Oct. 19 - Nov. 1, 2023
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since November1996
www.nwobserver.com
De-annexation sparring dominates candidates’ forum Differing viewpoints give voters a choice of leaders as developer Couch weighs whether to pursue de-annexation by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Seeking reelection next month, Mayor Tim Sessoms said he’s got the experience to continue leading Summerfield’s de-annexation fight.
But Sessoms’s challenger, Linda Windelken, said the mayor and the Town Council have mishandled negotiations with developer David Couch and his team of lawyers and lobbyists. “They procrastinated and they haven’t dealt with it correctly,” she said during a Summerfield candidates’ forum last week. The disagreement illustrates how the town’s de-annexation fight has defined the Nov. 5 election. The outcome will determine which leaders represent
Summerfield as it faces the defining issue of whether it will remain intact or potentially lose nearly 1,000 acres to development beyond its control. The Oct. 12 forum sponsored by the Northwest Republican Women’s Club pitted four incumbents against five challengers, including some who contend that the current council isn’t up for the fight against Couch, owner of Summerfield Farms. In the race for three council seats, Mayor Pro Tem
...continued on p. 42
Viking Vault at Stokesdale Elementary Fifth grader Greyson Etheridge (far left) pelts assistant principal Michael Stys with a water balloon as part of a schoolwide water balloon obstacle course incentive for Stokesdale Elementary PTO’s Viking Vault fundraiser. Over a three-week period, the PTO met its $20,000 fundraising goal for the 2023-24 school year, and will use the money for student enrichment programs. Photo by Sarah Turner, Stokesdale Elementary PTO president
IN THIS ISSUE Firefighters to train on abandoned house .....2 And the voting begins... ....................................3
Oak Ridge Town Council meeting.................10
NWO Kids’ Korner...............................................32
Meet the Summerfield candidates................ 14
Youth Link: Student Profiles...............................33
NWO Business and Real Estate........................ 21
Your Questions......................................................4
Real Estate Q&A..................................................22
Summerfield Town Council meeting................6
Triad transportation jobs on the rise...............26
Welcome to our new advertiser........................9
Crime/Incident report.......................................30
Community Calendar......................................38 Grins and Gripes................................................40 Classifieds...........................................................43 Index of Advertisers........................................... 47 NWO On The Go.................................................48