Northwest Observer / Jan. 19 - Feb. 1, 2023

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Town seeks bids for park projects

Stokesdale Town Council may spend as much as $775,475 in state and federal funds on park projects. If cost exceeds estimates, however, some council members say they will oppose spending one ‘thin dime’ out of reserves to fund the projects

by CHRIS BURRITT

STOKESDALE – After deciding to seek bids for an amphitheater, playground equipment and basketball and pickleball courts, Stokesdale Town Council is prepared to spend more than three-quarters of a million state and federal dollars on Town Park projects.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Stokesdale Stokesdale Town Council has earmarked $412,737.50 it received from federal and state funds for new town park features; the council will likely allocate another $362,737.50 for the park in its FY2023-24 budget, bringing the total to $775,475 for more playground equipment, an amphitheater, nature trails, a basketball court with six goals and possibly a pickleball court.

The exact amount is $775,475, and that’s the price tag where councilmen Tim Jones and Jimmy Landreth want to draw the line on spending.

“It is my intent as a council member not to spend one thin dime out of the general fund to

IN THIS ISSUE

finance” Town Park improvements, Jones said during the council’s meeting Jan. 12. Added Landreth: “If we were going into the general fund balance, I wouldn’t be voting for any of these projects.”

Residents pay no property taxes to the town of Stokesdale, spurring thriftiness in

...continued on p. 3

Conflicts of interest – or not?

Assertions against two Planning Board members and a Town Council member ratchet up tension ahead of landowner’s text amendment request by

CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Opponents of landowner David Couch’s request to amend Summerfield’s development regulations are saying that two Planning Board members and a town councilman stand to gain financially if Couch is allowed to build apartments and other higher-density housing.

Board members Kathy Rooney and Clark Doggett said conflictof-interest claims are unfounded, as did Town Attorney Bob Hornik. Doggett’s son, John, who serves on the council, said he didn’t want to comment on the allegations because he believes his opponents would seize upon anything he said – or didn’t say – to criticize him.

Allegations of conflicts of interest have bubbled under the surface over the past year as Justin Wraight, an opponent of Couch’s plans, has expressed his concerns in emails to Hornik, Town Manager Scott Whitaker and council members. The disagreement emerged during the council’s meeting Jan. 10 when Wraight, Chip Person, Darryl Hodge and Gail Dunham raised their conflict-of-interest assertions.

“ ere are loads of con icts of interest and I don’t think that is a good way to be,” Person said.

...continued on p. 20

School Board twice rejects Republican nominee ..2

Oak Ridge extends Heritage Farm Park bidding ..2

Your Questions 4

Oak Ridge Jan. 5 Town Council meeting ........... 6

Summerfield Jan. 10 Town Council meeting 9 Welcome to our new advertisers ......................... 11 Stokesdale Jan. 12 Town Council meeting 12 Summerfield seeks ‘simplified’ land use plan 18 Kids’ Korner ............................................................. 22

NWHS Hall of Fame 23

Community Calendar 25

Letters/Opinions

Grins and Gripes 27

Classifieds

Index of Advertisers

NWO On The Go 32

Town of Oak Ridge extends Heritage Farm Park bidding

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – The town of Oak Ridge commenced a second round of bidding to secure a developer for Heritage Farm Park after the first round drew only contractor interested in the multimillion-dollar job.

The town is accepting sealed bids until 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, from companies interested in the project: the installation of two multi-purpose fields, a picnic shelter, a restroom building, an asphalt walking trail and infrastructure for development of 62 acres behind Town Hall on Linville Road.

Only Greensboro-based Bar

Construction Co. showed up for the initial bid opening at Town Hall Jan. 10. At least three bidders are required in initial bidding, forcing Oak Ridge to re-advertise the process. In the second round, only one bidder is required for town officials to open the bid and proceed with hiring a contractor, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce.

Development of the park is Oak Ridge’s biggest capital project in the fiscal year that started July 1, with an appropriation of $3.66 million by the town. Amid rising costs for construction materials, the bid will provide a more accurate cost for the project.

For third time, Republican seeking school board seat

The Democratic majority’s rejection of Michael Logan leaves northwestern Guilford schools without representation by CHRIS BURRITT

NW GUILFORD – Republican Michael Logan is going to try again next week to win a seat on Guilford County’s Board of Education as the representative for District 3, which encompasses northwestern Guilford County.

Twice since last month, the board’s Democratic majority has rejected the county Republican Party’s selection of Logan to fill the remaining term of Pat Tillman, who was elected to the county’s Board of Commissioners last November.

Logan, a Guilford County Schools teacher for more than 25 years, said he’s going to attend the board’s Jan. 26 meeting to see whether they continue to vote along party lines to keep him from filling the vacancy through 2024.

“My goal is to sit in that seat and run for that seat again in November 2024,” Logan said in an interview earlier this week.

Summerfield’s Deborah Napper, a Democratic board member representing District 5, said she doesn’t plan to switch and vote in favor of Logan. She declined to explain her reasons.

If other Democrats continue to oppose Logan, the county’s Republican Party will consider options to end the standoff, according to party Chairman David Gleeson.

Citing state law, Gleeson told the board during its Jan. 10 meeting that it is responsible to seat Logan as the Republican Party’s selection. However, the school board’s attorney, Jill Wilson, said the statute isn’t clear.

Meanwhile, taxpayers in Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and the portion of Summerfield represented by District 3 lack a voice in school matters, Stokesdale Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy said during his town’s council meeting last week.

PARK IMPROVEMENTS

...continued from p. 1

governmental expenditures. Even so, when it comes to spending on recreation for residents, Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy and council member Jim Rigsbee took a softer line on spending town funds than Jones and Landreth.

“I might spare a penny,” said Foy, noting, however, that he believes the council should try to limit spending to federal dollars instead of dipping into the general fund. The town has $2,565,624 invested in CDARS and $311,678 in its checking accounts as of Dec. 31.

During last week’s council meeting, the four members expressed their views on spending as they discussed and then voted unanimously to request bids from contractors for building the amphitheater and a court for basketball and another for pickleball. Mayor Mike Crawford was absent from the meeting.

Earlier, the council voted to seek bids for the installation of playground equipment. Rounding out the priority for park spending, as recommended by residents in a survey three years ago, were nature trails.

Although he doesn’t favor tapping the town’s reserves, Rigsbee said “that money does belong to the citizens of Stokesdale, and if we do have to spend it, we would be spending it for their benefit. I personally wouldn’t have a problem with that as long it was done in a fiduciary manner.”

