’S A CARPET THING! Repairs, restretch, replace. (336) 643-6500.

Affordable HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350.

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.

SMALL ENGINE & MOWER repair/welding. Pickup & delivery. (336) 880-7498.

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE “We get you mowing!” Commercial Residential, all models 2103 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge.

(336) 298-4314.

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.

HOME SERVICES

Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Painting • Decks and much more! • Insured

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

CLEANING

36 36

HOME CLEANING. Afford. rates, ref. avail., 10 years exp. Elizabeth, (336) 453-8592.

HOME SERVICES

GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale.

(336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844.

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance.

A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.

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Deadline is the Monday prior to each issue GRADING / HAULING E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, topsoil, lot clearing, bobcat work, excavating, mulch, etc. (336) 451-1282.

PEARMAN QUARRY HAULING Fill dirt, gravel, sand rock, mulch & more.

Joel Richardson, (336) 803-2195.

TRACTOR FOR HIRE – Bush hogging, grading, brush/tree removal. (336) 207-6632.

TheThe Northwest Observer • Totally local local sincesince 19961996 Northwest Observer • Totally

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING CUTTING EDGE LAWNCARE – Affordable. Dependable. Mowing, aeration, leaf removal, and more! Please call anytime for free estimate, (336) 706-0103.

CLEAN CUT LAWNCARE, Have no mowworries. Our name says it all. Donnie, (336) 671-9940. Free Estimates.

J. GIBSON LANDSCAPING, affordable landscaping for all your needs, includes irrigation, installation & repair. Please call Joe, (336) 419-7236. American owned & operated. In God We Trust.

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic/Ins. 30 yrs. exp. Bucket truck & chipper, total cleanup. Selective thinning & lot clearing. 24-hr. ER. (336) 643-1119.

CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com.

SOUTHERN CUTS LAWN CARE, 13 years experience, Colfax, NC. Nathan Adkins, (336) 500-1898.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured.

Call Joe at (336) 643-9157.

FAY’S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Spring prep & tree work. Complete landscape maint. & hardscaping Reasonable and honest. Call Taylor, (336) 458-6491.

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

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MISC. SERVICES & PRODUCTS.

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.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION

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ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch,

GAS LOGS, WOOD STOVES & INSERTS Fireplaces, sold, serviced and repaired.

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gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls,

PRESSURE WASHING

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PAINTING & DRYWALL

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PAINTING – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

CINDY’S PAINTING – Interior painting, wallpaper removal. References & free estimates available. (336) 708-9155.

CJ’S CABINET PAINTING, bathrooms, small kitchens. (336) 643-5892.

CARLOS & SON PAINTING, interior & exterior. Free est., lic/ins. (336) 669-5210.

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Sr. disc., 38 years exp. (336) 362-6343.

RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of roofing. BBB accredited A and listed with Angie’s List. Call (336) 944-6118 or visit redrhinoroofing.com.

RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. We are a locally owned, full-service design and build company, A+ accredited with the BBB. Visit www.myrenovationworks.com or call (336) 427-7391 to start your next project.

ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981.

HAMMERSMITH WOODWORKING LLC. Carpentry, custom cabinetry, built-ins, exterior repairs. ASP – Helping Hand. Over 30 years exp. Call Carlton, (336) 404-3002.

The Northwest Observer • Totally since 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal since 1996

30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, vinyl siding and windows, painting, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and linoleum floors, and remodeling of all kinds. No job too small. Free est. Call (336) 362-7469.

ROOFING JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured.

NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Residential shingle & metal roofing. Free est. (336) 362-7469.

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience.

Now accepting all major credit cards. Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 580-3245.

A.L. CORMAN ROOFING INC. Res. roofing specialist serving Guilford Cty. area since 1983. BBB 25+ years w/ A+ rating. cormanroofinginc.com, (336) 621-6962.

MISC. SERVICES COMPUTER REPAIRS – ITBASICS.COM Inside Mailboxes & More, Oak Ridge Commons. (336) 643-0068.

SAM’S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470.

MISC. FOR SALE Proform 995i TREADMILL, is priced at $600.00. Please contact (336) 671-8176.

AVON sell from home/office. Only $25 to start. No quotas, hidden fees or inventory to buy. For info or to buy products, please view youravon.com/fstaudinger or call (336) 298-1587.

