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APRIL 30-MAY 6, 2025

VOLUME 21, NUMBER 18

HOT GOAT

SPRING

The School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) will PRESENT THE SCREENINGS of its third — and fourthyear students at 7 p.m. May 7 and 8 (third-year films) and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 16 (fourth-year films) in the Main Theatre.

5 If the nicest thing one can say about a movie is that it’s inoffensive, that’s hardly a ringing endorsement. But that’s the adjective most applicable to THE LIFE LIST (Netflix)

6 The impact of U.S. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS isn’t just about food — it’s about sustainable, long-term development. Foreign investments in agriculture are essential not only for the health of communities abroad but also for the success of U.S. farmers.

6 Representative Virginia Foxx has an opportunity to support family caregivers by backing the bipartisan Credit for CARING ACT (H.R. 2036 / S. 925). This bill would provide a non-refundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible family caregivers, helping offset caregiving expenses.

8 The days may be heating up, but we’ve got a few weeks before “Hot Girl Summer” officially sets in — a few weeks this writer is officially dubbing “ HOT GOAT SPRING” and y’all: it’s hot.

11 On September 15, 2024, RYAN WESLEY ROUTH was arrested for aiming a semiautomatic rifle at thenpresidential candidate Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

13 Residents of Crystal Towers and Healy Towers in Winston-Salem are locked in a seemingly intractable battle with PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY officials over concerns about safety and building repairs.

UNCSA student ﬁlm screenings — on the big screen!

The School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) will present the screenings of its third- and fourth-year students at 7 p.m. May 7 and 8 (third-year films) and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 16 (fourth-year films) in the Main Theatre, located on the UNCSA campus, 1533 S. Main St., Winston-Salem. Admission to the screenings is free, and the films will also be made available online beginning May 16. These films, which run the gamut in genres, represent the culmination of the student’s hard work during the 2024-’25

academic year. The screenings are a way for the UNCSA community — and the community at large — to celebrate their talents and e orts. Some films may contain adult themes and language so parental discretion is advised. For details about the third-year and fourth-year screenings, visit https://www. uncsa.edu/performances/ events/20250515-thirdyear-films.aspx and www. uncsa.edu/performances/ events/20250516-fourth-yearfilms.aspx. Audiences should refer to the website for updates on screening times.

The third-year student ﬁlm line-up includes Princess, written by Wy White and Max Robards and directed by Jason Leeper; The Kings Pine, written by Nicolette Jimenez and directed by Quincy Johnson; Turnskin, written by Pearl

Reagler and directed by Cody Victor; Beaks Bloody, written by Nia Moneyhun and directed by Austin Snetsky; Cherry Red, written by William Chialdikis and directed by Abby Perkins; Fabel of Fey, written by Walker Conger and directed by Jack Zatkowsky; Heart Wired, written by Benjamin Choate and directed by Jared Laufree; I Love My Shower, written by Anleigh Hall and directed by Ainsley Wiseman; Tight Ten, co-written by Maryanne Deluz-Pender and Mary-Margaret St. Clair (who also directed); The Proletariat, co-written by Ethan Horlings and Wyatt White, and directed by Jack Price; Cookie, written by Anleigh Hall and directed by Declan Connor-Schaefer; Carpet, written by Felipe Paraguassu and Maryanne Deluz-Pender, and directed by Joe Appel; Julius Cheezer, co-written by Minh Ngo (who also directed) and Nia Moneyhun; A Change of Heart, written by Valeria Angulo Circa and directed by Tristan Alkemper; Meowji, written and animated by Kyle Labaziewicz; 33rd & Clover St., written and animated by Chloe Davis; A Little Chaos, co-written by Van Slaughter III (who also animated), Ethan Horlings, and Wyatt White; Heart of the City 2, directed by Will Harvest Seckman; and No Worries. The fourth-year student ﬁlm line-up consists of writer/director Chrisshea Owens’s drama A Crimson Harvest; Against a Sharp White Background, a documentary written and directed by Ashani Williams; the drama Auras (The After Party), cowritten by David S. Heiser Jr. (who also directed) and Jack Boals; Braid Dreams, a teen drama written by Cameryn Chestnut and directed by Sanath Hedge; Charlie Girl, written by Carter Normanly

(who also directed) and Ronan Skiles Moore; the thriller Hanging Wire; Kaizen, co-written by Karolina Sandecka (who also directed) and Erika Sharp; the documentary Music Between Us; Sick and Twisted, a tribute to John Caudill, a School of Filmmaking student who died shortly before he was to graduate in 2023; the drama The Last Time I Saw You, co-written by Ryker Capielo and Ho man West (who also directed); and Wildﬂower, a drama written by Jack Boals and directed by Mackenzie Marsteller.

