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 YOUR HOME TO BE SUMMERFIELD OR GREENSBORO NORTH? Do you want High Density Development + Commercial Water + Commercial Sewer + Higher Taxes + Apartments + Traffic + Less Open Space + MORE Crowded Schools?
That is what is being proposed!
David, I present this key to our Town of Summerfield. On behalf of our Manager and elected officials - BJ Barnes, Tim Sessoms, Reece Walker, John O’Day, and Lynn Devaney - Development is your “KEY” to our FUTURE. Mayor BJ Barnes and majority of town council welcomed David Couch, developer and his “Summerfield Future Development Opportunities” and they agreed that this is “A logical step to move forward….” and quickly schedule more meetings with Greensboro and the county, for a new urban vision.
We learned that their campaign promises meant nothing.
Barnes is telling you, “Don’t read that newspaper.” We ask you to turn the page and read the facts that your local government is telling you not to read – accurate investigate journalism that you will receive from Summerfield Scoop. Join your neighbors and complete and return the Survey, sign the online Petition, and share your questions and concerns. We want to hear from you.
- Your friends at Summerfield Scoop
Follow us on Facebook to stay updated on issues that may impact you and your family.
OCTOBER 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: Include your name, email address, home street address, and a daytime telephone number. Maximum length 200 words or less, 350 words or less for Bottom Lines (Bottom Lines may rebut columns and editorials but not letters). All letters are subject to editing and must be signed. Email: EdPage@greensboro.com Questions: 336 – 373 – 7010
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS: UPDATED NEWS! Republic Waste Services Please be patient with Republic Services as they continue to work through a large increase in trash and recyclables since March. If your trash pick-up is late please do not call about missed pick up until after 6 pm, 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 6 am. Republic also provides phone call updates if service is late. 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 trucks and drivers during this time and restructured routes. When school is in session route times may change to work with school bus schedules. Thank you to the hard-working employees, and we appreciate their service. Questions? Concerns? Call Republic 336.724.0842 NEW! Where can you find accurate and updated information about the COVID-19 pandemic? An excellent source for information about COVID-19 is the JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. JHSPH.edu/Subscribe You may subscribe to receive updates on the most urgent public health issues. Three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you could receive the “Expert Insights Newsletter” for insight and solutions toward managing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic. See what you’ve been missing in the Expert Insights Newsletter. Topics have included: Back to School 2020, for teachers, “essential workers”, parents, students, what to expect; playing sports safely, over 200 coronavirus vaccines are in development, but will they be delivered safely and timely, protecting yourself and others, understanding Covid-19 testing, recognize clues about the course of the illness, how to be part of the solution and much more, from experts worldwide. Important everyday information with a small investment of your time.
SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
NEWS from our NC Attorney General (AG), Josh Stein, to avoid COVID-19 possible scams. 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/ 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. 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 or go to 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-NOROBO. NEW! Operation Silver Shield was launched by our Attorney General Josh Stein to target scammers and fraudsters who target older North Carolinians. Silver Shield covers the NC Department of Justice varied work to protect people from scams, take legal action against fraudsters when necessary, and educate people on how best to keep themselves and their parents and grandparents safe. www.ncdoj.gov/silver NEW! How to Report Abuse: Report abuse to the local Department of Social Services in the county where the disabled or older adult lives. For Guilford County call (336) 641 – 3447. For additional help, call the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services CARE-LINE toll free within North Carolina at (800) 662-7030. If you have questions about the laws that protect Senior Citizens, or your legal rights as a Senior Citizen, contact NC Attorney General Office of Public Protection Section experts at (919) 716-6780 or publicprotection@ncdoj.gov.
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Elder Fraud Complaints
$639,729 Lost
786 Robocall Reports
Be on the Covid-19 Contact Tracing lookout for: SCAMS Please report scams: Online Safety Risks ncdoj.gov/complaint
1-877-5-NO-SCAM SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
SCAM STOPPER OF THE MONTH DENISE McARTHUR with NCDOJ, (North Carolina Department of Justice) and Operation Silver Shield. Denise McArthur, a Specialist in the Financial and Elder Fraud of NCDOJ’s Consumer Protection Division, is on the front lines of responding to scams that hurt older individuals in NC. Financial institutions will often call for assistance in helping victims’ understand that they are being scammed when they attempt to make transfers to suspend scammers. Family members will call for support and senior citizens will ask if calls they receive are legitimate before they share information. When people are scammed out of their money or personal data, Denise processes their complaints and works to help get their money back if possible, to stop financial transfers that are in progress, and assists in investigations and legal actions against scammers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Denise has helped NCDOJ highlight how scammers are trying to use fear and intimidation during this public health crisis to take people’s hardearned money.