Stokesdale got $725,475 in federal pandemic relief funds. The council

“Everybody in District 3 is being taxed without representation on that school board,” Foy said. Citing voters’ support of a $1.7 billion school bond referendum last year, he said northwestern Guilford County needs representation to push for spending money in District 3.

“Who is going to be our advocate to improve our schools?” asked Foy, who introduced Logan during the council’s Jan. 12 meeting and invited him to speak.

We Are The Revolution

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appropriated half of those dollars –$362,737.50 – for park improvements in the fiscal year that ends June 30. Another $50,000 in a state small-town development grant is earmarked for the park.

If the projects spill over into next fiscal year, the council may decide to appropriate the remaining federal funds for park improvements, according to Foy.

Estimated costs for park improvements total $725,000 – $420,000 for the amphitheater, $150,000 for the basketball court, $95,000 for playground equipment and $60,000 for nature trails.

The estimate provides wiggle room of about $50,000 in federal and state funding. Jones said the town may need the extra as a contingency against cost overruns.

If costs exceed federal and state money, Landreth said the council may decide to delay or pare back park projects. On the other hand, on the chance there’s enough money, the town is seeking a bid for building a pickleball court next to the basketball court.

Some council members weren’t familiar with pickleball. Three years ago, when a few respondents to the park survey suggested a pickleball court, Landreth said, “I thought somebody was just funning. I didn’t have a clue what it was.” Even now, Jones said, “I simply don’t know what a pickleball court is.”

“There’s an element of tennis, badminton and ping-pong” in pickleball, Foy explained. Despite the sport’s rising popularity, he said he’d favor construction of a basketball court over a pickleball court if the council must choose one over the other.

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your QUESTIONS

Some schools in our area have asked for help to pay officers to direct traffic, yet schools such as Northwest High School and Northern Guilford High School already have an officer on campus and those officers don’t direct student/ parent traffic. Why don’t school resource officers direct traffic?

We directed your question to Capt. Brian Hall, school resource officer captain for Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, and here’s how he answered it...

“This is probably the most frequently asked question that I get during the school year, especially right when the new school year starts and

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everyone is trying to figure out the pattern,” Hall said.

“I want people to know it’s not that we don’t care, or that we’re indifferent to the problems with school traffic,” he continued. “The reason behind it goes way back to the original agreements we’ve had with Guilford County Schools, through their emergency management office. As we were figuring out roles and responsibilities of the SROs, that was one of the things we agreed we would not do (direct traffic).

“It kind of stems from the unfortunate reality that we do have violence and other criminal activity occurring in the school parking lots in the mornings and afternoons, and we try to place the officers strategically on campus where we think there is the most possibility for those types of things to occur,” he explained. “Most of our drama in the mornings and in the afternoons is either in the bus parking lot or inside the building somewhere, so the SRO usually is down around the bus parking lot in the morning and then moves back up into the building. Putting us out in the street in the mornings or afternoons when all that traffic builds up just kind of eliminates our position and can create a vacuum.

“While we don’t regularly deal with the traffic, if there is a wreck, or someone is hurt, we will assist,” Hall added. “But to make that a daily part of an SRO’s job is just not something we’ve ever felt is giving the most bang for the buck – and the school system doesn’t want us out there doing it.

“ e school system has told us they’re paying us to manage the criminal element, not manage the tra c.”

Jan. 5 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Mayor Ann Schneider called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan, Martha Pittman and Spencer Sullivan present.

Stephanie Farrell, chair of the town’s Conservation Easement Committee and member of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) Committee, offered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

RESOLUTION

Trail support. Council member Martha Pittman, who serves as the council’s liaison to the MST Committee, read a resolution supporting the state legislature’s proclamation of 2023 as the “Year of the Trail.”

MST Committee co-chair Anne Steele, committee members Stephanie Farrell and Mike Kimel and volunteer Joel Deaton gathered in front of the dais as Pittman read the resolution. She noted that Oak Ridge has invested about $500,000 in trails and benefited from “thousands of hours of volunteer labor from a passionate and dedicated local trails community.”

Later in the meeting, Steele said the resolution “makes it extra special” for volunteers building sections of the MST in Oak Ridge.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. N.C. Southern reported the sheriff’s District 1 office responded to 179 calls in Oak Ridge in December, including some vehicle

In the background, council member Martha

tion

break-ins at Town Park.

Southern advised park visitors to put valuables out of sight and lock their vehicle doors. Thieves “are smashing the windows and grabbing” visible items, Southern said, adding that thieves typically try to use credit cards from purses within a few minutes of stealing them.

Thieves are also staking out parking lots to see where motorists put their belongings, he said, noting that when items aren’t visible, thieves typically leave vehicles undisturbed.

“We’re not just seeing this in Oak Ridge, we’re also seeing it in Summerfield,” Southern said.

Oak Ridge Fire Department. Capt. James Hill provided full-year and monthly reports on the department’s activities. In 2022, firefighters responded to 55 fires, including 29 buildings, two vehicles, 14 grass and woods and 24 others.

New Patients

The department also handled 483 rescue calls, including 420 emergency medical calls, and 111 false calls and alarms. Personnel obtained nearly 8,119 hours of training.

In December, the department conducted 52 rescue calls, including 44 emergency medical calls, while responding to six fires and 11 false calls and alarms. Firefighters obtained 596 hours of training.

Councilman George McClellan

asked whether the sheriff’s office could assign deputies to enforce the speed limit on N.C. 150, particularly between Oak Ridge Elementary School and the Forsyth County line. Schneider added enforcement is needed on Linville and Haw River roads.

The sheriff’s office is beefing up enforcement, according to Southern. As an example, he said a deputy patrols N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge’s commercial corridor at nighttime, looking for speeders.

“I think most people think that is a Highway 85 bypass,” he said.

PUBLIC HEARING Rezoning request

 5  0 to approve a request to rezone 26.7 acres on N.C. 68 south of Linville Road. Property owner William Clayton sought rezoning of the property from CU-TC-R (conditional use – town core – residential) to CZ-AG (conditional zoning – agricultural).

No one spoke for or against the rezoning request during a public hearing before the council’s vote.

In an interview before the meeting, Clayton said he plans to build a home for his family on the property. In September 2021, the Oak Ridge resident bought the wooded tract, which contains a roughly 3-acre pond, from the Israel Family Limited Partnership,

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Pittman reads a “Year of the Trail” resolu-

recognizing volunteers including (from left) Summerfield’s Joel Deaton and Oak Ridge Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee members Mike Kimel, Stephanie Farrell and co-chair Anne Steele.