“The student work this year reflects a wide cross-section of interests,” said School of Filmmaking dean Deborah LaVine. “Some of our most fascinating films are non-fiction — documentary and essay formats. Also, the use of newer technologies is very prominent, particularly in the Story Art Studio where we have piloted a number of courses teaching students ways to apply a variety of AI and digital filmmaking tools to produce images and sounds. Students are also rigorously exploring ways to tell traditional stories with new zeal. They are playing with formal choices, and there is a lovely trend back to character-driven stories in lieu of spectacle. Of course, there are still films that are heavily influenced by the cineplex, but more and more our students are realizing their own unique voice is more compelling than demonstrating an ability to mimic trends.”

LaVine, who joined UNCSA in July 2021, is constantly impressed and inspired by the work of the School of Filmmaking students. “I am endlessly moved by our emerging artists’ ability to show their vulnerability and humanity in the ﬁlms they make,” she said. “There is a sincerity to their work that is deeply touching. Conversely, this generation of ﬁlmmakers has a tremendous sense of humor. Capturing irony onscreen is really tough, but our students have a fantastically honed funny bone and wry wit.”

For more information, visit https:// www.uncsa.edu/. !

Mark Burger

Contributor

Lackluster Life List is a pallid, predictable romantic comedy

If the nicest thing one can say about a movie is that it’s ino ensive, that’s hardly a ringing endorsement. But that’s the adjective most applicable to The Life List (Netﬂix), the screen version of Lori Nelson Spielman’s best-selling debut 2013 novel, adapted by executive producer/screenwriter/ director Adam Brooks.

The ﬁlm, which isn’t as deep, profound, or moving as it aspires to be, is billed as a romantic comedy, but the romance depicted here is utterly predictable and the comedic elements are

underwhelming, to say the least. This is an unsurprising ﬁlm, told in unsurprising ways. The characters, though attractive and personable, are bland, and their predicaments never feel pressing or urgent.

Alex Rose (Soﬁa Carson) is at a crossroads, both in her life and her career. Unable to fully commit to anything or anyone, she receives an ultimatum (of sorts) when her beloved mother

Elizabeth (Connie Britton) dies. To fulﬁll the conditions stated in her mother’s will to claim her inheritance, Alex must complete several tasks she herself had penned when she was a mere 13 years old. This “life list,” Elizabeth says, is “a map to your best self,” and requires Alex to tackle stand-up comedy, play “Clair de Lune” on the piano, resume teaching, and, lastly, ﬁnd true love. With each task completed, Alex receives a DVD of her mother congratulating her, which allows Britton to reappear

periodically throughout the proceedings. As for the last task on the list, it’s fortunate that handsome young lawyer Brad (Kyle Adams) has probated the will. Initially, there’s tension between Alex and Brad, but … well, we all know what will eventually happen, don’t we?

Alex’s friends and siblings occasionally show up, but they’re not particularly interesting and have little bearing on the proceedings. Along the way, Alex even gets to shoot hoops with NBA great Patrick Ewing, and the cinematography by Florian Ballhaus (son of the late, great cinematographer Michael Ballhaus) provides some colorful and stylish renderings of New York City, but The Life List isn’t a travelogue, and when the scenery and setting are more enticing than the storyline, something has clearly gone amiss with this List. By the time the ﬁlm concludes with a treacly rendition of the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young standard “Our House,” it has

almost completely faded from memory. Not a moment too soon. !

Mark Burger

Foreign Aid Programs: Critical for Global Health and American Agriculture

BY BRIANNA CLARKE-SCHWEIM Executive Director, North Carolina Global Health Alliance

When I ﬁrst moved to North Carolina to work for the O ce of Rural Health under the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, I directly supported our rural health centers, many of which are located in communities where agriculture is the lifeblood of the local economy.

North Carolina is the second most rural state in the country after Texas, with 78 out of 100 counties designated as rural. In these communities, agriculture is often synonymous with health — both in terms of providing livelihoods and ensuring access to nutritious food.

As someone who has lived in rural America and worked in global health across countries like Kenya, Honduras and Panama, I’ve learned ﬁrsthand the deep connection between access to

nutritious food and overall health.

The hard work of American farmers extends far beyond our state and national borders — it impacts health worldwide.

U.S. farmers supply nearly 40 percent of the world’s food assistance, making them pivotal players in global health.

The impact of U.S. agricultural exports isn’t just about food — it’s about sustainable, long-term development. Foreign investments in agriculture are essential not only for the health of communities abroad but also for the success of U.S. farmers and for fostering strong, stable trade relationships that beneﬁt American agriculture.

In the ongoing debate about foreign aid, it’s critical to understand how it connects U.S. agriculture to the broader global health landscape.

Far from being a one-way street, foreign aid beneﬁts the U.S. by promoting trade partnerships and ensuring the continued growth of American farming. Without

foreign aid, we risk undermining this essential support system, which helps keep American agricultural producers competitive in the global market.