For the Attorney General August Scammer Report Card and Scam Stopper: https://ncdoj.gov/august-scammerscorecard-and-scam-stopper/
or
Summerfield Scoop hopes this timely public service information about consumer protections is helpful to you.
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PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNMENT Friendly Reminders for Summerfield Government 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. UPDATE! Sec. 4.1 Conduct of town elections on a “NONPARTISN BASIS.” (Town elected officials should not state that The Summerfield Town Council, or Town of Summerfield Government, endorses a partisan political candidate. Partisan political signs should not be approved for town property. One third of Town of Summerfield voters are unaffiliated.) 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
Thank you to Teresa Pegram, Town Council Member, You’ve seen the “hero” signs, you’ve heard the saying “Not every super hero wears a cape”, well meet Teresa Pegram, lifetime resident of Summerfield, hard working mother and small business owner, also known as Councilwoman Teresa Pegram, “hero”. Teresa is dedicated to serving the citizens of Summerfield, committed to doing a good job representing them and always puts their best interest first. As a small business owner Teresa knows what it’s like to budget and spend money prudently. She is a wise steward of tax payer dollars, is always available to answer questions, does her research and comes prepared to meetings to address the issues before the council. She is not opposed to growth but citizen’s needs are her primary concern, not those of realtors and developers.
Thank you Teresa Pegram for being our voice. We wish we had more like you on the Town Council.
“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, citizenengaged, 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.” UPDATE! NC GS 160A-383 (Zoning Regulations, town paraphrase of the NC Statute) “Rezoning decisions must be made based on: The current Development Ordinance The current Comprehensive Plan (per NCGS 160A-383), and ‘any other officially adopted plan that is applicable.’” Requested rezoning RZ-01-20 for Birkhaven was unanimously denied NO by Zoning Board on June 22, 2020, for specific safely noncompliance with Comprehensive Plan. Town Council voted YES for the rezoning on September 8, 2020 and ignored the noncompliance with the Comprehensive Plan. The dictates and actions of the mayor and majority of council members to not comply with Comprehensive Plan per NC Statutes will radically change the future of Rezoning’s for Town of Summerfield.
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Councilwoman Teresa Pegram with Vice President Mike Pence at the White House Women Municipal Leaders Conference, December 2019. We are proud that Teresa Pegram was invited to represent Summerfield at the White House Conference. Robert & Alicia Flowers Thank you to Alicia Flowers for her wonderful service as Councilwoman from 2008-2015
SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
HELP GREENSBORO & SUMMERFIELD SAVE TAXES
Stop Water/Sewer and Unwanted Development Stand Up For Summerfield at Facebook started this petition! Go to: http://CHNG.IT/TYFF8xsMMt to sign the petition! The City of Greensboro, Guilford County and Summerfield are working on a plan to construct miles of water and sewer lines from Greensboro to a private developer’s 650+ acres in Summerfield. This proposal would cost MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to help this developer (David Couch) a private citizen, make his land more profitable. Greensboro, Guilford County and Summerfield residents all lose while this developer wins! Greensboro and Guilford County citizens would face inappropriate use of current funds and increased taxes to pay for this project and future maintenance and road/school costs associated with the development. Summerfield residents do not even want water and sewer and the high density development that follows. The voters matter! Not one developer. Learn more details below about how this affects you and why this matters to all of us! Greensboro, Guilford County and Summerfield are discussing this controversial proposal during COVID-19, when meetings are being held remotely or with little public comment. Please do not let our leaders push this costly plan through during a pandemic without OUR VOICES being heard!!! PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO STOP THIS PROJECT! TELL OUR LEADERS THE CITIZENS MATTER MORE THAN A WELLCONNECTED DEVELOPER. AND PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO SIGN TOO! Thank you for supporting this cause!!! How does this affect you specifically? GREENSBORO: YOUR tax money fronts the multi-million dollar project! You lose money that should be spent in your own City. Summerfield does NOT pay City taxes. Greensboro would only be paid back over decades through a special tax district. This developer gets profits now, while Greensboro MAY get their money
SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