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor Ann Schneider, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan, Martha Pittman and Spencer Sullivan voted on the following issues during the Jan. 5 meeting.

5  0: Approve a request to rezone 26.7 acres on N.C. 68 south of Linville Road where the property owner plans to build a house for his family

5  0: Approve funding of $11,629.27 to match private fourth-quarter donations to Veterans Honor Green

5  0: Reappoint Tammy Gardner to the Planning and Zoning Board, representing the town’s northern extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), as well as Stuart Mease and Jim Harton to the Finance Committee

5  0: Approve a proposal from consultant Wooten Co. for $899,100 in engineering services for construction of an elevated water tank and a main water line

5  0: Authorize finance officer Sam Anders to add Piedmont Federal Savings Bank as a depositary bank for the town

according to the deed filed online with Guilford County.

Earlier, the Israel family had agreed to sell the land to developer Paul Milam. He proposed to build as many as 48 townhouses and twin homes aimed at people 55 years and older; Milam abandoned the project in 2019.

Developing the property with a single home is “good news for traffic on (Highway) 68,” Schneider said.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Veterans Honor Green donations

 5  0 to approve funding of $11,629.27 to match private fourthquarter donations to the town’s veterans’ site.

Combined, donations and the town’s match totaled $23,258.54 from October through December, bringing total funding for the project to $169,242.24. The goal is $200,000.

McClellan asked whether the council should consider contributing roughly $31,000 to meet the goal. On the chance that $200,000 isn’t enough to pay for the veterans’ site, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman said he “would not want to deter or slow down fundraising”

from private givers by eliminating the incentive of the town’s matching funds.

Schneider concurred, saying that Oak Ridge wants to continue offering “the extra carrot” of matching funds. She added that she expects donations to continue after the completion of the project in Heritage Farm Park, partly from selling engraved pavers.

“I am so excited that we are getting closer to our goal,” Special Events Committee Chair Patti Dmuchowski said later in the meeting. She added she continues to solicit local businesses and look for other ways to collect donations.

Board reappointments

 5  0 to reappoint Tammy Gardner to the Planning and Zoning Board, representing the town’s northern extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), as well as Stuart Mease and Jim Harton to the Finance Committee.

NEW BUSINESS

 5  0 to approve a proposal from consultant Wooten Co. for $899,100 in engineering services for construction of an elevated water tank and a main water line. The actual work requires the

approval of the council and the award of a construction contract, according to a Jan. 3 memo from Town Manager Bill Bruce to the council.

If the project goes as envisioned, construction of the tank in the vicinity of the Oak Ridge Fire Department and Town Hall could start as soon as June.

FINANCIAL REPORT

 5  0 to authorize

finance officer

Sam Anders to add Piedmont Federal Savings Bank as a depositary bank for the town. The move allows Oak Ridge to take advantage of a higher interest rate offered by Piedmont Federal, compared to rates from other banks.

The town already has depositary relationships with Truist and Bank of Oak Ridge.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Special Events Committee. Dmuchowski reported that last month’s Light Up the Night festivities were successful, despite a rainy start.

She thanked volunteers and staff who helped with the event, and noted they prepared Town Park, arranged for vendors and food trucks, built side rails for the Grinch wagon and designed publicity materials.

Volunteers also put up, maintained

from p. 7

and took down about 1,300 luminaries in the park.

“They were just magical,” Dmuchowski said of the luminaries.

Water Advisory Board. Chair Jim Harton said the board is following the development of Honeycutt Reserve, a new subdivision on Bunch Road. The development is the first customer of the town’s municipal water system.

Historic Preservation Commission. Chair Debbie Shoenfeld reported the commission is assessing the accomplishments of the Historic Heritage Grant program over the past seven years and may recommend changes to the council.

“Rising costs and increased flexibility and timing of our grants are two key issues we are evaluating,” said Shoenfeld, adding the commission plans to report to the council in coming weeks.

Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee. Co-chair Anne Steele reported volunteers “made great progress” on a workday Dec. 17 to build a new section of the trail near the Pemberly Estates subdivision on N.C. 150.

Oak Ridge Elementary School. Molly Stoltz, the school’s curriculum facilitator and principal intern, reported that 13 volunteers are helping second- and

third-grade students improve reading and math skills.

The program, called Colts Coaches, represents an effort by the school’s staff and PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) to help students suffering from “the academic fallout from remote learning” during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stoltz said. The school is seeking more volunteers, she added.

Oak Ridge Youth Association. Randy Collins, ORYA’s community relations director, thanked those with Oak Ridge Town Park, Oak Ridge Elementary, Oak Ridge Military Academy and Mustang Fitness for the use of fields and facilities for ORYA’s teams.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

direction of traffic.

Noting that safety measures by state highway and law enforcement agencies may take longer than town leaders and residents would like, Kinneman urged individuals to take immediate steps to ensure their safety.

The jogger on Linville Road should have run on the sidewalk, not on the road, he said. People walking along roads at night should carry flashlights.



Councilman Spencer Sullivan said development of Heritage Farm Park is “exciting” with plans for athletic fields, a playground and restrooms.

“Hopefully, the veterans’ memorial will get underway fairly soon so that those projects can be completed about the same time,” he said.



Dan O’Connor, president of the Arbor Run homeowners association, said he wants “to keep the focus on” possible steps to improve the safety of Haw River Road after a 14-year-old was struck by a vehicle on Halloween night and later died from her injuries. Three years earlier, an 11-year-old died after being struck by a vehicle on the same stretch of road.

A three-car accident shortly before Christmas reinforced that safety steps on Haw River Road are needed, O’Connor said.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

 Pittman recalled that during a recent conversation with Dmuchowski when they ran into each other at Town Park, Dmuchowski told her, “What a great year we’ve had. We have accomplished so much this year.”

Concurring, Pittman said, “Rather than bemoan the challenges of 2022, which we all acknowledge, this town, our awesome staff, the volunteers and community groups and this council tackled a very ambitious set of strategic initiatives and projects with optimism and determination and successfully moved us forward on nearly every single one.”



Kinneman addressed pedestrian safety concerns on roads throughout Oak Ridge. Earlier in the day, he said he saw a jogger running on the edge of Linville Road in the same direction as traffic. That goes against the safety recommendation to run in the opposite

 Schneider agreed, adding she recognizes “how much this town has done.”

 McClellan thanked town staff and volunteers for their contributions.

