By CAR ol BR ook S freela N ce writer cab1hp@gmail.com
In May 2024, the Cedarwood Garden Club was honored to sponsor a Gold Star Families Memorial Marker in Wrenn Miller Park in Jamestown.
On Memorial Day May 25 at 11 a.m. this year, the Cedarwood Garden Club will place a similar marker in the Carolina Field of Honor at Triad Park, 9652 W. Market St., Kernersville. Garden Club member Lt. Col. Lee Richmond, USAF Retired, will be the presenter.
“The Blue Star and Gold Star Families Memorial Markers honor all Armed Forces of the United States of America since 1945,” said Sharla Gardner of the Garden Club. “The Gold Star program began as a way to honor all
veterans who gave their lives for our freedom. Such markers are placed in parks or civic areas. These are called byway markers.
“One Gold Star marker is a tribute to Gold Star Families whose loved ones paid the ultimate price defending the United States of America with honor, hope and healing.”
The Federated Garden Clubs are the only groups who can sponsor these markers.
When Wrenn Miller Park opened in 2013, it was to be a place for entertainment, exercise and remembrance. The Veterans Memorial in the park and the surrounding pavers filled with names are a reminder of the men
Council holds short budget work session
By CAR ol BR ook S freela N ce writer cab1hp@gmail.com
In a change from the previous three four-hour budget work sessions, the May 11 Jamestown Town Council work session was only 37 minutes long. This time the Council was able to offer final thoughts about what they thought should be in the 2026-27 fiscal year budget.
“Throughout the budget process, and especially since the April 23 meeting, the five of us have been talking with residents and staff, crunching numbers and working through different scenarios to develop a fiscal roadmap that prioritizes resource stewardship and affordability while aligning with our long-term vision,” said Mayor Susan Dickenson after the meeting.
“Back in January, one of the first things we did as an elected body was to sit down together and develop a new 2026 Strategic Plan with “Communication and Engagement” identified as our top goal,” she added.
“It is because of the high level of communication we maintain with each other, and the increasing amount of engagement we’re having
with our citizens, that Councilman Jim Westmoreland was able to deliver a concise summary of the Board’s second-round reductions.” Those reductions follow. Of interest to most residents, the property tax rate will be approximately $0.52 per $100 valuation. This tax rate is revenue-neutral, based on the 2026 revaluation. An additional $0.03 per $100 valuation was allotted for the Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Department. This is approximately $0.11 below the current combined tax rate of $0.66 cents per $100.
Westmoreland proposed a reduction of the proposed water rate increase back to 7.5 percent and to defer the purchase of AMI water meters for $750,000 to get additional details on the meters.
He also proposed reducing the annual salary increase for Town employees from 6 percent to a 3 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) to be more in line with other regional governments. No merit raise this year.
Westmoreland’s final proposal was to eliminate $627,165 in the General Fund line item “Reserve for
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Public comments from Council budget meeting
Co MP iled By CAR ol BR ook S freela N ce writer
Cookie Billings – “I suggest Council follow the guidance of the experienced staff in adopting the ‘26-‘27 budget and then, with some professional guidance prepare a survey of Jamestown taxpaying citizens in the coming year to determine the value citizens place on the services we receive and educate the community, not just on the cost of operations but maintaining facilities and equipment. Don’t allow a few people to use blogs or social media to spread woefully inaccurate information and opinions. Adopt the budget recommended now and
go to work to educate the community and take command of the word of sharing the history and truth about what it costs to provide outstanding Jamestown services and prepare the streets for future with vision.
“Town managers and finance officers must have not just the right education but continuing education in local government. They need wisdom, vision and, most of all, courage. Our staff has this.”
She noted an instructor at a class she once took said, “If you want to be a town manager, you must have at least six months of go to hell money in the bank because
and women who served in our nation’s armed forces. In 2024 the Cedarwood Garden Club added another memorial to the park in the form of a Gold Star Memorial Marker. Similar to the famil-
iar Blue Star Memorial Highway markers honoring all veterans, the Gold Star Memorial honors those who have fallen.
In 1945, the National Garden Clubs, Inc. adopted this program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covers thousands of miles across the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.
Blue Star Memorial Highway Markers were placed along the way.
The Blue Star was adopted because it had become an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes, churches and business for sons and daughters away at war.
The name Gold Star came from
the custom of families of service members hanging a banner called a service flag in the window of their homes. The service flag had a star for each family member in the United States Armed Forces. According to literature, no Blue Star or Gold Star Families marker may bear an individual or family name but pay homage to the armed forces as a whole. The public is cordially invited to this special Memorial Day dedication at Carolina Field of Honor in Triad Park in Kernersville.
If anyone would like to donate to this special event, send a donation to the Cedarwood Garden Club, PO Box 302, Jamestown, NC. 27282.
If you cannot make the Kernersville event, the annual Memorial Day ceremony in Jamestown will be held at Wrenn Miller Park May 25 at 11 a.m.
Joy House offers hope and refuge to those in need
By no RMA B. denni S freela N ce writer ndworddesign@gmail.com
And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”
Matthew 25:40
When members of Jamestown Presbyterian Church decided to purchase a house whose backyard backs up to the parking lot of the church, they were not just purchasing property. Their intention was to glorify God through its use.
It was appropriately named the Joy House, not because its former owner Joy Whitesell had been an active member of the church, but for the comfort it would provide others in need.
“We wanted to bring joy to those who would use it,” said church member Rob Purdie. “Guests can enjoy the amenities of a real home with fully furnished bedrooms, living room, kitchen, laundry and TV.”
For the past 10 years, patients from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist – High Point Medical Cen-
ter and/or their families have had access to the Joy House, which is located approximately eight miles from the hospital. Its use by the hospital is conducted similarly to Ronald McDonald houses.
“Initially we liked the idea of purchasing the house to work with Church World Service and their
Planning Board to continue church rezoning discussion
By CAR ol BR ook S freela N ce writer cab1hp@gmail.com
After hearing opposition from residents of a nearby cul-de-sac as well as not hearing solid future plans for the property, the Jamestown Planning Board voted to continue discussion regarding rezoning of property adjacent to Harvest Church.
The church had requested rezoning of approximately 2.18 acres +/- at 4909 Guilford College Road from Agriculture (AG) to Conditional Zoning-SingleFamily Residential (CZ-SFR). According to the rezoning application, the church planned expansion of its campus and to use the 1908 Ann Wiley White House on the property for church events. Additional parking was also planned.
The church originally planned to ask for rezoning to Conditional Zoning-Civic but that request was withdrawn by the applicant prior to the April 13 Planning Board meeting.
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Mission Statement
“JPC is a loving and welcoming faith community of ordinary people doing extraordinary things empowered by Jesus Christ.” Others are invited to visit the family-friendly church at 1804 Guilford College Road to worship and learn more about its service to others.
Refugee Resettlement program,” said Pastor Jay Smith. “We also wanted to explore the hospital idea but it was not fully formulated.”
A former church family had approached Smith with the idea of purchasing the house. That idea was presented to the Outreach Ministry Team on Session and then to the whole Session.