back years later. What if the development fails? Greensboro loses millions! And although Mr. Couch discusses affordable housing in his plan, it is in Summerfield where there is no public transportation. How does that help Greensboro? The Summerfield developer and Mayor are boasting that they pay NOTHING! Greensboro pays and maintains their water and sewer in perpetuity. The developer wins big! Greensboro taxpayers lose! SUMMERFIELD: This development will include, per Mr. Couch, high density development, APARTMENTS, multi-family units and commercial property. Water and sewer opens the door for other landowners (near YOU) to develop apartments, high density and commercial. All along Hwy. 220 and Hwy.150 will be commercial property and Summerfield will be part of Greensboro. Will annexation be next? Mr. Couch gets rich, and YOU will deal with thousands of new residents, traffic, overcrowding, widening roads, and inevitably higher taxes! We will be SUMMERCITY! Mr. Couch talks about fire hydrants — but not near you! ONLY near his development! Our leaders made election promises NOT to support planned development and high density housing. Make them keep their promises! GUILFORD COUNTY: The County will bear the cost of more infrastructure, road widening and maintenance, the need for more manpower and an increase in school population. Guilford County is already looking to raise our sales tax to pay for deteriorating schools. Our County tax dollars should help repair our CURRENT schools and roads! Why would the County Commissioners support a plan to make one developer’s property more profitable? WE ARE RESPECTFULLY ASKING THAT YOU SIGN THIS PETITION AGAINST THE PLAN TO BRING WATER AND SEWER FROM GREENSBORO TO SUMMERFIELD! AND VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO HIGH DENSITY HOUSING IN SUMMERFIELD! THEN WRITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO SIGN TOO! Goto: to: http://CHNG.IT/TYFF8xsMMt http://CHNG.IT/TYFF8xsMMt Go to thepetition petition to sign sign the
Stand Up for Summerfield is in the News: Google.com: Help Greensboro and Summerfield to save taxes and stop water and sewer….Summerfield Scoop (or) Google.com: Help Greensboro and Summerfield save … Summerfield Scoop StandupforSummerfield@yahoo.com “Mayor Gives Summerfield Farms Village A Thumbs Up” September 27, 2020 Rhino Times https://www.rhinotimes. com/news/mayor- gives-summer fieldfarms-village-a-thumbs-up/ “David Couch Unveils 450-Lot Housing Development Plans in Summerfield” September 24, 2020 Rhino Times https:// www.rhinotimes.com/news/david-couchunveils- 450-lot-housing-developmentplans-in-summerfield/ “Greensboro Water and Sewer In Summerfield: A Bold Plan” September 29, 2020 Rhino Times https://www.newsbreak. com/nor th- carolina /summer f ield/ news/2072512273289/greensboro-waterand-sewer-in-summerfield-a-bold-plan “Broken ground: A developer’s plan for Summerfield will thrill some, turn off others” October 2, 2020 News & Record https://greensboro.com/broken-ground-adevelopers-plan-for-summerfield-will-thrillsome-turn-off-others/article_877c3f18034b-11eb-aa31-17d521bc2f0d.html “Summerfield Project Opponents Take Battle to Change.org” October 15, 2020 – Rhino Times https://www.rhinotimes.com/ news/summerfield-project-opponentstake-battle-to-change-org/ Facebook Pages to Visit to Sign The Petition:
Stand Up For Summerfield Keep Summerfield Rural Summerfield Scoop
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UPDATE! THE STORY OF THE INCREASINGLY HIGHER COST OF “OUR FUTURE” TOWN HALL . . . “Rural Cities and Towns Struggle to Pay for Water System During the Pandemic.” Hickory, NC “Laid off Workers Face Hard Choices After Benefit Cut” “Pandemic Upends Middle-Class Family Finances” “A Furniture Maker’s Five Month Covid Struggle” “Despite relief, thousands Seek Bankruptcy” We continue to live and read about the pandemic hardships on the people of our community. Your town council member Teresa Pegram moved to have a tax holiday and let you keep your town property taxes this year, and she voted NO to the new town hall. Pegram also recommended a
bond Referendum for you to decide, or postpone the town hall for at least a year, but her recommendations were rejected, while Mayor BJ Barnes and majority of town council are pushing ahead with record high spending, including the Reserves. September 21, 2020 Finance Meeting. Committee members Mayor BJ Barnes, town manager Scott Whitaker, finance officer Dee Hall, plus Alan Abrams, Millie HofflerFoushee, and Vicky Bridges voted Yes to recommend the CIP – Capital Improvement Plan. There were no total amounts but they voted yes. Included in the CIP they voted yes for the new Town Hall for $3.5 million. Whitaker said he asked the Architect if they could do it for $3.5 million. They said, “Yes, but it will be tight.” Finance Committee did not ask about total cost – and recommended a
blank check for the town hall. September 22, 2020 Town Council Special Called Meeting. The next night the mayor and majority of council approved Creech & Associates (from Charlotte) as architects. They received a 32 page contract at the meeting, and a three page Exhibit A – but no discussion of total COSTS. A review of the contract raises questions. Plan is for a 9,000 sq.ft. building, one story per Mayor Barnes, and a meeting hall for 110 people with a dais for themselves, and office space. As far as we know the leadership committee that chose the architect from 20 applicants, included Scott Whitaker, Dee Hall and Gary Brown, town citizen.
