Northwest Observer l Aug. 29-Sept. 5

Aug. 29 - Sept. 4, 2019

The plan would require draining a 1.7-acre pond on 57 acres of old farmland owned by the Airport Authority for a rental car service center and parking for about 2,360 vehicles

by CHRIS BURRITT

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

The Federal Aviation Administration is requiring the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority to demolish the Hertz rental car service facility located at the airport because it would prevent air traffic controllers in the new flight control tower from seeing an airplane taxiway.

The authority also plans to tear down buildings on the other side of the taxiway that house service facilities for Avis Car Rental, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car and three other agencies.

How dense?

Summerfield Zoning Board debates possible formulas for determining number of houses that can be built per acre

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield’s Zoning Board tackled the hot-button issue of housing density during its meeting last Monday, Aug. 26. After nearly half an hour, they ended debate without

agreeing on how many houses developers would be allowed to build per acre in the future.

Citing the lack of consensus of among board members, Chairman Dick Feulner recommended the board resume debate during its next meeting in September.

“The question is, what density do you want in Summerfield,” board member Kathy Rooney said. She disagreed with a proposal by board mem-

...continued on p. 6

NW GREENSBORO – A proposal by the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority would turn 57 acres of old farmland on Inman Road into a rental car service center and parking for about 2,360 vehicles, pushing the airport’s expansion closer to residential areas.

The authority asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for permission to fill a pond and streams on the property, which is owned by the airport. The tract is overgrown with blackberries and briars and is unused except for a soccer field across Inman Road from Cornerstone Baptist Church.

...continued on p. 16

IN THIS ISSUE News in brief........................................... 2 Water system gets pushback.............. 3 Your Questions....................................... 4 Youth Sync.............................................. 7 Student Profiles ...................................... 8 NWHS volleyball .................................. 10 Second-grader plays first-rate golf...13 Crime/Incident Report ......................14 Calendar Events ................................15 Grins and Gripes ..............................16 Letters/Opinions ..............................18 Classifieds ...................................... 19 Index of Advertisers .................... 23 First Day of School .....................24 Kaitlyn Stanley was ready for her first day as a third-grader at Pearce Elementary.

See more back-toschool photos on our back cover.

IS T SU HI E S

Airport Authority proposes relocating service center, parking lot to Inman Road

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AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

After years of waiting, U.S. 220 pedestrian tunnel set to open

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – The wait for the opening of the U.S. 220 pedestrian tunnel is almost over.

Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker said he expects the tunnel to be open by this Friday evening, Aug. 30.

To play it safe, he said pedestrians and cyclists may want to wait until Saturday morning to go through the tunnel.

Town staff plans to meet Friday with the contractor who built the sidewalk along U.S. 220 that connects with the western end of the tunnel from Summerfield Road. Opening of the tunnel has been delayed until construction of the sidewalk is finished.

Once the final construction items

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

are checked off, Whitaker said the contractor will remove the fence blocking the eastern end of the tunnel. The fence blocking the western end was removed several weeks ago.

“The tunnel to nowhere is going to be the tunnel to Summerfield,” Jane Doggett, chair of the town’s Trails and Open Space Committee, said in an interview earlier this week. “People in the running and biking community are already talking. It is an exciting time.”

The closed tunnel marked the end of the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, a trail that starts in Greensboro.

Now that it’s going to be open, a Greensboro running club plans to run through the tunnel next Monday, Sept. 2, Doggett said.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) built the tunnel several years ago when it wid-

... continued on p. 6

Town’s proposed water system gets pushback Some P&Z Board members criticized the proposal as “confusing” and potentially costly to taxpayers while Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman rebutted the criticism

by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Four of the seven members of Oak Ridge’s Planning and Zoning Board criticized or expressed reservations about the proposal for the town to take over community wells in new subdivisions with 30 or more houses.

The criticism arose at the P&Z’s meeting Thursday, Aug. 22, during discussion of a proposed amendment to the wording of the town’s ordinance governing a proposed municipal water system for Oak Ridge. Chairman Ron Simpson reminded fellow board members they were considering whether to recommend adoption of the text amendment in the ordinance, not whether the Town Council should proceed with a water system.

Even so, board members Patti Paslaru, Steve Wilson and Tammy Gardner said they opposed a water system while board member Jason Streck said he had reservations about it. Under the proposal, developers of new subdivisions with 30 or more lots would be required

to dedicate the community wells in the neighborhoods to the town. Oak Ridge, in turn, would own and operate the wells as part of a municipal water system.

The board voted 4-3 to recommend the text amendment change to the Town Council, which plans to discuss the proposed water system at its monthly meeting Thursday, Sept. 5.

Residents will have the opportunity to express their views at a public hearing during the meeting.

“We will have a much better idea of the council’s intent” for a water system after next month’s meeting, Town Manager Bill Bruce told the P&Z Board during his explanation of the proposed text amendment.

Board members Simpson, Streck, Nancy Stoudemire and Larry Stafford voted for the text amendment, while Paslaru, Wilson and Gardner voted against it.

Voting in favor of the text amendment didn’t mean the P&Z Board was endorsing the water system, Bruce said after Simpson asked him to clarify the ramifications of the board’s vote.

“I’m going to try to make sure that we’re focused on what’s before us,” Simpson said. “What we’re asked to do is to determine whether we will approve the language in an ordinance that sets up the mechanism to get community wells established.”

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“I personally have a lot of concerns about a public water system,” Streck said. But he added, “I don’t believe the Planning and Zoning Board is here to decide whether or not we should have a water system.”

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After urging other board members to stay on topic, the chairman finally gave up. “This is a complicated issue,” Simpson said. “It’s hard to stay within the confines of the written word here.”

Speaking during a public hearing, Ed Treacy, an alternate P&Z Board member, said the first developer operat-

...continued on p. 12

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AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

3

your QUESTIONS www.nwobserver.com /northwestobserver Photo by Annette Joyce and File photo

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Stokesdale resident Beth Herrick, an art teacher at Northwest Guilford High School, is still working on this mural being painted on the side of a commercial building in downtown Stokesdale. When completed, the mural will look similar to the artist’s sketch below.

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The mural being painted on the side of a commercial building in downtown Stokesdale looks great, but I was thinking it was going to have a little more detail on it – is it finished, or is there more to come?

No, the mural isn’t quite finished. Beth Herrick, an art teacher at Northwest Guilford High School, had hoped to get the mural completed before she returned to the classroom earlier this month but several late-afternoon rain storms slowed her progress. She hopes to have the mural completed within the next few weeks, in time for the Town’s 30th anniversary celebration events on Saturday, Sept. 21.

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AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

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Is there any update on the Todd Rotruck vs.

Board of Elections and Janelle Robinson case that was heard by the state’s appellate court last month?

Short answer: no. The N.C. Court of Appeals’ three-judge panel who heard the case Aug. 6 in Raleigh has not yet rendered a decision on this case, nor given a timeframe as to when they will render one.

In an email to the Northwest Observer dated Aug. 20, former Summerfield Town Councilman Todd Rotruck wrote that he and his attorney requestk About Our Vacation Watering & ed the case be expedited because of mmer Container Services! the bearing theGarden decision would have in the Nov. 5 election. In July, Summerfield residents Tim Sessoms and Dana Luther filed to serve the remainder of Rotruck’s term on the council, which expires November 2021.

Guilford County Superior Court Judge John Craig rendered a decision last fall to uphold the Board of Elections’ earlier ruling that Rotruck had not established permanent residency in Summerfield and his voter registration should be changed from Summerfield to Greensboro; as a result, Rotruck’s seat on Summerfield Town Council was immediately declared vacant.

