WELCOME TO SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
Established December 2013 as a Facebook media source that reports and shares local, county, state, and national news and events in the Guilford County area. Our Summerfield Scoop Facebook page has over 8700 followers and growing.
DO YOU WANT AND NEED A $5+ MILLION FUTURE TOWN HALL FOR SUMMERFIELD?
OUR FUTURE?
WOULD YOU LIKE A 30,000 - 50,000 GALLON WATER TANK NEXT TO YOUR PROPERTY, OR YOUR WELL? “The expense of a new facility (town hall) might be higher than many are expecting. We have Reserves.” Is now the time to spend the Reserves and more on a lavish town hall, and FIRE District water tank(s)? Manager, mayor and majority of council stated, “Town has desperate needs for meeting space and water for the Fire Department,” and they decided that YOU and your tax dollars will pay for what they call “desperate needs.” Note the design from the town presentation: “Our Future Summerfield’s Forever Home – Town Hall/Meeting Space” is being called an “inspiration” and “investing taxpayer dollars into an asset for the town.” They are saying no tax increase because they will spend the millions from the Reserves.
Turn the page for investigative journalism that you will only receive from Summerfield Scoop, and public interest information about services that may be helpful to you. Scoop believes that NOW is the time for fiscal conservative government with YOUR money. Show respect to the citizens. Why spend all the Reserves/Investments/Fund Balance now?
- Your friends at Summerfield Scoop
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AUGUST 2020
OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE: Share or publish a story or event that may be essential or of interest to the local community, even when it is not a politically correct issue. NEWS! For town news go to FACEBOOK Summerfield Scoop. There is also a link to watch the meetings live, or the videos may also be posted after the town meetings on Facebook Summerfield Scoop, or www.YouTube.com Summerfield Scoop Comments or Letters to the Editor Email: SummerfieldNCNews@gmail.com Website https://SummerfieldNews.com Click on READ SCOOP NEWS on the website to view prior Newspapers. Summerfield Scoop (336) 860 – 8489 (phone and text) Mail address: PO Box 39296, Greensboro NC 27438-9296 Advertising Email SummerfieldScoopADS@gmail.com for information about placing advertisements in Summerfield Scoop (336) 860 – 8489
OUR STORY: Scoop has a unique and different way of reporting, sharing, and making a point. It is intended to be different than other outlets. Dry, silly, controversial, and serious to ensure followers get it all. We can be biased, and we don’t hide it, but we also “attempt” to be as fair as possible. You will not agree with us on everything (if you are married, you understand) and do not expect you to. We offer personal opinions, videotape public meetings, provide information related to news, politics, and share the local story that may impact our area. We aren’t shy when it comes to controversial issues. We call it as we see it, give our non-journalistic opinion, and provide video coverage.
Rhino Times is online with frequent updates of SUMMERFIELD News. To not miss the Rhino Times go to www.RhinoTimes.com and click on SUBSCRIBE to receive the edition in your inbox, or register at Sign Up for Rhino Times Daily Headlines. Letters to the Editor: Letters@RhinoTimes.com News & Record: Letters to the Editor, 200 words or less, or 400 words for Editorial. Include your name, email address, home street address, and daytime phone number. EdPage@Greensboro.com
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS: UPDATED NEWS! Republic Waste Services Please be patient with Republic Services as they work through an 8% increase in trash first quarter of this year, and 19% increase second quarter of this year. Weather and equipment problems can also impact possible delays. Trucks are making more trips to empty during the day and adding up to two hours to the routes, compared to pre-COVID-19. For safety reasons the Drivers are limited by policy and law to the amount of total and continuous hours they may safely operate. Republic has also brought in additional truck and drivers during this time, and re structured routes to assist, so your time of day for pick-up may change. When school is in session route times may be changed to work with school bus schedules. If your trash pick-up is late please do not call about missed pick up until after 6pm, and be patient if recycling is late. You may want to leave your container out as service may start the next day as early as 6am. Republic also provides phone call updates if service is late. Republic recognizes six holidays for employees to be with their families; and transfer stations and landfills are also closed for these days preventing disposal – New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. On those days your trash and re-cycle service will be delayed by one day. There was a temporary suspension of bulk and yard waste pick-up to effectively handle the additional volume in waste and recycling. The good news is that service for bulk and yard waste has been resumed for Summerfield. Thank you to these hard working employees, and we appreciate their service during this unprecedented time. Republic 336.724.0842 NEW! The September 19, 2020 Summerfield Community Recycling event is cancelled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. For information about Solid Waste Disposal Sites: go to town website: SummerfieldNC.gov and click on “Useful Links” and the following: https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/environmentalservices (scroll down to the link) Click on The Interactive Waste Disposal Guide for additional information.
SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
NEWS! Update from our NC Attorney General, Josh Stein If you are concerned about a case of scam or price gouging related to COVID-19, you may contact the Attorney General Office at 1–877–5–NO-SCAM. To report scams: https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/
Friendly Reminders for Summerfield Government
To report Price gouging: https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/price-gouging/ The Office of the Attorney General learned that scammers are posing as COVID-19 contact tracers to steal people’s money and personal information. Legitimate health officials in North Carolina may call you to complete COVID-19 contact tracing, they will never ask you to provide information like bank account of Social Security numbers. NEW! To report unsolicited robocalls: https://ncdoj.gov/report-robocalls/ Sign up for the Do Not Call Registry by calling 1 888 382 1222 from the phone number you wish to register. You can also visit the website www.DONOTCALL. gov. If you are a victim of a tele-marketing scam call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. If a robocall impersonates government officials, offers you financial relief, or threatens you to give money, then please report to https://ncdoj.gov/norobo or call 1 844 8 NO ROBO. For the Attorney General May Scammer Report card and Scam Stopper: https://ncdoj.gov/may-scammer-scorecard-and-scam-stopper/
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$783,334
Elder Fraud Complaints Be on the lookout for: Unemployment Scams
Lost
PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNMENT
558 Robocall Reports
Coronavirus Scams Please report scams:
ncdoj.gov/complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM
TOWN CHARTER - Ratified 1995 CHAPTER III. GOVERNING BODY. SEC. 3.1 STRUCTURE OF GOVERNING BODY; NUMBER OF MEMBERS. THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE TOWN OF SUMMERFIELD IS THE TOWN COUNCIL, WHICH HAS SIX MEMBERS. SUMMERFIELD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Adopted May 11, 2010 DESIRED FUTURE Town Finances - Low taxes, Keep taxes low Limited Services Government Continue small government and staff – no bureaucracy Small town government (simple/effective) UNWANTED FUTURE Higher Taxes, Especially Property Taxes Significant property tax increases Tax rates of larger town “Summerfield as a Limited Services Local Government The town of Summerfield shall continue to control its own destiny –the town shall remain an independent community, carefully managing its own finances and its own growth and development. Town government should be small and accessible, citizen-engaged, with services limited and taxes kept low. Town government should continue to focus on the highest priorities of area residents – managing growth and preserving and enhancing the area’s quality of life.”
NEWS! Lawsuit Filed June 9, 2020 Case 4:20-cv-02021 in TXSD North Carolina, (AG Josh Stein) and Attorney Generals from five other coalition states, Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), seeks to put an end to unlawful telemarketing campaigns that bombard consumers with millions of abusive robocalls in violation of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act, as well as each state’s respective telemarketing laws. Fighting robo calls has gone on for decades and there are also devices available. This recent lawsuit is significant as the fight goes on.
SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
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WATER!
URGENT! READ NOW! Would you like 30,000 – 50,000 gallon water tanks next to your property, paid to the FIRE District, a separate taxing district with far more financial resources than the Town? Mayor BJ Barnes said he will be “responsive to the needs of the citizens,” and decided it is most important for Town taxes to pay for “additional water resources to the FIRE District for fire safety.” As soon as BJ Barnes, Tim Sessoms, Lynne Williams Devaney, John O’Day, and Reece Walker (council member/ fireman) took the Oath of Office they voted YES to establish a Town Area Water Authority for Local Water Investment for the FIRE District. They had decided this was the most important use of YOUR tax money and town financial reserves. Cost? The map above shows two choices: A Water Tower Complex for $5.7 million in the town “Intersection Master Plan” (document on the town website). Or a series of smaller (30,000 to 50,000++ gallon) water tanks/ towers, with possible locations on the map above. Costs of water tank, pump, land, well testing, connectivity, and more vary greatly from $200,000 to $500,000+. John O’Day estimated the total cost $2 to $4 million; but where did he get that guess?
Needs? Summerfield Scoop investigative journalism team did extensive research on a recap of FIVE years of Structure Fire Incident Reports for our Town. FIRE District would not provide their reports, but were obtained via Public Record Request. Scoop learned that only 1 of 12 structure fires five years 2015 – 2019 required hauling of any water! The FIRE District provides excellent services and as a result your fire insurance is a low rating of three, so please no fearmongering. The three FIRE stations each has a water tanker that have surpassed any need, plus water sources in the town, and they work with other fire districts if there is a serious fire. Map is very important.
by June, 30, 2022. The $1.1 million buys very little for a “water authority” and the other millions would be paid by Town taxpayers, to guarantee a water authority. If you want to keep our overall low density, this is not a gift. Why the Town and Where? The FIRE District is a 501 (c) 3 since 2018, and does not have authority to force land purchases for their water tanks. The Town does have the right to use Eminent Domain for land determined to be a public use.
FIRE District has resources to plan, develop and manage their water systems for fire protection. We cannot ignore the other statement in the town’s water study Town of Summerfield is 26.56 square miles, – “Commercial development could tie to and your taxes would pay for water tower/ the system to provide fire supply water for tanks to serve 42 square miles, the FIRE their development(s).” and “Provides a good district size. backbone for a potable water system should the town ever decide to install one.” House Bill 1163: Northwest Guilford Water and Sewer Funds. Since 2017 Concerns about a Summerfield Water Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale Authority were stated, and BJ Barnes said, participated in a municipal water authority “Nothing can be farther from the truth.” Then study. It was well done by Timmons Group, why did they establish a Water Authority? but the three decided it was too expensive. How much of YOUR town tax money will they HB1163, June 2020, sponsored by Rep. give to FIRE District now and in the future to Jon Hardister and Rep. John Faircloth, maintain? Why haven’t they publicly talked allocated the remaining funds of about $1.1 about the true cost and the water tower/tank million to each municipality for water and map above? Read the “WATER!” feature wastewater systems, and must be spent story in our May edition to learn more.
WHERE TO GO WITH YOUR TREASURES
Suggestions for old and new to store, save, or donate. For peace of mind BeeSafe could meet your needs for temporary or long term storage. (336) 553 – 3431
marks the spots!
Goodwill Industries & Thrift Store 921 Battleground Ave Greensboro, NC (Next to Elizabeth’s Pizza) (336) 545-1212
Your donations to Goodwill will serve the community – Clothing and shoes for all ages, houseware items, decorative art, toys, bicycles, kids clothing and shoes, all kinds of purses, duffle bags, luggage, jewelry, furniture, glassware, dishes, cookware, electronics, books, kids and adults, DVD and CD’s, hats, scarfs, personal clothing, fabric and yarn, holiday decorations – Halloween, Christmas, and more. All donations are welcome, except cannot accept anything that will restrain a child such as a child seat. No mattresses, but bedrails and frame are welcome. Need inspiration? Stop by the store for their bargains, and perhaps the store will inspire you. Your donations are sold in the stores to help fund job training in our community. Each donation makes it possible for Triad Goodwill to help put people to work. Goodwill Industries of Central NC accepts donations at all of the stores and at select weekend donation sites. Last year, your donations helped serve 11,938 job seekers. We also kept more than 11.3 million pounds of goods out of local landfills.