OUR FUTURE?
NOTE – Summerfield Scoop is asking for your help. We need expertise to estimate costs for this town hall. Following does not appear included in the $3.5 million. Per the contract the town is required to have a total budget and looks like they need some help. (Article 5.3)
$1,000,000
Land. Manager wants the $1 million 13 acres at 220 and 150, owned by the town, but could be sold as commercial property.
$272,000
Minimum Architect design services fee, based on 8.5% of $3.5 million, increases with increased costs. (Article 6.1) If project is not completed within 24 months, through no fault of the architect, fees will go up. This could be a challenge with problems related to Covid‑19. The architect will own the design.
$175,000 to $250,000
Hiring a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) at 5% of the cost of the project. RFQ was posted October 5th and applications had to be received by October 22. Site has not been announced so why was it so urgent to hire this person?
$5,000
Up to $5,000 for program of spaces for schematic design.
$8,000
Additional architect fees up to $8,000 for printing, plots, mailing, couriers, photography, color copying and travel, etc.
?? $300,000?? ??????
??????
Travel expenses as architect and consultants/engineers are not from Greensboro area. Architect will design and coordinate the following purchases, and appears the town “owner” makes the purchase: Selection of furniture, audio-visual equipment, security systems, and generator and emergency power systems. Road access to the building, parking lots, survey, site preparation, landscaping, and more. Items specifically excluded from the architect scope of work. Professional engineering consultants, may be chosen by the architect, paid at town expense.
Additional costs to the town: Scope changes after any milestone phase is approved, LEED Certification of Administration, Life cycle cost analysis, value engineering analysis, environmental analysis, surveying, Is this total $3.5 million geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing and/or special inspections, “additional public plus $2 million, or meetings to engage the community”, and additional in person meetings.
more?
(Note: Seems late to “engage the community” after construction has started. With no public allowed at meetings the people have been ignored.
Those who are enthusiastically going forward to spend your money should have been honest when they asked for your vote. This is a request for Town to provide true and complete costs of the project. This is not a complaint about any consultant, however, outrageous that this is going forward with a blank check from YOU the taxpayers.
THE STORY OF DEVELOPMENT IN SUMMERFIELD
WHERE IS THE NEED? Since 2017, a group of citizens who have run for the Summerfield council has been warning the residents of Summerfield about the impending threat of fast track development. We are not talking about the 1-2% annual growth which Summerfield has been comfortable with for years. Slow growth has been the accepted rule and PD - planned developments have not been the preference in our rural community. Summerfield was incorporated over 20 years ago to prevent fastpaced neighborhood developments that were encroaching upon the town’s boundaries from ever-expanding Greensboro. As of the last council meeting on October 13, we have seen again Summerfield residents overwhelmingly asserting that they DO NOT WANT planned development in this town by speaking out and sending emails to town hall. At question is a proposal by local developer David Couch of Blue Ridge Companies, wanting to turn 800 acres (roughly 650 for development) of his farm into a new suburban oasis of higher density mixed housing types, apartments, and townhomes, and he said commercial water and sewer are necessary for his development. In other words, a little slice of Greensboro planned development in our backyard. And with this suburban elephant, a 16-20% population increase, considerable traffic congestions on our single lane roads, more overcrowding of schools, and other big-city headaches. As was stated by the speakers from the floor at the last council meeting, most residents moved to Summerfield to escape the big city woes and live a peaceful rural way of life with their families.
