Feb. 7 - 13, 2014
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996 • nwobserver.com •
Sheriff, aka ‘Superman,’ on the mend After a recent “heart event,” BJ Barnes says he will make lifestyles changes by PATTI STOKES
all part of a normal day; and then there are the speaking engagements, meetings, and charity events that fill in the gaps. It’s not unusual for him to get home about 8 or 8:30 p.m. And even then, his day isn’t always over; sometimes, there are the calls that come in the middle of the night.
GUILFORD COUNTY – BJ Barnes knows all about busy lifestyles. As the Guilford County sheriff, he works six days a week, and sometimes has commitments on Sundays. He’s at work long before he gets into BJ Barnes the office each mornBarnes, 63, has served as county ing. Overseeing about 650 employees, sheriff since 1994. He knows all too well the operations of two jails and a prison farm, and ensuring the safety of over the demands and rigorous schedule 500,000 Guilford County residents are that come with the job – and he says he
loves it. His wife Dena, who is mayor pro tem of the Summerfield Town Council and is very involved with many charitable organizations as well as the Republican National Party, keeps a pretty busy schedule as well. The couple recently found out, however, that though there may never seem to be a good time to slow down, sometimes you just have to. And you have to pay attention to your body. Wrapping up a recent trip in Washington, D.C., where BJ and Dena had attended a conference
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Committee takes next step in developing trail system A proposed 2.6-mile segment, designed for walkers, joggers, cyclists and equestrians, will be the initial focus by PATTI STOKES SUMMERFIELD – Paul Lambrecht says things could have gone a little more smoothly for the group of people charged with developing a plan for a trail
system through the town of Summerfield. Just a few months after the newly formed Trails and Open Space committee began meeting last July, the Department of Transportation (DOT) changed its project ranking process, which resulted in trail projects and walkability criteria dropping much lower on the priority list. “We’ve had to figure out the new ranking process, which totally changed in the fall,” says Lambrecht. Summerfield’s FY 2013-14 budget
Photo by Laura Pullins/NWO
Summerfield Elementary Principal Jill Walsh, left, challenges Northern Middle Principal Sam Misher in the balloon stomp during Northern Unite Night on Jan. 31. The event was held for fifth graders from Summerfield, Northern and McNair Elementary schools who will transition to Northern Middle School next year. See more photos from this event at www.facebook. com/NorthwestObserver.
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includes a $250,000 line item for trail development; the Trails and Open Space committee was formed last year as part of a regional effort to develop the A&Y Greenway, which has been designated as part of the statewide Mountains-to-Sea Trail, from downtown Greensboro through Summerfield to downtown Stokesdale and beyond. The committee, which is chaired by Lambrecht, consists of nine Summerfield citizens and employees
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News in brief..............................................3 Your Questions..........................................4 Pets & Critters ............................................7 There’s something about Noah .............8 Charlie and me ........................................9 Crime/Incident Report ..........................10 Bits & Pieces ............................................10 Community Calendar...........................14 Letters/Opinions ....................................16 Grins & Gripes .........................................16 Classifieds ...............................................18 Index of Advertisers .............................. 23