“The church got behind it rather quickly because we had an anonymous donor that was offering a matching funds gift up to $150,000,” Smith said. “The matching funds gift and the opportunities to use the house to help our community was too great to pass up.
“Over 60 families gave leader-
Public comments from the May 11 Planning Board meeting
Co MP iled By CAR ol BR ook S freela N ce writer cab1hp@gmail.com
Debra Marlow lives off Grandover Parkway on Kacia Court behind the proposed rezoning. She was attracted to her property partially because of the Wiley White House.
Donna Steed recently spoke with Pastor Coyne.
“He said he was going to build a parking lot,” Steed said. “He was going to keep the buildings. Then he said they were going to tear down the barn building because it’s unsafe.
“I’m concerned what they do to that land,” she said. “It backs up to my neighbor’s yard. We’re dealing with increased traffic noise [from Guilford College Road], parking noise. These are not general concerns. They’re direct impacts on the families living beside the property. My concern is that property [from the church parking lot] slopes up from where we are. If it starts flooding we will have a pond in the middle of our cul-de-sac. Driveways are being washed away from the runoff.”
Photo by Carol Brooks
this Gold Star Marker was dedicated at wrenn Miller Park in Jamestown in May of 2024. A similar one, also by the Cedarwood Garden Club, will be dedicated in the Carolina Field of Honor at triad Park in kernersville at 11 a.m. on May 25.
Photo by Norma B. Dennis
Rob Purdie, a member of Jamestown Presbyterian Church, stands beside the sign that identifies the Joy House.
From The Front
Hamlin wins second All-Star at Dover
By R u SS ell SCHM idt raci N' with r USS
Denny Hamlin came into the latest Cup race at the Monster Mile as the odds-on favorite to win the big All-Star Race and the odds makers were spot-on.
The 45-year-old Virginia native ran strong all day starting with grabbing the pole winning speed on Saturday. The All-Star finale worked out to be the final 200lap segment with only 26 drivers aboard.
At the drop of the green flag, Hamlin sped off to lead only the first lap while teammate Chase Briscoe led 39 before Tyler Reddick took over. The Toyotas showed a lot of speed across Hamlin, Briscoe, Erik Jones and Reddick.
As the race wore on, the laps expired with Hamlin quite comfortable in the lead by a second or more at times. A second back at the finish line were the cars of Briscoe, Jones, a surprise performance from Austin Dillon in fourth and Connor Zilisch ran well to fifth.
Only two caution periods slowed the action down a bit, but not enough to deny Hamlin a cool million dollars for his effort. There’s a big drop to second place in that Briscoe receives only $100,000 for runner-up status.
By the lack of action and fans in the stands, don’t be surprised not to see this race run again in Dover. My vote? Back to Charlotte.
Day nabs late O’Reilly ending at Dover
By all accounts, it looked as if Justin Allgaier would add to his
Future Expenditures” since there already are future reserve funds available.
The Council appeared reluctant to second Westmoreland’s motion for these changes until Councilmember Pam Burgess echoed thoughts of the other members, saying, “We’ll just go ahead and second it and see what it looks like [in the newest proposed budget].”
The vote was unanimous.
“Combined with changes made at the April 23 meeting, total reductions made by the Council thus far equate to approximately $1.89 million,” said Mayor Susan Dickenson after the meeting. About 50 percent of the reductions came from the General Fund and 50 percent from Capital Projects.
Sheriff contract
Previous budget work sessions discussed reducing or eliminating the $500,000 for the Guilford County Sheriff Office since Jamestown is the only municipality in the county paying for extra service. Just prior to the meeting, Town Manager Matthew Johnson received a message from the town attorney requesting input from the Council regarding the Sheriff’s Department.
“They looked more closely at the numbers [provided to the Town],” said Dickenson. “Right now [our] budget is $500,000, but they think they may go over to
long list of O’Reilly wins, easily leading many of the laps at Dover on Saturday afternoon. But, newbie Corey Day had other ideas and ran the reigning champion down within five laps to go and went on to earn his second checkers of the season.
The race started before a sparse crowd (like 25%) with Ross Chastain leading the opening 17 laps before Brandon Jones led the next 50, winning the stage.
A lap 12 multi-car wreck between Jeb Burton, Parker Retzlaff and Lavar Scott left all three on the sidelines.
Chastain was running strong near Rajah Caruth who first tangled with Jesse Love in a synchronized spin followed by yet another spin of the same nature with Harrison Burton some 15 laps later.
Once all was sorted out Allgaier was well out front for the final 70 laps as Day put on an impressive charge to the front, passing Allgaier for the lead.
Day’s second series win was noted for finishing in front of Allgaier, Sam Mayer, William Sawalich and Austin Hill.
The latest points info has Allgaier way out front by 175 over Sheldon Creed and 177 ahead of Jesse Love.
Busch EZ winner at Dover Trucking
For the 69th time, Kyle Busch grabbed the truck-winning trophy on a Friday afternoon leading 147 of 200 laps on the day.
The Friday afternoon ECOSave 200 started with Busch on the pole and led the opening 40 laps, then the next 50 to claim both stage wins.
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about $17,091. They’re asking that we either increase the contract tonight or let it stay as it is but with some kind of written assurance that if they go over, we’ll increase it with a budget amendment.”
“There was some information from their attorney basically saying that going forward, if by June 15 of the expiring fiscal year, the parties are unable to agree on an annual payment amount for the immediately upcoming fiscal year, then the agreement would terminate on June 30 on the expiring fiscal year,” Johnson said. “I think they’re trying to make sure we are giving them some sort of assurance that we have the same amount budgeted that they have requested. They are looking for some information from us soon and they’re trying to figure out their budget as well.”
He added that if the Town agrees, there would be a new contract, which has been prepared by Town Attorney Robert Brown.
The previous fiscal year, the Sheriff’s Department billed approximately $503,000.
Councilmember Jim Gibson said it felt a little “do this or else” of the Sheriff’s response at 3 p.m. before the 5 p.m. budget work session. He suggested paying the bill up to a certain amount.
Not exactly a barn-burner event as Busch sailed into the sunset with win number 69. Three seconds back at the stripe were the cars of Ty Majeski, Layne Riggs, Kaden Honeycutt and Christopher Bell.
The latest points stats has Honeycutt 38 ahead of Riggs and 39 in front of Chandler Smith.
Mini truckin’
Mini Tyrrell was back in Ram action, this time, in Craftsman Trucks racing at the always tough Dover for the first time in six years. Young Tyrrell started mid pack, often near top 10, but a late race incident with veteran guest Ram driver Clint Bowyer sent him spinning and laps down.
The final results don’t really reflect how well the team did overall for the day, netting a 27th place run, yet maintains his 19th place in points.
QUIK BITS
...
Indy 500 testing was busy over the past week with several top guns reaching the limits of adhesion in the famous Memorial Day weekend race for the 110th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Top names such as Felix Rosenqvist, Scott Dixon and Alex Palou will all be part of the 33-car lineup next Sunday.