The current proposal by David Couch, Blue Ridge Companies, would only have a 15% green space component, very similar to the 10 and 15% requirement used by the city of Greensboro. Again, why would we want to follow a large city example if we want to maintain Summerfield as a rural town? So why would Mr. Couch want to bring such a large residential project into Summerfield? On the face of it, Mr. Couch is a developer and he wants to do what all developers do: develop land. He has the right to develop his 800+ acres as he sees fit, as long as it follows the existing zoning conditions allowed in Summerfield. However, small-town life is not what keeps a development company in operation – they simply cannot profit off of limited growth. To be fair to Mr. Couch, he is not the problem. He seems a likable enough person. The problem lies in what follows after the development, and the water and sewer infrastructure which will be put into place by Greensboro. With this new multi-million dollar infrastructure precedence has been set and the exception becomes the rule. Moreover, Couch owns additional land for development, and there are another 2000+ acres that are owned by one individual and a longtime Summerfield family which could now follow suit and propose similar developments once the water and sewer systems are in place. Commercial water and commercial sewer are a game-changer. No limitations on population. With over 3000 acres of available land in the hands of 3 Summerfield entities, the town’s population could double in a very short period of time. And now the real problems begin.
So why is now the time for the push for accelerated growth for our small town? The town has been working on a re-write of its zoning laws for many years and yet there is no final product. Over $500,000 spent on one consultant after another, a UDO committee of residents who met for months, a review by the zoning committee, and what do we have: an unfinished document that keeps getting watered down by Summerfield town staff. The very zoning restriction (OSRD) which would have assisted in preventing this accelerated growth was removed from the draft. OSRD – Open Space Residential Development – is a type of zoning that benefits rural communities and towns that want to remain rural. It can allow a higher cluster of housing density but require a 50-70% open space requirement for any development, thus, keeping the overall density in Summerfield low and at our 1.3 acre standard which has been in use for years.
SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
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THE STORY IN THEIR OWN WORDS
THE STORY OF DAVID COUCH PRESENTS HUGE DEVELOPMENT TO COUNCIL Tuesday, September 22, Mayor BJ Barnes, Tim Sessoms, John O’Day, Lynne Williams Devaney and Reece Walker (council member and firefighter) gave the “KEYS” to the Town of Summerfield and Our Future to David Couch, Developer. The purpose was to showcase David Couch and his “Summerfield Future Development Opportunities,” his 650 acre development, and for the town to approve his high density development, apartments, and commercial water and sewer from Greensboro. This was shocking news and comments from Mayor BJ Barnes and council members were consistently supportive of the David Couch plan -- contrary to their campaign promises.
IMPORTANT UPDATE! Recent research from your Summerfield Scoop investigative team has learned that a lot of work has been done, and the proposed project has been “in the works” since 2016-2017, tabled 2018-2019, and active 2020. It appears your elected officials and town manager kept it confidential until September 22 in their hopes of moving it along as quickly as possible with as little disclosure as possible. Scoop has learned that it is a major $40 to $45 million water/sewer project that will radically change Summerfield to be like Greensboro. Barnes, Couch, manager Scott Whitaker and majority of council are saying there will be no financial cost to existing Summerfield homeowners – that statement is hard to believe.