If the appellate court rules to overturn Judge Craig’s decision, Rotruck will not automatically regain his seat on the town council, according to Guilford County Attorney Mark Payne. When responding to an email from the Northwest Observer in July, Payne wrote, “I do think it should be noted that a Court

of Appeals ruling overturning the Board of Elections’ decision does not, in and of itself, mandate a ruling that places Mr. Rotruck back on the town council. The decision of the town council was apparently based upon N.C. Gen. Stat. 160A-59, which states that ‘when any elected city official ceases to meet all of the qualifications for holding office pursuant to the Constitution or when a council member ceases to reside in the electoral district that he was elected to represent, the office is ipso facto vacant.’ Under this statute, it seems that in October of 2018 the town may have had several grounds for declaring a seat vacant other than, or in addition to, ineligibility to be registered to vote.”

Photos by Annette Joyce

A sign on Stokesdale Family Pharmacy’s front door notifies customers the store has closed and directs them to visit a CVS to fill their prescriptions.

Is Stokesdale Family Pharmacy closing?

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Stokesdale, has closed for business. In the past few weeks, patrons were told that certain more expensive prescriptions were not available and were advised to go to other pharmacies.

There was talk that the local pharmacy might be closing, and about two weeks ago a sign was placed on the counter confirming the business was being purchased by CVS but would remain open until the end of August.

When we went to the pharmacy on Tuesday, Aug. 27, it was already closed and a sign on the outside of the building stated that people needing their prescriptions filled should contact CVS.

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

5

HOW DENSE? ...continued from p. 1

ber Scott Henson that would reduce the number of houses allowable per acre.

The topic arose during the board’s review of the draft of the town’s unified development ordinance (UDO), a set of regulations that will dictate future commercial and residential development in Summerfield.

Under current zoning rules, the number of houses that can be built per acre is based upon the total number of acres multiplied by a density factor of 0.73, according to Feulner. As an example, 73 houses could be built on 100 acres – or, an average of one house per 1.36 acres.

Under the draft UDO, the number of houses per acre in a subdivision would be based upon the total acreage of land, minus existing street right of ways where residential construction would be prohibited.

Henson proposed that other unbuildable areas, such as wetlands, steep slopes and utility right of ways, figure into the calculation. As a result, the number of buildable acres in a neighborhood would be further reduced, thus shrinking the number of houses per acre even more.

“We are chipping away at the number of building lots,” said Chris York, the town’s planner. “If you want, we can go down this road.”

“How much lower do you want to go?” Rooney said.

“You are dropping the density of this town dramatically.

I think that we’re at a nice density right now.”

“I’m going to disagree with you all day long,” Henson said.

He also proposed tougher require-

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Developers are required to set aside a percentage of the acreage for open space. Under the draft UDO, rezoning of property for the classification of open space residential would require at least 25 percent of open space be buildable land.

Henson proposed that percentage be doubled, so at least 50 percent of the open space must be buildable, discouraging developers from proposing utility right of ways, wetlands and other unusable areas for open space.

NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 2 ened U.S. 220. However, the tunnel has not been open for pedestrian use until now.

The Summerfield Town Council voted in June to pay Bar Construc-

“Clearly Scott’s proposal would require a lot lower density than we have currently,” Feulner said.

After the Zoning Board completes its review of the UDO and gathers residents’ feedback during a public hearing, it will pass along its final recommendations to the Town Council. The council will then consider the board’s recommendations and hold another public hearing as part of its review and revision of the ordinance. A vote by the council is required for adoption of the ordinance. tion Co. $128,000 to construct the sidewalk. Additional work raised the cost by $8,300, Dee Hall, the town’s finance officer, told the council during its Aug. 13 meeting.

NCDOT has yet to install lights in the tunnel. Staff decided it wasn’t necessary to keep the tunnel closed until that work is done, Whitaker said.

Gas prices 30 cents lower than last year this time

Feeling the

6

ments for the calculation of open space in new subdivisions.

UNITED STATES – Gasoline prices this Labor Day are set to be lower than last year this time, according to the smartphone app GasBuddy. The company predicts a national average of $2.55 per gallon this Labor Day holiday, down nearly 30 cents from last year.

The national average gasoline price on Labor Day itself will likely be the third lowest in the last decade, behind 2015 and 2016’s average of $2.42 and $2.20, respectively. Gas prices are likely to face additional headwinds into the autumn as the transition back to cheaper winter gasoline begins in just two weeks while demand for gasoline is also set to begin a seasonal downturn.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

By Thanksgiving, GasBuddy estimates that as many as 10,000 gas stations, primarily in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri but also a handful in the Great Lakes, will drop under $2 per gallon, barring any improvement in U.S. trade relations with China, a recent major factor in oil prices.

A weekly section in the Northwest Observer focused on our local youth and the adults who positively impact them.

Welcome to

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Prayerful start

Parents, children, ministers and school staff gathered for prayer services at Northwest Guilford High School and Northern and Stokesdale elementary schools before the start of the new school year on Aug. 26. Rev. Andy Cook, pastor of the Oak Ridge campus of The Summit Church, organized the service at Northwest Guilford. “We all pray for the well-being of our community and our students,” Cook told the group of about 40 people who gathered in the parking lot. People wrote prayers on small sheets of paper, rolled them up and stuck them through holes in chicken wire. One of the notes expressed the community’s hopes for the new school year and for “Safety for all students and staff. For no child to feel alone or unloved.”

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Anonymous donors pay off all GCS 2018-19 school meal debt The donors combined to pay off more than $44,000 in owed lunch and breakfast money

GUILFORD COUNTY – Guilford County Schools announced earlier this week that more than $44,000 in school meal debt across the school system has been paid off thanks to the generosity of three donors.

The first anonymous donor paid off $10,500 in school meal debt for all 25 schools in High Point that had a debt.

Shortly thereafter another donor came forward and wrote a check to cover nearly $3,800 at all seven schools in Jamestown.

Late last week, a third donor came in offering to pay off the remaining $32,228.25 in school meal debt for the entire county.

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“These donors were moved by similar stories recently and saw this as an opportunity to help families in their own community who are having difficulty paying for their children’s lunches,” said Walker Sanders, president of Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.

“Through their donor-advised fund at the foundation, these donors were able to connect an interest they had with a real need,” Sanders said. “We enjoy helping people do that.”

“This really goes to show how one act of kindness can quickly spread throughout an entire community. A month ago, we had $44,000 in debt that we were going to have to absorb.

Today that’s completely gone. I know our students and parents appreciate the generosity of our community and these donors,” said Angie Henry, Guilford County Schools’ chief financial officer.

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

7

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olmstedorthodontics.com STUDENT PROFILES compiled by MEREDITH BARKLEY Thanks to the coaches and teachers at Northern and Northwest High Schools for their student recommendations and input, which make it possible to recognize these talented, dedicated students for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and cultural arts.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Brandon Thomas, varsity football: receiver

to help. They can’t make it in life.”

Thomas makes these volunteer trips as part of his participation in Northwest Guilford’s service learning program. He said it’s a way to give “back to people who don’t have as much as us. That’s always a big deal. It’s a good feeling.”

Thomas, who enjoys math, hopes to study engineering in college, preferably at a Division 1 school where he can also play football.

“I understand it,” he said of math.

He plays basketball at Northwest also, but said football is his favorite sport because, in a way, it’s a lot like math to him.

“It comes easy,” said Thomas, who got his varsity football start as a sophomore. “I feel the game more. I like getting to the ball and having a chance to run, beating my man.”

Brandon Thomas periodically joins folks from a friend’s church to visit places frequented by the Greensboro area’s homeless.