Sunday’s pole day final minutes were exciting as the top 6 battled for the big pole winning accolades! By day’s end IndyCar champion Alex Palou got up on the wheel to claim his second Indy pole position. It also marked the first time in history last year’s winner won the following year’s pole position!
“I charge them to be good stewards of how they deploy their resources and help us make that budget number work for both parties,” suggested Councilmember Jim Westmoreland.
Councilmember Pam Burgess suggested staying at the original $500,000.
“I feel like we just need more direction in regards to the services,” she said. The Council had asked for more information several times but the Sheriff’s Department did not comply.
Johnson suggested asking attorney Brown to go back to the negotiating table and ask exactly what services the Town would lose if it only budgets $500,000. The Council agreed.
There will be a public hearing at the May 19 Town Council meeting a 6 p.m. on the preliminary budget. Copies of the proposed budget and Capital Improvement Program may be found at www.jamestown-nc.gov under News and Events, then Town News.
The final 2026-27 budget is scheduled for adoption at the June 23 Town Council meeting and must be adopted by July 1 when it will go into effect.
The Town Council meetings may be viewed live at www.youtube.com/c/ TownofJamestownNC. Click on “live.” They are also available after the meetings.
Alex Rossi, David Malukas, Felix Rosenqvist and Santino Ferrucci capped the top five starters.
From Rumorville
A rumor regarding driver Katherine Legge attempting the Memorial Day double is about to be put to rest. The 45-year-old driver was set for just the 110th running of the Indy 500, but last minute connections have been made with a large cosmetic firm to back the bulk of the project. Legge will become the first woman ever to attempt the challenge.
The e.l.f. Cosmetics IndyCar will be under the A.J. Foyt banner and the e.l.f. Cup car will be campaigned by the Live Fast Motorsports number 78 Chevy team.
Look for Riley Herbst to depart 23XI Racing in favor of becoming the third full-time driver at Legacy Motor Club alongside John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones.
More rumors are also leaking out from Chicago in regards to revisiting another NASCAR street course venue. While there’s nothing official, many of those close feel this will be part of the 2027 racing schedule.
That’s it for this week. Look for NASCAR news from the big Coke 600 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Cup, O’Reilly and Craftsman Truck series. In addition, we’ll cover other racing venues from around the globe such as the Indy 500 and Canadian GP. Biggest race weekend of the year! Crank up the bar-be!
If you have questions or comments, contact Russ at racinwithruss@gmail.com
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ship gifts of $1,000 or more. With the matching gift we raised enough to purchased the house, do some maintenance and renovations and establish a fund to maintain the house without straining the church budget.”
Today, the church helps cover expenses for maintenance by renting the Joy House out for the High Point Furniture Market.
As a private residence, the Joy House had been built in the center of three lots. Its owners had created a sidewalk behind the house to access the parking lot of the church.
The church purchased the lot with the house on it and the front vacant lot on which they built the Joy House Garden. That garden provides food for refugee families and others whom the church congregation aids.
“I guess that explanation is the long way around to say I think the house was meant to be and that it serves a far greater purpose,” Smith said.
Brooks Johnson, chaplain at the High Point hospital has served as the point person for referrals to use Joy House.
“When people come to the hospital they are in crisis and the expense of staying in a place nearby while they get treatment can be challenging,” Johnson said. “They often ask if there is a place they can stay. I look at their circumstances to see if they are a good fit for Joy House. We are not a Trauma One Center so our needs fluctuate. It is important for the Holy Spirit to work it out.”
Johnson noted that the JPC congregation invests beyond providing a cost-free place for those in need to stay during hospital care. They sometimes prepare meals and do other people-powered activities to make it work.
A committee oversees the operation of the house and volunteers clean it after each use.
“We have gotten a reputation at the hospital that we are here,” Purdie said. “It is a cooperative effort between the church and hospital.”
“They are very intentional to make this mission project work,” Johnson said.
Although a big use of the house is to accommodate High Point hospital families when patients are in town for treatment, it is also used for other purposes.
“Over the years refugees have been in the house but in the current political climate that has slowed dramatically,” Smith acknowledged. “We sponsor a school in Ghana and when the leaders of that school come to the U.S. they make the Joy House their home base. We also have housed people in emergency situations like transitioning out of homelessness, loss of job or fire.
U.S.
454-1138
Jim Westmoreland Email: jwestmoreland@jamestown-nc.gov Phone: (336) 454-1138
Town Manager Matthew Johnson Email: mjohnson@jamestown-nc.gov Phone: (336) 454-1138
of it.
We don’t give you the world . . . just our little corner of it.
“Church members have occasionally used the house to host extended family for events like weddings, funerals and graduations.
“We use the garage and attic to store furniture and home goods. Immigrant families and families transitioning from homelessness can ‘shop’ here to get whatever they need. We will even deliver. The furniture ministry has become an important part of what we do to help others in the community. Immigrants even bring neighbors to us to get help.
“We really feel called to serve our community,” Smith said. “We believe that Jesus called us to care for others.”
FroM The FronT
GtCC, n.C. FAMe the First in Flight Chapter 2026 graduates.
GTCC, N.C. FAME’s First in Flight chapter graduates 26 in 2026 cohort
P R e SS Rele AS e
Guilford Technical Community College and the North Carolina Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (N.C. FAME), The First in Flight Chapter, recently graduated its second cohort of 26 student recruits.
Six of the 11 N.C. FAME partnering manufacturers sponsored students in the graduating class of 2026, with Procter & Gamble and ABCO Automation each sponsoring two students; MasterBrand Cabinets, Smurfit Westrock, and ZiehlAbegg sponsoring one student each; and Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina sponsoring 19 students.
The 2026 GTCC, N.C. FAME class includes: Timothy Bell – Toyota, Charley Crowther – Smurfit Westrock, Jacob Dallas – Toyota, Kanyon Fleenor – Toyota, Marielou Garrard – Toyota, Zack Guill – Toyota, Gaige Hall – Toyota, Khniya Hames – Toyota, Hayley Hart – Toyota, Josalyn Hernandez Rodriguez – Toyota, Arlen Hurne – ABCO Automation, Luke Johnson – Toyota, Morgan Loman – Toyota, Jalen McNairy – Toyota, Monica Molina Palao – Toyota, Rosa Nie Brit – Ziehl-Abegg, Joaquin Ortiz – Toyota, Valeria Perdomo Osorio –Procter & Gamble, Jacob Poe – Toyota,
Jackson Pollock – ABCO Automation, Darien Shaw – MasterBrand Cabinets, Daniel Soto-Monter – Toyota, Fernando Soto-Monter – Toyota, Antonio TamayoFryar – Toyota, Parker Thomas – Procter & Gamble, and Evan Willien – Toyota.
The FAME program is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in STEM-related fields in manufacturing and provides a two-year, debt-free associate degree with the goal of equipping students with the skills required for a rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape. N.C. FAME, The First in Flight Chapter, works with GTCC to educate students in a college setting while also providing on-the-job training with sponsoring manufacturers.