Food Pantry at Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church
2334 Scalesville Road, Summerfield NC 27358 (corner of 220 and Hwy150/Scalesville Rd) (336) 643 – 5126 Drop off food/pantry items Wednesday, 8am – 1pm. (If that is not possible a box or bag outside the doors to the sanctuary, underneath the overhang around the back of the church, large doors with a cross on them.) Can be left outside the doors or on the little bench next to the doors.
Stokesdale Marketplace Consignment and new furniture from 72 local vendors, 180 consignors. Reopened late April, and welcoming new vendors and new consignors – anything and everything that you can think of for a home, garden or office décor. Unique and fun shopping experience in Stokesdale. 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale NC 27357 (336) 949 – 9269 10am – 6pm Monday – Saturday 12 noon – 6pm Sunday Facebook: Stokesdale Marketplace
KEEP CLEANING AND SORTING!
“NC is short on education funding.”
action to show that we are in this together!
“NC Agency will freeze hiring, lay off consultants and limit purchases to ‘mission critical’ items.”
Rather than take time to study costs and options they chose to put $500,000 in the budget for the Architect and planning for the $5 million town hall.
“…permanently close due to the pandemic…” “NC Jobless Rate Rises” https://des.nc.gov/apply-unemployment “…back to school with students at home…” “Guilford County unveils sparse budget” “Food prices see historic rise and are likely to stay high” “We will be changed.” We continue to read about the financial shortfall for our State and local community, and so many hardships for our citizens due to the coronavirus in 2020. Scoop recommended in May that the town let you the citizens keep your town property tax money for this fiscal year, for a tax holiday. A zero town property tax levy for $500,000 would be better in YOUR pocket during this unprecedented pandemic and an
Budget was approved for $2.2 million, ($400,000 higher than fiscal year ending 6/30/2020). Operating costs to run the town are budgeted at $1,284,400, and capital costs of $879,300 are from the $6 to $7 million Reserves. Budget is recommended by Scott Whitaker, manager, Dee Hall, finance officer, and approved by council members Tim Sessoms, Lynne Williams Devaney, John O’Day, and Reece Walker who is town council member and Summerfield FIRE fireman. Council Member Teresa Pegram voted no. Mayor said the town has desperate need to pay for water for FIRE District. Research from FIRE reports show that only one structural fire in five years needed water to extinguish the fire in our town. Or is the town water authority needed to prepare for higher density housing and commercial development that is in the U.D.O.? Now is not the time to start multi-million dollar projects. The budget could easily be reduced; but they decided now is the time to spend the Reserve Fund that the town has
had for almost 20 years. Through the years the Reserves amount would go from $6 to $9 million, and provided needed interest income each year, and aided capital projects like the ball fields. Take a look at the “Summerfield Annual Income” chart in this issue of Scoop. Income varies slightly and no way for the town to increase income, except to raise property taxes. Note property taxes and sales tax that is received averages $560,000 a year. If your Town property tax is tripled the town will only receive $1 million more. The Reserves could be quickly gone. Mayor BJ Barnes said if the Reserves are gone it would be easier to just get “grant money.” Scoop believes that is a risky plan for taxpayer money, and Summerfield is not recognized as “needy.” Take a look at your property tax bill, and if you add another ZERO “0” to your Summerfield Town property tax that will increase your town tax ten-fold, and after paying expenses to run the town there may be $4.8 million, not enough to replenish the Reserves -- and our taxes would be closer to Greensboro taxes. For what? Scoop believes the record high spending they approved is not wise during such uncertain times.
THE STORY IN THEIR OWN WORDS Town Budget July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. From Scott Whitaker, manager, and Dee Hall, finance officer. Approved by a majority of council. “.. battling an unseen virus is requiring new expenses for safety and prevention measures – more physical space It appears the town had none of those expenses, not even Zoom. Town was to social distance, plexiglass separators, additional open full time for business as usual. Town had one less part time employee with cleaning efforts and supplies, signage, equipment, and parks closed, no Founders Day expense, and other economies. tele-learning and tele-working IT expenses.” Spending all the Reserves is “no grip on taxpayer money,” and not “solid financial stewardship.” Does he think spending the Reserves and building a $5 million town hall will help local economic recovery? No. Town tax for one year might help the taxpayers’ recovery. Manager is confused about “deficit financing,” “when government spends more money than it receives as revenue, and makes up “Is tightening the grip on the fund balance (Reserves) the deficit with spending reserves or borrowing to stimulate the economy.” That the best sign of solid financial stewardship? Or is is what the federal government does because they print the money. Is investing undertaking a major capital project when financially able locally important? Then why is the main town attorney from Chapel Hill, NC, a welcomed part of area economic recovery efforts?” Brough Law Firm? Why are the bills to the second law firm paid to Columbia SC, a firm with 758 lawyers? ($350 - $400/hour) Manager and finance officer Dee Hall recently recommended, and majority of council approved, a new Auditor, Wade Greene from Carolina Beach NC, someone the finance officer worked with in the past.