He said they take canned food to hand out to some of the city’s poorest and most vulnerable.

“They always have a smile on their face,” said Thomas, a 6-foot-3, 165-pound senior pass receiver for Northwest Guilford football. “They’re always thankful. It makes me feel great

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by STEWA RT MCCLI NTOCK Freshman Savannah Tuhro, a student in Kathryn Sayani’s art class at Northern observing Gui lford, enjo the world ys around her using her and then artistic skill s to recreate “I love to it. be free with like to dra art and I w what I really see. I like tour drawin doing con gs of han ds,” Tuhro Nor thwest told the Observer.

“I’ve don work so far e my bes with pen t cil and pap enjoy acr ylic paint, er, which is wha but I the most experience t I have with. I’ve so much learned from Ms. “I really enjo Sayani and looking forw y mystery I’m really ard to the books,” she and gain Tuhro also nex t thre said. ing as mu e years ch knowle ern’s JV volle was a member of can about Northdge as I yball team all the diff she played this year, erent styl Turho is a where es of art. the outside mem ” enjo hitter pos ber ys tle of the of Norther playing Jun ition, and Books Clu n’s Bat- for ior Olympi b; her favo Carolina she and club c volle yball Spike Forc rite books members e Volleyb have bee have read Although all Club. n “Sta so far only a fres already has Kerri Manisc lking Jack the Rip hman, Tuh per” by her sights ro alco and “Mu ing the Uni set on atte Orient Exp ress” by Aga rder on the ndversity of Missouri school and tha Christie after high taking pre .

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Coach Kevin Wallace said Thomas has the tools to attract college offers.

He’s tall, lanky and speedy, and knows what to do with the ball when he gets it.

“He did well for us last year,” Wallace said. “He needs to take that next step and he’ll get some offers. He’s getting some Division 1 looks.”

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Ethan Smith, varsity football: safety Ethan Smith, Northwest Guilford’s longtime football safety, loves ‘70s and ‘80s music, history, snowboarding and video games.

Weekends usually find him and friends in video game tournaments. His favorites: the football game Madden (he plays as the Carolina Panthers), and the basketball game NBA 2K (his favorite team is the Los Angeles Clippers, home to his favorite

player, Kawhi Leonard).

“He’s just a good defensive player, a good all-around player,” Smith said of Leonard.

When asked who among his group of friends is the best at video gaming competition, Smith answered confidently, “I’m most definitely the best!”

He picked up his love for ‘70s and ‘80s music from his parents who played it while he was growing up.

History, he said, comes easy and he gets a kick out of snowboarding, especially in Colorado, where the family vacations from time to time.

High on his list of other loves: playing football.

“I’ve been doing it as long as I can remember,” said the rising junior. “It keeps me busy. It’s easy to meet new friends this way.”

The 6-foot-2, 155-pounder started as a freshman and is among the players Northwest’s coaches are counting on this year to keep opposing offenses in check.

“He sees things well. Breaks on the ball well,” said Coach Kevin Wallace.

“He’s really a natural football player.”

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Each week during the school year, the NWO profiles students who excel in sports, cultural arts and academics, thanks to the businesses and churches that make this feature possible.

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MUSIC • DANCE • THEATRE Student profiles brought to you this week by:

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“I’d love to go D1,” he said of the highest level of college football. “But I’ll go anywhere they’ll have me.”

NORTHERN GUILFORD Trey Ruff, football: lineman Northern Guilford’s Trey Ruff spent much of the summer volunteering at his church’s camp for youngsters, the same one he attended when he was their age.

Once football practices started, he had to work camp around them. But he was still there pitching in at the program run by Shalom Community Church.

“I try to go there as much as I can during the week,” said Ruff, a senior lineman for the Nighthawks. “I enjoy helping the kids out. They’re fun.”

Named SMART Camp, the program

teaches kindergartners through eighth-graders science, math, art, reading and technology. Ruff usually works with the younger kids, but also helps out in the kitchen.

“Anywhere they need me,” said Ruff, whose mother teaches at the camp “Some kids are there because they’re behind and they need to get caught up. I do what I can for the kids.”

He says his parents have always stressed to him the importance of education. He plans to study sports management in college next year while also hopefully continuing to play football. If he’s not recruited, he said he’ll walk on and take his chances on making the team.

“But what I want most is to get my education,” he said. “That’s the big thing.”

At 5-feet-10, 215 pounds, Ruff is a little undersized for an offensive and defensive interior lineman. He makes up for it in grit, though.

“He works at a high intensity,” marveled Erik Westberg, Northern’s head varsity football coach.

Ruff started at nose tackle his sophomore year and has been there ever since.

The way he sees it, size isn’t the only thing that matters, even on the line.

“I use my strength,” he said.

NORTHERN GUILFORD Chuck Conaway, football: wide receiver When Chuck Conaway isn’t in class, studying or tied up with Northern Guilford football you’ll likely find him at Lowes Foods on Old Oak Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro.

Over the summer the 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior wide receiver figures he’s averaged 30 hours a week as a cashier there. During football season he’ll cut back, working about 14 hours on the weekends. That, he said, leaves enough time for homework and studying for the SATs. But not much free time.

Still, “I enjoy it. I get to meet a lot of different people,” he said. “It’s just fun to

interact with people on a day-to-day basis.”

His earnings go mostly to car insurance and college savings, he said.

“I want to make sure I get a good education,” Conaway said. He’s looking at careers in the medical field, perhaps an athletics trainer, physician or physician’s assistant.

From a personal perspective, he’s learned a little about what’s involved in those roles. He tore an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in his knee his freshman year and spent several months rehabbing.

The school trainer, he said, was a big help.

“Football is my motivation,” Conaway said. “That’s what kept me working hard in rehab. I knew I had to come back.”

During his recovery he started working on squats to build up his knee, eventually hitting 525 pounds.

“It doesn’t bother me ever,” he said of his knee.

He played junior varsity his sophomore year, occasionally helping out on the varsity team. He got his varsity start last year.

“He’s just a very responsible kid,” said Coach Erik Westberg. “And he does everything right in the classroom.”

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AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

9

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Vikings’ volleyball team set for another winning season Coach Nancy Everett, saying she’s taking nothing for granted, prepares her team to have to fight for every win it gets

This year’s seniors – Sarah Barham, Sarah Riedell, Lily Hughes and Brennan Berry – are special to Everett.

They were freshmen when she took over from longtime volleyball coach Darlene Joyner.

They seem confident they can keep the conference title safely in the Vikings’ trophy case.

by MEREDITH BARKLEY It’s tempting to expect more of the same from Northwest Guilford’s volleyball team.

They’ve either won the conference or tied for the title every season for as far back as most folks can remember.

Certainly as far back as MaxPreps.com has been keeping records, which is 2007.

But Coach Nancy Everett, now in her fourth season at Northwest, figures no one in the conference is thinking coronation. Her Vikings, she’s pretty sure, will have to fight for every win.

“We have a huge target on our backs,” she said. “It won’t be easy. We’re going to have to work, and work real hard to win it.”

“Most of us have played together a long time,” said Barham, who has committed to play at Wofford next year. “We play together during travel season. We don’t have holes in our offense. We don’t really lack in many departments like most schools do.”

Riedell, who has committed to Coastal Carolina, said it’s that offense that showcases the team’s strength, and the fast-paced attack and serving power are obstacles she thinks most opponents will struggle with.

Everett sees Page and Grimsley as the teams to beat in the Metro 4A. The Vikings split with Page during the regular season last year and defeated the Pirates 3-2 in the conference tournament.

“It was a knock-down, drag-out,” Everett said of the tournament game.

“They’re going to be a very good team.”