Take, for example, the role of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in agricultural research. USAID supports state innovation labs across the U.S., including at institutions here in North Carolina.

The work at these labs not only supports American farmers but also helps meet global nutritional needs. The Peanut Innovation Lab at North Carolina State University, for one, works on projects that beneﬁt peanut farmers both locally and globally, ensuring that farmers in the U.S. and across the world can produce more resilient, nutritious crops.

foreign aid, U.S. farmers will face increased competition from other nations, like China, and could lose access to vital global markets.

My work in global health has taken me far and wide — from rural health centers and agricultural communities in North Carolina to Kenya, Honduras, and Panama. More than anything, it has shown me how deeply food security and health are intertwined. Whether in a North Carolina farming town or a remote village abroad, access to nutritious food is foundational to a community’s well-being. Sustainable agriculture is likewise essential for improving health outcomes, and U.S. foreign aid plays a critical role in supporting these e orts.

By investing in agricultural infrastructure and local food production, foreign aid strengthens communities, boosts economic stability, and creates new markets for American farmers. The investments we make today will ensure a healthier, more stable world — and one in which American farmers thrive. !

When the U.S. invests in agricultural development abroad, it creates new markets for American products, driving demand for goods like wheat, corn, and soybeans. The impact of cuts to foreign aid programs are already apparent here in North Carolina. It’s easy to see foreign aid as a charitable act, but in reality, it’s a key driver of both global health and economic prosperity. By promoting global food security, foreign aid ensures American farmers have access to expanding international markets, and it strengthens U.S. leadership in global health initiatives. Without

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BRIANNA CLARKE-SCHWELM is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Global Health Alliance, an organization dedicated to elevating North Carolina as a leader in global health. She has worked in health clinics in Kenya, Honduras, and Panama, and with The Hunger Project, an NGO focused on ending global hunger and poverty.

Supporting the Credit for Caring Act

BY STEVE DOZIER

Caring for a loved one living with dementia takes a signiﬁcant emotional and ﬁnancial toll. In 2024, 373,000 Alzheimer’s caregivers in North Carolina provided 723 million hours of unpaid care — valued at nearly $11 billion. Of the total lifetime cost of dementia care, families bear 70% of that burden.

As a caregiver for my mother, I experienced this ﬁrsthand. For over two years, I paid for monthly ﬂights and rental cars to monitor her care and attend doctor appointments. Once I moved her to North Carolina, I paid out-of-pocket for personal items Medicare and supplemental insurance wouldn’t cover — not to mention the time I missed from work.

Thankfully, Representative Virginia Foxx has an opportunity to support family caregivers by backing the bipartisan Credit for Caring Act (H.R. 2036 / S. 925). This bill would provide a non-refundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible family caregivers, helping o set caregiving expenses.

With caregivers spending an average of $12,000 a year, this credit would o er meaningful ﬁnancial relief — especially for those earning under $50,000 annually. It would be a much-needed acknowledgment of the sacriﬁces made every day by caregivers like me.

Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in urging Sen. Tillis to support the Credit for Caring Act and stand with North Carolina’s caregivers. !

The days may be heating up, but we’ve got a few weeks before “Hot Girl Summer” ocially sets in — a few weeks this writer is o cially dubbing “Hot Goat Spring” and y’all: it’s hot. Ok, so “Hot Goat” is the North Carolina songwriter duo from Rick Randall (Winston-Salem’s Them Pants) and Mike Mitschele, co-founders of the Charlotte rock outﬁt — with an emphasis on outﬁts — the Alternative Champs.

Fans of HBO’s Righteous Gemstones may recognize them as part of Tears of David, the Gemstone Salvation Center Church Band; and authors of earworms like the Bible Bonkers theme and the brand new Teenjus disco dance ditty “Turn the Other Cheek,” which premiered on Sunday’s episode 8, “On Your Belly You Shall Go.”

With just one episode left to go in the whole series — cli hangers remain (though, thankfully, sweet BJ seems back on his feet): will Teenjus be a hit? …will Gideon get it together? ...will I ever get to ask creators how the longtime Guilford County Sheri , BJ Barnes, became the

Hot Goat Spring

namesake for Judy’s angel cake of a husband?!? (You can’t tell me it’s a coincidence on a show by a writing group that cut their teeth as UNCSA students during Barnes’ tenure.)

Mysteries abound, but one thing’s for sure: Gemstones songs slap harder than a white glove at the Cape and Pistol. And it’s been a banger season for Hot Goat Music having landed nearly 20 songs across the show’s nine-episode ﬁnal run — and Randall snagging some screen time playing piano alongside Megan Mullally during the opening sequence in episode 2.