Meeting Videos of September 22 and October 13 are available: Facebook or YouTube for Summerfield Scoop or Facebook: Town of Summerfield
Mayor BJ Barnes Comments To BJ Barnes, You and others on council should have been honest Barnes Welcomes David Couch, “Thank you for joining us tonight and told the truth when you asked for the votes. and we are all anxious to hear what you have to say. Council and staff thank you. We appreciate you and your willingness and Transparency was frequently repeated, but there has been no brilliance and appreciate work you have done. I want to tell you transparency. when you started discussion we saw your willingness and you What do we know? David Couch is planning a 650 acre development want to be transparent. We appreciate efforts you made with town, with high density and he requires commercial water and sewer and city of Greensboro, the county and leadership there. plans for Summerfield to enter into agreement to get the commercial water/sewer from Greensboro. I have noticed and can tell you they are very excited of possibility that could come from this. They (Greensboro and the county) also Couch said he will not spend money to design the project until he realize we at Summerfield have responsibility what we approve, knows he has commercial water and sewer. For website information: the project and the important need for transparency. www.SFFarmsVillage.com I also want to say in the past, and I’ve watched it, and I lived it that Money? Taxes? Mayor BJ Barnes says frequently that Greensboro you were demonized and I want to apologize. will make money selling water to Summerfield and no cost to current Summerfield homeowners. The area will have a special taxing district You have shown me the courtesy of listening to what I have to say with higher property taxes to pay for infrastructure costs, and only and you will do that with any citizen. You have committed a big part those in that water/sewer district will pay. Everyone else is free, except of your life to Summerfield, and you own a lot of property, and you if you are willingly or unwillingly forced into the water/sewer district. will make as much money as you can. Can see it at the farm you What will hook up fees be? care about use. Slanderous name calling. Citizens were opposed to PD-Planned You’re not trying to do anything detrimental to Summerfield. You Development and 2,000 signed petition wanting to keep our overall low density. care about the views and atmosphere. When did anyone “demonize” David Couch – “to turn him into a demon or demonlike subject to influence of demons? A person considered You want a special tax district for commercial water and sewer extremely wicked, evil, or cruel?” Outrageous accusations could be and high density housing that we (town council) will have to Barnes threatening citizens not to be critical. approve.” 650 acres and 3 undeveloped projects? What other undeveloped projects? Despite what Barnes We need a Land Use plan. says, the town is not required to approve the Couch plan, but Thank you for being transparent we did not discuss any of this if the council does approve the commercial water/sewer other before the election. Full disclosure and after the election you got developers will expect the same, such as a developer and town with me and started talking with them. I’ve talked with business family that own 2,000 acres or more. The consequences of that owners and others -- you talked with other leaders in the county. I accelerated expansion will fall on homeowners and taxpayers. have talked with business leaders in Summerfield Yes 650 acres and 3 undeveloped projects…
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SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
Lot of other things you are going through and you listen to and talked with folks in Greensboro, Guilford County and High Point, and said Mr. Couch is stellar. One of the things in our first conversations, you said I want to like Meetings. It is hard to believe that Barnes and Couch did not have conversation you, that’s very important to me. with references to so many meeting to move forward. We have town manager and planner and you will find this council receptive to you and any idea you’ve got and we want rural vistas and better for our citizens. I speak for everyone when I say we look forward to what you will bring back to us.”
Land Use Plan. BJ Barnes has said “Town needs a Land Use Plan so that people know what they can do with their land.” So town brings in a consultant, and probably developers and large land holders design the town and call it a “land use plan.”
“Allows the town to achieve the Comprehensive Plan Comp Plan mentions various housing types, but does not promote commercial water/sewer, apartment buildings, and high density housing and commercial. vision.”
“The town will receive $22 million in taxes.”
Town A.V Assessed Value is about $1.5 billion. How would $22 million provide substantial property tax income? Meanwhile the town will lose interest income from Reserves as they are spent for town hall. Attorney Hornik also stated the increased AV would fund parks! What is the true math?
“We have $1.1 million for water storage in that particular Truth Be Told. The $1.1 million is very little toward a water system. This is “fire protection for high density development.” area.” “Fire question to Reece – fire hydrants ... spend $1.1 million for hydrants and need those water tanks FIRE department is a separate taxing body and should pay for their own systems. there or will they be there already?” “You mentioned buildings used to be solvent, having assets in excess of liabilities. Be more positive, take a stick built structure 1986? 1987? Wish that owner would How much of Summerfield is BJ suggesting that owners tear down? improve their property, and they just don’t go fixing stuff when income stream is not there. Sewer line he can pave the septic field and build something new and improve.” “Town will develop dramatically and requirements Who is he to determine what you “deserve?” because that is what we deserve.” “It’s important to have community input and draw people Recognize the 2,000 petition signers prefer our overall low density. in.” Shame on Barnes. There was no basis for this mean accusation -- another insult from Mayor Barnes. “Not doing anything but due diligence. People move here Another false accusation from Mayor Barnes. People are not saying that they from Greensboro and don’t want anything to change.” want nothing to change. This is more insults. “The purpose of this meeting is to decide if we go forward. We cannot see the plan until he feels there is a possibility of this passing. Meetings to see if Other municipalities know the importance of having control over their own water Greensboro and the county go for it.” – not letting Greensboro and the county control the water for Summerfield, Comp Plan states “the town shall remain an independent community” “This will be the only arrangement like this in the State.” It is continually repeated that this will lower your fire insurance premium on your “David (Couch) will show how this will increase your homeowner insurance. This is not true. With our overall low density and excellent property values, and only pay increase in property tax fire service our rating is 3 and probably not go to 1 or 2, and no decrease in your from property owner using the commercial water/sewer premium system. Any other resident connecting will pay the same This is a $40+ million project, including $28 million from the county – for a 650 rate. David will bring lower insurance, innovative style acre project. Why does anyone think this is free or low cost commercial water/ sewer? Greensboro said they would sell the water to Summerfield for higher rate neighborhoods. “ than to Greensboro “Who are you trying to keep out?” (of Summerfield)
Questions from council?