Peace of mind

Photo by Meredith Barkley/NWO

(L-R) Seniors Lily Hughes, Sarah Riedell, Sarah Barham and Brennan Berry were freshmen when Coach Nancy Everett took over Northwest’s volleyball program.

The Vikings use the non-conference part of their season to schedule some games against tough Charlotte and Triangle area teams, which gives them a taste of the competition they’ll face in the post season.

“In the past we’ve taken our lumps early,” Everett said. “The competition we play is tough. It’ll be interesting this year. We can’t take anybody lightly.”

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Still, her team is loaded and she’s confident they can do the job.

“We feel like we can go far if we can stay healthy and stay focused,” she said.

The Vikings opened their season Aug. 22 with a 3-0 win over Williams High of Burlington and followed that up with three tournament match wins last weekend: 3-2 against East Chapel Hill, 3-0 against Wakefield and 3-1 against Carrboro. The team scored its fifth win Aug. 27 against R.J. Reynolds, 3-0.

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...continued from p. 3 ing under the revised ordinance would bear the costs of setting up the water system and in turn would possibly pass the costs on to homeowners in the neighborhood. Developer Barry Siegel, who is planning a subdivision of 49 houses on N.C. 150, told the board “there’s a possibility that a developer would be handcuffed” if he’s forced by the town’s ordinance to dig a community well in a new subdivision where individual wells would be more suitable.

Stoudemire said developers could request permission to build individual wells by appealing to the town’s Board of Adjustment. “There are mechanisms in place,” she said. “We’re not really tying developers into community wells.”

While recognizing developers are spending money every time they drill for water, Stoudemire said that “not every piece of land is appropriate to be developed. We have to realize that water is a finite resource.”

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman said some critics misunderstood how the system would operate. While the town would own the system, it would hire a utility company to manage it, sparing the town the expense of establishing procedures and hiring staff for maintenance of community wells and billing homeowners for their consumption of water.

(336) 412-7580 volunteerforgal.org

“All the people who belong to the community well system are going to pay their monthly fees, which are in line with what others are paying,” Kinneman said in an interview after the P&Z Board meeting.

The costs for developers to build

12

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

community wells under the town’s ownership of the water system would be comparable to what they’re spending now, with a possible exception, Kinneman said. Developers would be required to build wells to the town’s standards to prevent problems such as water shortages and low water pressure experienced by some neighborhoods with community wells, he noted.

“We are trying to live our commitment to future residents,” the mayor pro tem said. “We’re going to try to prevent what has happened to current residents from happening to future residents.”

In his presentation to the P&Z Board, Bruce said costs for establishing and operating a town-owned water system would possibly require “minimal tax dollars.” Paslaru questioned Bruce on that point, saying town leaders had previously said they believed the water system wouldn’t need tax dollars.

The idea that Oak Ridge could operate a system without taxpayers’ support is “confusing to me,” Wilson said.

“It’s going to be part of the financial analysis,” said Bruce, adding that the Town Council is also evaluating legal, operational and other considerations with the help of water system operator Envirolink Inc. The Bailey, North Carolina-based company operates community wells in a few Oak Ridge neighborhoods.

Based upon the council’s evaluation, it will decide whether to proceed with a municipal water system, Bruce said. If established, the system would cover expenses with fees paid by homeowners in new subdivisions, he noted.

Residents already served by community and individual wells wouldn’t be required to hook up to the town’s system.

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7-year-old golfer competes in World

Championships

Second-grader Rhodes Williams is having fun and winning some golf tournaments along the way

meet people from all over was amazing,” Jessica said. “Just making it there was icing on the cake – to compete at that level.”

Rhodes, competing against four other golfers, won three of the eight Sandhills Spring Tour tournaments and finished with the best tour score to earn his way to the World Championships. During one of his wins – at Keith Hills Golf Club at Buies Creek – he shot a hole-in-one on a 149-yard par 4 hole, his mother said.

The Sandhills tour is one of more than 1,600 tournaments conducted annually by U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours for boys and girls ages 5 to 14. The tours are organized by the nonprofit

by MEREDITH BARKLEY Rhodes Williams may be only 7 years old, but he’s already claimed a golf tour win and earned a chance to play with top golfers his age from around the world.

As a 6-year-old, the Pearce Elementary School second-grader won the eight-tournament 2019 Sandhills Spring Tour, conducted March to May as part of the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours. That win earned him an invitation to the organization’s World Championships at Pinehurst in early August.

“He just really enjoys golf and it’s something we can do as a family,” said mom Jessica Williams, a sixth-grade math teacher at Northwest Middle School.

By the time Rhodes reached the Worlds he had to compete as a 7-yearold. Although he finished 106 out of 107 golfers from more than a dozen countries, he and his family were

on the

Photo courtesy of Jessica Williams

Rhodes Williams, 7, stands with the trophy and medals he earned for winning the eight-tournament 2019 Sandhills Spring Tour this spring. The young golfer went on to compete in U.S. Kids’ Golf World Championships in early August, where he competed against 106 other 7-year-old golfers from more than a dozen countries.

happy he made it that far.

Rhodes participated in his first U.S. Kids tournament at age 5 and expects to stay with it.

“One day I wouldn’t mind being an amateur at the Wyndham (Championship),” he said.

This fall, he’ll take a break.

“I don’t want him to burn out,” Jessica said.

Rhodes started swinging golf clubs at 1 year old and playing at age 3. Father Chad, a golfer himself, has taken an active interest in Rhodes’ development, Jessica said. Both parents caddied for him during tour events.

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AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

13

29-year-old female in the 1100 block of Pleasant Ridge Road in Greensboro were arrested around 5:15 p.m. and charged with two counts of trafficking in MDMA (methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamin) and one count of maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.

CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

Citizen Academy begins Sept. 5 Guilford County Sheriff’s Office will offer a Citizen Academy beginning Thursday, Sept. 5, and continuing every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 9:45 p.m. for two months; there will also be four Saturday labs. This free academy is open to the public and designed to educate citizens on the mission of sheriff’s personnel and the policies they must follow when on duty.

Citizens who enroll in the academy will be more informed on the inner workings of the sheriff’s department.

The course will be held at First Baptist Church, 405 N. Main St. in High Point; labs will be held at various locations. Download an application with a schedule and list of topics for discussion at guilfordcountysheriff.com. Questions?

Call JA Page, (336) 641-3378 or email jpage0@guilfordcountrync.gov.

has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest Guilford County ... of Oak Ridge reported that around 12 p.m. an unknown suspect stole a RedMax EBZ7500 backpack leaf blower valued at $600 from an open trailer.

ASSAULT Aug. 21 | A 34-year-old male in the 7500 block of Keating Drive in Oak Ridge was arrested for assault on a female and communicating threats.

Aug. 22 | A 68-year-old female in the 5500 block of Westfield Drive (off Carlson Dairy Road) in northwest Greensboro reported at 11 p.m. that a known offender grabbed her and kept her from leaving the residence and from calling emergency services.

B&E / PROPERTY THEFT Aug. 23 | A man and his wife parked their car in the Anna Long Marshall Wayside parking lot off U.S. 220 shortly before 7 a.m. Aug. 23. While the couple was running on the A&Y Greenway, someone shattered the passenger’s side window of their locked vehicle and stole the woman’s purse, which was visible from the outside. The purse contained the woman’s wallet, ID, credit cards and other personal items.

Aug. 23 | Allscapes Landscaping

Aug. 25 | A resident of the 1100 block of Pleasant Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro was reported to have $1,700 worth of personal items, including a large toolbox, figurines and comic books, stolen by an unknown suspect who forced open the side door of his home sometime between Aug. 24 at 9 p.m. and Aug. 25 at noon.