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SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
If true – why does the draft UDO, Unified Development Ordinance, more than double the density, with no requirement for open space, for hundreds to The budget claims to: “balances growth with the thousands of acres? The PD (Planned Development) has a new name – “OSMpreservation and utilization of our natural, cultural, fiscal Open Space Mixed Use”, to integrate a variety of residential and commercial and citizen resources, and enhances our quality of life zoning uses, specifics defined by the developer and town administrator after it and our small-town identity.” is rezoned. There is more to learn and IF future development will be compatible with the budget claims. “Summerfield citizens elect representative officials Council is only responsible for policy-making decisions? They need to do more responsible for policy-making and they in turn hire a to oversee financial decisions, and do it at public meetings. professional manager to oversee daily operation.”
Comments from Mayor BJ Barnes Then put a referendum on the ballot for $5 million to see if citizens truly need “…together building a town responsive to the needs of and want your $5 million town hall. The jail that you built as Sheriff is often half the citizens.” empty – so please do not overbuild in our town at our expense! “This council will be completely transparent in all its Then why spend taxpayer money on town attorney as town business emails are dealings and using the town server for quick response difficult for the public to access? on any information request.” As a candidate BJ Barnes said he was opposed to a new town hall. After elected he said,” We need a meeting space. Currently, most of the meetings are held at the Community Center and staff must set up folding chairs and tables every time there’s a meeting. I’d like something akin to what Oak Ridge and Stokesdale have.” This was a candidate multi-million dollar lie with your money.
Why didn’t BJ Barnes tell you the truth when he was a candidate? How much will it cost for a dedicated meeting room with permanent chairs for 100 people, and a dais, raised platform for mayor and council for 12 or less meetings a year? Community Center holds 80 people and an investment could improve that space and enhance the meeting place for many organizations and events. To replicate Oak Ridge or Stokesdale will be much more than $5 million.
Campaign promise from the BJ Barnes team “Low Low taxes? For how long? In the midst of a pandemic these are the big spenders. taxes.” BJ Barnes “You could build a town hall and do it on the interest that we’ve earned, using Finance Officer Dee Hall’s calculation that reserve funds have generated almost $3.9 million in interest for the town since 2003.”
That $3.9 million has been SPENT through the years as much needed INTEREST INCOME. How much higher would the property tax rate have been without that interest income? If the Reserves are gone, and if the town wants to approve a budget with a deficit how much will it cost to borrow money?
“Forever Home” Presented by Lynne Williams-Devaney & supported by the manager, mayor, and majority of Town Council. Why a very expensive new Town Hall? Summerfield’s Forever Home
Town Manager Scott Whitaker has said he is “ashamed of Summerfield meeting space and doesn’t want to invite others to our town for a meeting.” (January 2019 on video)
“Benefits In conjunction with this ‘Forever Home’, a Now $10.7 million and more! The $5 million town hall, and town estimate of $5.7 town owned water storage tank for the FIRE District for million for water tower is $10.7, millions more than the Reserves. fire protection for all citizens.” “We need to invest taxpayer dollars into assets for the An asset is a benefit. Fiscal conservative and small government might be a better asset. town.” “Sell off parcels of land the town does not need”
Suggest council get land sold before you spend the money as manager in the past would not sell any land.
Will you donate money for the $5 million new town hall? “Benefits: Grants from the feds, grants from the State, It can be expensive time and money to host fundraisers. private donations, silent auction, benefit functions.” This is most ridiculous and the 3 points are false. “Operating expense same as “Due to operating expenses being the same as operating operating revenue?” What kind of business will make money? Is the town going revenue + having a high FB Fund Balance there will be into real estate investment for operating revenue? This plan for the $5 million town hall is based on SPENDING the FB/Reserves— NO tax increase.” there will be no high Fund Balance left. This adds up to a property tax increase.
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LET’S EAT!
Summerfield has a number of excellent choices for take-out and delivery food services. All are Summerfield, NC 27358 & area code 336 unless noted otherwise. Hours are subject to change. MAMA GINNA’S Scoop Favorite! Hours 12noon-8pm 7 days a week!
HAVANA FLAVOR FOOD TRUCK Cuban Restaurant – Specialize in the best sandwiches and Hispanic food. Takeout and delivery. 4432 US 220 (813) 263 – 0978 Daily 11am – 5:30pm. https://www.zmenu.com/havana-flavorsummerfield-2-online-menu/
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LUIGI’S RESTAURANT BAR PIZZERIA Scoop Favorite! Pizza and wide variety of great Italian food with excellent wine service. Dine In or Take Out! Mon – Thurs 11am – 9:30pm Fri and Sat 11am – 10:30pm Sun 12noon – 9pm
RIO GRANDE MEXICAN GRILL 1011 NC Hwy 150 W 643 – 8185 https://www.RioSummer field. com/ Dine In or Take Out! To Go Family packs for 6 - $39.99 Hours are 11am-10pm Friday hours are 11am-11pm
CENTER GROVE GRILL & SODA SHOP 998B NC Highway 150 W Greensboro, North Carolina 27455 Located at corner of NC Hwy 150 W and Lake Brandt Rd. Summerfield with Greensboro address on that side of Lake Brandt Rd. 643 - 8089 FACEBOOK: Center Grove Grill and Soda Shop https://www. centergrovegrillandsodashop. com/menu Check the menu for a variety of dishes Also serve Hershey’s Ice Cream! Mon – Fri 10am – 8pm Sat 8a – 3pm (serving breakfast) Closed Sunday Special: Chicken Pot Pie $21.99 Serves 4 -6. Frozen to take home and ready to bake.
