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Are there still plans to return the historic train depot to Stokesdale?
Yes, Friends of Stokesdale is preparing to seek nonprofit status so the volunteer group can pursue its goal of buying and returning the historic train depot to town.
As of last month, the group was completing its application to the IRS for designation as a 501 (c) (3) taxexempt, charitable organization, said Kathy Bunthoff, a member of Friends of Stokesdale, which is dedicated to preserving and reviving Stokesdale’s historic downtown area.
The designation allows donors to take tax deductions on their contributions to nonprofit organizations. It would allow Friends of Stokesdale to “actively ask for financial support from individuals and businesses,” said Bunthoff, adding the group also plans to seek government grants.
Since its incorporation last year, Friends of Stokesdale has been trying to raise money to buy the historic train depot and bring it back to Stokesdale. It’s been located on U.S. 220, south of Madison, since the late 1970s, when retired carpenter Sam Heffinger bought it for $500 and moved it from downtown Stokesdale.
“It’s a really big goal, especially for a group our size,” Bunthoff said. “But the depot is available. The opportunity is just so incredibly clear.”
The depot is now owned by Mary Hunter, who tried to sell the property at public auction in September 2019. After it drew no bidders, Friends of Stokesdale members began talking among themselves about purchasing the depot and returning it to Stokesdale.
James Hunter, Mary Hunter’s son,
File Photo Friends of Stokesdale hopes to raise enough money to purchase the historic train depot that has been located in Madison since the late ‘70s and return it to downtown Stokesdale.
said she still wants to sell the depot and would like to work with Friends of Stokesdale if the group can raise money to buy it. His mother didn’t return a voice mail message seeking comment.
During the auction last year, auctioneer Jeff Eanes said the tax value of the depot and its two-acre tract was $183,722, the lowest price for which it would have sold if any bids had emerged.
If Friends of Stokesdale were able to raise enough money, buying the building would be the first of several steps, according to Bunthoff. The group would need to find downtown property for the depot and arrange for it to be moved from its present location.
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GOOD is ANY HAIRCUT (MORE) Q&A FOR COUCH ...continued from p. 1 saving time on a haircut. $ 9 99 GREAT is saving money, too. OFFER EXPIRES: Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer. No Copies. Taxes may apply. Valid at Crossroads Mall. ANY HAIRCUT $ 8 99 ANY HAIRCUT $ 9 99 OFFER EXPIRES: Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon tax district that would charge property owners in his development – not all Summerfield taxpayers – for water and sewer services. The following are responses we gathered to additional readers’ questions about Couch’s proposal: Summerfi eld Mayor the municipalities plan to talk further about tax districts. In an email earlier this week, Whitaker said he and the mayor didn’t depart the meetings with a call to action by town staff or the council. “We didn’t leave the meetgr OAK RIDGE COMMONS Hwys 150 / 68, Oak Ridge • (336) 643-3991 CARDINAL CENTER 2202 Fleming Rd, Greensboro • (336) 665-0880 GUNTER’S CROSSING 5828 N. Church St, Greensboro • (336) 644-7204 eatclips.com | jobs.greatclips.com | greatclipsfranchise.com OFFER EXPIRES: Great Clips ® $999 haircut expires 11/30/2020 Great Clips ® $999 haircut expires 11/30/2020 per customer. No Copies. Taxes may apply. Valid at Crossroads Mall. ANY HAIRCUT $ 8 99 OFFER EXPIRES: Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer. No Copies. Taxes may apply. Valid at Crossroads Mall. BJ Barnes and Town Manager Scott Whitaker met last month with Couch and his representatives and Greensboro and county offi cials to discuss the developer’s ings planning to request any debate or action from council at its Nov. 10 meeting,” Whitaker said. “Staff isn’t seeking any action and has received no formal submissions about Mr. Couch’s development concept.” Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer. Valid only at Oak Ridge Commons, Cardinal Center and Gunter’s Crossing locations. Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer. Valid only at Oak Ridge Commons, Cardinal Center and Gunter’s Crossing locations. Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer. No Copies. Taxes may apply. Valid at Crossroads Mall. proposal. What was the outcome of the talks? In his website post, Barnes said Couch is proposing “a village type
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Barnes and Whitaker discussed two meetings Sept. 22 – one with city officials and a second with county officials – in posts on Summerfield’s website, www.summerfieldnc.gov. To read their comments, click on the News & Notices tab and tap the link to the Summerfield Farms Village Concept.