Looking back, it’s been a stellar ride since they ﬁrst stepped on set to ﬁlm the pilot. Getting in the godly groove, o ering a church band backbone of authenticity to support the hilarity of the main character’s over-the-top shenanigans. A grounding force of space mountain songs for pastors on jetpacks, if you will.

Along the church band backline, Randall remains grateful for the surreal opportunity — looking back on those wide-eyed first days of filming and the relationships built in the handful of years since. “That’s what’s crazy,” he said. “You have these figures like John Goodman who you get to know. As people. As humans — you know — just going over to the craft services table or whatever.”

“What really felt funny was when we started writing the music and coaching di erent characters,” he continued. “Being amongst these celebrities who are look-

ing to your direction; because they’re not musicians. And we became the ones who knew what we were doing. It’s this super interesting exchange of vulnerability.”

From the beginning, Tears of David’s humor has rested in the absurd megachurch-mall realism of real dudes, in a real band, playing real songs that help anchor one of the funniest, weirdest, heartwarming, dong-hanging shows on TV … even if that real band is infamous for being ridiculous. For Mitschele, being memorable is what matters most. And the Champs have been making good on that for a couple of decades now around Charlotte with pop hit love songs to Cherie Berry, rock ‘n’ roll dedications to the ﬁne lil town of Rockingham, and a fresh set of characters for everyone concert — they’re certainly memorable (and catchy as hell.)

The Gemstones’ set is rife with folks familiar to Charlotte music: production designer and assistant director Richard A. Wright is a Charlottean; director, producer, screenwriter, and actor Jody Hill — who also plays Tears of David’s guitarist Levi — is a Concord native; and “Misbehavin” writer and show composer, Joseph Stephens, was in the Queen City indie rock Pyramid and Sea of Cortez. So when creator and actor Danny McBride (who also stars as Jesse Gemstone) requested a band of musicians instead of actors to play the band, the Champs quickly came to mind.

Turns out, rock ‘n’ roll theater pays o . The Champs’ reputation for costumed concert characters landed them a role on national TV. That first pilot led to appearances in the first two seasons; which led to songwriting and scoring roles beyond the Elevation Church rock pew — expanding upon what McBride called their “flawless execution” for tackling di erent genres. By the time season 3 production rolled around in 2022, the writing pair was tapped to write what would become the Bible Bonkers theme, and Hot Goat Music was o cially born.

Fueled by the glitz and glam of late1970s game-show camp (big ﬁll drums and ‘buzzing-in in the name of the Lord!’) the Bible Bonkers theme cemented the duo in the placement game — who then created the Hot Goat Music LLC out of good sense and a growing list of credits that includes composing songs for David Gordon Green’s 2024 comedy-drama Nutcrackers (starring Ben Stiller); collaborating on songs for an Amazon scienceﬁction comedy-drama series created by Greg Daniels (The O ce and Parks and Recreation); making recordings for Starz programs; and tracking the WURG Radio ID that appeared in both Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. With so much activity Randall surmises they’re due for a fresh photo shoot–shouting out the work of Winston-Salem photographer Liz Nemeth and Hot Goat’s mostly-monochromatic visual imagery

Katei Cranford

Contributor PHOTOS

that simultaneously blends the duo’s ridiculously series approach to their work; and their shared goal to elevate not only the projects they work on; but also the people involved.

And it’s that outlook — sweet, sweet Elevation — that set the scene for episode 8’s Baby Billy Banger: “Turn the Other Cheek,” a hyper-produced disco number that left Walton Goggins in stitches during the recording. “Baby Billy will have the summer of 2025 fucking hit,” Goggins told Dax Shepard on the Armchair Expert podcast. “Come June … you will be singing this fucking song.”

Well, it’s not even May and he ain’t wrong.

While Tears of David will come to an end with Gemstones’ series ﬁnale, Hot Goat isn’t shedding any tears — they’re ready to turn a fresh page to follow “Turn the Other Cheek” — with composi-

tions and placements in the works. And they’re looking forward to giving their other groups a little attention. Fans can expect new records from both Alternative Champs and Them Pants. While the Champs only play a handful of times a year these days, they’ll celebrate bassist Brent Dunn’s birthday with a show at Comet Grill in Charlotte on May 24.

“I’m feeling incredibly lucky to have been part of this show since the pilot,” Randall said, thanking the cast and crew for “letting us be part of this wild ride. And most of all, being able to share this with my bestest buds.”

Hot Goat is coming to a movie or television soundtrack near you. Randall will return with Them Pants to a venue in Winston-Salem soon. !

KATEI

Daily Happy Hour Specials

Prosecutor argues for previous crimes to be included against would-be Trump assassin

On September 15, 2024, Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested for aiming a semiautomatic riﬂe at then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Last month, United States Attorney Hayden O’Byrne argued that felonies Routh committed in Greensboro in 2002 and 2010, as well as his unsuccessful attempt to purchase a rocket launcher in the weeks before his arrest last year, should be admissible as evidence against him.

Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) states that convictions for previous crimes may not be cited as evidence of criminal character or “propensity.” But in “Government’s Motion to Admit Potential Rule 404(b) Evidence,” ﬁled April 5, O’Byrne wrote that such evidence becomes admissible when previous crimes are “inextricably intertwined” with those for which the defendant is currently charged. He also noted that past acts may become admissible when indicative of “proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, [or] identity.”

The former Greensboro roofing contractor is indicted on five counts: “the attempted assassination of a Major Presidential Candidate”; “knowingly possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of that assassination attempt”; assaulting a federal o cer (a Secret Service agent); “knowingly and unlawfully” possessing a firearm despite prior felony convictions; and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

“It will be our burden to show that Routh intended to kill President Trump,” wrote O’Byrne, “and took a substantial step that strongly corroborates the intent.” Therefore, he argued, “Court

should admit Routh’s August 2024 attempt to acquire anti-aircraft weapons as direct evidence of his assassination attempt,” even though Routh never actually acquired those weapons and did not use them in his September attempt on the future president’s life.

O’Byrne alleged that, in August 2024, Routh sought to purchase a rocket launcher online from an associate he believed to be a Ukrainian with access to military weapons. “Routh told his associate to ‘send me an RPG [rocket propelled grenade] or stinger and I will see what we can do.’ The two then exchanged messages about price and logistics that included Routh writing, ‘going to the local store for such an item is impossible — however you are at war so those items are lost and destroyed daily — one missing would not be noticed.’” O’Byrne also alleged that Routh sent his associate an image of Trump’s plane.

which stretched from 1998 to 2011, and included stealing a Chevy pickup truck, six kayaks, an air compressor, a mini-grinder, and metal shears; as well as vandalism, multiple counts of receiving stolen property, failure to appear, and citations for dozens of worthless checks, as well as numerous counts of speeding, driving without a license, and improper registration.

O’Byrne did not list this full range of charges, but only his most serious convictions, for which Routh served little time. Noting “a 2002 conviction for possessing a weapon of mass destruction (WMD), and three related 2010 convictions for possessing stolen goods” O’Byrne called these convictions “proof of Routh’s status as a felon and his knowledge that he was a felon.”

O’Byrne described this evidence as “admissible and intrinsic, and thus outside the scope of Rule 404(b).”

“While the defense may argue that this evidence isn’t direct because it was unlikely that Routh would be able to complete the purchase or because he ultimately used a riﬂe instead, those arguments misunderstand the law of attempt — where factual impossibility is not a defense.”

O’Byrne also argued for the admissibility of Routh’s felony convictions in Greensboro, where he was born, worked for decades, and in 1992, was proclaimed “Citizen of the Year” by the Greensboro Police O cer’s Association for assisting in the apprehension of a rapist. The court document does not mention this accolade but does describe his felony convictions before moving to Hawaii in 2018.

2002 was a particularly eventful year in Routh’s long criminal history here,

O’Byrne described Routh’s possession of a “binary explosive device with a detonation cord and a blasting cap — essentially, dynamite — on or about April 23, 2002” as demonstrating “comfort with devices that may cause death or grave injury, but also shows that he was indeed capable of intending to do the extraordinary.”

O’Byrne cited an April 26, 2022, text message, in which Routh admitted “I ow[n]ed an AK47 in North Carolina and a Tech 9 and a bunch of guns,” but stated that “police ended up with them all.” O’Byrne called this admission “especially relevant because it acknowledges that police seized those guns, as well as his capability and experience with the AK47 assault riﬂe, which is similar to the SKS-type riﬂe that Routh used in the assassination attempt.”

In his conclusion, O’Byrne argued that:

Furthermore, argued O’Byrne, “there is nothing about this evidence that causes undue prejudice in light of its clear relevance to Routh’s commission of the firearm-related acts charged here. None of these incidents involve any aggravating factors such as wounded victims that might risk inflaming the jury; instead, they are instances of possession that speak directly to the mental state the Government must prove at trial. The extreme remedy of exclusion would be unfair to the jury. Conclusion for all of the foregoing reasons, the United States respectfully requests that the Court permit the Government to introduce the evidence identified in this motion.” !

IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith was published in September of 2023 by Scuppernong Editions.

“Routh’s prior possession and use of firearms tend to prove his mental state as to Count 2 (possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence), Count 4 (possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon), and Count 5 (possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number). That’s so because where a defendant is charged with unlawful possession of something, evidence that he possessed the same or similar things at other times is often quite relevant to his knowledge and intent with regard to the crime charged.”

