April 21 - May 4, 2022
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since November1996
www.nwobserver.com
What’s next for the Villages Hiring, retaining staff of Summerfield Farms? a sheriff’s challenge Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers faces two Democratic challengers in the May 17 primary election, while six Republicans are seeking the GOP nomination Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO
From right, Summerfield residents Maggie Tinsley and Kim Fruitt hold up “No Apartments” signs to show their opposition to landowner David Couch’s proposal to amend the town’s development rules to accommodate higher density. The two women were among the hundreds of people who attended the April 12 town council meeting; the meeting was held at Laughlin Professional Development Center to accommodate the anticipated crowd who came for a public hearing on the proposed amendment.
After defeat, landowner Couch said he ‘isn’t giving up’ on his development dream while Summerfield leaders may seek residents’ input to plot future growth by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – A 4-1 vote by the Town Council April 12 halted landowner David Couch’s proposal for the Villages
of Summerfield Farms, a planned commercial-and-residential development on 973 acres spanning the town.
IN THIS ISSUE News in brief.......................................................... 2 Your Questions ..................................................... 3
...continued on p. 18
by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – The candidate elected as Guilford County’s next sheriff will face a rising challenge for law enforcement nationwide – recruitment and retention of officers. “It’s hard to get people to enter law enforcement nowadays because so many folks are going anti-police,” said BJ Barnes, who served as the county’s sheriff for 24 years until his 2018 defeat by Danny Rogers. “It’s hard to choose it as a career. Why put up with it?” The challenge is widespread. On average, law enforcement agencies
across the U.S. are filling 93% of budgeted positions, according to a national survey by the Police Executive Research Forum in May 2021. Agencies reported they were hiring fewer new officers while losing staff to resignations and retirements. Labor challenges have emerged as an issue in the sheriff’s race in Guilford County headed into the May 17 primary. Republican and Democratic candidates alike have criticized Sheriff Rogers for what they say is his lack of professional leadership. Seeking reelection, Rogers faces a primary challenge by two other Democrats, T.J. Phipps and Juan Monjaras, both of Greensboro. In the Republican primary, six candidates are
...continued on p. 28
Stokesdale Town Council meeting ................. 12
Car break-ins, thefts, on the rise ...................... 39
NWO Business & Real Estate ..............................17
Crime/Incident Report ...................................... 42
Development exploding in U.S. 220 corridor ..20 Church must protect magnificent oak .......... 22 Youth Sync........................................................... 33
Grins and Gripes ................................................ 40 Classifieds ........................................................... 43
‘No’ vote signals opposition to apartments ... 6
NWO Kids’ Korner ............................................... 34
Index of Advertisers ........................................... 47
Oak Ridge Town Council meeting ................. 10
Community Calendar ...................................... 36
NWO On The Go ................................................. 48