In summary, Whitaker described the meetings as an effort to assess “the multi-jurisdictional interest of all parties.”
Representatives of “each jurisdiction had questions and relayed their stance that a collective effort would be necessary for such a large-scale project, but neither party (the city or county) pushed to lead,” Whitaker said.
The parties asked “questions about the needed mechanisms, particularly related to the proposed special tax district” that would be required to act on Couch’s proposal, Whitaker said. He added that lawyers representing development” that he describes as an “agrihood” that would encompass “the rural charm of Summerfield, is buffered from surrounding areas and includes trails, open spaces and rural vistas.”
Commercial areas within the development would feature businesses such as shops, medical practices, grocery and restaurants, according to the mayor. A senior living facility is another possibility, he said.
“His problem is this plan would require water and sewer to negate the need for multiple wells and large septic fields,” Barnes said, prompting Couch to propose creation of the special tax district where occupants “would pay double the rate for water and sewer than Greensboro residents pay. This fee schedule would finance the water and sewer provided by Greensboro.”
Leaders attending the meetings think the concept is “good, but it was still in the concept stage (and) there are many details that need to be
worked out,” Barnes said.
Greensboro and county officials said the project wouldn’t cost their taxpayers and could possibly generate revenue for their municipalities, he said.
Summerfield is required by state law to review and consider Couch’s proposal based upon the town’s comprehensive plan, Barnes said.
“Our responsibility is to make sure the growth which is coming will be controlled and in the best interest of Summerfield,” he said.
“Many have voiced their opinion, based on their reluctance to see any development, period,” he said. “Many have voiced their approval based on the positives of water and sewer, including protection of aquifers and fi re protection.
What are the considerations for the city of Greensboro?
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said city officials are in “the preliminary stages of verifying capacity and cost” of providing water and sewer services to Summerfield Farms.
“First and foremost, we need to insure that we have enough capacity for future growth and that the proposed Summerfield expansion will not come at a cost to Greensboro residents,” Vaughan wrote in an email to Summerfield resident Dwayne Crawford earlier this month. “Additionally, the Guilford County commissioners will have to be financial partners to help pay for the infrastructure before the Greensboro City Council will consider the utility expansion.”
Would Couch’s development mark the fi rst time Greensboro has sold water and sewer services outside of the municipality?
It would not be the first time, according to Greensboro City Manager David Parrish. “We routinely sell water to a small portion of Burlington and to Jamestown when their demand is high,” he said.
Greensboro also treats wastewater from a small section of Burlington’s service area while providing wastewater service in parts of Pleasant Garden as the result of Greensboro’s previous water and sewer agreement with Guilford County, Parrish said.
On an emergency basis, Greensboro can sell water to Reidsville and High Point while buying water from those two towns, he said. The city also has plans to provide water and sewer services to the Guilford-Randolph “megasite” near Liberty if economic recruiters are successful in securing a major manufacturing company to set up operations there.
