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Let’s MakeGreat!2021

Tracy Williams, attorney

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...  China Gourmet in Oak Ridge for continuously not being able to accept credit  Summit Church in Oak Ridge for the cards. Do you want to stay in business? beautiful ball lights in the large tree on There are even homeless people who N.C. 68. I travel to work in the dark, and can accept payments on a cell phone sometimes return home in the dark, and I these days! love seeing that beautiful lighted display!  NWO editor and anyone else who  Oak Ridge Youth Association and Oak sees racism in things like the blue-lined Ridge Military Academy for making the flag. Look what all those false accusaright decision to require masks at basket- tions of racism have done to our country. ball practices and games. Editor’s note: In my note last week about  The nice gentleman who paid for my din- the blue-lined flag, I stated facts about ner when I was in New York China Restau- it – and I will repeat those facts. Fact: rant in Stokesdale on Christmas Eve. Thank It originated decades ago as a way of you so very much. I will try to pass it on. showing support for law enforcement – I  All those who still have Christmas will add now that for many, that is still the lights up. They bring so much cheer and intent of flying the flag. Fact: Some have beauty during the times we are going since come to see the blue-lined flag as through. Thank you! a symbol of racism. Nowhere in my edi The breathtaking joy of classical tor’s note did I state how I feel personally music, removing you temporarily from about the blue-lined flag. this vale of tears with its ethereal heart-  People moving into a quiet, peaceful stopping beauty. I recommend 89.7FM neighborhood who disturb that peace (WCPE) if you can receive it. with their loud vehicles and ATVs. We GRIPES to... hear you every time you come and go!  Those who walk/run in the dark, back  The person who equated not wearing turned to traffic and in dark clothes. I a mask to drinking/driving. How stupid. would be devastated if I hit you. Please It’s about compliance and control! We all wear something light-colored and reflecsurvived just fine before the “pandemic.” tive so you’re more visible – and walk facStop being brainwashed by MSM. Liber- ing traffic so you see approaching cars. ties don’t end where your fear begins.  Rio Grande for charging for toma High school teachers pushing politi- toes and sour cream on tacos. $1 extra cal agendas in class after recent current per taco for a dollop of sour cream and events. These class discussions were tomatoes? I don’t know any other Mexiwidespread and should not occur. It’s not can restaurant that charges extra. Not a your job to tell students what to think, nor fan of nickel and diming. should you be creating false narratives! Editor’s note: Pepe Silva, owner of Rio  The person who “cut” my Trump flag Grande, confirmed the restaurant chargdown in my yard... and you wonder why es $2.50 for a regular taco with beef and people rallied in Washington? We are sick cheese and $3.50 for a taco supreme, of self-righteous left-wingers. You can’t which comes with lettuce, tomatoes and cut Trump out of my heart! sour cream.

Outside the … The following reader-submitted GRINS and GRIPES express opinions about state and/ or national topics, and have been separated from the other grins and gripes as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on state and/or national political and other non-local topics in a local newspaper. GRINS to...  Minneapolis salon owner Flora Westbrooks, outraged that city officials receive a nice pay raise after her business was one burned down during “peaceful” liberal protests last summer. Her livelihood’s destroyed, but city employees get theirs – and more. Government greed... GRIPES to...  Those who assaulted America’s democracy. These people who injured police officers who were defending our Capitol are the same individuals flying their “blue-lined flag” next to their tyrannical Trump signs. This proves what your un-American flag really means.  The NC Congressional representatives who support bogus claims and conspiracy theories that fueled the pro-Trump terrorists assaulting our Capitol. They deserve expulsion and will live in infamy in U.S. history.  The media for one-sided reporting of the Capitol riots. I was there with a million-plus peaceful citizens who were amazingly kind to each other. The Capitol was breached by thugs and a million citizens’ safety was compromised to do that.  Nancy Pelosi, for wasting time and money by impeaching President Trump again, just days before he left office. Couldn’t our representatives find something more constructive to do?  Gov. Roy Cooper, who wants to get rid of disability scholarships. I have high-functioning autism and a scholarship helps my parents pay for me to go to Lionheart Academy, where I feel much more comfortable and have friends. Editor’s note: To learn more about this issue, search online for articles about the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program and the governor’s position on it.  Nancy Pelosi. I don’t recall Newt Gingrich holding a news conference to sign impeachment papers. It appears President Trump jilted her pretty good. “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” Jan. 18 | A 44-year-old male was cited in the 1500 block of N.C. 68 N/Linville Road in Oak Ridge for possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance. FRAUD Jan. 6 | An employee of Tractor Supply Company in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect obtained property by false pretenses at about 12:18 p.m. Jan. 11 | A resident of the 2700 block of Kinsey Drive in Summerfield (near Strawberry Road) reported an unknown suspect used her identity information to file for unemployment benefits sometime before Jan. 7. THEFT Jan. 5 | A member of Northwest Baptist Church on Edgefield Road in northwest Greensboro reported an unknown suspect entered their church van and stole $400 worth of items between Dec. 29 and Jan. 5. Jan. 5 | A Stokesdale resident at the Oak Ridge Town Park reported an unknown suspect had broken the passenger side windows and stolen purses from two vehicles. Jan. 18 | A resident of the 8600 block of Bull Road in Colfax (off N. Bunker Hill Road) reported an unknown suspect stole $960 worth of firearms from his vehicle.