With no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

SUMMERFIELD town council

Jan. 10 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Mayor Tim Sessoms called the monthly meeting in Summerfield Community Center to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Jeff Davis, Janelle Robinson, Reece Walker and John Doggett present. DeVaney offered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

CONSENT AGENDA

 5  0 to approve the consent agenda, which includes the council’s meeting agenda and the open and closed session minutes of the Dec. 13 meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

February meeting. The council’s next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, a week later than normal due to Valentine’s Day

falling on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Strategic planning retreat. The council’s annual strategic planning retreat is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in the community center.

Farmers market. DeVaney reported that organizers of farmers markets in Summerfield and Oak Ridge last year are combining them into a single market serving northwestern Guilford County. Starting May 3, the market will be held Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings on the campus of Greensboro Performing Arts at 7200 Summerfield Road in Summerfield (same location as last year’s market in Summerfield).

Summerfield Fire District reported it responded to 34 fire-related calls, 83 EMS-related calls and 42 other

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted:

Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Jeff Davis, Janelle Robinson, Reece Walker and John Doggett voted on the following items during the council’s Jan. 10 meeting. Mayor Tim Sessoms was present, but in Summerfield the mayor votes only to break a tie.

 5  0: Appoint Linda Wendelken to the Board of Adjustment, as well as Tara Peterson, Ron Collier and Dawayne Crite as alternates to the Planning Board

 5  0: Approve the calendar for town staff, the council and the Finance Committee to prepare the town’s budget for the fiscal year starting July 1  5  0: Adopt a resolution recognizing the state legislature’s declaration of 2023 as the “Year of the Trail” in North Carolina

calls in December; also, staff installed 21 car seats.

For all of 2022, firefighters handled 1,622 calls – 232 more than in 2021.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office reported it responded to 329 calls in Summerfield last month, resulting in 24 formal case reports.

Detectives are investigating the Dec. 10 breaking and entering of a house in the 7100 block of Summerfield Road and, a day later, an

unrelated break-in of the Cash Points ATM at Summerfield Square shopping center.

Numerous traffic stops by patrol deputies last month resulted in two DWI arrests and multiple arrests related to possession of crystal meth, cocaine and marijuana.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Alleged conflicts of interest. Four

COUNCIL

Summerfield residents alleged the process for reviewing and deciding upon landowner David Couch’s request for a text amendment is tainted by conflicts of interest by Planning Board members Kathy Rooney and Clark Doggett and by his son, council member John Doggett.

“There are loads of conflicts of interest and I don’t think that is a good way to be,” said Chip Person, who was joined by Justin Wraight, Darryl Hodge and Gail Dunham in making the assertion.

Later in the meeting, Town Attorney Bob Hornik said he doesn’t think any Planning Board members have “a direct conflict of interest in reviewing and making recommendations” to the council.

Board members “have a duty to vote on matters, as you do,” Hornik told the council. “You have a legal obligation to vote on matters.”

(For more details, see News Briefs.)

MANAGER’S REPORT

Board appointments

 5  0 to appoint Linda Wendelken to the Board of Adjustment, as well as Tara Peterson, Ron Collier and Dawayne Crite as alternates to the Planning Board. They will serve three-year terms.

Land use plan update. The council

decided to proceed with devloping the town’s land use plan without the assistance of Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC).

A steering committee working on the project plans to meet for the purpose of creating what Davis said would be “a modified, simplified” version of the draft plan prepared by PTRC last year. Later, the town may engage PTRC to help finalize the plan.

Budget calendar

 5  0 to approve the calendar for town staff, the council and the Finance Committee to prepare the town’s budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. The council’s adoption of the budget is slated for June 13.

Auditor search. Summerfield is seeking a new auditor to replace Wade Greene, a Whiteville, North Carolina, accountant who has performed the town’s audit for the past three years; the town routinely replaces its auditor after three years. In an interview, finance officer Dee Hall noted that Greene’s firm had been slow to perform its services.

New truck. The town expects to get its new pickup truck – a 2023 Dodge Ram costing $53,500 – in the next few weeks, Whitaker reported.

Job opening. The town is seeking to hire a planning tech/enforcement officer for the planning staff.

Planning Board meeting. The board

has changed the location and the date of its January meeting to accommodate what it expects to be a large crowd for the hearing of landowner David Couch’s request for a text amendment to the town’s zoning rules. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in Summerfield First Baptist Church’s community life center at 2300 Scalesville Road. Contract terminated. Whitaker said the town terminated its contract with Stewart, the design and engineering firm hired by Summerfield in 2015 to plan the southern route of the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway. Earlier, the manager expressed his dissatisfaction with Stewart – partly due to the firm’s lack of staffing – in performing the duties outlined in the $389,953 contract.

Summerfield will advertise a request for qualifications to start the process of finding a new design firm, Whitaker said.

COUNCIL BUSINESS

Laughlin school. Summerfield is asking Guilford County Schools for information about roof leaks, poorly functioning heating and cooling and other problems in the historic school, according to Whitaker. Assessing the extent of problems is part of the town’s efforts to negotiate the purchase of the property from the county’s Board of Education; the town proposes using the property for a new town hall and other community purposes.

Municipal water system. The town of Madison in Rockingham County wouldn’t be able to provide water to Summerfield if town leaders decide to build an elevated storage tank, according to Whitaker.

Late last year, the council instructed Whitaker to talk to water officials in Greensboro, Rockingham County and Reidsville as possible sources of water for Summerfield’s proposed municipal water system. The manager reported that his discussions with the three

jurisdictions were less than promising.

DeVaney asked whether Summerfield Fire District would be willing to pay for a hydrant or hydrants to help establish the system. Walker, who works as a Summerfield firefighter, said he doesn’t think “it would be appropriate” for the district to spend on the system considering the town has gotten $5.5 million in federal pandemic relief funds and an approximately $1.1 million state appropriation for water projects.

Separately, Whitaker said it’s possible the state legislature will delay by a year the June 30, 2023, deadline for Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale to put their $1.1 million state appropriations under contract for water projects.

The three towns divided equally the legislature’s roughly $3.3 million appropriation for water infrastructure. Walker Farms contributions. DeVaney thanked residents of the Walker Farms subdivision for gathering and donating deodorant and other personal care items for students in northwestern Guilford County schools.

CLOSED SESSION

The council entered a closed session to discuss legal matters, including negotiations to buy real estate. After returning to open session, the council took no action.

OTHER BUSINESS Trail recognition

 5  0 to adopt a resolution recognizing the state legislature’s declaration of 2023 as the “Year of the Trail” in North Carolina.