DOMINO’S PIZZA Next to Center Grove Grill & Soda Shop 643 – 6002 NC Hwy 150 & Lake Brandt Rd. Dominos.com Sun – Thurs 10:30am – 11pm Fri – Sat 10:30am – 12 midnight
THE JUMPING BEAN A Coffee Drive Thru 4519 IS 220 601 – 7807 Mon – Fri 6am – 6pm Sat – Sun 8am - 3pm Hours may change under current circumstances
PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA 4446 US Hwy 220 N Suite F 644 – 7117 PapaJohns.com Mon – Sat: 10am – 11pm Sun: 11am – 11pm
SUBWAY 4446 US Hwy 200 N 643 – 3388 https://www.subway.com/en-us Daily: 10:30am – 9pm
THE FOOD LION GROCERY STORE OF SUMMERFIELD 4548 US-220, Corner of 220 N and Hwy 150 643 – 0979 FoodLion.com/stores/savings https://www.foodlion.com/stores/nc/summerfield/1355/ Daily: 7am – 11pm Food Lion has a variety of prepared meals, side dishes, and desserts to take home. Roasted rotisserie chicken to go for $5 to $8. Next to Food Lion is the ABC LIQUOR STORE https://www.ncabcboards.com/ www.greensboroABC.com 643 – 3910 Mon – Sat - 11am – 7pm. Closed Sunday.
GODINO’S BAKERY & COFFEE HOUSE 1007-A NC Hwy West, At the corner of Lake Brandt Rd and Highway 150 Hillsdale Village Shopping Center Hot and cold drinks, gelato, cupcakes, cookies, cheesecake by the slice, mini pies, incredibly delicious pastries and more 298 – 7452 www.GodinosBakery.com Mon-Fri 7am – 6pm Sat 8am – 6pm Closed Sunday
PEKING WOK Chinese Food – Hunan, Szechuan & Cantonese Excellent reviews. 4446-H US Hwy 220 N 643 - 6898 Mon – Sat 11am – 8pm Sun 12noon – 9pm https://www.zmenu.com/pekingwok-summerfield-online-menu/
BISTRO 150 Dine In or Take Out! Bistro150nc.com/menu 643 – 6359 Mon – Thurs 7:30am-9:30pm Friday 7:30am-10:30pm Saturday 8:30am-10pm Closed Sunday 2205 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge 27310 At intersection of 150 and 68
SUMMERFIELD COMMITTE MEETINGS - DO THEY COMPLY WITH THE CDC? Pictured: Summerfield Town Finance Committee Meeting on 7.20.2020 at the Picnic Shelter at the Community Center Scott Whitaker, town manager, BJ Barnes, mayor, Reece Walker, council member and Summerfield fire fighter, and others, decided to hold Summerfield Town Committee Meetings outdoors at the picnic shelters at the Community Park, or Athletic Park. They seem to think that holding meetings outdoors meets social distancing and no mask requirements! Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social distancing states six feet (6’) in both indoor AND outdoor spaces, AND wear a cloth face covering (face masks), AND consider going out only for essentials, AND hand washing, etc. Meeting outdoors, or only ten or fewer people is not enough to comply with CDC. At the July 20th Finance Committee meeting no one wore a face mask, and some did not comply with six feet social distancing. Rushing to exclude the public from very important decisions should not be desirable. COVID 19, CDC, government, and other guidelines and mandates to limit contact ask – is it essential, or necessary, could the contact be avoided? Other larger committees will also meet there. July 14, 2020 at the town council meeting there was a suggestion for council to cancel committee meetings indefinitely, until there is a better way to safely comply with COVID safety requirements – but that was rejected by the manager and mayor. This was a valid recommendation as the Town of Summerfield has no essential services, and best to protect the town legally. July 14, 2020 Reece Walker then made the Motion to allow all committees and boards, at the discretion of each board chair, to schedule their meetings at the park picnic shelters; and Reece emphasized that if someone is not comfortable they should stay home, and no one would complain if they stayed home.
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Reece emphasized that meetings are at the discretion of the committee chair and no way are they pressuring anyone to meet or attend. Teresa Pegram, council member, voted no as she said there is no pressing town business at this time, we are still in Phase 2, and wait until future meetings to include public participation. This is not a good alternative that if someone is not comfortable with lack of CDC requirements of 6 feet social distancing, face masks, location, size of the meeting, and more, then they should stay home. There is no handicap parking at the picnic shelter, and you can decide if it is difficult to walk there: www.YouTube.com Summerfield Scoop, “Mayor Barnes arrives for the outside Summerfield Finance Committee on 7/20/20.” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Pkr3fsm8gNw At the picnic shelter it is hard to hear everyone, lighting is poor, bugs, and hot weather; wash rooms are at the Community Center, if it was open, and we probably do not expect parks to be sanitized. The picnic shelter at the Community Center is 30’ x 50” and also called the “Outdoor Classroom.” The $90,000 picnic shelter at the Athletic Park is only 24’ x 36’, yet the manager and mayor state that is adequate for 6 feet social distancing. Other towns and units of government are successfully using ZOOM, or other software for their meetings, and stay at least 6 feet apart. It is almost five months with the pandemic and Whitaker has said no Zoom, but wants millions for a new town hall. He has rejected a number of good suggestions about meeting
space options in Summerfield, and often rejected because he said he wants high level audio visual and technology equipment and software—but he has rejected Zoom since March, or other meeting technology that is widely used today. Town committee meetings are supposed to be Public Meetings. The primary item on the Finance agenda was a CIP=Capital Improvement Plan. Whitaker stated that Friday before the meeting he emailed the meeting packet to committee members. Minutes from Finance Committee meetings and most committees are only available with a Public Record Request, so rather than just email the file, a Public Record Request had to be filed. (Of course, all committee minutes should be easy to quickly access on the town website). The Summerfield Fire Dept. has a sign “Thank you Covid Warriors, ” but why have a sign if your firefighter, Reece Walker, does not support CDC requirements for six feet social distancing and facemasks?
CDC, “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” “Social distancing, also called ‘physical distancing’ means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household. To practice social or physical distancing, stay at least 6 feet from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Social distancing should be practiced in combination with other everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing cloth face coverings…visit in person only when it is essential…. Safest to avoid crowded places and gatherings.
SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
Covid-19 can live for hours or days on a surface, depending on factors, and then touching yourself… not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but social
distancing helps limit opportunities to come into contact with contaminated surfaces….” Anyone can get and spread COVID-19. Everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread and practice everyday steps to prevent COVID-19… “ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019n c ov/p r eve nt - g et t i n g - s i c k /s o c i a l distancing.html Or go to CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 Social Distancing.
Legal Opinion - How Does North Carolina Law Provide for Communicable Disease? “Jul 10, 2020 · North Carolina law requires all persons to comply with communicable disease control measures prescribed by the Commission for Public Health, an administrative rule-making body. G.S. 130A-144(f). If a person fails to comply with required control measures, public health officials may use certain public health remedies to enforce the communicable disease law’s requirements.” Attorneys also recommended to comply with NC Executive Orders.
The town hall has been open for business throughout the pandemic, and often parking lot full of cars for meetings too. Summerfield should commit to CDC compliance to protect the town legally, and for the health and safety of the town staff, the good people of Summerfield, and those who visit our town government. We know there is a better way to safely hold meetings to comply with CDC or delay the meetings until a comfortable and safe time in the future.
DID YOU KNOW? SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
5-YEAR CIP CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
(FY 2020-21 THROUGH FY2024-25) $7,512,000 - Capital Improvement plan – including a $5 million town hall, with meeting space to hold 100 people! July 20th the main item on the Agenda at the Finance Meeting is a proposed 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). If passed, this could quickly spend ALL the town Reserves/Investments. With $6 to $7 million Reserves, there isn’t enough to cover $7.5 million CIP. The CIP totals – about $5 million, more or less, could be spent in less than two years, and $7,512,000, present total, by 2025, plus revisions/increases through the years. The manager has stated that town income from your property taxes, sales taxes, franchise fees, interest income from reserves, and program revenue, are all needed for pay and benefits and expenses to run the town; and the Reserves would be solely needed and spent for CIP plan or other capital expenditures (new town hall, water for the fire department, new tractor and new truck, A&Y trail and much more). Whitaker said the new town hall would be $3.5 million, give or take $500,000, plus he plans to use the $1 million property at 150 and 220 for the building! This is easily a $5 million town hall, with no consideration of other options. $6 million to $7 million – Total Town Reserves, have been part of Town Investment for 20 years. Income from Reserves each year covers expenses to run the town. Interest rates are low now and costs to run the town are increasing. In the past the Interest Income from Town Reserves covered costs to run the town, plus capital improvement like the ball fields. Now, CIP projects are scheduled to be paid for from Reserve Funds. The CIP is on the town website– but not in a prominent location. • To learn more about the details: • Go to town website: www.SummerfieldNC.gov • Click on Administration. • Click on Finances & Budgets • Click on the link at “Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)” This CIP and their spending plans are important, because, with this spending by June 2022 the town may not have interest income from Reserves/Investment to cover expenses to run the town. And the Reserves money will not be replenished. (The Scoop spreadsheets in this newspaper are helpful too: Summerfield Annual Income and Annual Summary). All information is from town documents.
www.YouTube.com Summerfield Scoop the Video of the July 20, 2020 Finance Meeting can be viewed - note Whitaker’s enthusiasm to spend your money, all of the Reserves!
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IT’S YOUR MONEY! PARTIAL OVERVIEW OF PAST SUMMERFIELD EXPENDITURES $540,000
Approximately 120 additional parking places at the Athletic Park, very much needed for safety. Excellent investment. (2017) So many have enjoyed the park since it opened 2010, ten years ago. ** (CIP Capital Improvement Plan 2015 -2020 estimate $250,000)
$181,352
15 parking places at the Community Park at the end of Centerfield Road near the dam. Total cost $181,352. $38,140 Engineering services Freese & Nichols and $143,212 Bar Construction. $8,337 sidewalk could be included in contingency estimates. (2019). ** (CIP 2015-2020 estimate $125,000)
$90,000
Picnic Shelter 24’ x 36’ at the Athletic Park, comparable to picnic shelter built in Stokesdale for $30,000. Park master plan calls for THREE of these picnic shelters. (2019) Manager is planning the second picnic shelter at $90,000+ ** (CIP 2015-2020 estimate $40,000 for three picnic shelters).
$174,084
$45,000
$40,000
$40,000
Sidewalk from the A&Y Tunnel up Summerfield Road to Auburn Road. 5’ x 790’ long plus area 60’ x 14’ Sidewalk: $30,500 for engineering and $143,000+ for construction Original cost estimate $55,000 and then $70,000. Used $85,000 from NC Grant for Downtown Revitalization for the sidewalk. (2019). ** (CIP 2015-2020 $15,000 estimate for lighting and facing of the tunnel improvements.) Consultant, WithersRavenel. Approximately $20,000 for planning mini roundabout at intersection of Summerfield Road and NC Hwy 150, at manager request. It has been tabled. Plus $25,000 for the Intersection Master Plan, intersection planning and park planning, for the 13 acre $1+ million “Gordon property” at 220 and 150. Full report is on the town website, including park cost estimates, water tower estimate of $5.7 million for water tower only and no infrastructure. There are no cost estimates for intersection. (2017-2018 Consultant, Cube Architect contract to design modifications and restoration to the Gordon Building, directed by the town manager to go out the southern wall and enlarge the building. Gordon Building does not have commercial water and septic capacity. Original estimate from the manager was $1 to $2 million. CUBE brought in professional cost estimate as costs were increasing rapidly to $3 to $4 million. Alternate restorations were not considered. (The $40,000 is approximate.). At this time the Gordon Building and Martin House are sitting vacant for years. (2017-2018). Consultant McGill & Assoc. to complete the UDO, Unified Development Ordinance. Work may be incomplete (2019-2020). Consultant/Engineer Stewart Engineering for A&Y trail. Spreadsheet shows spent $360,837 from 20182019. $29,116 remain on the contract. Work has slowed waiting for easement agreements. We know of no approved easement agreements. Manager requested $60,000 for 2020-2021 draft budget for Stewart, but no disclosure as to what design or work Scott Whitaker has requested.