SUMMERFIELD SCOOP
CONTINUED
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Comments from John O’Day/David Couch “Self-imposing rural vistas. Thank you again. This is most productive. Enhanced fire protection. No cost. Ability to improve our 220 gateway. Additional cost only if someone wants it. Allows town to achieve Comp Plan vision. New and exciting interconnected trails. Provides best management practices.” “I’ve been to many events at the farm and one of your biggest fans. Thank you for the community events you have and we appreciate your vision and the farm. Does the farm remain functioning agritourism? How much open space?
Reece Walker, Council Member and Firefighter “Fire ratings are confusing with some people.” “Town collecting taxes? Any other way to do that?
It was stated that the town would collect the special water/sewer district taxes and then pay Greensboro. So the town will have financial responsibility.
“Appreciate your willingness and showing us your vision and showing us the details.” So Reece Walker said our overall low density and moderate growth is bad growth “We keep going down the rabbit hole of bad growth so down a rabbit hole. Current zoning does allow duplex/smaller homes to work hard to be sides of this.” with overall low density.
Lynne Williams Devaney, Council Member “Would you include fire hydrants for free? What about taxes and only way a citizen outside the village will pay is if they decide to connect to the water supply from Greensboro. “No tax increase for the 25 year period?”
This is confusing. Sounds like Mr. Couch was saying the special taxing district for the water/sewer would only be for 25 years. The bonds may be the town responsibility, so how will debt be paid off if still have debt after 25 years? Devaney also said the new town hall would be free to build.
Tim Sessoms, Mayor Pro Tem “We talked about exploring a connector going through the 3,000 acre area.” BJ Barnes to Tim Sessoms “No questions. Connector is going through the 3,000 acres. Will explore to see about connecting going across.”
Mr. Couch discussed various paths to water/sewer lines. He also said he would bring the water/sewer lines to the new town hall at no charge. Why would Greensboro want the commercial sewer or water lines through or near the Greensboro watershed?
Teresa Pegram, Council Member “We already have a very low ISO rating for lowest cost Teresa Pegram only council member not briefed about the proposed commercial water and sewer. homeowner fire insurance.” “We should hold this off until the public could be here.” “Best thing about development ordinance is 1.3 acre overall density. Population will show up if you Mr. Hornik town attorney said, “My recommendation don’t talk about anything but bring in water. Couch project goes to MOU (Memo of moving to the next step.” Understanding) this is a PD – Planned Development. MOU is a plan to develop.” David Couch donated $1,500 to Barnes for Sheriff 19-21-14
David Couch donated $1,500 to Barnes for Sheriff 3-7-2014
DID YOU KNOW?
Virginia Milam (wife of Paul Milam) donated $1,500 to Barnes for Sheriff 3-9-14
Did you know that Nov 6, 2018 David Couch hosted a victory party at The Farm for Sheriff BJ Barnes and Congressman Mark Walker? (It turned out not to be a victory) Was the party an in kind contribution?
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) 7475 Strader 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 WALTER DOGGETT (CLARK) (term ends 10/23) (336) 202.8899 KG4HOM@hotmail.com
ZONING BOARD ALTERNATES
CLINT BABCOCK (term ends 7/23) (336) 918.0256 Clint@vettedude.com RYAN MOATS (term ends 7/21) (336) 580.3905 RyanCMoats@yahoo.com
RACHEL SOWERS (term ends 7/22) (919) 800.9594 Rachel_Sowers@yahoo.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 AND BOARDS, AND INTRODUCTION TO COMMITTEES FOR APPLICATION AND COMMITTEE ORDINANCE.
VOTE!
PRESIDENT Democratic Party Joseph R. Biden
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020
Kamala D. Harris
Polls are open 6:30 am to 7:30 pm
Republican Party
Vote where you have voted in the past as we have no changes in polling locations.