Trails in Summerfield range from “small park trails to the larger A&Y Greenway” and the passing of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through town, according to the resolution. It added that trails “offer quality-of-life benefits to all.”

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

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Interesting fact: Cooke-Ingegno’s mother-in-law was born and raised in Greensboro.

PERSONAL ACCOUNTING SERVICES

Michele Cooke-Ingegno Senior Accountant

See ad on p. 25

516.721.6750 ● located in Summerfield micheleingegno@outlook.com

M. Cooke-Ingegno

On a personal note: Cooke-Ingegno and her family relocated from Long Island, New York, to Summerfield about a year ago. She and her husband have been married for 19 years and have a 16-year-old son. Her mother also relocated and lives with the family.

Cooke-Ingegno currently serves

Bream Medical initially opened as a COVID treatment telemedicine service, and has since expanded its services to meet all of its patients’ medical needs. The practice opened its first location in Salisbury, North Carolina, almost a year ago, and recently opened another location in downtown Stokesdale.

Bream Medical provides a full complement of primary care, urgent care, telemedicine, acute and longCOVID treatment.

“At Bream Medical, we can meet

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all of your medical needs in one place,” said Dr. John Bream, owner. “Our business philosophy is very simple –Bream Medical emphasizes patients over profits and is able to save patients money by decreasing the need for ER visits and specialty referrals.”

Dr. Bream grew up in Hamlet, North Carolina, a small, rural railroad town in the Sandhills region of the state. After earning bachelor’s degrees in biology and history from East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, North Carolina, he obtained his Doctor of Medicine from ECU’s Brody School of Medicine.

Dr. Bream’s career has included

...continued on p. 31

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Jan. 12 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy called the monthly meeting in Town Hall to order, with council members Jimmy Landreth and Tim Jones present, and Jim Rigsbee arriving soon after the meeting started. Mayor Mike Crawford was absent.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Jones offered the invocation. The council approved the meeting agenda after adding two items under New Business.  3  0 to adopt the Nov. 9 meeting minutes (Rigsbee arrived after the vote was taken).

PUBLIC SAFETY

Stokesdale Fire Department. Chief Todd Gauldin reported the department responded to 117 calls in December. Of those, 56 were medical-related, 22 were fire-related calls and 39 were miscellaneous.

Gauldin urged homeowners to properly maintain and operate fireplaces, woodstoves and kerosene heaters, and to operate fuel-powered generators outside to avoid carbon monoxide fumes entering the house via foundation vents and other openings.

Sheriff’s Office. Capt. J. Swaringen reported the sheriff’s District 1 office responded to 360 calls in Stokesdale last month. In two separate incidents, deputies charged suspects in theft of gasoline from the Country Side Market, and a theft

from the Food Lion grocery store, he said. Traffic stops resulted in multiple arrests for drug offenses.

Relying upon a Crime Stoppers tip, officers are trying to identify a suspect in a larceny at the Down 420 Store; they are also investigating a shooting at the 7900 block of Lester Road resulting in nonlife-threatening injuries.

Capt. L. Howell introduced herself as commander of the sheriff’s District 1 office, which serves Stokesdale, Summerfield and Oak Ridge as well as Colfax and a portion of Greensboro and Browns Summit.

Noting there have been a lot of smash-and-grab incidents in the area recently, she urged those going to parks and trails to place their belongings out of site and to lock their vehicle doors.

Howell also said thieves are on the lookout for vehicles left unattended in driveways while warming up with their engines running.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Town Clerk Dale Martin reported on activities related to the town’s water system, including the installation of one water meter, 10 applications for transfer of service and 33 meters/applications on hold for builders. Staff also prepared four work orders, handled thirty-three 811 calls and mailed 731 water bills in December.

Several council discussion items were

prepared for this meeting, including the internal controls and separation of duties policy and the lowering of the speed limit on Angel Pardue Road.

Martin said staff continues to research employee health insurance reimbursement options. It also corresponded with Hazen and Sawyer and engineers representing the Blacksmith subdivision on state applications for water line extensions in the neighborhood.

Deputy Clerk Robbie Wagoner will attend his first session of the Clerks Certification Institute in February, after attending an institute for new clerks in December.

The Planning Board will meet Thursday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Planning Board.  4  0 to reappoint Jimmy Green to the Planning Board for a two-year term. Property Committee. One of two individuals responsible for vandalism in Town Park has paid for part of the damage while the other person was preparing to make restitution for the remaining costs, Wagoner reported. Town Park Improvement Committee. Chair Tee Stephenson said about 16 people participated in a Jan. 5 public forum seeking input on improvements to Town Park, and the committee received favorable comments as well as valuable suggestions.

“We have taken those to heart and will be incorporating some of those into our final plans,” he said.

Park improvement plans include expanded playground equipment and construction of an amphitheater, nature trails, basketball court and possibly a pickleball court.

FINANCIALS

Finance Officer Kim Thacker reported assets in the town’s general fund totaled $3.62 million as of Dec. 31 and in the water enterprise account, $1.94 million

Thacker noted there are no active water accounts with past-due balances of 90+ days. Twenty-four inactive accounts have 90+ days past-due balances totaling $6,089.13.

Foy noted that six certificates of deposits in the general fund will come up for renewal March 2. Due to rising

interest rates, he said “the rate of return on our capital should increase 15 times from what we’re getting now. That’s good news. For us, it’s a really, really big deal.”

OLD BUSINESS School traffic safety resolution

 4  0 to adopt a resolution asking Guilford County Schools (GCS) and the Sheriff’s Office to pay for traffic control the first week of classes at Stokesdale Elementary School.

“Providing this essential service will greatly enhance the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff at Stokesdale Elementary School as well as the citizens traveling on these roads during school hours,” the resolution stated.

Staff at the elementary school recently asked Stokesdale to pay for traffic control. Tapping the town’s budget for that purpose would result in “double taxation” for residents who already pay taxes in support of GCS and the sheriff’s office, according to the resolution.

Speed limit reduction

 4  0 to ask the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to reduce the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph on Adano Road in the Angels Glen subdivision and the section of Athens Road between Stokesdale Elementary and Angel Pardue Road.

The request expands the council’s efforts to lower the speed limit to 25 mph in the vicinity of Town Hall and Town Park on Angel Pardue Road and Stokesdale Elementary on Athens Road.

NEW BUSINESS

Eagle Scout project

 4  0 to approve an Eagle Scout project by James Reed to construct an American flag retirement center on Town Hall property near Angel Pardue Road. About 15 Scouts who belong to Oak Ridge’s Troop 600 plan to build the center, consisting of brick pavers and a pit for burning flags retired after their use in ceremonies, Reed said.