$390,000
$38,000
$15,000 is in this year’s budget for Stewart Engineering work on A&Y trail. May 2019 Founders Day theme was “Summerfield Road Future Site of the A&Y Greenway.” When will the manager and council meet with property owners on Summerfield Road to ask if this mega-expensive plan is what they want on their property? (This meeting is a requirement in the Comprehensive Master Plan.) If you know of easement agreements for Summerfield Road for the A&Y trail, please advise Summerfield Scoop so that we can share accurate information with our citizens. Scoop heard that the easements will include curb and gutter on Summerfield road. Consultant. WithersRavenel Survey. The Trails and Open Space Committee (TOS) is planning sidewalks, parks and trails to connect areas of the town. TOS has been working on their map for years, but map appears to not be public information. Contracted 2019 for work in 2020. $20,000 in current budget and $20,000 in 2020-2021 budget was quoted. Note the “survey” on town website, and appears those from outside Summerfield can also participate. Survey includes important questions about support for tax increases, and funding for capital projects and operational funding.
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SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
$10,000
Dr. Sellers Professional Survey was to address current and future needs for public parks and recreation in Summerfield. The survey was only sent to households in Summerfield and participation was voluntary and confidential. It was professionally done. Those that responded overwhelmingly voted for Walking Trails 75.6%, Nature Trails 65.6%, Biking Trails 52.5%. Amphitheatre received 36.6%. The Park and Rec Committee recommended an Amphitheater because that was what they wanted. (2005) (Editor note – The $1 million for Amphitheatre could have gone a long way toward those passive trails in 2005.) There was another survey in 2002 and mayor reported “Overwhelming response – limited/very controlled growth and development. Next most popular type of growth desired by respondents was ‘none.”
$502,000
Over 2,000 Summerfield citizens signed a petition/survey to keep the overall low density that has served our town for 20 years. Overall density of 1-1/3 acre per dwelling unit. The mayor and majority of this town council to date are not listening. (2016) Purchase of land locked Vandergriff property at the end of Medearis Road. 26.38 acres. Assessed Value – A.V was $124,000. The purchase was discussed Nov 2015 during the election and purchased by town council February 9 2016, with a $500,000 Amendment to the Budget. (2016) (Note: An Amendment and property purchase that large should have had a Public Hearing.)
$30,000
Apple computers, printers, software and peripherals for manager’s use. Incomplete information. (20122018).
$11,000
New furniture for manager’s office. Cost may or may not include custom made copper table, bar height. (2017) Legal fees to Nelson Mullins, PO Box 11070, Columbia SC 29211 a law firm recommended by Bill Hill that has 758 attorneys. Town has been billed by attorneys that we do not know. ($400 to $350 an hour). (2018 – present) November 2019, the town council approved the contract for legal services with Chapel Hill law firm, Robert Hornik Jr. and his son Kevin Hornik, and it was said that Hornik’s firm could represent the town on all legal matter. However, town continues to use Nelson Mullins. (2019 - 2020)
$160,000 approximate
Town council should have complied with Court Order from Judge Anderson D. Cromer to stay the April 24, 2018 decision of the Guilford County Board of Elections (BOE). Court order was received electronically May 12, 2018 and file copy June 12, 2018, so town had ample time to comply with Judge Cromer Court Order. Order was to stay BOE decision (a temporary stop) and Expedite the Appeal. It was ethical, legal, and common sense in keeping with the Oath of Office for town council to comply with the Judge Cromer Court Order and would have avoided attorney fees as action at that time was with Guilford County Board of Elections, not the town. There would have been no legal fees from Nelson/Mullins and much lower fees from Bill Hill and it would have been expedited. (June 2018-present).
All are estimates as it appears the Town has no comprehensive total expenditures for a financial report on the individual capital projects since about 2012, and there are variances. Comprehensive spreadsheets with total expenses of each Capital Project have been requested. Source for all information town documents. ** CIP 2015-2020 - 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Project List Draft Note manager’s CIP estimates, and now the known cost. Some items on this CIP have not been accomplished so cost not known. How would you rate the manager and town council ability to historically estimate cost of Capital Projects?
OPTIONS FOR TOWN MEETING SPACE IN SUMMERFIELD
$138,000 – Purchase the one acre next to the Town Hall Rather than abandon Town Hall on the half-acre site, we could have a similar style building next door to enhance the “Historic District,” plus more and safer parking. January 2013 town council directed Whitaker to “explore the suitability and availability of adjoining properties as potential annex site.” He could do that now and purchase the one acre property for maybe $138,000. The manager said after the new town hall is built, “We would do something else with town hall.” Once vacated Town Hall could sadly sit and deteriorate like Martin House and Gordon Building, or there was conversation to sell the Town Hall. Whitaker said no to the adjacent one-acre site, with no rationale. It is time to say YES.