Stay distant but not disconnected /NorthwestObserver
2020 Conservative Candidates VOTER GUIDE VOTE November 3, cut this out and take it to the polls!
President of the United States Donald J. Trump* US Senate Thom Tillis* US House of Representatives Lee Haywood, District 6 NC Governor Dan Forest NC Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson NC Attorney General Jim O’Neill NC Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler* NC Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey* NC State Auditor Anthony (Tony) Street NC Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson NC Secretary of State E.C. Sykes NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt NC State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell* Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NC Justice Paul Newby Supreme Court of North Carolina (vote for 2) Judge Tamara Barringer | Judge Phil Berger, Jr. NC Court of Appeals (5 seats) Judge April C. Wood - Seat 04 | Judge Fred Gore - Seat 05 | Judge Chris Dillon - Seat 06 Judge Jeff Carpenter - Seat 07 | Judge Jefferson Griffin - Seat 13 State Legislature - NC Senate
Amy S. Galey - District 24 | Sebastian King - District 27 | D.R. King - District 28 State Legislature - NC House of Representatives Chris Meadows - District 57 | Clinton Honey - District 58 Jon Hardister* - District 59 | Frank Ragsdale – District 60 | John Faircloth – District 62 Register of Deeds Richard Siddiqui Board of County Commissioners
Alan Branson* - District 04 | Troy Lawson - District 05 | Jim Davis - District 06
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Patrick Tillman* - District 03 | Michelle Bardsley - District 05
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In loving memory of Mae Meadows Stafford
October 22, 1938 – October 8, 2020 Mae Meadows Stafford, 81, of Oak Ridge passed away peacefully with her family by her side and went home to be with the Lord on October 8, 2020. A native of Oak Ridge, Mae is the daughter of the late Colonel Davis Meadows and Ruby Warren Meadows. Mae and her four siblings grew up on a farm at the end of Scoggins Road (behind the Oak Ridge Fire Department), where they grew tobacco, raised cows and rode horses. Along with her three sisters and a brother, Mae worked hard, but enjoyed growing up on their family farm. Mae was a charter member of Central Baptist Church, where she was an active volunteer and church greeter. She also served as a past president of Oak Ridge Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary. She retired from Bristol Myers Squibb, ConvaTec Division. Survivors include her husband, Leonard; son, David Stafford and wife, Jeri Lynn, of Midway, NC; grandson, Stephen Stafford and wife, Miranda, of Arcadia, NC; two sisters, Anne Needham and husband, Warren, of Oak Ridge, and Faye Barham and husband, Ben, of Summerfield; and numerous nieces and nephews who were like her own children. In addition to her parents, Mae was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Eggen, and brother, Davis “Sonny” Meadows.
Everybody Needs an “Aunt Mick” Lovingly known as “Aunt Mick,” Mae was adored by her many nieces and nephews. Her niece, Ginger Needham, shared many sweet memories of her, including running down the neighbor’s yard on Saturday mornings to Aunt Mick and Uncle Leonard’s house, where she and her siblings knew they would find Uncle Leonard flipping pancakes and Mick pouring juice and coffee for everyone. While the food was delicious, Needham loved the conversation most of all. “I truly believe if every child or young person in our world today had an ‘Aunt Mick’ in their life, there would be no need for them to search elsewhere for any additional support, encouragement, and best of all – love,” Needham shared.
Best Friends Forever Only 11 months apart in age, Mae “Mick,” and her sister, Anne, often felt like twins. Anne says as she and Mick got older, they refused to be dressed alike because they didn’t want to be asked if they were twins. Although life on the farm wasn’t always easy, the two sisters enjoyed working together. “Mick and I will be best buddies forever,” Anne shared.
62 Wonderful Years Together There wasn’t a school bus running down Scoggins Road, so when Mae began attending Oak Ridge Elementary School, she and her sisters would often walk in the rain and cold to get to school. After completing elementary school, all students were bussed to Summerfield High School. It just so happened that Mae’s bus driver on bus number 45 was Leonard Stafford, who quickly became very fond of Mae and saved a seat for her right behind his seat, where the bus heater was. Mae stayed warm and cozy with Leonard the rest of her high school days. Mae’s life was changed for the better when she and Leonard met. Throughout their 62 years of marriage, he gave Mae the best of everything.
LASTING WORDS FROM MAE: While there are many things Ginger Needham will never forget about her Aunt Mick, one stands out particularly. In 2016, Needham and Mick went out to eat to celebrate their birthdays, which were just six days part. After ordering their food, Needham recalls Mick looking at her and asking, “Have you seen all the horrible things on the news that are happening everywhere?” Needham replied that she had, 8 OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2020 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 and she didn’t know what could change it all. Mick, without hesistation, said, “I know the answer. Jesus can fix all of it. And He can fix me, too.”
Welcome to our new advertisers!
Thank you to the businesses, organizations and individuals who advertise in the Northwest Observer and make it possible to provide this community resource at no charge to our readers. The Fitzsimmons Group/Allen Tate Realtors Owner/Manager: Ashley Fitzsimmons
Ashley Fitzsimmons, Erin Henry and Kelly Creed of The Fitzsimmons Group share a combined 34 years of experience in real estate.