Aug. 25 | A resident of the 5400 block of Centerfield Road in Summerfield reported that, between 3 and 6 p.m., an unknown suspect opened her unlocked car door and stole $385 worth of personal items including a light brown Shoedazzle purse, a pink Michael Kors purse, her wallet and her bank cards.

Aug. 24 | A 39-year-old male in the 8500 block of Hudson Road/U.S. 158 in Summerfield was arrested at 11:55 p.m. and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

RECKLESS DRIVING Aug. 25 | A 29-year-old male was arrested in the 200 block of I-40 E/N.C. 68 S at 8 p.m. for operating his motorcycle at 130 mph in a 65 mph zone. He was charged with reckless driving, failure to stop for a siren, no operator license, aggressive driving and speeding.

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mark your

calendar

REGISTER NOW

 TRI for Hospice | It’s not too late to register for

the annual TRI for Hospice on Aug. 31, 8 a.m. to noon at Ridgewood Swim & Tennis Club, 808 James Doak Pkwy., Greensboro. The event includes a 200-meter pool swim, 10-mile bike ride and 2-mile run. All proceeds from registration go to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro. Register at RunSignUp.com. Questions? (336) 255-5655 or Karen@coachbuxton.com.

EVERY TUESDAY  Farmers Market | The Town of Stokesdale

invites the community to its weekly farmers market to purchase homegrown produce and handmade items from local farmers, craftspeople and bakers. The market takes place at Stokesdale Town Park, 8325 Angel Pardue Road, from 4 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday through October. Interested in selling your fresh produce or handmade items and

want to set up a table/tent at the market? If so, call Stokesdale Town Hall at (336) 643-4011 or email Stokesdale@stokesdale.org.

Submit your events online at

EVERY THURSDAY  Farmers Market | From the Earth Farmers Market

is held every Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m., in the parking lot beside the Quality Mart/Shell station on N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. Shop with over 45 vendors including vegetable and fruit growers, flower farmers, craftspeople, artists and those offering specialty food items; food trucks are also on site.

Click “community calendar” on the left-hand side

Deadline for inclusion in each week’s issue is

9 a.m. on Mondays

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4  Senior Luncheon | Senior Resources of Guilford

County invites the community to a senior luncheon (age 55+) with guest speaker Linda Jenkins from Operation Christmas Child on Sept. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road. Please call in advance to reserve your spot. More info: Marsha McDaniel, (336) 373-4816, ext. 265, or ruraloutreach@ senior-resources-guilford.org.  Community Meal | The United Methodist Women

of Gideon Grove United Methodist Church invites

the community to a free “Wonderful Wednesday” meal on Sept. 4, 5 to 7 p.m. at Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road. This month’s menu includes hotdogs, sides, desserts and drinks.

More info: Laura Harrell, (336) 643-6042.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 5  Town Council | Oak Ridge Town Council will hold

its monthly meeting Sept. 5, 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. For more details and a meeting agenda, visit www.oakridgenc.com.

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Individual, Corporate, Partnership & Payroll Tax Electronic Tax Filing  Estate Planning Bookkeeping & Compilations Oak Ridge Business Center 8004 Linville Rd, Suite G, Oak Ridge (336) 643-7577 or 1-800-467-8299 info@samanderscpa.com www.samanderscpa.com

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

15

GRIPES to...

GRINS and GRIPES

 The person who wants $15 an hour pay for everyone. Why stop at $15?

Why not $20? Or $25? When would you stop? I take it you don’t own a business!

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in

40

words or less

online: nwobserver.com e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

GRINS to...  Kristoff, David, Dre and the whole team at Valvoline Express Care in Oak Ridge for helping me when I was in a bind and topping it off with excellent customer service. I’ll be back for my next oil change!  Northwest men’s soccer team for serving dinner at Greensboro Urban Ministries for those in need.  The workers fixing the Bunch Road bridge. I’m grateful you’re taking the time to fix it right and not just quickly.

It’s taking longer than expected, but it bothers me how ungrateful people are.  Town of Stokesdale for the new water tank color and message. It’s not exactly beautiful (water tanks usually aren’t), but I like the color and the new “Welcome to Stokesdale” versus the old “Town of Stokesdale” message painted on it.  Northwest Observer’s new “Service with a Smile” feature. Love that you are making this effort to recognize people in our community who have such positive attitudes!

 The lady in the Buick Enclave who mowed down my mailbox on Witty Road. I know that had to cause some damage to your vehicle. Don’t worry, I put up a new mailbox for you.  NCDOT. Inability to finish the Bunch Road bridge was a disaster as expected on the first day of school.

You had a summer to complete and did not. Now we have to suffer the consequences. What penalty do you pay?  McDonald’s in Oak Ridge for continued poor service. Unapologetic for their mistakes and actually roll their eyes at you when you have to go back in and get your order corrected. Obviously, they just don’t care!

AIRPORT AUTHORITY ...continued from p. 1

The church and other property owners on Inman Road recently received letters from the Corps detailing the authority’s plans. If approved by the federal agency and the North Carolina Division of Water Resources, construction could begin early next year, said Kevin Baker, the airport’s executive director.

Completion would take at least two years, according to the Aug. 21 letter the Corps sent to property owners.

“This is a project of efficiencies,” Baker said in an interview earlier this week. “We need to relocate the rental car facilities. We’re taking care of three projects all at the same time.”

Relocating the car rental operations from the airport to Inman Road will free up property adjacent to two runways for potential aerospace tenants, he said. Preparing that area for

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AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

redevelopment is the first project.

Second, grading of the Inman Road tract and filling the pond and streams will pave the way for construction of the parking lot and buildings where rental agencies will clean, service and store vehicles between rentals.

Due to its location across Old Oak Ridge Road and I-73 from the airport, the Inman Road property is less attractive for economic development, Baker said. The site is bounded by Inman Road to the northwest, Bryan Boulevard to the south and I- 840 to the east. Commercial development abuts from the northeast.

Thirdly, excavation of the Inman Road site will dig up about 810,000 tons of earth that the authority plans to move to property on Chimney Rock Road near the Honda Aircraft Co. operations. That site will be filled with dirt to make it more attractive to economic development prospects, Baker said.

A price tag for the project hasn’t been determined at this early stage of design, he said. Once engineers complete detailed plans, the authority will advertise the project for contractors, he said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is spurring the work. As it prepares to build a new flight control tower, the agency is requiring the authority to demolish two buildings, including one used by Hertz Corp. to service vehicles between rentals. The buildings block the view from the future tower to a taxiway between the two runways, Baker said.

The authority also plans to tear down buildings on the other side of the taxiway that house service facilities for Avis Car Rental, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car and three other agencies.

Removing buildings in that area will open 80 to 90 acres near the FedEx Express Mid-Atlantic Hub for possible expansion by FedEx or a new aerospace tenant, Baker said.

Photos by Chris Burritt/NWO

This 1.7-acre pond located on 57 acres of unused land owned by the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority will be drained and filled with dirt to accommodate a new rental car service center and parking lot on Inman Road. (Right) Sixteen feet around, this gum tree is growing on 57 acres the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority plans to clear for a rental car service center and parking lot.

Procedures for people renting cars won’t change, with pick-up and drop-off taking place at the airport, he said.

corner of the property. “As we go through the design, it’s going to be about impossible not to impact it,” Baker said.

The Inman Road tract slopes down from the road, dictating the authority’s plan to put the new car rental service centers and parking lot below the level of the road.