“N.C. FAME is a vital bridge that connects talented young minds with leading employers in North Carolina,” said Hillary Walser, president of N.C. FAME, First in Flight Chapter. “We are creating pathways to rewarding careers, strengthening our local economies, and ensuring North Carolina remains competitive in the global marketplace. N.C. FAME students are leading their companies into the future by combining strong, skilledtrade education with real-world work
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your manager and your finance officer need to stand up and need to require courage. They must deliver hard messages to the Council and their communities. We don’t shoot messengers.
“Town councils are also required to exhibit wisdom, study and learn about local government practices and laws. They also must have vision and courage. You cannot be a responsible Council member if you kick the can down the road. I’ve seen olden days in Jamestown where wonderful investments were made in many types of improvements and facilities to benefit the citizens – but sometimes, the vision to prepare for change or even maintenance failed to be put in place.
“In the early 1980s I learned the source of Jamestown water to allow major neighborhoods to be developed from the ‘40s to the ‘80s was from the Oakdale Cotton Mill Lake. As the town grew the water supply was supplemented by a connection to the City of High Point and the town depended on purchasing water from High Point as well as Oakdale Cotton Mill. The town did not have a secure source of clean water and were at the mercy of a local business in another city. In the ‘80s, the town was given the opportunity to participate in the Randleman Dam. I spent a lot of time fighting on the Council to get the money to do it –but well worth it.”
John Capes – “I speak as a former member of the Council and a citizen of Jamestown. A number of things come to mind when it comes to dealing with good planning and the ability to recognize that just what happened earlier [the money spent to negotiate with the Sheriff’s Department]. You’re looking at spending $17,000 [more]. You’re going to spend a few thousand dollars in the discussion just to make that happen. This has but a bad taste in relation to the Sheriff’s Department, but it’s also going to cost the town money. Make a decision. The point of leadership is to lead bravely. It’s about trying to understand what it takes to be a good steward of Jamestown. It is about having a fiduciary responsibility to the town. We need to have infrastructure to support [development]. It’s not there yet. You want to go revenue neutral. That is a donothing strategy. It means we don’t want to make a decision. Failing to
plan is planning to fail. If you think $20,000 [video] monitors versus taking care of your town employees, you are making a ginormous mistake. You’ve got to take care of the people in the town. The purpose of being on Council is not a popularity contest. What you’re doing here is not just ‘does this look good right now.’ This is about taking care of the people, not just the ones that voted you into office.”
Robert Frederick read from Jamestown’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025. He noted those planning a new budget usually look at a previous one and see what has changed, what needs to be prioritized.
“As of the close of the current fiscal year, the Town’s governmental funds reported an ending fund balance of $8,149,905, an increase of $1,761,475 in fund balance,” he read. “That’s $1.7 million more into Jamestown’s savings account.
“When I hear the talk about revenue neutral or keeping things the same, that means the fire department budget didn’t go up. The Sheriff’s Department budget didn’t go up. The town staff is getting COLA as well as merit pay instead of an increase – if none of those things were happening, if revenue streams weren’t changing because of the reassessment – if nothing else was happening, a revenue-neutral stream means that this year you’d still put $1.7 million in Jamestown’s bank account. That’s 28 percent additional in the fund balance – in one year. That was last year and last year’s Council, before they got these numbers, still approved a 3 cent increase to the tax rate. So, if everything else I mentioned before didn’t change, your $1.7 million figure would be even higher.
“Revenue neutral seems to be the least of what you can do. If the $1.7 million figure is higher, then you have the money to pay for the extra for staff getting their merit increases. You have the money to do the Sheriff’s contract. You just won’t be able to put $1.7 million or more into the fund balance. You’ll have to reduce that amount. Jamestown has a history of overbudgeting and underspending. Now there’s $8.1 million in the fund balance, $2 million of it is restricted. So, you can keep the same amount but you don’t need to add a whole lot more.”
The Wiley White House has a landmark designation, but the Guilford County Historic Preservation commission voted recommending removal of the historic designation in 2022.
Planning Board Director José Colón said the Town Council would have to approve the de-designation if the rezoning is approved. He added if the Council votesd to keep the historic designation, it would not change the rezoning.
“The staff recommends that Planning Board approve the rezoning request,” Colón said.
It may seem odd that a church requested Single Family Residential Conditional zoning, but one of the conditions of CZ-SFR in the Land Development Ordinance is, “Uses are limited to churches, church-related accessory uses, single-family residential, and single-family residential accessory uses.”
“Agricultural zoning does not allow churches,” Colón said of the original zoning designation.
Planning Board member Sherrie Richmond believes what the church wants to do does not “go along with a neighborhood.”
“Outdoor activities and games would be a lot of noise for the neighborhood,” Richmond said, also stated later by nearby residents.
“It’s event-based,” Co-Pastor Joe Coyne replied. “It’s not something we’re building. They might just have games one afternoon. Vacation Bible School a week in the summer. It’s not going to be repetitive. What we’re doing is what any church would do in a neighborhood. It’s seasonal use.”
Coyne says the church could use land they already have on the other side.
Even though the rezoning application listed a few proposed uses for the property, Planning Board members did not feel that was enough and thought the pastor should have alerted the neighborhood of their plans. Coyne apologized for not doing this.
“I still don’t see things nailed now, say-
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ing not now or foreseeable future,” Richmond said about plans for the property, noting the little that was proposed seemed vague. “That’s disconcerting to me. Plans might change.”
Colón said the Planning Department would approve future uses by permit, but this would not come before the Planning Board.
“A technical/engineered set of plans is required to be reviewed by Technical Review Committee prior to any site improvements,” he said.
Several nearby neighbors spoke against the rezoning and the church’s plans. See their comments on page 1.
Then it was the Planning Board’s turn to discuss.
“I am generally trying to help when there’s initiative to do something,” said Board Member John Capes. “The thing that stands out most is the lack of communication between the church and the neighbors.”
Capes suggested continuing the Planning Board discussion one month and give the groups a chance to meet and discuss the project. The final decision would still have to go the Town Council. Board member Robert Garland agreed.
“We have to think of the negative impacts it might have on the community around it,” Garland said.
“I would like to see firmer statements in writing about what they’re going to do with the property,” Richmond said.
“We need to be respectful of the church and for us to be comfortable,” Capes said before making a motion to continue the meeting until the June 8 Planning Board meeting. Board members voted in agreement.
Harvest Church is located at 4915 Guilford College Road near Business loop I-85 S. Planning Board meetings may be viewed live at www.youtube.com/c/TownofJamestownNC. Click on “live.” They are also available after the meetings.
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Tonight he’s saying everything is vague. Our property is the lowest line around there so when it rains, all rain comes to our property. When they built up Grandover Parkway, they put two huge storm grates in my yard to take away the rainwater. Through the years we have done very expensive landscaping to keep water that runs from the other properties away from our house. I don’t think the water runoff from his property is affecting my property but if he built a parking lot, that may affect more water coming onto my property. I don’t want my well contaminated and I don’t want city water from Greensboro.
