Nov. 2 - 15, 2023
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since November1996
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Efforts to acquire trail easements meet resistance
Walker running for 6th District seat after redistricting
by CHRIS BURRITT
At the state level, new boundaries shift Summerfield from Sen. Berger’s 26th District to the 27th District represented by Michael Garrett
Construction of public trails in Oak Ridge and Summerfield encounters opposition from some property owners along proposed routes
OAK RIDGE/SUMMERFIELD – Public trail development is hitting snags in Oak Ridge and Summerfield, as evidenced by some property owners and their lawyers starting to voice concerns about easements planned along the routes. Opposition by Bear Creek homeowners to a Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) easement abutting the Brookbank Road subdivision surfaced during
last month’s Oak Ridge Town Council meeting. The dispute grew more testy earlier this week when a lawyer representing Bear Creek’s homeowners association sent a cease-and-desist letter to town leaders. At an open house in Summerfield last month, lawyer Chuck Winfree, representing Kotis Properties, pored over a map of the proposed route of the southern leg of the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway. Next to him were Robert and Mary McIver, who objected to the placement of the trail easement on their Summerfield Road property. Disputes arising in the two towns illustrate how trail building intended for the benefit of the wider public can impose on individuals along the paths.
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IN THIS ISSUE Early voting ends Nov. 4; Election Day is Nov. 7 ..........................2 Wilson’s Grocery re-opening in jeopardy.....................................3 Q&A: How much do council members get paid? .....................4 De-annexation bill still alive.............................................................5 Bits & Pieces.........................................................................................8 Pets & Critters..................................................................................... 17 Mattie, Summerfield Fire District’s latest recruit.......................... 18 Adoptable Pets.................................................................................20 NWO Kids’ Korner.............................................................................. 21 “Life doesn’t have to be perfect”.................................................. 22
by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – Republican Mark Walker hopes to win back the 6th District seat he represented for three terms now that the GOP-led legislature has redrawn the district to favor its party. Walker dropped out of the gubernatorial race last week following the release of a statewide redistricting map
Mark Walker (R)
Kathy Manning (D)
that increased the odds of victory for Republicans in numerous districts, including the 6th. After serving the 6th District from 2015-2021, Walker didn’t seek reelection after a court-ordered redrawing of the district favored Democrats.
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Crime/Incident Report.......................................... 26 “Everything has to work out perfectly”.......28 Crime/Incident report................30 RA opening high school .....31 Student Profiles......................... 32 NWHS F4F Club........................... 35 Community Calendar...............38 Grins and Gripes.......................... 40 Classifieds....................................... 43 Index of Advertisers........................ 46 Letters/Opinions............................ 47 NWO On The Go....................48
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NOV. 2 - 15, 2023 1