MONDAY
LEARNING TO GROW: Program aims to create young leaders. 1C
November 23, 2009 125th year No. 327
GROWTH CORRIDOR: Commissioner wants answer on zoning request. 1B
www.hpe.com High Point, N.C.
FOUR IN A ROW: Johnson races to NASCAR history. 1D
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Santa’s coming to town BY PAM HAYNES ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
HIGH POINT – Grab your fold-up chairs, hats and scarves on Tuesday night. It’s time for the city’s annual Christmas parade. A colorful mix of marching bands, beauty queens, antique cars and elaborate floats will roll through town beginning at 6 p.m. for the 2009 High Point Holiday Festival Parade. Sponsored by North State Communications, the event begins at the intersection of E. Green Drive and Main Street and continues along Main Street to Montlieu Avenue. Ronald McDonald, the popular face
of McDonald’s, will serve as the grand marshal for this year’s parade, which dates back before World War I. Seven professional floats and approximately 50 non-professional floats designed by local organizations will make an appearance, according to Sharon Smith, parade manager with the Guilford Merchant’s Association. “We have a number of churches that build floats each year, and their youth groups become very involved,” she said. “They also serve as one of the staples of our parade. Their ideas are unbelievable.” Smith said yearly staples of the parade also will be included such as five high school marching bands and
Christmas queens from each school. Awards for best performances in bands, dance groups and best design for floats will be awarded that night, along with several other awards. “The parade happens after most people get off of work, so people can bring their children,” she said, noting the event is one of the state’s largest evening parades. “It’s a wonderful way to get into the spirit of Christmas and Thanksgiving.” And don’t forget about the grand finale of the parade. “Santa will be there, and he is always everyone’s favorite,” she said.
WANT TO GO?
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What: The 2009 High Point Holiday Festival Parade
Where: Beginning at the intersection of E. Green Drive and Main Street, the parade travels along Main Street and ends at Montlieu Avenue. Cost: Free
phaynes@hpe.com | 888-3617
Inside...
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Primaries gain importance as parties keep district footholds. 1B BY PAUL B. JOHNSON ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
Preschool pageant Family members and other guests react to a performance at the First Methodist preschool Thanksgiving pageant on Thursday.
TRIAD – The brisk pace of announcements by candidates seeking a range of offices in the region might make you think that the next general election is almost upon us. Instead, it’s a year away. While the actual calendar might show that the 2010 general election is 12 months from taking place, the reality of the political calendar compels candidates to unveil their intentions and start raising money now. The pace is intensified by candidates, especially on the Republican side, who face primary battles in May to advance as the party nominee to the general election. “It’s an increasing trend, in terms of getting your name out there early,” said Matthew DeSantis, assistant professor of political science at High Point University. This month, three Republican candidates have indicated plans to run for Davidson County sheriff, while another three High Point Republicans say they will seek the 61st State House District seat being vacated after next year by Rep. Laura Wiley, R-Guilford. High Point furniture showroom manager Cathy Brewer Hinson will challenge U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, R-6th, Coble’s first Republican primary challenge since he was elected 25 years ago. Democratic challenger Marcus
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Second in a three-part series.
BY DARRICK IGNASIAK ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
TRINITY – Trinity and Archdale city councils are awaiting a decision by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners on whether the county will financially support a preliminary engineering sewer study to build a wastewater treatment plant south of Trinity – a move officials say will save Trinity taxpayers a lot of money.
Earlier this year, the Archdale and Trinity city counTAPPING cils each GROWTH decided to allocate Trinity’s $25,000 tosewer system wards the expansion feasibil■■■ ity study. T r i n ity City Manager Ann Bailie said Randolph County commissioners are expected to consider the allocation in December or January. In 2007, the Archdale and
TRINITY, 2A
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AT A GLANCE
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BIG HONOR: Randolph Principal of the Year announced. 1B
Key dates for the 2010 election season: Feb. 8-26: Filing by candidates May 4: Party primaries June 22: Primary runoffs (if necessary) Nov. 2: General election Brandon will take on Rep. Earl Jones, D-Guilford, in the 60th State House District primary. The campaigns aren’t limited to primaries. Guilford County Republican Sheriff BJ Barnes will be challenged a former aide, Democrat Harlon Costner. The need to raise campaign funds compels candidates to declare earlier in election cycles, DeSantis said. “You’re going to want to get your name out there as soon as possible to raise as much money, to create as much early momentum, to make contacts,” he said. Another reason for the early announcements by Republican candidates reflects a possible shift in the political fortunes for the party, said Ran Coble, executive director of the nonpartisan N.C. Center for Public Policy Research in Raleigh. The success of GOP challengers for governor in Virginia and New Jersey earlier this month has given Republicans hope that 2010 will be a turnaround year, he said. “Republicans feel right now that 2010 is going to be a good year for them to run. When it looks like it’s going to be a good year, it’s easier to recruit early,” he said. pjohnson@hpe.com | 888-3528
Cities await decision on treatment plant study Before you read...
Dr. Sandra B. Farland joined the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Farland is a clinical instructor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and also sees patients at the Peace Haven clinic.
When: Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Election season already gets busy
DON DAVIS JR. | HPE
WHO’S NEWS
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OBITUARIES
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Bernice Alford, 90 Effie Cash, 84 George Green, 61 Frances Griffin Ethel Hamilton Delmer Lambeth, 71 Will Lassiter, 90 Brenda Owens, 59 Helen Roberts, 92 Alice Royals, 67 Betty Simerson, 76 Hazel Thompson, 86 Mary Thompson, 67 Darrell Varner, 79 Obituaries, 2B
WEATHER
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Scattered rain High 53, Low 43 6D
INDEX ABBY 3B BUSINESS 5D CLASSIFIED 3-6C COMICS 5B CROSSWORD 2C DONOHUE 5B FUN & GAMES 2C LIFE&STYLE 1C LOCAL 3A, 1B LOTTERY 2A MOVIES 6D NEIGHBORS 4B NATION 6A, 6D NOTABLES 2C OBITUARIES 2B OPINION 4A SPORTS 1-4D STATE 2-3A, 3B TV 6B WEATHER 6D WORLD 5A
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SONNY HEDGECOCK | HPE
City Engineer Randy L. McNeill talks with City Manager Ann Bailie about long-term plans for installing sewer lines throughout Trinity.
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