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE Jan. 9 | An employee of Get Wet Marine in Colfax reported a known offender was given permission to use a company vehicle but did not return it when instructed to do so.

WEAPONS Jan. 12 | A 58-year-old male was arrested at 1:30 a.m. in the 400 block of S. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax for possession of a firearm as a felon.

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Do you own a general business (GB). The Zoning Board will consider the western boundaries. (See FC article.) It would be the first time Summerfield historic property request during its Jan. 25 meeting. If the board decides on a recommendation, the were to establish an ETJ, which would allow Summerfield to apply its zoning in Oak Ridge? council may consider it during its Feb. 9 meeting, Whitaker said. rules in the area, Whitaker said. Legislative goals Proposed crosswalk  5  0 to recommend 10 legTown staff is seeking the help of the islative goals for the North Carolina North Carolina Department of Public League of Municipalities to pursue durTransportation (NCDOT) in deciding ing the upcoming meeting of the state’s Apply now for a where to place a crosswalk at the south- General Assembly. Securing federal Historic Heritage Grant! Grants of up to $2,000 will be ern end of Summerfield Road for cyclists, walkers and runners, Whitaker said. The town wants a crosswalk to improve safety for people crossing from and state aid for municipalities to offset revenue lost due to the COVID-19 outbreak is one of the goals. Redacted town attorney bills The Historic Preservation awarded to maintain and a parking area on Summerfield Road Pegram said she opposes Town Attorney Commission is looking for preserve the exteriors to the sidewalk running along U.S. 220. Bob Hornik’s decision to redact the names small-scale, high-impact grant projects to help preserve the of historic properties in Oak Ridge. Owners The sidewalks leads to the pedestrian tunnel under the highway. of people he talks to about Summerfield litigation in his invoices to the town. historic properties that are at the heart of our community. must cover at least 50% of project costs. COUNCIL’S REPORT Extraterritorial jurisdiction  4  1 (Pegram opposed) to instruct For the ensuing discussion, see related article on p. 3. Closed session town staff to contact Guilford County The council entered a closed sesofficials about Summerfield’s interest in sion to discuss legal matters. When it What’s important? How do I learn more? creating an extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) on its northern, eastern and southreconvened in public session, it took no action before adjourning at 10:15 p.m.. • Focus on preserving historic • Visit www.oakridgenc.com property • Call Town Hall at (336) 644-7009 Tomorrow may never come • Appropriateness and urgency of proposed work • Attend an information session for Summerfi eld committee • Positive impact on our historic Monday, February 22, at 7 p.m. Mayor BJ Barnes and continue discussions about the comcommunity at Town Hall (8315 Linville Road) council member Lynne Williams DeVaney face mittee during its next meeting Feb. 9. The issue of committee purpose and member selection was left undecided. Application deadline: March 30 pushback on proposal for new advisory committee “After listening to this conversation, this has brought no unity to our council,” Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms said. by CHRIS BURRITT “I’m not sure how it could bring unity to Oak Ridge Historic Preservation SUMMERFIELD – A proposal to create the Tomorrow Committee to advise town leaders on immediate needs and longour community.” The topic was initially discussed during the council’s annual strategic Commission range planning is creating disagreement among Town Council members. planning retreat a year ago. As proposed, each of the six council Promoting historic preservation in Oak Ridge Some council members question members would select two residents to whether the proposal, which is backed serve on the committee. by Mayor BJ Barnes and Councilwoman DeVaney envisions the committee (336) 644-7009 | www.oakridgenc.com Lynne Williams DeVaney, would overlap the advising town leaders on planning and responsibilities of other committees, such zoning issues, and it would keep town as the Zoning Board, and the council itself. staff and council members informed 34 JAN. 21 - FEB. 3, 2021 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 After debating nearly an hour during its Jan. 12 meeting, the council voted to about immediate needs, such as a park bench needing repair, while helping