Councilman Jones insisted that adults supervise the use of power tools, such as a masonry saw, and Reed said adult troop leaders will oversee that work. Foy and Rigsbee agreed to serve as the town’s liaison with the Scouts.

Water lines analysis. The council heard a presentation from engineering consultant Hazen and Sawyer on two possible routes for new water

The presentation was part of the council’s exploration of extending water lines to prepare for the influx of new residential customers and create an alternate water supply in the event of a water line break.

The firm recommended extending the town’s existing water service with a loop from Happy Hill Road to Warner Road to Haw River Road. That alternative is superior to a second option for a line looping from Coldwater Road to N.C. 65 to Oak Level Church Road, according to Aaron Babson, an associate vice president at Hazen and Sawyer.

The Happy Hill Road loop would provide a flow of

water sufficient for firefighting to more of the water system’s distribution area than the Coldwater Road loop, Babson said, adding that neither option would result in a deterioration of what’s known as “fire flow.”

Unlike the other option, the Happy Hill Road loop would supply water to customers in the event of a pipe break on N.C. 68 south of U.S. 158, according to Babson.

Both options would have “a negligible impact” on the age and quality of water in the system, he said.

“This really isn’t an either/or option,” said Babson, explaining that extending lines along both routes “should probably be done one day.”

“If you can only do one improvement,” he said, the Happy Hill Road loop “is the place to spend your money.”

Hazen and Sawyer estimated the Happy Hill Road

loop would cost $3.39 million while costs for the other route would total $2.98 million.

Health reimbursement

 4  0 to continue the council’s discussion of a health insurance reimbursement arrangement.

Separation of duties policy

 4  0 to assign Foy and Jones to work with town staff to correct typographical and other minor errors in the town’s policy of internal controls and separation of duties.

Jones asked town attorney Chuck Winfree for legal advice on the town’s use of the policy that still needs to be corrected after the council adopted it in August 2020.

“Obviously, you can’t continue operating with

...continued on p. 14

something that has red lines and errors in it; you need to have it corrected,” Winfree said. “Are we operating illegally because there are strikethroughs in the document? I would say no.”

Earlier, a motion by Jones for the council to take a 20-minute recess to review the document failed on a 2-2 vote.

NCDOT road maintenance

 4  0 to approve a resolution adding Poplar Bluff and Backridge drives in the fourth phase of the North Ridge subdivision to NCDOT’s secondary road maintenance system. Lawn maintenance contract. The council decided to delay extending its annual grounds maintenance contract with Excellence Lawncare & Landscaping until the company provides town staff with proof of insurance coverage.

“These guys have done a good job,” said Landreth, echoing favorable comments by other council members about the company’s performance over the past year.

Effective April 1, the terms of the new contract are unchanged from the current agreement: $24,000 annually, or $2,000 a month, for mowing and maintenance of the grounds around Town Hall, Town Park and the town’s water tower on U.S. 158.

Credit card limit

 4  0 to apply for a credit card from Fidelity Bank with a credit limit of $5,000. At the recommendation of finance officer Thacker, the council decided to cancel its current credit card with Truist Financial (with a $3,000 limit) upon approval of the new card from Fidelity Bank.

Thacker recommended the higher spending limit to accommodate instances when spending exceeds $3,000 in the billing cycle. In those circumstances, she said her attempts to pay down the balance more than once a month proved difficult with Truist.

about renewing the town’s annual information technology contract with Total Computer Solutions (TCS).

The Greensboro-based company proposed increasing its monthly maintenance fee in the new contract with the town, effective Feb. 1.

Currently, Stokesdale pays $426.53 a month for IT maintenance. The company plans to charge $267 more for what Rigsbee described as “a more robust security platform” with 24-hour monitoring.

Town staff cited instances when it wasn’t pleased with the performance of TCS, which charges an hourly rate for individual service calls and phone consultations to resolve IT problems.

“We don’t call them unless we absolutely have to,” Martin said.

Foy recommended the town nail down future pricing options with TCS and explore possibly hiring another IT provider.

discussions with NCDOT.

“If something isn’t done, something else is going to happen,” O’Connor said. “It’s just a question of when it’s going to happen.”

COUNCIL COMMENTS



Rigsbee said he’s excited about plans for Town Park improvements, and they illustrate “a lot of things positive going forward for the town.”



Foy invited remarks from Michael Logan, the county Republican Party’s nominee to replace Pat Tillman as the District 3 member of the county’s Board of Education.

Tillman was elected last November to the county’s Board of Commissioners, creating the school board vacancy that Logan is seeking to fill. Twice since December, the school board voted along party lines to reject Logan.

Foy described the vote as “political theater” that’s denying District 3, including Stokesdale, representation on the school board.

IT

contract  4  0 to continue discussion

HOT. RAIN. COLD.

Tested for every weather extreme

Town Park improvements  4  0 to seek proposals from contractors for installing a basketball court and a pickleball court in Town Park. The council also voted unanimously to request proposals for constructing an amphitheater in the park. (See News Briefs for details.)

Engineering services for water lines

 4  0 to seek qualifications from engineering firms to oversee the possible extension of water lines in Stokesdale. If the council decides to expand the town’s municipal water system, it would negotiate a project cost with the firm selected, Foy said.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 Dan O’Connor, president of the Arbor Run homeowners association, said he’s “trying to bring attention” to safety concerns on Haw River Road, where a Halloween night accident last October resulted in the death of a teenager. On Halloween night three years earlier, an accident resulted in the death of an 11-year-old.

O’Connor reiterated concerns by other residents and elected officials seeking safety improvements, such as flashing caution lights, in

Logan, a teacher at Southern Guilford High School, said he’s concerned about the board’s priorities in spending $2 billion from two bond referendums.



Jones said “it saddens me the way that Guilford County Schools operates. Unfortunately there are just not enough voters in northwest Guilford County to really impact how Guilford County and Guilford County Schools conduct their business.”

 Landreth said Stokesdale is “changing, but it’s still a great town.”

“You can tell that by the way everybody is wanting to move in,” he said. “I wish it would slow down a little bit. But that’s OK. I don’t blame them. I’d want to come, too.”

CLOSED SESSION

 4  0 to enter closed session to discuss legal matters. After returning to open session about 30 minutes later, the council voted to authorize the electronic advertising of the two requests for proposals for the Town Park projects and the request for qualifications for the possible expansion of the water system.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:06 p.m.