Donald J. Trump
Constitution Party Don Blankenship
Thursday, October 15, 2020 – Saturday, October 31, 2020
Green Party
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 7:30 pm Saturday, October 31 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (Last day for early voting and last day to register and vote)
William Mohr Howie Hawkins Angela Walker
Libertarian Party
Guilford County Board of Elections 301 West Market St., Greensboro NC 27401 (336) 641 – 3836
VOTING MORE THAN ONCE IS A FELONY! Only VOTE one time! NO PHOTO ID NEEDED TO VOTE! If you see a sign like this at a polling place IGNORE THEM! The sign is very misleading and was at a Summerfield polling place November 2019. Note candidate BJ Barnes was there for a while and the sign is between the posts.
Mark Robinson
NC ATTORNEY GENERAL Democratic Party Josh Stein
Republican Party Jim O’Neill
NC AUDITOR U.S.SENATE
Democratic Party Beth A Wood
Democratic Party Republican Party
There is considerable information available online. Information at North Carolina Board of Elections: www.NCSBE.gov
Republican Party
Jeremy (Spike) Cohen
Cal Cunningham
You may Register and Vote in-person during Early Voting. There is no voter registration on Election Day, November 3rd.
Yvonne Lewis Holley
Jo Jorgensen
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020 – ELECTION DAY! 6:30 AM TO 7:30 PM. For the full schedule and locations: https://www.guilforddems.org/election-center/#voteearly
Democratic Party
Michael R. Pence
EARLY VOTING 25 Locations including: Bur-Mil Club, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road, Greensboro NC 27410 (off 220)
NC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Republican Party Anthony Wayne (Tony) Street
Thom Tillis
Constitution Party Kevin E. Hayes
Libertarian Party
NC COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
Shannon W. Bray
Democratic Party Jenna Wadsworth
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Republican Party Steve Troxler
Democratic Party Kathy Manning
Republican Party Lee Haywood
NC COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE Democratic Party Wayne Goodwin
NC GOVERNOR
Republican Party Mike Causey
Democratic Party Roy Cooper
Republican Party Dan Forest
Constitution Party Al Piano
Libertarian Party
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Steven J. DiFiore
NC SECRETARY OF STATE Democratic Party Elaine Marshall
Republican Party E.C. Sykes
NC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
NC SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SEAT 04 Democratic Party
Democratic Party Jen Mangrum
Republican Party
Mark Davis
Republican Party Tamara Barringer
NC TREASURER
NC STATE SENATE DISTRICT 27
Democratic Party
Democratic Party
Republican Party Dale R Folwell
Democratic Party Carly Cooke
Republican Party Troy Lawson
Catherine Truitt
Ronnie Chatterji
GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 5
Michael Garrett
Republican Party Sebastian King
BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 3 Democratic Party Blake E. Odum
Republican Party Pat Tilman
NC SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE SEAT 01 Democratic Party Cheri Beasley
Republican Party Paul Newby
NC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 59 Democratic Party Nicole Quick
BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 5
Republican Party
Unaffiliated
Jon Hardister
Deborah Napper
Republican Party Michelle C. Bardsley
NC SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SEAT 02
NC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 62 Democratic Party
Democratic Party Lucy Inman
Republican Party
Brandon Gray
Republican Party John Faircloth
Phil Berger Jr.
GUILFORD COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS Democratic Party Jeff L Thigpen
Republican Party Abdul Rashid Siddiqui
QUESTIONS?
Contact Guilford County Board of Elections 301 West Market St. Greensboro, NC 27401 | (336) 641-3836
13
LET’S EAT IN!
Summerfield has a number of excellent choices to Eat In, Take-Out, and for Delivery of 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.
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
BISTRO 150 Dine In or Take Out! Bistro150nc.com/menu 643 – 6359 Mon – Thurs 9am-9:30pm Friday 9am-10pm Saturday 8:30am-10pm Sunday Brunch 9:30am-2:30pm 2205 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge 27310 At intersection of 150 and 68 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
SUBWAY 4446 US Hwy 200 N 643 – 3388 https://www.subway.com/en-us Daily: 10:30am – 9pm
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/
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.
Sentinel Accounting & Tax Services, Inc 8131 Stokesdale Street Stokesdale, NC 27357
336-643-4300
CONTACT US Comments or Letters to the Editor Email: SummerfieldNCNews@gmail.com 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
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OCTOBER 2020