SPLIT & SEASONED FIREWOOD. Delivery available. (336) 643-9332.

...continued on p. 38

MARCH15 15- -21, 21,2018 2018 MARCH

37 37

MISC. FOR SALE

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

REAL ESTATE

SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered and

PET SITTING / BOARDING

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

KPS – KELLY’S PET SERVICES Professional in-your-home pet sitting. Insured & bonded. Member Pet Sitters Interrnational. Openings currently available for Oak Ridge only. Call (336) 706-6706, email kpsforyourpets@gmail.com, www.facebook. com/kpspets, or @kpspets on Instagram.

OAK RIDGE COMMERCIAL OFFICE Approximately 1,000 sq. ft., 2BA, $1,250/mo.

(336) 669-5233.

stacked, 1/2 cord, $80. Call (336) 686-6373.

Need something?

Find it here in the

NWO classifieds submit your ad at

www.nwobserver.com

MISC. WANTED FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, any and all gas items, tillers, go-

Ready for a NEW family member?

Visit adoptshelterpets.org to see animals at the Guilford County Animal Shelter in need of a loving home.

carts & golf carts, ATVs, generators, power washers, chain saws. (336) 689-4167. $$$ - WILL PAY CASH up to $200 for your junk or wrecked vehicle. (336) 552-0328.

If you’ve found a pet and need help finding the owner, let us know!

Classifieds reach over 25,000 readers!

Our Spring 2018 At Home special publication is coming March 22!

REAL ESTATE HOMES FOR RENT OAK RIDGE, 1-rm. furn. apt., LR/BR, bath, kitchenette area, $600/mo. (336) 669-5233 STUDIO APARTMENT FOR RENT in Summerfield and Oak Ridge area. All open 1-bedroom floor plan. All appliances, utilities, cable and internet included. Must see to appreciate. $750 a month. Call Todd (336) 508-5232.

Selling or renting?

The Northwest Observer reaches over 11,400 mailboxes in Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale every week. Plus, it’s available for free online and at local restaurants, grocery stores, post offices and more.

We’ll help you reach northwest Guilford County!

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

We Help Everyone!

SELLERS & BUYERS

Place your real estate ad today (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

Potent ial office park!

6.14-acre wooded site zoned for business/office use in the commercial core area of Oak Ridge. 1/8 mile south of the N.C. 68 and 150 intersection, with turn lanes from both directions on N.C. 68. 1/4-mile commercial driveway leads to 4,400-square-foot main house/office building which is complemented by guest house, outbuildings and tennis court plus large landscaped island with gazebo/picnic area and pasture. Established tenant is willing to stay in place. Offered at $918,000. Visit www.berkshirehathawayhs. com/nancy-hess-real-estate-agent and select “My Listings” for photos and more details.

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

38 38

MARCH 1515 - 21, MARCH - 21,2018 2018

(336) 643-4248

www.ANewDawnRealty.com Check out this month’s

NWO Real Estate & Business, our special-focus section starting on page 15.

Realtors, get your real estate listings noticed “ by placing showcase ads in our classifieds.

Contact me for more info.”

Laura Reneer, marketing manager (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 • advertising@nwobserver.com

TheThe Northwest Observer • Totally local local sincesince 19961996 Northwest Observer • Totally

DeVaney Dentistry ............................. 14

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

EVENTS Summerfield Fire Department .......... 28.

Please support our advertisers,

FUNERAL HOME Forbis & Dick, Stokesdale ...................11

and tell them where you saw their ad!

ACCOUNTING Carlotta Lytton, CPA, PA .................. 27 Kimberly Thacker Accounting ............11 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC..... 27

AUTOMOTIVE Vestal Buick GMC, Inc. ........................ 2

BUILDERS Brian Disney Homes ......................... 20 Brian Thompson Homes.................... 21 Builders MD ...................................... 17 Disney Custom Homes ..................... 19 Don Mills Builders ............................. 19 Johnson & Lee................................... 21

Lansink Custom Homes .................... 21 Naylor Custom Homes ..................... 20 Precept Construction ......................... 19 R&K Custom Homes ........................ 20 Ray Bullins Construction ...............19-21 Walraven Signature Homes ............... 19

CHURCHES Oak Ridge United Methodist Church... 12 Summerfield First Baptist Church ........ 2