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Builders foresee more as market steadies in

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Since the pandemic surfaced almost three years ago, the housing market has been a wild roller-coaster ride marked by unpredictability and sometimes, chaos. While local builders have enjoyed larger sales volumes, they’ve also contended with supply and labor shortages, extended build times and added stress from pushing to build more and more homes to meet demand.

Coupled with all this has been rising interest rates, which prompted concerns the market would plummet.

With 2023 underway, we asked some of our local builders about their predictions for this year, and here’s what they had to say…

The builders we spoke with agree that “steady” best describes the current housing market, and they seem confident about what lies ahead.

Casey Johnson, an owner of CJ Builders, Inc., is starting the year with the largest number of presells he’s ever had.

“Right now, our plate is full with building custom homes,” he said.

Ray Bullins Construction Co. also has a full schedule lined up.

“We’re on pace to replicate last year’s numbers from a volume standpoint, and last year was our best year ever,” said Ray Bullins, a co-owner of the company.

Don Mills, co-owner of Don Mills Builders, has plenty to keep him busy

Despite rising interest rates, supply and labor shortages new houses is still high, keeping local builders busy

as well, as he continues to build custom homes in what he describes as “one of the hottest neighborhoods in Oak Ridge” –Pemberley Estates (off N.C. 150).

Although the local builders acknowledge the market has slowed down a bit, rather than being concerned, they actually seem relieved.

“We’ll never see another market like we just went through,” Mills said. “It had to slow down from what was happening.”

“I think we’re dealing with a more doable pace than what was going on last year,” Bullins added. “Based on the vol-

more ‘doable pace’ in 2023

still low – and while that’s bad if you’re a buyer, it works in a builder’s favor.

As for shortages and long wait times for materials, builders are definitely seeing an improvement.

“We have very few issues with the supply chain,” Johnson said. “We’re able to get most of our materials in a timeframe that’s back to pre-COVID days, with the exception of some appliances.”

According to Bullins, labor shortages are also beginning to ease.

“We’re starting to see a change in the labor market with tradespeople calling us looking for work,” he said.

shortages have improved and the demand for busy and optimistic about the year ahead.

While all the signs point to a strong builders’ market, these builders still aren’t taking anything for granted and are making adjustments to accommodate what the future might bring.

ume and speed of the market, it was ‘grab hold and hang on.’”

Along with the robust workload for the foreseeable future, builders have other reasons to maintain a positive outlook. First, there’s the continued popularity of the area. At family-owned Disney Construction Co., Patti Disney said they are hopeful that business continues to grow “as our area remains desirable, especially for families, regardless of whether they’re just beginning or becoming empty-nesters.”

Mills pointed out that more companies are locating in northwest Guilford, which “will bring more people and the need for more homes.”

He also noted the housing inventory is

For CJ Builders, this means concentrating on custom builds and steering away from building spec homes.

“ e spec home market has gotten a little so , so we’re putting our focus on custom,” he con rmed.

Taking a different approach, Bullins said he’s diversifying his business.

“Our bread and butter is in building custom homes, with a couple of spec homes added to the mix,” he said. “In addition, we are increasing our remodeling portfolio to add additional projects in case the new home market changes significantly.”

From our family to yours –We are so thankful for your support over the past 41 years. We would enjoy partnering with you to build your dream home.

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Summerfield council seeking

‘simplified’

land use plan

The council balked at paying Piedmont Triad Regional Council more money to keep working on the development guide

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – After drawing upon the expertise of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) for nearly two years, Summerfield Town Council

decided to proceed with the development of the town’s land use plan on its own.

At the urging of Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council member Jeff Davis, the council decided last week to put a steering committee in charge of finalizing the land use plan. Until now, the committee and PTRC have worked together on a draft plan, essentially a blueprint designating areas for residential and commercial growth, open space, parks and other development

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in Summerfield through 2040.

The draft produced by PTRC last year, drawn partly from residents’ feedback in informational meetings and a survey, runs for 72 pages. It consists of photographs, charts and a wide breadth of information that goes beyond the designation of areas for different types of development and preservation. For instance, topics in the draft range from soil types to endangered species to Summerfield’s poverty rate.

“I don’t think we need any more burdensome documents,” DeVaney said during the council’s meeting Jan. 10.

Town Manager Scott Whitaker informed the council that PTRC was asking for an additional fee not to exceed $6,750 to proceed with the development of the plan.

Instead, the council deferred to Davis and DeVaney, who suggested moving ahead without PTRC’s assistance to create what Davis said would be “a modified, simplified version” of the current draft.

“I believe we can simplify this and not have to spend this money, at least currently,” Davis said. Later, the town may engage PTRC to help nalize mapping and other technical aspects of the plan, according to DeVaney.

consists of town staff, council and Planning Board members and other residents.

A joint meeting of Town Council and the Planning Board last September resulted in the removal of language about subsidized housing. The decision reflected the skeptical reaction of some council and board members to references in the plan recommending denser, more affordable housing in Summerfield.

The meeting also resulted in a recommendation for further deliberations on contentious topics such as higher-density housing and the extension of water and sewer services to Summerfield.

A meeting of the steering committee and PTRC last month didn’t turn out as DeVaney had hoped. She said she expected a working session during which the committee and the agency would collaborate on changes to the plan.

Instead, DeVaney said, “all we did was listen to them (PTRC) tell us what their changes were.”

In an interview after last week’s council meeting, Davis said he envisions Summerfield adopting a land use plan similar to the one adopted by Oak Ridge in 2016. It consists of two pages – the first showing a map of recommended land uses and the second laying out the plan’s vision statement and overarching goals, objectives and policies.

in 2023!

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In December 2020, the council approved hiring PTRC at a cost not to exceed $64,800 to oversee the creation of the plan. Based in Kernersville, the regional planning agency collaborated with the steering committee to produce a draft of the plan last year. The committee

Once the steering committee completes its draft, Whitaker said the document will go to the Planning Board for review and a public hearing to gather residents’ feedback. From there, it will go to the council for discussion and another public hearing before final approval.

2023 SMA officers (L to R) Karen Kimrey, vice-president; Mitzi Dawson, secretary; Patti Stokes, president; and Cyndi Brown, treasurer, gathered with past SMA presidents Rod Brown (second from right), Jeff Bercaw (far right) and Terry Helms (back row) at the SMA’s Christmas party in December. On behalf of our past and present officers and all of our members, we look forward to serving the Summerfield community

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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST? OR NOT?