“The three of us chose real estate to allow us to help others fulfill the dreams of home ownership,” Ashley said. “While helping families, estates, investors and individuals buy and sell real estate, our team works seamlessly together and our shared strong core values and dedication allow us to exceed our clients’ expectations.
The Fitzsimmons Group is very proud to have garnered the following professional awards and recognitions over the last two years: Quarterly VIP 2020; Red Penguin Service Award 2020; Top Tier 1 Team–Greensboro 2019; Barbara Tate Legendary Service Award 2019; Top 125 Allen Tate Realtors 2019; and VIP during all four quarters of 2019. On a Personal Note:
Ashley lives in Summerfield with her husband, Tom. The couple has four grown sons, a chocolate lab and two cats. In their spare time they enjoy being at their property at Caswell Beach and at Belews Lake.
Erin has two grown children and lives in Greensboro with her pup, “Hulk.”
Kelly lives in Sedgefield with her husband, Jeff, who owns Greensboro Shrub Nursery. See ad on p. 3
Pat Tillman, candidate, District 3 Guilford County Board of Education
Pat Tillman is the son of two lifelong educators, and along with his brother and sister he learned at a very young age the importance of strong schools and the impact of education. After graduating from Appa-
Pat Tillman lachian State University in 1997, Tillman served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a staff non-commissioned officer. He was activated for deployment in 2003 and 2005 and served in support of the Regimental Combat Team II in Anbar province of Iraq, which took him to some of the most dangerous areas of the conflict. More recently, Tillman signed on with the Army National Guard to finish out his 20 years of service in a Black Hawk air unit.
Tillman believes his military background and 20+ years in the private sector (he currently works as a business development strategist for THS Creative) make him uniquely qualified to serve another term on the Guilford County Board of Education, where he sees himself as an independent voice and problem solver who works with fellow board members, the superintendent, state legislature, county commissioners and the business community to do what is best for all students, teachers and their families.
...continued on p. 10
It has been my honor and pleasure to serve the citizens of Guilford County and North Carolina in public offices for more than 40 years. Consistently rated highly among all N.C. legislators in passage of bills sponsored!
• I am fiscally conservative and a strong proponent of a free market economy. • I oppose unnecessary regulation, taxation, and unbridled spending. • Public safety is paramount. I support strong, honest, well-trained law enforcement and dedicated prosecutors. • I support a public school system with devoted teachers who prepare students to compete in society and a world economy. • I also defend a parent’s right to choose alternative school education if parents feel that is a better option for their child. • I support our heroic military veterans, fighting for their health and financial wellbeing. I look forward to another term in service to all my fellow citizens of
North Carolina and particularly of House District 62. Thank you in advance for your support and for your vote. I will represent you well.
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While serving on the school board, Tillman was asked to help expand the school system’s Career Technical Education (CTE) efforts, which required working with the business community, Chamber of Commerce, Guilford Apprenticeship Program (GAP) Workforce Development Boards, Business High Point and other community partners to launch five career academies across the county.
“These academies paired with our traditional CTE offerings will offer our students new opportunities to be a part of SUMMERFIELD – Scott Whitaker, town manager of Summerfield, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Whitaker is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program and is the only North Carolina designee within the recent consideration cycle.
ICMA cites its mission is “to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics and by increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world. The organization’s 13,000 members in 27 countries also include educators, students, and other local government employees.”
According to the ICMA, individuals receiving the prestigious ICMA credenthe exciting new jobs of the future,” Tillman said. “It is imperative our graduates are college or career ready (or both).”
In 2019, Tillman was appointed by the state’s superintendent of schools and its Board of Education to serve on the prestigious NC Safer Schools Task Force.
Tillman and his wife Julie have three children, ages 16, 15 and 11, and all three attend the county’s public schools.
Tillman sees himself as a listener and a leader and hopes to be elected to another term on the Board of Education as a representative for District 3.
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tial must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; have Scott Whitaker earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.
Whitaker has worked as Summerfield’s town manager since June 2012 and his public sector experience in area and local government spans 21 years. He earned his Master of Public Administration degree from Appalachian State University and other leadership training includes the UNC School of Government’s Public Executive Leadership Academy and the ICMA Williamsburg Leadership Institute. He has been an active ICMA member and currently serves on the North Carolina City and County Management Association’s Professional Conduct Committee.