“I’m not against a church. I’m against what’s going on up here because they only worship at that building. They don’t live in the building. We live in our homes. We want to keep them safe for us.
Joseph Kelly also lives behind the proposed rezoned property. “My concern is the proposed building is going to take along my property line 360 feet. My well is 21 feet away from where they propose to build. I have a copy here that [says] you can’t build within 100 feet of a drinking water. The barrier he’s talking about is my barrier that we put up because of the noise and the traffic on Business 85.
“I have been in that house for 40 years. I’ve seen changes come and go and I’m okay with change. But what has happened since that church has been put there – let’s understand it’s not a [community] church. Sheriff’s Department has so sit outside and let the vehicles out because there’s that many vehicles. They’re not coming from the community. They’re coming from all over. That is not a church. It’s a business.
“I own a shop next to a church in Thomasville. I’ve been there 33 years. The pastor of the church comes and talks to me on a daily basis. They are a community church. They have 50 or 60 [in the] community not 3,000. There are 226 parking spaces right now.
“If they are going to do this
co N ti NU e D fro M fro N t
there will be lighting shining through my window, all the noise from the parking lot.”
Sarah Burns read a statement from neighbor Kenneth Stafford
“The potential development of the 2.18-acre parcel that has been surveyed but is up against my property line and other residents in Kacia Court. I would like to oppose a parking lot for the adjacent church. Let’s assume, in the future they do decide to pave that entire lot and make it into a parking lot, one of our primary concerns as a neighborhood. Once paved the ground can no longer absorb water. With one inch of water … it will produce about 473 pounds of water. Divide that by 236 tons for a single inch. This is why water is so powerful and destructive. My property is more than five feet below the current grade level, as are all of the properties on Kacia Court. I’m sure my concerns are the same as all of us here, which is the potential damage to our properties from erosion, silt accumulation, flooding and damage to our homes and potential water intrusion from the high probability of well contamination over time from vehicle fluid leaks contaminated in the runoff causing significant health risk to our families and pets.
“I can’t remember anyone saying, ‘What a beautiful parking lot you live next to.’
“Between the unsightly look of a parking lot and the addition of new noise pollution … has a high potential for reduction [of] our property values. If this rezoning is approved, the residents of Kacia Court need to be assured that proper and adequate drainage will be installed, diverting water away from Kacia Court.”
Daniel Burns spoke how obviously cohesive the neighborhood is.
“I agree Pastor Coyne should have gone around the neighborhood [and talked to residents about the plans]. I don’t feel they are part of our community or want to be part of our community. I don’t know how much that weighs in actual zoning.
“You do not buy property
and try to grow your church to a stagnant level. You're a giant church like this and has multiple locations. Your intent is to keep growing. [Not telling plans], I don't believe that, whether it's intentional misleading or intentionally naïve.”
Andrea Fricke does not live on Kacia Court but one street over, backing up to the church parking lot.
“I love church. I can hear everything. Luckily, I like the music but I know it will increase noise and light. We have a fence up along that side of the property and they left some vegetation.
That’s not enough for erosion, noise or anything else.
“I don’t get a warm fuzzy, I’m sorry Pastor Coyne, because we dead ended to the horse farm that was there. When they built the church they thought they were going to build a school there so they plowed through to my street. They were going to use my street as a pass-through. We fought it. We wanted to keep it a dead-end street. That’s when we got the trees that are now nice and big 21 years later.
“Where there’s no plans, that scares me. Rezoning where they can do whatever they want, that worries me.
“I need a church that wants to be a neighbor and wants to take care of my neighborhood and not just come in on Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.”
Glen Laivins is the owner of the property up for rezoning.
“I appreciate the neighbors.
The idea of selling the property was not the church’s idea. It was my idea. My initial thought was, the best stewards of that home would be the church. They’ve done a fantastic job of what they’ve had as far as water flow. I don’t have a water flow issue.
“We’ve improved the land and the house as best we can. The house was basically falling in on itself. We got it to livable and the vegetation didn’t overtake everything. We care about the house being preserved.
“We’ve had a great neighbor in the church and great neighbors here, too,” he said, recognizing the Kacia Court residents.”
AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 18SP001097-400
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Paul Swaim (PRESENT RECORD
OWNER(S): Paul D. Swaim) to John H. Kornegay, Trustee(s), dated September 11, 2002, and recorded in Book No. 5610, at Page 0834 in Guilford County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following:
A Loan Modification recorded on February 7, 2017, in Book No. R 7901, at Page 2834, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Guilford County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse, West Door U-G Level in Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on May 26, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Whitsett in the County of Guilford, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:
Being all of Lot2, property of Phillip A. Swaim as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 106, Page 55, Guilford County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2044 Mount Hope Church Road, Whitsett, North Carolina.
Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.
Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).
Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property.
The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.
A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.
Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property
An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.
Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice
that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.
SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC.
SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE
c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1239944 - 11157
May 13, 20, 2026 (1840)
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 25CV001020-400
Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in a judgment bearing the caption “PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Keith L. Handford, Sr., and Spouse of, if any; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee; and Chantille Place Homeowners Association, Inc., Defendants” 25CV001020-400 Guilford County and pursuant to the terms of the judgment, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale that certain property as described below. Said sale will be held in the City of Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina at 10:00 a.m. on May 26, 2026 at the Guilford County Courthouse door and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Guilford, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:
Being all of Lot 87, Phase 3, Final Plat, Chantille Place - Phase 3, as per Plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 199, Page 104, Guilford County Registry, North Carolina, and rerecorded in Plat Book 200, Page 58.
The property is being sold “as is”, without warranties, subject to all taxes, special assessments and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Any assessments, costs or fees resulting from the sale will be due and payable from the purchaser at the sale.
A deposit of certified funds (no personal check) in the amount of five percent (5%) of the high bid will be required at the time of the sale.
The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law.
This the 27th day of April, 2026.
BY: C.L. Leader
Substitute Trustee Services, Inc.,
Commissioner
Printed Name: C.L. Leader
Title: President 201 S. McPherson Church Road, Ste. 201 Fayetteville, NC 28303-4995
FV# 13524263 May 13, 20,2026 Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 26SP000333-400
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shelvy Simmons (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shelvy Simmons) to Stegall & Clifford, PLLC, Trustee(s), dated June 20, 2024, and recorded in Book No. R8837, at Page 1915 in Guilford County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Guilford County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse, West Door U-G Level in Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on June 2, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in McLeansville in the County of Guilford, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 2 of the Property of Janie P. Littlejohn as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 110, Page 127, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County,
North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5124 McLeansville Road, McLeansville, North Carolina.
Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.
Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).
Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property.
The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.
A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.
If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.
Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property
An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.
Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.
SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE
c/o Foundation Legal Group P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311
Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 30909 - 160574 May 20, 27, 2026 (1859)
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 26SP000335-400
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Richard Edward Johnson, Jr. (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Richard Edward Johnson, Jr.) to David Silverman, Trustee(s), dated October 9, 2018, and recorded in Book No. R 8093, at Page 2406 in Guilford County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services,
Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Guilford County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse, West Door U-G Level in Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on June 2, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Greensboro in the County of Guilford, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:
Being all of Lot 13 of the Villa Roma Subdivision, recorded in Plat Book 9, at Page 23 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4307 Romaine Street, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.
Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).
Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property.
The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.
A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.
If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit.
Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.
Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property
An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.
Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent
To call the May 12 budget meeting of the Jamestown Town Council a failure of leadership would actually be too generous. In barely 30 minutes, the council managed to reduce one of the most important decisions facing the town into a rushed performance devoid of meaningful discussion, serious questions, or thoughtful debate.
Aside from a few self-congratulatory remarks from the mayor, the evening consisted largely of silence, mumbling, and vacant stares. It felt less like governing and more like people hoping the clock would run out before anyone noticed how little leadership was actually taking place.
Maybe the discomfort in the room came from the fact that roughly 15 town employees showed up to witness firsthand how little respect this council has for the people who keep Jamestown running. Maybe it was because some elected officials enjoy being called “leaders” right up until the moment leadership requires courage, accountability, or difficult decisions. Or perhaps the council simply had no substantive ideas left beyond political optics.
Whatever the reason, one thing became painfully obvious: this was not a serious conversation about Jamestown’s future.
The most revealing moment came near the end of the meeting. A motion appeared that had clearly been crafted long before anyone walked into council chambers. Councilman Westmoreland had the language typed out and ready to go, despite the fact that almost none of it had been publicly discussed during the meeting itself.
That alone raises troubling questions about back-channel coordination and decisions being made outside public view.
Even worse was the treatment of
Jamestown’s actual town manager. While the manager was effectively sidelined and denied the opportunity to fully speak, the mayor instead referred to Councilman Westmoreland as the “experienced town manager” in the room. This would be the same “experienced” manager whose tenure in Greensboro was marked by years of deficit spending. Meanwhile, the professionals currently tasked with managing Jamestown’s finances and operations were treated as though their expertise no longer mattered.
In three terms serving on the council, I have never witnessed the level of disrespect shown not only to the town manager, but to the town employees sitting both at the table and in the audience that night. Previous administrations understood something this council seems incapable of grasping: public employees deserve acknowledgment and respect, especially when they take the time to participate in the process. Instead, the impression left by this mayor was irritation that employees dared to show up at all.
Personally, I applaud them for coming. I applaud them for forcing the council to look people in the eye while making decisions that directly threaten their financial stability and the long-term health of this town. Because that is what this council is doing. Jamestown’s current leadership is not governing for the future of Jamestown. It is governing for itself.
One of the council’s headline moves was eliminating the proposed $627,165 “Reserve for Future Expenditures” from the town manager’s budget proposal. On paper, perhaps that sounds appealing. In reality, it reflects either a profound misunderstanding of municipal finance or a willingness to gamble with Jamestown’s future for shortterm political applause.
A fund balance is not just “money sitting around.” It is financial sta-
bility. It is flexibility during emergencies. It is protection against economic downturns, infrastructure failures, legislative changes, natural disasters, and unexpected costs. Any family understands this principle instinctively. You do not drain your savings account simply to make yourself look good for a few months. Yet that is effectively what this council is advocating.
And the consequences are not theoretical.
Because of the council’s unanimous actions, Jamestown is now positioned to enter the next fiscal year facing a shortfall exceeding $400,000. At the same time, the council is cutting taxes while doing virtually nothing to maintain reserve levels that took years of disciplined stewardship to build.
What many residents may not realize is that Jamestown has long been one of the few municipalities in North Carolina with a formal fund balance policy that it consistently honored. That policy helped protect the town during the devastating ice storm of 2014, through COVID, and during the wave of post-pandemic inflation that drove costs upward across the country. Those reserves kept Jamestown from falling into deficit spending while allowing the town to maintain the high-quality services residents have come to expect.
Now, this council appears willing to dismantle that stability for the sake of political optics.
Real leadership is not about winning applause in the moment. Real leadership means making decisions today that prevent crises tomorrow. It means understanding that stewardship sometimes requires unpopular choices because protecting the future matters more than protecting their future electability prospects. Anything less is not courage. It is cowardice dressed up as fiscal responsibility. And the timing could not be worse.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s campaign against the Supreme Court
By R i CH low Ry
The call is coming from inside the house. The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais has made progressives even more determined to delegitimize the Supreme Court, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is among them.
In a dissent involving a postdecision procedural question, Jackson accused the majority of acting out of pure partisanship. Her opinion said that the court “unshackles itself” from all constraint and “dives into the fray” (meaning the partisan fray). In its jurisprudence, “principles give way to power.” It is acting with an “abandon” that is “unwarranted and unwise.”
These harsh charges occasioned a stinging and welldeserved rebuttal from Justice Samuel Alito, but, merits aside, the tenor and substance of the Jackson dissent capture the mindset of a Left that is increasingly determined to destroy the Supreme Court in order to save it. The technical matter under dispute was whether the Supreme Court would wait 32 days to finalize its decision in Louisiana v. Callais. This is the usual practice under Rule 45.3 of the court; the idea is to allow the losing party time to file a petition for re-hearing. But the rule is flexible, a default “unless the court or a justice shortens or extends the time.”
The winning side in the case asked to get the decision finalized quickly, since time is of the essence. With the state’s sched-
uled May 16 primaries rapidly approaching (now delayed), Louisiana wants to redraw its maps in keeping with the court’s decision.
Jackson’s dissent quotes a 2019 decision of the court in Rucho v. Common Cause for the proposition that courts should not “risk assuming political ... responsibility for a [partisan map-drawing] process that often produces ill will and distrust.”
But this was a warning against courts involving themselves in minute questions of partisan gerrymandering. Here, the court has set out a bright-line principle that district lines can’t be race-based, but otherwise said that the political authorities are welcome to gerrymander or not. Jackson also slaps the court for creating “chaos in the State of Louisiana.” This is quite rich given the history. When Louisiana created a congressional map after the 2020 census with just one majorityminority district, it got sued for not sufficiently taking race into account; a judge ordered it to make a second minority district. When Louisiana complied by manufacturing a monstrosity of a district stretching 250 miles to randomly scoop up black voters, it got sued again -- this time, for taking race too much into account -- and the case made it to the Supreme Court.
It is a sign of how weak the Jackson dissent is that the other progressives haven’t joined it, not even Sonia Sotomayor. It certainly would have been much better if this case had been decided sooner, but Alito drops
By 2030, Jamestown’s population is projected to grow by at least 50 percent — roughly 2,000 additional residents. That growth was anticipated years ago, which is precisely why prior councils made difficult financial decisions to prepare for it. Plans were already underway to address infrastructure demands such as a new fire station expected to cost more than $10 million, expanded sanitation services, increased brush and recycling pickup, and critical watercapacity improvements.
The hard work had already been done. The planning had already happened. The current council inherited a roadmap.
All they had to do was continue forward.
Instead, they are dismantling the very financial foundation designed to prepare Jamestown for the growth that is already coming.