Federal and state environmental regulators are reviewing the project because of the impact of development on a stream in the vicinity of the rental car service area and the pond, streams and wetlands on the Inman Road

The lower elevation will give pilots a clear view as they approach the airport and create a buffer between the commercial development and houses on Inman Road and nearby neighborhoods, Baker said. Trees along the road will be left undisturbed, creating a visual and sound buffer, he noted.

The northeastern end of the tract will be less than a quarter mile from the stoplight at Inman and Fleming roads, a hub of commercial development with Food Lion, CVS, McDonald’s and other stores.

property. Dumping dirt at the Chimney Road site won’t impact water, according to the Corps.

By size, redevelopment of the 57 acres on Inman Road is dwarfed by the authority’s leveling of 1,000 acres, including the former Pleasant Ridge

...continued on p. 18

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Nicole E. Gillespie, SPS REALTOR®/Broker

RE/MAX Realty Consultants 336.210.3895 cell 1.800.965.1893 efax www. NicoleGillespieRealty.com

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

17

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LETTERS/OPINIONS Submit your letters (maximum 350 words) online: nwobserver.com

e-mail : editor@nwobserver.com

mail: Opinions, PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 Include your name, a daytime phone number where you can be reached and name of community in which you live.

Letters from the same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

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Get the facts Stokesdale Town Council discussed bids to re-paint the town’s water tank at the March 14, 2019, regular meeting. During the meeting, Councilman Tim Jones made a motion that the town contract with MBD Consulting Engineers, P.A. to perform the services as noted in their August 13, 2018 proposal.

Once I seconded the motion, it was quickly apparent that Mayor Flynt, Thearon Hooks, Frank Bruno and Clerk Alisa Houk were having a great deal of trouble understanding the proposal and the majority of council ultimately voted “no.”

It is apparent they are still confused, by reading the minutes Ms. Houk prepared and the usual three-vote majority passed at the April 2019 meeting. Mr. Bruno, responding to a gripe in the Northwest Observer’s Aug. 8-14 issue, accused Councilmember Tim Jones and myself of wanting to spend $70,000 more than necessary to paint the water tank.

MDB’s proposal was for engineering and permits in the amount of $5,600, and bids and administration in the amount of $8,000, for a total of

$13,600. His ballpark estimate for the actual painting of the tank inside and out – including stripping the inside – was $164,050. This would make the total estimate $194,052. It was not an inclusive proposal as Ms. Houk contended in the minutes.

SM&E’s proposal was for $5,600 for bidding, preparing proposal and washout. Their estimate for painting was $200,000 if the tank did not need stripping inside and $300,000 if it did.

By Mr. Bruno’s logic, the majority of council wanted to spend $170,000 more than necessary.

Mr. Bruno always talks about getting the facts when asked to explain the many no-bid contracts for signs, park equipment, tree removal, mowing, etc. he has overseen during the 2018-2019 budget year. The facts do not support his claim. SM&E painted the tank and their proposal, unlike MBD’s, did not include necessary inspections throughout the process, so a total project amount is, to my knowledge not yet known.

On the go? Read the

WILLIAM N. JONES former Stokesdale Town Council member

NWO

online at

www.nwobserver.com

18

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

Thank you, Northwest Observer, for keeping us updated and informed.

that A community is a d e rm fo in is well ; ity safer commun ! u yo again, thank

/NorthwestObserver

AIRPORT AUTHORITY ...continued from p. 17

Road Golf Course, north of the airport.

Both projects are aimed at recruiting aerospace companies that want to be in the vicinity of the airport.

Some people who grew up on Inman Road recall when the property was farmed and provided pasture for horses. The site is a mixture of fields overgrown with briars and woodlands surrounding two ponds. Plans call for draining the larger pond with 1.7 acres of water.

“I’m not happy” about the plans, said William Brown, who moved to Inman Road 55 years ago when it was dirt. He turns 91 in October. Though he’s grown accustomed to the noise of passing planes, he’s opposed to commercial development across from his house.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

“I like it the way it is,” he said.

want to be heard?

The Corps of Engineers is accepting written comments related to the proposed work at the airport until 5 p.m. Sept. 20.

Correspondence should be emailed to David.E.Bailey2@usace.army.mil or mailed to David E. Bailey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Regulatory Field Office, 3331 Heritage Trade Dr., Suite 105, Wake Forest, N.C. 27587.

Bailey can also be reached at (919) 554-4884, extension 30.

Based upon the written comments it receives, the Corps may decide to schedule a public hearing for people to express their views.

Correspondence to the agency should explain why a hearing should be held.

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE

 (MORE) SAVE THE DATE  HOME SERVICES

EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE & REPAIR We specialize in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Mini and Porsche.

32 years experience. Knight Import Specialty Service, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669.

LIVE MUSIC WEDNESDAYS at GRAY GABLES! On September 4, Stereo Doll will be performing live at Gray Gables!

Doors will open at 5:30pm and music will be from 6:30-9:30pm. Food and beverages will be available on-site for purchase.

Come out and enjoy some good music, fun yard games, and great local company! For more information, call (336) 643-0005, or visit our event page, https://www.facebook. com/events/336329353700681.

 EMPLOYMENT COOK, ASSISTANTS, TEACHERS & SUB positions open in childcare center. Call (336) 643-5930 for information.

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NOW HIRING DUMP TRUCK DRIVERS CDL and medical card required. Must have dump truck experience. Call Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm, (336) 949-9060. Pay based on experience.

ELDERLY COUPLE needs PART-TIME HELP around the house and siting with an 80-yearold handicapped man. Please reply to PO Box 610, Oak Ridge, NC 27310.

NEED HELP?

LA SALON booth rent available. Call and ask about free rent. (336) 286-2006.

Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -12:30pm

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE. Help wanted. Call (336) 643-9157.

INDEX

Auto Sales & Service ................... 19

HIRINGca?n help!

We

Reach over 26,600 readers, all in northwest Guilford County, right here! Place your classified ad online at

nwobserver.com

Employment ............................... 19 Homecare Available ................... 19

 HOMECARE AVAILABLE

Save the Date ............................. 19

Experienced HOMECARE PROFESSIONAL available for all home care needs. Specializing in dementia and Alzheimers.

CNA certified, 11 years experience. (336) 987-3953.

Home Services ........................19-21 Misc. for Sale ............................. 21 Misc. Services.............................. 21 Misc. Wanted .............................. 21 Pets & Animal Services ................ 21 Real Estate .................................. 22

 SAVE THE DATE ENCORE KIDS CONSIGNMENT Check out our fall & winter items, premiering Friday, August 30, 305 W. Mountain Street, Kernersville. (336) 993-3444.

SOMETHING GOING ON? Place your Save the Date classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com, or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10.

KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALE, Friday, Sept. 13, 9am-8pm; Sat., Sep 14, 8am-1pm (some items 50% off on Sat.), St Paul's Catholic Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, GSO, www.stpaulskidssale.com.

 HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Repair and service. Checkup special $39.95. Call (336) 382-3750.

CLEANING

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486.

Reminder: It's generator season!

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192.

Need an electrician? Call BLACKMON ELECTRICAL, INC. Free est. Comm. & res.

Licensed & insured. Call (336) 430-5018.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES FIX YOUR MOWER. Free pickup & delivery.

Call Rick, (336) 501-8681.

UTILITY TRAILERS WELDED & REPAIRED. Pickup and delivery available. Call or text Morris at (336) 880-7498.

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate, call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350.

GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale.

(336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844.

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.

OLD SCHOOL

HOME REPAIR /IMPROVEMENTS “No Job Too Small”

AMERICAN MAID. All your housecleaning needs. Weekly/biweekly/as needed. Call for your free estimate. (336) 409-4554.