CHILDREN’S SERVICES Guardian Ad Litem Program ............. 31

DENTISTRY Borden Dentistry.................................. 9

HEALTH/FITNESS/KARATE

MEDICAL CARE / PRODUCTS Dignity Health Care ........................... 35 LeBauer Healthcare ........................... 7 Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery .. 32 Novant Health ..................................... 3 Novant NW Family Medicine ............. 29

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Northern Arts /Mike Carr Karate........ 31 YMCA of Greensboro ....................... 33

Olmsted Orthodontics ...................... 30 Reynolds Orthodontics ........................ 6

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

BEK Paint Company .......................... 37 Budget Blinds ................................... 27 Carpets by Direct .............................. 34 Max Kendall Lumber & Tin ............... 11 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery .. 16 New Garden Select .......................... 13 Old School Home Repair .................. 36 Pest Management Services ............... 18 Prostone Inc. .................................... 23 Stokesdale Heating & Air .................. 10

LEGAL SERVICES Barbour & Williams Law .................... 13 Ingle Law............................................11 The Law Offices of Susan Greeson ..... 4

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital .............. 27 Northwest Animal Hospital ................. 8 Veterinary Hospital of Oak Ridge ...... 27 Westergaard Kennels .......................... 5

REAL ESTATE A New Dawn Realty .......................... 38 Berkshire Hathaway Yost & Little ...... 25 Dede Cunningham, Keller Williams .. 16 Jason Smith- Smith Marketing .......... 20 Nancy Hess- BHHS Yost & Little........ 38 Ramilya Siegel, Allen Tate ................ 18

STORES Goodwill Industries of Central NC, Inc. .. 26

Celebrating 21 years of delivering homegrown news to northwest Guilford County nwobserver.com

/northwestobserver published by

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MARCH 15 - 21, 2018

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PAID

Postal Patron

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035

ECRWSS

Congrats Lady Nighthawks, we are super proud of you!

Congratulations to Coach Furlough and the Lady Nighthawks!!!

Congratulations Lady Vikings!

Lady Nighthawks have also won their second straight championship, 60-52!

s have managed ilford High School Viking And the Northwest Gu year, earning the t igh stra ond sec the for to hold off the Bulldogs state championship. team’s second Class 4A ldogs 36.

Bul Final score: Vikings 44,

Elizabeth Kitley receives MVP award for her performance in today’s championship game

I am so grateful and blessed that my son is grown.

This should never be permitted. We didn’t walk out during the Vietnam War or when President Kennedy was assassinated. Again, why was there no walkout or protest when the illegal (immigrant) shot the woman in CA or when the policemen got killed about two weeks ago doing their jobs.

GET OVER IT!

We as parents also do not raise our children the same way that we were raised. That plays a big part. As far as the walkout, I’ve told my children they had better not walk out. What exactly is educational about it.

Watched this game! Loved that these talented girls and their great coach won the game!

Kassie Robakieweicz received Northern’s MVP award for her performance in today’s championship game.

Attention local high school students, parents, teachers and staff: We are working on an advance story about students’ plans to participate in the National School Walkout at 10 a.m. on March 14 at Northwest and Northern high schools. We understand students from both schools plan to participate in the 17-minute event (one minute for each student and staff member killed in the school shooting on Feb. 14 in Parkland, Florida).

We’d like to talk with members of the above groups (students, parents, teachers, staff) who might be interested in weighing in on the issue. Call Kevin at 336-644-7035 ext. 15 or email kevin@nwobserver.com so we can arrange a time to talk. * Parents, teachers and staff: Do you support or oppose the walkout, and/or the reason(s) behind it? * Students, have you heard about any pushback (up to and including disciplinary action) from fellow students, teachers or administrators - or has the idea of your participation been well-received by them? * Parents and students: Are you aware of students’ rights to exercise free speech while on school campus, and the limitations of those rights?

Please feel free, of course, to comment below - but also know that your comments (and name) could be used in a future story in the NW Observer.

0ver 1 2,800

No, don’t agree. If they want to protest that should be an after school or weekend event, not during school hours

How about having a moment of silence for the thousands of people killed every year because of distracted driving, such as teenagers texting while driving?

No, I don’t support politically motivated protests in school

community members are connected at facebook.com/NorthwestObserver