Ian McDowell

Contributor

Ryan Wesley Routh

Tensions between tenants and Winston Salem’s public housing authority are running high

By greg childress | NC Newsline https://ncnewsline.com

Residents of Crystal Towers and Healy Towers in Winston-Salem are locked in a seemingly intractable battle with public housing authority officials over concerns about safety and building repairs.

Relations between tenant groups and Housing Authority of Winston-Salem (HAWS) Executive Director Kevin Chesire have deteriorated to the point where group leaders are demanding the HAWS Board of Commissioners fire Chesire.

Tenants complain that Chesire is inattentive to their concerns and has failed to maintain safe and sanitary housing at the two apartment complexes and other buildings managed by HAWS.

“I want to see Kevin Chesire resign,” said Michael Douglas, president of Crystal Towers Resodents Council, a tenants’ group. “He is very arrogant about his position. He cares about optics, but he doesn’t care about what we [tenants] see.”

When asked about the demands that he be fired, Chesire said, “The mayor appoints the [HAWS] board [of commissioners] and the board decides whether to employ me.”

“We can’t even get our toilets to work right”

Tenants at both Crystal Towers and Healy Towers have long lists of grievances. At Crystal Towers, residents complain about leaky plumbing, mold and mildew. At Healy Towers, bed bug infestations and other pests are concerns. Balky elevators at Crystal Towers were replaced but had been a major concern for the mostly disabled and elderly residents who live in the 11-story building.

At a protest rally earlier this month, Healy Towers resident Edith Chisholm, took issue with HAWS spending money to refurbish the King building on North Cleveland Avenue to serve as its headquarters. The building is a short walk across a parking lot from Sunrise Towers, another public housing community. It replaced space the housing authority occupied downtown.

“[HAWS] refurbished a building for themselves, and we can’t even get our toilets to work right,” Chisholm said. “We can’t even get bed bugs out.”

Chisholm was part of a large crowd that gathered outside of the King building to demand HAWS fire Chesire and make repairs to Crystal Towers and other public housing facilities.

MeKaann Evans, a member of Housing Justice Now, a housing advocacy group, said faulty plumbing is a primary concern for Crystal Towers residents.

“The water goes through the walls and there’s always puddles of water on the floor,” Evans said in an interview with NC Newsline just ahead of the tenants’ rally. “They also need to go in and kill this mold instead of painting over it because, as we know, you can die from mold. Mold is serious and a lot of elderly people in this building already have breathing issues.”

Board Backs the executive director

The HAWS Board of Commissioners’ monthly meeting was held on the day of the tenants’ rally. Crystal Towers and the rally outside were main topics.

The commissioners’ support for Chesire appeared solid as he guided them through a presentation about the state

order system, non-responsiveness of management or maintenance staff, and we certainly categorically reject accusations that nothing has been done,” he said.

Chesire noted that HAWS spent $607,000 on maintenance on Crystal Towers in 2024. He said that of 108 plumbing work orders received so far this year, 94 closed within 24 hours, most within same day. Across the city’s public housing, Chesire said HAWS received and closed 1,712 maintenance work orders entered by residents in 2024.

advocacy group Backs tenants

Dan Rose, a Housing Justice Now member, contends that there are serious plumbing concerns at Crystal Towers. Rose and tenants have asked the city council for money to make needed repairs. He said the city made a promise to make the repairs in 2022 when tenants successfully fought against the building being sold.

of the city’s public housing communities. He’d made a similar presentation to the Winston-Salem City Council in March.

Chesire explained that Winston-Salem, like cities across the country, is struggling to figure out how to maintain outdated high rise public housing buildings. Crystal Towers and other older buildings managed by HAWS are in desperate need of modernization, Chesire said. And even after modernization, such facilities would not be optimal for disabled and elderly residents, he said.

“This is not an issue that has snuck upon us nationally but needing modernization is a lot different than what has been described to the [city] council and what I’m presuming is being described out in front of this building today,” Chesire said. “Needing modernization is different than suggesting that our maintenance team, who I’m extremely proud of, is ignoring work orders and is not fixing what is broken.”

Chesire was more succinct during the March city council meeting, where residents shared concerns with the council.

“I categorically reject allegations of plumbing system failures, defective work

“The residents want their plumbing issues addressed first because of the mold, because of the mildew,” Rose said in an interview with NC Newsline. “We know that these outdated pipes leaking inside their walls and ceilings are making them sick.”

Rose acknowledges that the housing authority has made improvements to the elevators at Crystal Towers but says little else has been done to address residents’ concerns.

“They’ve just done a lot of cosmetic stuff down in the lobby and put in some new elevators, which is important but not the only thing,” Rose said. “The residents have decided they want plumbing to happen first, because again, it’s making them sick, and they know it.”