At the same time, the council is sending another dangerous message: town employees are expendable. Years were spent recruiting and retaining talented professionals to build an effective municipal team. But when leadership publicly dismisses and disrespects its workforce, good employees eventually leave. And when they leave, towns replace experienced professionals with temporary staffing, outsourced services, and lower standards — costs that are often hidden in budgets until the damage becomes impossible to ignore.
Residents should also understand that many of these “tax cuts” are not true savings at all. They are simply shifting money away from other critical needs. For example, reducing the vehicle tax while diverting Powell Bill funding means less money available for road maintenance and paving. In other words: fewer repairs, more potholes, and higher long-term costs.
a suggestive footnote in his rejoinder to Jackson. He notes that the constitutional question was “argued and conferenced nearly seven months ago.” This implies that the case was effectively decided right after oral arguments in October of last year, and that the dissenters slow-walked it.
Now, Jackson wants more delay -- it serves the partisan interests of Democrats to preserve unconstitutional racebased congressional districts as long as possible.
The reaction to Louisiana v. Callais has been so incandescent on the Left because it believes that unless black voters have black representatives, they are disenfranchised. But this is not how representative democracy works. Were white voters in Georgia disenfranchised in the 2022 Senate race when two African-American candidates, Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker, ran against each other? Were the voting rights of Christians in New York City crimped in 2025 because a Muslim man won the mayoral election?
Even now, the council is reportedly spending thousands in legal fees disputing sheriff’s department funding that represents a fraction of the town’s overall public safety budget. Grinding down those relationships while the town simultaneously experiences explosive population growth is not a strategy. It is negligence.
If this path continues, the consequences will eventually appear where they always do: in audits, financial warnings, declining services, employee turnover, and increased scrutiny from the North Carolina Local Government Commission. And when that happens, do not expect this council to accept responsibility. They will look for someone else to blame - the finance director, staff, previous councils, anyone except themselves. But the truth will remain unavoidable. We never eliminate costs. We only postpone them. And delayed costs almost always become larger, more painful, and more expensive. So when Jamestown reaches 2030 and residents begin wondering how the town lost stability, service quality, infrastructure readiness, and financial security, remember the choices being made today. Remember who prioritized appearances over stewardship. Remember who traded long-term stability for short-term applause. And remember that the bill always comes due.
John Capes served three terms on the Jamestown Town Council and remains an active member of the Town of Jamestown’s Planning Board as its vice chair.
So when your vehicle hits more potholes over the next few years, remember who made those choices and who to thank. How long will it be before the council decides local trash collection is “too expensive” and hands services over to a private contractor? How long before more community services are hollowed out in pursuit of short-term optics and headline-friendly tax reductions?
“an investment in knowledge pays the best interest” — Benjamin Franklin
experience that delivers immediate value to the workforce.”
N.C. FAME graduates work three days a week with their sponsoring employer and attend classes at GTCC the other two days, and they are paid for 40 hours each week. After earning an average of 1,800 hours of on-the-job experience, 85% of graduates proceed to direct employment with a sponsoring company. N.C. FAME graduates can also transfer their credits to a four-year university to pursue a variety of STEM programs.
“The past two years have been exciting,” said GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D. “As we celebrate our second graduating cohort, these students have played a vital role in shaping the N.C. FAME program at GTCC into what it is today. We are proud to honor their accomplishments and look forward to seeing the impact they will make as they enter our local workforce.”
The First in Flight Chapter includes 11 employers: Cascade Die Castings Group in High Point;
Jowat Corporation in Archdale; Karl Mayer in Greensboro; MasterBrand Cabinets in Lexington; Ontex in Stokesdale; Procter & Gamble in Greensboro; Thomas Built Buses in High Point; Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina in Liberty; Ziehl-Abegg in Greensboro; ABCO Automation in Browns Summit; and Smurfit Westrock in Winston-Salem. For more information on the N.C. FAME, The First in Flight Chapter at GTCC, visit gtcc.edu/ gtccfame/.
Guilford
Coffee Break
Weekly Sudoku
By d e M i tAve RAS
“Project Hail Mary” (PG-13) — This sci-fi film starring Ryan Gosling (“The Actor”) became the second highest-grossing film of the year, pulling in $656.3 million at the box office. It’s now available to rent and buy on demand following its successful theatrical run, which should make a lot of fans happy now that they can watch Grace and Rocky in action from the comfort of their homes! Originally a novel written by Andy Weir, the film follows middle school science teacher Ryland Grace (Gosling), who gets the opportunity of a lifetime to go on a oneway space flight for research that could potentially save humanity. The catch is that
he wakes up on the interstellar spacecraft without his crew — and with amnesia. Luckily, he encounters a friendly alien named Rocky, and together the two fight to get the other back to their home planet. (Amazon Prime Video)
“Ladies First” (R) — Inspired by the French film “I Am Not an Easy Man,” this comedy film premiering May 22 flips the patriarchy on its head by asking, “What if the power dynamics between men and women were reversed?” Sacha Baron Cohen (“Balls Up”) stars as a chauvinistic executive who gets bonked on the head after walking into a pole. Upon awakening, he realizes that he’s somehow transported himself into a matriarchal
Salome’s Stars
wEEK OF MAY 25, 2026
ARIES (March 21 to April 19 An unexpected development could change the Arian’s perspective on a potential investment. Keep an open mind. Ignore the double talk and act only on the facts.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A surge of support helps you keep your long-standing commitment to colleagues who rely on you for guidance. Ignore any attempts to get you to ease up on your efforts.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Family continues to be a dominant factor, but career matters also take on new importance. You might even be able to combine elements of the two in some surprising, productive way!
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A realistic view of a workplace or personal situation helps you deal with it more constructively once you know where the truth lies. Meanwhile, reserve the weekend for someone special.
LEO (July 23 to August 22)
As much as you LEOs or LEOnas might be intrigued by the “sunny” prospects being touted for a potential investment, be careful that you don’t allow the glare to blind you to its essential details.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A friend’s problem brings out the VIRGO’s nurturing nature in full force. However, don’t go it alone. Allow others to pitch in and help share the responsibilities you’ve assumed.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A business decision might need to be put off until a colleague’s personal matter is resolved. Use this time to work on another business matter that you’ve been anxious to get to.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Relationships (personal or professional) might appear to be stalled because of details that keep cropping up and need tending to. Be patient. A path begins to clear by midweek.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A promotion could cause resentment among envious colleagues. But
Couch Theatre
alternate reality. A woman who originally was his subordinate (Rosamund Pike) is now his boss; he suddenly lives alone in a smaller apartment with a cat; and he gets told by women to smile as he walks down the street. The only way for him to exit this reality is to change his misogynistic ways. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be
Strange But True
By luCie winBoRne
• John Wycliffe’s first translation of the Bible from Latin Vulgate into English so angered the Catholic Church (because it bypassed priests) that it had his corpse exhumed and burned.
• A year on Neptune lasts approximately 165 Earth years.
• For six months, filmmakers Jenny Rustemeyer and Grant Baldwin survived on food salvaged from dumpsters, finding so much that friends were invited to help them consume it, and recorded their experience in “Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story.”