ation, roads and sidewalks. mini council. I don’t see the clarity from Greensboro is tentative. Extending the

“It would visualize what we want around this.” utilities would require the cooperation of Sumour town to look like tomorrow, in He suggested instead creating merfield, the city of Greensboro and Guilford five years, in 10 years, in 25 years, an ad hoc committee to review and County. In the end, the city of Greensboro in 50 years,” she said. possibly revise the town’s 11-year- would approve the final alignment of a water

Establishing the committee old comprehensive plan. line, Couch said. would encourage more resident Council member Teresa Pegram Couch’s proposal for developing his Introducing the UNIROYAL® TIGER PAW® GTZ ALL SEASON 2 TIRE. involvement and help explore future projects, Barnes said. If, as an example, a group of residents suggested Summerfield build tennis courts, the committee could investigate costs and other project particulars. Ultra-high performance. Without the ultra-high price. property would require rezoning approval by the Summerfield Town Council. A rezoning application has not yet been submitted to the town. Exactly where a water line would run would depend partly upon technical considerations, said she initially supported the proposal for the new committee and liked that each council member could select two members. However, a proposed change to the ordinance regulating committees says council members would evaluate candidates Uniroyal has updated their ultra-high performance all-season tire, giving everyday drivers long-lasting treadlife and a quiet, comfortable ride at an affordable price. “I see this committee as being more akin to an advisory commitfor the Tomorrow Committee. “Why are we not followsuch as water pressure. Regardless of its route, the line would have to connect Greensboro’s tee,” the mayor said. ing exactly what we said at the water supply in two places, creating a loop to Backed by a 50,000-mile warranty Such involvement risks bogging retreat?” Pegram asked. generate sufficient pressure for water flow in down the efforts of existing com- Councilman John O’Day Summerfield, Couch said. mittees, Councilman Reece Walker answered that he wants the oppor- A line through Summerfield would allow said, adding concerns that the new tunity to review applicants. Walker for the installation of fire hydrants widely committee might lack focus. agreed, saying he’d favor appointing across town, while supplying water to Couch’s “I think your vision is spot on,” members to the Tomorrow Com- proposed shopping center on N.C. 150, he

Walker told DeVaney. “I don’t know mittee in the same way the council said. that this is the best way to accom- evaluates and selects candidates for In conversations with officials in the three plish it.” other committees. municipalities since announcing plans for Summerfield Farms Village last September, Couch has shared some details about his proposal. He has raised the possibility of extending a water line from Summerfield Farms to businesses along U.S. 220. The developer hasn’t mentioned publicly his proposal for looping the line through Summerfield.

If the proposed line winds up being built as proposed by Couch’s engineer, it would follow this course: Once reaching Summerfield Farms, it would continue north on Pleasant Ridge Road to Summerfield Road.

Turning left (or northwest), the line would follow Summerfield Road to the stoplight at N.C. 150, at Town Hall, Couch said. It would again turn left (or west), onto N.C. 150, until reaching Brookbank Road at the site of the developer’s proposed shopping center.

The line would follow Brookbank Road southwest until it dead-ends into Bunch Road, Couch said. It would then turn left (or southeast) on Bunch Road until turning right (or south) on Northwest School Road. At that point, it would tie into city water lines at Northwest Guilford middle and high schools.

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Stokesdale Located at Kings Crossing 7705 Highway 68 N (336) 642-3580

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