Tensions between tenants and officials who manage public housing properties are not unusual, housing authority officials and tenants agree. They also agree that conflicts are inevitable when tenants feel unheard, unseen and believe critical property repairs come too slowly or are never made. And when federal underfunding, competition for scarce resources and other impediments prevent housing authorities from meeting tenants’ needs, the outcome

PHoTo BY GREG CHILDRESS | NC NEWSLINE, HTTPS://NCNEWSLINE CoM Protesters in Winston-Salem discuss concerns about public housing.

can be chaotic, they say.

Still, in Winston-Salem, the ongoing tension between public housing residents and housing authority o cials can sometimes feel next level.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if residents were this angry everywhere,” Rose said. “I don’t mean to toot our [Housing Justice Now] horn too loudly but I do think that it’s [the tension] very much a result of our organizing e orts.”

Chesire and his critics are in agreement. “I think the unique situation here is the involvement of Dan Rose with Housing Justice Now and his strategic utilization of media,” Chesire said. “You typically don’t have an outside group that is attempting to direct the message the way that we have here.”

TRAGIC DEATH SPURS TENANT SAFETY DEMANDS

Tragedy struck Crystal Towers on Jan. 25. A second story ﬁre led to the hospitalization of tenant Abraham Woods, who died Feb. 1. Woods lived across the hall from the apartment that caught ﬁre due to a cooking incident. Triad City Beat reported that Woods died due to cardiopulmonary arrest as well as di use hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, which is brain damage that can occur due to carbon monoxide poisoning from smoke inhalation.

Daniel Woods, Mr. Abraham’s nephew, was one of the protesters outside of HAWS’ headquarters on April 8. Woods said the family wants to prevent others from su ering the same fate as Mr. Abraham Woods.

“We’re still feeling the loss, that’s why we’re out here,” said Daniel Woods, who described Mr. Abraham Woods as a gentle giant and beloved family member and tenant at Crystal Towers.

Daniels Woods told NC Newsline that his uncle had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and that the family believes smoke inhalation contributed to his death.

Chesire shared details of the ﬁre with HAWS commissioners during the board’s monthly meeting.

“The ﬁre was small, it was not a smoke billowing out the window situation,” Chesire said. “It was so small that it didn’t even meet our [insurance] deductible.”

Chesire said that Woods evacuated the building under his own power. Once he got outside, he had a “medical event” and collapsed and was rushed to the hospital where he died a week later, Chesire said.

“I’ve seen nothing from any medical professional that attributes the cause of death to smoke inhalation,” Chesire said. “I’m not suggesting that was not a contributing factor, I’m simply reporting to you all that that was not identiﬁed on the death certiﬁcate as a causation of the death.”

In recent months, Woods’ death has been a point of contention between Crystal Towers residents and HAWS. The residents say they have safety concerns because the housing authority doesn’t provide ﬁre extinguishers in apartments, which the tenants say leaves them vulnerable to ﬁres.

Fire extinguishers are available at each end of hallways, they acknowledge.

“When we asked for ﬁre extinguishers, they refused to give them to us,” said Douglas, the Crystal Towers United president. “And then they said, ‘if we gave them to you, you wouldn’t know how to use them.’”

Instead of fire extinguishers, the housing authority installed stovetop fire stops that are designed to extinguish gas fires on stove tops. The devices work by automatically releasing a fine, dry powder that smothers the fire. Both Douglas and Rose say the devices were out of date when installed.

Douglas, who was passed over for an opening on the HAWS board, said HAWS denied Crystal Towers tenants’ request for emergency evacuation chairs to help disabled tenants get downstairs in case elevators stopped working during a ﬁre.

“The elevators are constantly outof-order,” Douglas said. “They refused to buy us any of those [emergency evacuation] chairs. We’ve got people in wheelchairs. You can put them in those chairs and take them down the steps because when we have a ﬁre, they cut the elevators o .”

Chesire addressed the request for evacuation chairs during the board of commissioners meeting. He said the housing authority retains a list of residents who need help being evacuated during emergencies. The list is shared with ﬁrst responders so they can assist them, he said.

“We can’t have other residents or sta physically moving people,” Chesire said. “It’s a liability issue, it’s a potential injury issue, so we’ve got to wait on ﬁrst responders.”

Douglas sees it di erently.

“They treat us like second class citizens,” he said. “They make decisions on stu that a ect us but never take our thoughts into consideration.” !

[WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP] WINSTON-SALEM CHORAL ARTISTS CONCLUDE THEIR SEASON WITH DAN FORREST’S “CREATION”

SUBMITTED BY BRIANNA CANTWELL Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County

The Winston-Salem Choral Artists (WSCA) will conclude their 2024-25 season with a landmark performance of Dan Forrest’s “Creation” on Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. This free concert, featuring a chamber orchestra and four local youth choirs, marks one of the ﬁrst performances of Forrest’s new chamber version of the work.