A CLEANER LIVING – Residential cleaning, 17 years exp. When details matter, only the best will do. Call or text (336) 669-8569.

CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will fit to your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

HOUSE CLEANING. 20 years experience cleaning the northwest area. References avail., reliable, consistent quality work.

Weekly/biweekly. (336) 646-2063.

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873.

The Northwest Observer • Totally 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 1996

ELECTRICAL

Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Painting • Decks and much more! • Insured

Contact us for a free estimate!

(336) 669-7252

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES “Providing value for the home-ownership experience.” Gary Gellert, serving NC’s Piedmont Triad area. Garygellert@gmail. com, (336) 423-8223.

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE "We get you mowing!" Comm./res., all models.

2103 Oak Ridge Rd., Oak Ridge. Call (336) 298-4314, landtsmallengineservice.com.

continued on p. 20

AUG.2929- SEPT. - SEPT.4,4,2019 2019 AUG.

19 19

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

GRADING / HAULING

FAY'S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Complete tree removal & trimming. Storm damage clean-up. Landscaping & hardscaping. Insured. Taylor, (336) 458-6491.

COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming, pine needles. Complete lawn care maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the Triad for 28 years. (336) 362-5860.

CARLOS & SON PAINTING, interior and exterior. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210.

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt. available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

ECO-FRIENDLY LAND CLEARING and drainage. Serving the Triad and surrounding areas. ncforestrymulching.com. (336) 362-6181. Forestry mulching/drainage work.

Insured and professional! Check out our Facebook and Google reviews!

BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647.

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282.

H&L GRADING, LLC. No job to tough or to small. Call us first! We are a full service grading company that specializes in residential projects. Owner/Operator Timmy Hart has more than 30 years of grading and equipment experience. Fully licensed and insured. Land clearing, debris removal, driveways, French drains and much more. (336) 543-7867.

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING www.EAGLEHARDSCAPES.com. Founded in 1981. Patios, outdoor kitchens, landscape design, all your rock needs, pool decks, fountains, room additions, rock walls, retaining walls and more! Please visit our website.

SOUTHERN CUTS LAWN CARE, complete lawn maintenance services. 13 years experience. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086.

ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875.

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maint, landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764.

20 20

DELIMA LAWNCARE. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured.

Commercial & Residential. (336) 669-5210.

STOKESDALE LAWN. Mowing & weedeating. $45 minimum. (336) 423-2692.

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490.

MASONRY

Residential & Commercial

COLONIAL MASONRY. 40 yrs. exp. Specializing in outdoor living spaces; dry-stack natural stone and flagstone. Let us help you plan your patio, fire pit, fireplace, kitchen – or anything else you would like! Call (828) 312-0090. www.colonialmasonry.com

AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor. We service all systems. Free est. (336) 644-1174.

MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone

CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com.

SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes.

ATCHISON LAWN CARE. Dependable.

Honest. Local. Call (336) 486-9837.

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic/Ins. 40 yrs. exp. Lots & natural area thinning and cleanup. Large shrubbery jobs, chipping. Oak Ridge, (336) 643-1119.

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call, (336) 669-5448.

AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPING for all your landscaping needs, including irrigation, installation and repair. Call Joe at J. Gibson Landscaping, an Americanowned and operated small business. Built on Capitalism, not Socialism. In God we trust. (336) 419-7236.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured.

Call Joe at 643-9157.

ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981.

AUG. - SEPT. 4, 4, 2019 AUG.2929 - SEPT. 2019

BEK Paint Co.

concrete & repairs. Free est. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com.

How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.

David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com • References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed

STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.

LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block fill, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089.

PLUMBING FREEMAN PLUMBING - new construction, remodel and repair. For ALL your plumbing needs! (336) 580-4525.

thanks

our advertisers for

making each weekly issue possible!

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS Having TROUBLE CLIMBING the STAIRS? Want to stay in your home? Need an elevator? A stair lift may be the answer for you! Call us for a free estimate! Romar Elevators, Inc. (434) 836-5321 or 800-876-6271. Check us out online at www.romarelevators.com.

GRILLS, FIRE PITS, gas logs, heaters, gas inserts, tankless water heaters. General home repairs. Call Don Hill, (336) 643-7183.

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed.

Lic. & insured. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded.

24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.

13,700

PAINTING & DRYWALL

copies circulated EVERY WEEK.

PAINTING – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

Reaching residents in northwest and northern Guilford County ... and beyond!

(FREE to you, thanks to our advertisers)

The The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 1996 Northwest Observer • Totally local since

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

MISC. SERVICES

PRESSURE WASHING

PREMIER CONSTRUCTION for all your re-

RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of roofing. BBB accredited A and listed with Angie’s List. Call (336) 944-6118, or visit redrhinoroofing.com.

PIANO LESSONS, all ages and levels, Summerfield area. Patti, (336) 298-4181.

modeling/renovation needs. (336) 430-9507.

HOUSE SOFT WASHING. 5 Stars on Google. Licensed & Insured. Call (919) 931-0856. MartinsPressureWashing.Com

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood.

PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873.

Sr. disc., 39 years exp. (336) 362-6343.

JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured.

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. We are a locally owned, full-service design and build company, A+ accredited with the BBB. Visit www.myrenovationworks.com or call (336) 427-7391 to start your next project.

ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981.

PREMIER ROOFING, LOCALLY OWNED.

30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, vinyl siding and windows, painting, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and linoleum floors, and remodeling of all kinds. No job too small. Free est. Call (336) 362-7469.

Catering to all your roofing needs. Call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments.

Got stuff?

R e g i s t e r To d a y !

MUSIC & MOVEMENT 10-week sessions | mixed-age music classes

MISC. WANTED FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, ATVs, generators, power washers, chain saws, mini-bikes, grills, electrical, metal items, etc. (336) 689-4167.

classifieds submit your ad at

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk or wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

al roofing. Top-notch quality. Res./comm., licensed & insured. Financing available.

Belews Creek Construction, (336) 362-6343.

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC.

PET SITTING

Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof

Cross' Critters PET SITTING SERVICES. Keeping your critters comfy and safe while you are away! Services include inhome pet sitting, dog walking, and much more! Call Makayla, (336) 287-3879

coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience.

Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 268-1908.

Jam-packed with valuable info for northwest Guilford County residents

In print every January and online year-round at nwobserver.com

NEW CAR CADDY, used one time. (336) 430-6901, ask for Buddy.

BEST PRICES IN TOWN! Shingle and met-

DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING, LLC. Custom Builder, sunrooms, garages, additions, kitchens baths. Licensed & Insured, BBB A+ accredited. Free est. Visit www.douglascr.com or call (336) 413-5050.

halfpintharmonies.com | (678) 687-1116

Classes begin 9/9 Ages 0-5

MISC. FOR SALE

Sell it here in the

ROOFING

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION

Keep it, handy use it often

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Residential shingle & metal roofing. Free est. (336) 362-7469.

MISC. SERVICES SEEKING TO KNOW GOD? Visit us at nw.worldbibleschool.org. Prepare for a brighter future.

9 1 0 2

th

11

online year-round at nwobserver.com

HEY ATHLETES! Want to do some extra conditioning before the fall sports season starts? Join me, Chris Jessup, at Proehlific Park, two or three mornings a week (based on your needs) at 6am (the best rise early and get after it!), 7am, 8am or 9am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. You do your part, I'll do mine, and together we'll work to get you ahead of the competition.

For inquiries and pricing for one-on-one and small group strength & conditioning training sessions, email cjessup.fit@gmail.com.

