Oct. 24 - 30, 2019
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996
www.nwobserver.com
Opinions, info on proposed half-acre lots widely varied Town Council election politics enflame a draft proposal to allow two houses per acre in downtown Summerfield by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Sean Dwyer told Summerfield Town Council members in September that two houses per acre would be allowed on more than
500 acres in the town’s core.
calculations to arrive at his estimates.
A month later, he and fellow council candidate Priscilla Olinick increased their estimates to more than 600 acres. Then during a forum last week for candidates in the Nov. 5 election, Olinick reduced the number of acres to 326.
The changing acreage illustrates the candidates’ efforts to “cause doubt or concern” among voters, said BJ Barnes, a candidate for mayor who is running against Danny Nelson, an ally and running mate of Dwyer and Olinick. ‘“Misleading’ is the proper term for what the other side is doing.”
“If the acreage that will be subject to two units per acre has now been reduced to 326 from 625, that is a good thing,” said Dwyer, citing information from town staff and some “back-of-the-envelope”
Oak Ridge candidates differ on density in town core, municipal water system – and more Doug Nodine said he favors minimum lot sizes as big as four acres while Martha Pittman supports half-acre lots in the town core by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Disagreements over the size of lots for new houses in Oak Ridge highlighted differing views during a forum last week for candidates running for Town Council. A proposal for the creation of a municipal water system for new subdivisions with 30 or more lots sparked disagreement between Doug Nodine and George McClellan, the two incumbent council members seeking reelection. Martha Pittman, Van Tanner and Mike Stone are also running for the council for a total of five candidates seeking three seats in the Nov. 5 election. Mayor Spencer Sullivan isn’t seeking reelection. As per
...continued on p. 7
INSIDE! IN THIS ISSUE Your Questions .................................. 4 News in brief ..................................... 6 Calendar Events .............................. 10 Crime/Incident Report ...................... 12 Local Election Guide ........................ 13 Meet the Oak Ridge Candidates ........ 14 Meet the Summerfield Candidates ..... 17 Meet the Stokesdale Candidates ....... 24 Candidate Endorsements .................. 28 High School Sports Highlights ........... 29 Student Profile................................. 31 Grins and Gripes .............................. 32 Letters/Opinions .............................. 34 Classifieds ...................................... 35 Index of Advertisers ......................... 39 NWO on the Go! .............................. 40
Barnes belongs to a block of candidates collectively running as “Summerfield Proud.” They include
...continued on p. 2
Candidates agree on ‘no manager,’ ‘no property tax,’ disagree over town’s role in downtown Stokesdale ‘The government needs to stay out of downtown,’ Randy Braswell said, while some other candidates support partnerships to improve and revitalize the area by CHRIS BURRITT STOKESDALE – Revitalizing downtown Stokesdale is worth pursuing, Town Council candidates said. However, they differed on how involved the town should be in those efforts. “I think the government needs to stay out of downtown,” Randy Braswell, a former council member seeking election, stated at a candidates’ forum at Stokesdale Town Hall last Monday, Oct. 21. “Let
...continued on p. 8