“Creation” is Forrest’s most expansive composition to date, a sweeping 68-minute oratorio that explores the wonders of our planet through a dazzling variety of musical expressions for chorus, orchestra, and soprano and baritone soloists. Written on the 225th anniversary of Haydn’s similarlythemed masterpiece, the work unfolds as a cinematic journey through the natural world, blending lush harmonies with moments of awe and joy.

Dr. Christopher Gilliam, WSCA’s artistic director, will lead the ensemble alongside accompanist Dr. Robert Matthews. Joining them are youth singers from West Forsyth High School, Reynolds High School, the Centenary Youth Choir Collective, and the Winston-Salem Choral Academy, creating a multigenerational collabora-

tion that reﬂects the community’s deep choral roots.

This performance not only showcases the WSCA’s commitment to high-level choral artistry but also highlights the ensemble’s dedication to engaging with and nurturing young talent in the region. The inclusion of local youth choirs underscores the organization’s mission to inspire and elevate the human spirit through the power of choral music. Tickets are free but require advance reservation through the WSCA website. For those seeking a transformative musical experience that celebrates both the grandeur of creation and the strength of community, this concert promises to be an unforgettable evening. !

It uses poses called asanas

Paper version of an online publication, informally

Share the same view

“P” of S&P

The “S” of RSVP

Port in Italia

Moore of the Brat

San — (certain Californian)

Christmas carol whose titular ﬂower symbolizes

Tons” hitmaker of 1955

o to the right of the margin

Fish also called “unagi”

in perfumery

[SALOME’S STARS]

Week of May 5, 2025

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The cautious side of your usually adventurous nature stands you in good stead this week. Someone might, indeed, be trying to pull the wool over the Sheep’s eyes.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Planetary alignment still causes unsettling situations. Consider delaying matters that aren’t a priority until the weekend. Cheer up! The next such alignment isn’t until 2028.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Family matters take precedence. Spend more time with those close to you. A career move sounds promising, but ask for more facts before making a decision.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your watchword this week is “tact”! While honesty is, of course, the best policy, it’s best to temper your tendency toward bluntness with discretion.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Nothing pleases our LEOs and LEOnas more than to know they’re admired, and this week, you’ll be overwhelmed with compliments. Enjoy the adulation! You earned it.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You’re making progress in your dealings with a troubled loved one. Continue to o er understanding and support. You’ll soon see positive results.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Change is favored this week. You might want to reassess a situation that has

become too demanding. Also, reconsider a job move that you rejected earlier.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A loved one returns after a long separation. At work, a decision is made that could lead to the changes you hoped for. The next step is up to you.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) This is a good time to set things straight in your personal relationships. Some decisions might be di cult but necessary if you’re to turn things around.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Cupid rules the CAPRICORN Goat’s heart this week. It’s a good time to start a new romance or rea rm your commitment to your current beloved.

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Travel and entertainment are favored for the rest of the month. You earned this good time. Enjoy it with friends and family members!

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Someone you’ve been close to reveals a secret that could put this relationship at risk. Consider the full impact of the admission before making a decision.

[BORN THIS WEEK: You have a sense of justice that sometimes makes you a mite too judgmental, but it also makes you a trusted, loyal friend.

answers

[CROSSWORD]

crossword on previous page

[WEEKLY SUDOKU]

sudoku on previous page

[ 1. TELEVISION: Which actor was nominated for an Emmy for the same character on three di erent sitcoms?

[ 2. MOVIES: Who was the ﬁrst actor to refuse an Oscar award for Best Actor?

[ 3. GEOGRAPHY: Which modern city is in the shadow of the active volcano Mount Vesuvius?

[ 4. FOOD & DRINK: What gas is used to create seltzer water?

[ 5. SCIENCE: What is the center of an atom called?

Eight.

9. Alpha Centauri.

8. Short stories.

7. The aorta.

6. Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

TEST] by Fifi Rodriguez

[ 6. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Who are the six men who have made a career Grand Slam in pro golf?

[ 7. ANATOMY: What is the largest artery in the body?

[ 8. LITERATURE: For which category is the O. Henry Award given?

[ 9. ASTRONOMY: Which star system is nearest to our solar system?

[ 10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: How many presidents have died in o ce?

1. Kelsey Grammer for Wings, Cheers and Frasier. 2. George C. Scott, for Patton. 3. Naples, Italy.

4. Carbon dioxide. 5. Nucleus.

Side by Side with Nido Qubein is a 30-minute, behind-the-curtain conversation with people whose influence and impact are felt throughout the state of North Carolina and beyond. High Point University President Nido Qubein, an internationally known author and business consultant, digs beneath the surface conversation to reveal insights and inspiration from each special guest. Featuring both timeless and topical themes, the weekly series runs yearlong on PBS North Carolina.

HOW MANY OF THESE INTRIGUING