• The Hopi consider the Grand Canyon to be the gateway to the afterlife.
Polar bear mamas gain around 400 pounds during pregnancy. If the mother doesn’t double her weight, her body will simply reabsorb the fetus.
• Research has suggested that when a twin engages in criminal activity, it increases the likelihood that the other twin will do the same.
• The orbicularis oris muscle allows lips to pucker for a kiss.
• Words in tonal languages such as Mandarin and Hmong can have up to eight meanings, depending on their tone and pitch.
• Zeng Jinlian, of China, holds the world record for tallest woman in history, measuring an astounding 8 feet 1 3/4 inches tall — more than a foot taller than basketball star Shaquille O’Neal.
• Globally, male babies are 25% more likely to die in infancy than girls.
In December 1955, artist Salvador Dali borrowed a friend’s Rolls Royce, filled it to the roof with cauliflower, and drove it to the Sorbonne in Paris, where he delivered a lecture titled “Phenomenological Aspects of the Paranoiac Critical Method.”
The Leaning Tower of Pisa was already sinking on one side when the second floor was added.
Thought for the Day: “Work eight hours and sleep eight hours, and make sure that they are not the same eight hours.” — T. Boone Pickens
Crossword & Sukoku Answers
outside trying to find a pole ... (Netflix)
“Normal” (R) — This action/comedy film is led by Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”), who co-wrote the story alongside screenwriter Derek Kolstad. Odenkirk plays Ulysses, an interim sheriff who gets hired to serve the fictional
others recognize how hard you worked to earn it and will be there to support you if you need them.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A delicate personal matter needs both your wisdom and your warmth. Expect some setbacks, but stay with it. The outcome will more than justify your efforts.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Resist the temptation to cut corners just because time is short. It’s best to move ahead step by step so you don’t overlook anything that might later create time-wasting complications.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Use the good will that you recently earned with a well-received project to pitch your ideas for a new project. Expect some tough competition, though, from an unlikely source.
town of Normal, Minnesota. Shortly after Ulysses starts the job, a robbery occurs at the local bank, whereupon he finds out that Normal’s law enforcement is corrupt and connected to a Japanese criminal operation. Little did Ulysses know that a small town could hold such dark conspiracies within its buildings, but it’s now up to him to invoke the law. Look out for Henry Winkler (“American Horror Stories”) and Lena Headey (“Ballistic”), who star as important townsfolk. It’s available to rent starting May 19. (Apple TV+)
“In the City” (TV-MA) — The spin-off of the Bravo reality series “Summer House” hits streaming this week with its pilot episode premiering on May 20! Nat-
urally, fans will tune in to see some of their favorite cast members, like Kyle Cooke and Lindsay Hubbard, navigate their daily lives in New York City, rather than the Hamptons where they vacation and shoot “Summer House.” CEO and founder (of what?) Danielle Olivera is back again on the Bravo network, this time starring alongside her boyfriend/hotelier Eoin Heavey. Meanwhile, Andrea Denver from season six of “Summer House” also makes his return for the spin-off, with his wife, Lexi Sundin, joining the cast as well. Hopefully this episode holds off Bravo fans until the long-awaited “Summer House” reunion! (Peacock)
Super Crossword
Photo courtesy of MovieStillsDB Bob odenkirk stars in “normal.”
Here's A Tip
By JoAnn deRSon
By PAtti diAMond DiVaS oN a DiMe
Memorial Day weekend doesn’t have to mean elaborate menus or expensive cuts of meat. Some of the best gatherings happen around simple grilled food.
There’s a nostalgic happiness around a backyard grill: cut grass, glowing charcoal, drifting conversations, overloaded paper plates, kids running through the yard with sticky hands.
This menu leans into easy gathering food: inexpensive chicken legs brushed with sticky smoky glaze, alongside grilled zucchini and sweet peppers lacquered with the same sauce. Meant for lingering outside as evening stretches on, with beer in the cooler and a seat waiting.
SMOKY ORANGE
BALSAMIC GLAZE
Yield: 1 cup
Total Time: 25 mins.
1 large orange, zest and juice
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon coconut aminos or worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Oven Directions:
Heat oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with nonstick spray. Arrange chicken on the pan and bake 40 minutes, turning halfway through, until browned and crisp.
Brush generously with glaze and return to the oven 5 to 10 minutes more, until caramelized. Chicken should reach at least 185 F internally. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
• Need a patch for old woodwork? Try mixing paint (whatever color you are using) and flour. Make a paste, fill in the holes and let dry. It’s hard like cement, and can be sanded into shape if necessary.
GLAZED DRUMSTICKS
Chicken legs are technically safe to eat at 165 F, but they’re far better when cooked to 185 F to 190 F. The higher temperature breaks down connective tissue for juicy, tender meat that pulls easily from the bone.
Yield: 6 servings
Total Time: 45 mins.
5 pounds chicken drumsticks
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Season the chicken with garlic, salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
GLAZED VEGETABLES
Yield: 6 servings
Total Time: 25 mins.
4 medium zucchinis
16 ounce bag mini sweet peppers
1 small red onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Slice zucchini into thick diagonal slices. Halve peppers lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut onion into thick rounds, leaving slices mostly intact. Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper.
For the grill:
Grill over medium-high heat 8 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and crisp-tender. Brush with glaze during the final few minutes of cooking.
For the oven:
Whisk all ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy. Makes about 1 cup. Use on grilled meats, vegetables or as a dipping sauce.
Grill Directions: Heat grill to medium-high heat, about 425 F. Place chicken over indirect heat and cook, covered, for about 30 minutes, until nearly cooked through and the skin is crisp. Add wood chips if desired for extra smoky flavor.
Brush generously with Smoky Orange Balsamic Glaze and continue cooking 10 minutes more, turning and glazing once or twice, until sticky, caramelized and cooked through to 185 F.
Spread vegetables on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast at 425 F for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking, until tender and lightly caramelized. Brush with glaze during the last 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime — Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www. divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com.
• When you get near the end of a roll of paper towels, save it to put in your car. Put together a kit to keep in the car with the following items: a small bottle of Windex or other cleaner, a squeeze bottle of water, some wet wipes and the short roll of paper towels. You will always be ready for a quick on-the-road cleanup.
• You can use baking soda to scrub away stuck-on food on your grill. Sprinkle it on the metal brush, and scrub away. If your grate is beyond the power of fire and baking soda, remove it and lay it on the ground on some newspaper. Spray with oven cleaner and let sit (keep pets and kids away from it). Rinse with a garden hose and replace on the grill.
• “I have a plastic cup that changes color when the drink is hot. Oddly enough, it changes at the perfect temperature for a baby’s bath. So, I fill the tub and toss in the cup. When the cup starts to change back to its original color (blue), I know the bathwater is not too hot.” — P. in Idaho
• Sprinkle baby powder in dish gloves to help them slide on in an instant.
• “To remove muffins or rolls from a pan, set it on an old, damp towel for a minute. The steam must loosen the bottoms, because they just slide right out. I thank my mom for this tip.” — Janey R. via email