Summerfield Community Center Improve an established meeting place for the Town. A small investment could improve a terrific community meeting space. Approximate size 30’ x 100’ for 2,500 to 3,000 sq. ft. each floor, and meeting room holds 80 people. Manager said new town hall would have meeting space for 100, with permanent seating and dais, with raised platform for himself, mayor and council. For millions less, improve the space that is so popular now. Possible $500,000 to $1 million, for better use of the square footage, or possibly enlarge, update almost everything, electronics for meetings, windows and porch, to also serve organizations, groups, and social functions that enjoy the Center now. Why build a $5 million building for people to meet -- improve where people meet now and want to meet in the future. The outdoor 16.8 acre park amenities make this a special location. Purchase Historic Laughlin School, now the Laughlin Professional Development Center The 11 acre site would be a loss if it were sold for development. Scott Whitaker talked about high cost to repair the 35,000 sq. ft., however, the town could use the current offices and up to three professional meeting rooms, depending on size of the meeting. No need to renovate the historic area, although a lovely asset. When the building was renovated for a school training center many office and meeting room improvements were made. Those improvements and parking more than meet the town needs. Many citizens are very fond of this historic building. Manager has said no, and recently approached the school district about the site, but perhaps sincerely ask again when administration and school board are available.
Possibly utilize land the town owns for a new town hall. • The manager’s plan is to use the 13-acre $1 million property at Hwy 150 and 220. • Vandergrift property 26.38 acres off Summerfield Road and Medearis Street, adjacent to the Community Park. Challenge would be an access road. • Other property. Consider purchase of six acres on Summerfield Road, formerly a church location.
Town is planning to “Utilize the Fund Balance (Reserves) and/or finance a percent of total cost.” “Utilize” means SPEND all of the Reserves/Fund Balance. The town could sell the 13 acre commercial corner at Hwy 150 and 220 and invest in any of these affordable options.
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SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOU! TOWN COUNCIL CONTACTS
TOWN STAFF CONTACTS
ZONING BOARD
TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE (TOS)
BJ BARNES, MAYOR (term ends 12/21) 2709 Pleasant Ridge Road Summerfield, NC 27358 (336) 643.5972 – home BBarnes@Summerfieldnc.gov
SCOTT WHITAKER TOWN MANAGER Town Hall: PO Box 970 Summerfield NC 27358 Town Hall at NC Hwy 150 & Summerfield Rd. (336) 643.8655 – town hall (336) 520.7469 – cell
RICHARD L. (DICK) FEULNER, CHAIR (term ends 2/21) (336) 643.5680 DFeulner@triad.rr.com
JANE DOGGETT (term ends 7/21) (336) 644.1582 DoggettJA@gmail.com
TIM SESSOMS, MAYOR PRO-TEM (term ends 12/21) 6507 Horseman Trail Summerfield, NC 27358 (336) 803.0322 – cell TSessoms@summerfieldnc.gov LYNNE WILLIAMS DEVANEY (term ends 12/23) 7503 Strawberry Road Summerfield, NC 27358 (336) 215.5335 – cell LDevaney@summerfieldnc.gov JOHN O’DAY (term ends 12/23) 7013 Mustang Court Summerfield, NC 27358 (336) 392.6517 (336) 643.0804 JOday@summerfieldnc.gov TERESA PEGRAM (term ends 12/21) 7401 Greenlawn Drive Summerfield, NC 27358 (336) 643.2610 TPegram@summerfieldnc.gov REECE WALKER (term ends 12/23) 7046 Summerfield Road Summerfield, NC 27358 (336) 706.3195 RWalker@summerfieldnc.gov
CHRIS YORK, TOWN PLANNER (336) 643.8681 – town hall cyork@summerfieldnc.gov LANCE HEATER, TOWN CLERK (336) 643. 8655 – town hall Clerk@summerfieldnc.gov DEE HALL, FINANCE OFFICER (336) 643.8655 – town hall dhall@summerfieldnc.gov CHERYL GORE, MANAGER ASSISTANT/ EVENTS COORDINATOR (336) 643.8655 – town hall CGore@summerfieldnc.gov JEFF GOARD, PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR (336) 643.8655 – town hall JGoard@summerfieldnc.gov TOWN ATTORNEY Robert (Bob) E. Hornik Kevin Hornik The Brough Law Firm Chapel Hill, NC
GEORGE (JEFF) DAVIS, VICE CHAIR (term ends 7/23) (336) 298.4653 GJD8650@aol.com KATHY ROONEY (term ends 7/22) (336) 643.7878 – home (336) 209.0378 – cell info@rolfingassociates.com TRUDY WHITACRE (term ends 2/21) (336) 643.2131 – home TKWhitacre@gmail.com
ZONING BOARD ALTERNATES
CLINT BABCOCK (term ends 4/20) (336) 918.0256 Clint@vettedude.com WALTER DOGGETT (CLARK) (term ends 4/20) (336) 202.8899. KG4HOM@hotmail.com RYAN MOATS (term ends 7/21) (336) 580.3905 RyanCMoats@yahoo.com
DEAN MARTIN, TRESURER (term ends 7/22) (704) 215.0746 Wm.d.martin@gmail.com CARY GENTRY (term ends 7/22) (336) 215.1820 GentryCDWeather@gmail.com JENNIE TAYLOR, CHAIR (term ends 7/21) (540) 953.2225 writefarmerjennie@gmail.com BILL KING (term ends 7/21) (212) 388.1751 Nyckings2nc@gmail.com PAUL LAMBRECHT (term ends 7/21) (336) 255.0402 Paul.lanbrecht@volvo.com TRUDY WHITACRE (term ends 7/21) (336) 643.2131 TKWhitacre@gmail.com NEALA JONES, SECRETARY (term ends 7/21) (703) 447.0548 nealandave@hotmail.com
CONTACT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.SUMMERFIELDNC.GOV VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE TOWN WEBSITE. CLICK ON COMMITTEES FOR APPLICATION AND INFORMATION. THERE ARE ALSO RECENT OPENINGS ON FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND TO REPRESENT SUMMERFIELD ON THE ABC BOARD.
Sentinel Accounting & Tax Services, Inc 8131 Stokesdale Street Stokesdale, NC 27357
336-643-4300
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AUGUST 2020