The Northwest Observer • Totally 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 1996 ld erfie umm

ge k Rid | Oa sdale toke S | lfax d by | Co he publis

sboro reen est G rthw o n |

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING. Registered & Insured. Follow me on Facebook. Call or text, (336) 339-6845.

We

critters

Check out our Pets & Critters section in the first issue of every month

continued on p. 22

AUG.2929- SEPT. - SEPT.4,4,2019 2019 AUG.

21 21

 REAL ESTATE

 REAL ESTATE

 REAL ESTATE

 REAL ESTATE

HOMES FOR RENT

LAND FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

STOKESDALE DUPLEX, 2BR, 1BA, $725/

1.36-ACRE HOME SITE in Gwynedd, off Bunch Road. $85,000. (336) 643-7071.

month. (336) 706-1887.

3BR, 2BA, STOKESDALE, $825/mo. plus deposit, NW schools. Call for details, (336) 643-6838 or cell, (336) 416-4956.

Selling or renting in northwest Guilford County?

is your friend!

The Northwest Observer reaches every mailbox with an Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale mailing address. Place your ad

SOUTHERN WOODS

SUMMERFIELD, AWESOME LOCATION. Fantastic piece of property with open & wooded acreage, creek on back of property. Magnificent estate/horse farm site. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime!

NORTHERN SCHOOLS, wooded 1.5+/- acre lot. No HOA, no dues. Approved for 4BR septic. Priced to sell. Call (336) 430-9507.

ACREAGE, Summerfield address in Southern Rockingham County. 15 mins. to Greensboro airport area. 5 to 25 acre tracts.

Gorgeous trees, creeks, pond and gentle terrain. No HOA or dues. Paved road frontage. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

We Help Everyone!

online at www.nwobserver.com

OPEN HOUSE: Sun, Sep 1 • 2-4pm

8718 Drummond Estates Drive New home minutes from Oak Ridge is almost complete! Popular 1-story with bonus room and 3-car garage.

Fabulous kitchen, center island, granite countertops, SS appliances and more! $320,065

For superior marketing, call Ramilya Siegel CRS, GRI, SRES, Chairman’s Circle Award

Lovely maintenance-free home with great space in walk-up attic for expansion.

Inviting front porch and fabulous curb appeal; 3BR/2BA, spacious 2-car garage, 3-season room, perfect for relaxing or entertaining.

Offered at $265,000

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

( 336 ) 215.9856 rsiegel@kw.com

SIMPLICITY AND STYLE!

SUMMERFIELD CONVENIENCE!

SELLERS & BUYERS

or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 0.

LAND FOR SALE 45 +/- ACRES AVAILABLE in southern

(336) 643-4248

Rockingham County. Gorgeous property,

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

call (336) 430-9507.

REACH OUT TO

26,000 READERS IN OUR

3807 Eagle Downs Way Artfully designed home with popular open plan. Current yet classic architectural elements. Spacious dining room, bedrooms with en suites. Incredible gathering area in the designer kitchen / keeping room/ great room combination. Designer colors for selected countertops and tiles. A must-see master bath and closet. Enjoy the beautiful private view from back porch. $669,000

Jake Letterman (336) 338-0136

14

12

ate Briefs

profits As tobacco e, farmers in further decl strial hemp du embrace in

22 22

Summer forecast: st no lull for northweng Guilford housi

14 Real Est s Old Barn hugs Long 18 Thitury -old feed barn -hewn Cen hand showcasing Valley Road, orists scooting past mot timbers to

20 Ask the

Builder

12 Real Estate Briefs

AUG. - SEPT. 4, 4, 2019 AUG.2929 - SEPT. 2019

gs

12 Upcoming public hearin

20 Ask the Builder

4BR/3BA in Summerfield. Excellent condition with master on the main and additional bedrooms upstairs.

2.5-car garage, patio grilling area and fenced level yard. All superbly maintained.

Close to Bur-Mil Park and lakeside trails.

Offered at $429,000

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

special-focus section.

To reserve your space in the third issue of each month, email advertising@nwobserver.com, or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 11.

The The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 1996 Northwest Observer • Totally local since

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

Please support our advertisers, and tell them where you saw their ad!

ACCOUNTING

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Carlotta Lytton, CPA........................... 15

Tractor Supply .............................. Insert

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC...... 15

ART / DANCE / KARATE

INSURANCE Justin Fulp, Farm Bureau Insurance .... 15

Greensboro Performing Arts ................. 9 Half-Pint Harmonies ........................... 21

BANK First Citizens Bank .............................. 16

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS Guardian Ad Litem Program .............. 12

DENTISTRY

LEGAL SERVICES Barbour & Williams Law ....................... 3

MEDICAL CARE LeBauer Healthcare ........................... 14

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

Summerfield Family Dentistry ............. 15

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES BEK Paint Company ........................... 20 Budget Blinds ..................................... 15 Carpets by Direct .................................. 2 Dr. Johns H2O .............................. Insert

Now that is really “fake news”...

While newspapers in some communities may not be relied on for local news as they once were, the Northwest Observer is as well-read as ever!

We bring our readers the local, relevant news that personally affects them and their communities. The businesses and organizations that consistently advertise with us do so because they know their advertising in the NWO pays off and they are reaching a growing, thriving segment of Guilford County.

rd for it! o w r u o e k ta st ju But don’t

Chris Jessup, personal trainer................ 9 Strawbridge Studios ............................ 11

High Point Pediatric Dentistry ............... 3

PRINT IS DEAD ???

ORTHODONTIC CARE Olmsted Orthodontics .......................... 8

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ................ 15 Northwest Animal Hospital ................... 3 Westergaard Kennels.......................... 10

Mattress Warehouse..................... Insert

REAL ESTATE

Nature’s Select ................................... 13

A New Dawn Realty ........................... 22

New Garden Landscaping .................... 5

Jake Letterman, BHHS Yost & Little ... 22

Old School Home Repair .................... 19

Nancy Hess, BHHS Yost & Little ......... 22

ProStone Inc. ........................................ 7

Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ................... 17

Stokesdale Heating & Air...................... 6

Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams ........... 22

e patients all th m o fr ts n e m We get com about us from d r a e h y e th any time that ver. In fact, m r e s b O t s e w s the North ok for our ad lo y e th t a th ave have said ee what we h s to t s ju k e e the each w tnership with r a p r u O . n o going main reasons e th f o e n o n NWO has bee have grown a e r a e th in s that our site they have.” as quickly as Director

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2019

23

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PRSRT PAID STD U.S. POS Oak Ridge, TAGENC PAIDNo. 22 Permit Oak Ridge, NC PermitECRWSS No. 22

Postal Patron Postal Patron PO268, Box 268, PO Box Oak Ridge, NC • 0(336) 644-7035 Oak Ridg e, 27310 NC 2731 • (336 ) 644-7035

ECRWSS

n, Turner Johnso orthwest a senior at N g School, is goin Guilford High to er, Will, a ride th ro b is h ve to gi better,’’ ar. “It’s much school this ye th-grader at said Will, a six uilford Middle Northwest G ast I’m not on School. “At le now.” the bus right

p, Libby Knip per n, and Coo d kindergarte grade, share d d n o c e s , p an Knip excitement f o s g n li e out the mutual fe ey headed th s a s s e n s r at nervou rt their yea door to sta ry. ta ld Elemen Summerfie

Ferra Lewandowski smiled as she waited for the bus to take her to her first day of fourth grade.

Alex (yellow k der (blac shirt), Xan irt) ick (blue sh shirt) and N ether in the tog Tighe pose g to fore headin e b y a w e v dri l at ay of schoo their first d Stokesdale .

Elementary

William Riffe, a kindergar tner at Pearce Elementary School, totes a big Spiderman backpack for the first day of school.