...continued from p. 1

Hornik disagreed, telling the council he doesn’t think “anybody on the Planning Board has a direct conflict of interest in reviewing and making a recommendation to this board on the Couch matter. They’ve got a duty, an obligation to vote on the matter, as you do.”

The differing views signal what may be a contentious public hearing during the Planning Board meeting next Thursday, Jan. 26.

For a third time, Couch is proposing a text amendment to Summerfield’s development rules that would allow him to create a new zoning district that would accommodate higher-density residential development. He’s proposing to bring in water and sewer services to his project from Greensboro or an adjoining municipality.

The conflicts-of-interest charges target Planning Board members Rooney

and Doggett, who voted last March to recommend the Town Council approve Couch’s text amendment request. The next month, John Doggett was the only council member to vote for the text amendment.

Rooney and her husband, Douglas Canavello, live on property that abuts Couch’s land on Pleasant Ridge Road. The couple put ownership of a tract into a limited liability company (LLC), leading to assertions by Wraight and others that the couple is preparing for the eventual sale of their property, presumably at a higher price if Couch wins approval of higher-density development.

Rooney rebuffed the claims, saying in an email earlier this week that she and her husband put all of their real estate in Greensboro, New Orleans and Summerfield, except for their home, in LLCs for liability and other reasons.

“We acquired the property surrounding our home to control development around us and maintain our rural lifestyle,” Rooney said. “Summerfield is developing and will continue to develop. I expect my property to increase in value over the years no matter what my neighbors do.”

Rooney noted that Couch’s proposed text amendment would apply to tracts of at least 750 acres. The amendment “does not apply to my property,” she said. “I have no conflict of interest.”

During last week’s council meeting, Dunham said the Doggett family owns 1,000 acres. In an interview earlier this week, Clark Doggett said his immediate family actually owns about 200 acres, including about 167 acres owned by himself and his wife, Jane. Three of their children live on the property off of Scalesville Road.

As seventh-generation owners, Doggett said his family doesn’t plan to sell their land regardless of how Couch’s development plans turn out.

SCHOOL BOARD REJECTS NOMINEE

...continued from p. 3

Logan explained he lived in Stokesdale when he was raising his children, who attended Stokesdale Elementary, Northwest Guilford Middle and High schools. He now lives in an unincorporated area of the county near Northwest High School.

As a teacher of automotive repair at Southern Guilford High School, Logan said he favors the expansion of vocational training that enables students who don’t plan to attend college to find jobs after graduation.

He also said he disagreed with the school board’s decisions late last year to leave unchanged the availability of two sexually explicit books at Northern Guilford High School. He described as “straight-up porn” the page he read from one of the books, “Life is Funny.”

While applauding efforts last year that raised about $500,000 to refurbish 23 mobile classrooms at Northwest

High School, Logan said Guilford County Schools should have replaced the trailers “years ago with brick and mortar.”

During the school board’s meeting earlier this month, some parents expressed concerns about whether Logan would support efforts to provide equal opportunities to students identifying themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

“Members of the board need to affirm every child regardless of their multiple identities actively and I don’t think that’s the case for Mr. Logan,” said Jennifer Shaw, a parent of children who graduated from GCS schools.

“From my viewpoint, the Democrats don’t want to put him on the board because he’s a strong, outspoken conservative,” Linda Welborn, a Republican representing District 4, said in an interview earlier this week.

DId you Know?

Although penguins are generally associated with extremely cold climates, only two species — the Adélie penguin and the emperor penguin (pictured above) — live on the frozen Antarctic continent. The majority of penguins are found in countries such as New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Argentina and South Africa.

Northwest NWHS: isn’t this redundant?

welcome to ... Youth Sync

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

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Inaugural group to be inducted into school’s Hall of Fame on Jan. 20

Fifteen inductees will be honored Friday, Jan. 20, during halftime of Northwest High School’s boys basketball game

by PATTI STOKES

NW GUILFORD – When Jason Allred transitioned from men’s soccer coach at Northwest High School to athletic director in June 2021, he decided to tackle one big project per calendar year. Last year, that was adding a digital video board in the football stadium. For this year, it was to create a Hall of Fame to recognize former athletes, coaches and other individuals who have made significant contributions to the school’s athletics program.

“I spoke with the principal (Ashley Young) and (assistant principal) John Hughes, who was a former athletic director here, and we felt the timing was right, especially because at that time we were going into the school’s 60th year,” Allred said.

Allred next assembled a committee of former coaches, faculty and community members and they began seeking nominations for an inaugural group of Hall of Fame inductees.

Criteria for nominees, who may be living or deceased, include:

• Must have significant connections to Northwest High School

• All coach nominees must have served as a varsity head coach at the school for at least seven years, and must

have retired from coaching

• All athlete nominees must have excelled in athletics while at Northwest and potentially beyond high school, and must have been graduated from the school for five or more years

• Must be of high moral character and value

After carefully reviewing the long list of qualified nominees, the committee selected 15 athletes, coaches and individuals (listed below) to be in the first group of inductees to the school’s Hall of Fame.

John Dixon

Co-captain of the 1967 NCHSAA 3-A boys basketball state champion team; all-conference, all-county. First NWHS basketball player to be selected for the East-West all-star game.

Tim Frazier

Was an athlete at NWHS, but is best known for his countless contributions of time, labor and money to the school’s athletics program since graduating from the school. Among his many contributions, Frazier has helped maintain the athletic fields and headed up projects that include building locker rooms for the football players and concession stands at the football stadium.

Sandy Gann

Head basketball coach from 1969 to 1984; head baseball coach from 1966 to 1998; athletic director from 1976 to 1998. Gann’s career basketball record of 212-145 includes four regular season conference titles and five conference tournament titles.

Renee Coltrane

Four-sport athlete at Northwest: basketball, track, volleyball and softball. All-conference in basketball and track. Played basketball at UNCG and holds numerous records for the Spartans.

Northwest’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1981. Member of Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame and the UNCG Sports Hall of Fame.

His career baseball record of 422-248 was highlighted by the 1998 4-A state championship.

Gann is a member of the Forsyth County Sports Hall of Fame, Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame and the Guilford College Sports Hall of Fame.

Charlie Groves

conference title in 1987. Three-time conference Coach of the Year and made three playoff appearances.

Groves was also the school’s head track coach from 1986 to 1998, and his track athletes were two-time conference champions.

Jamie Hemingway

1998 4-A baseball state champion, NCHSAA Championship Series MVP. Male Athlete of the Year at Northwest his senior year, playing baseball, football and basketball. Played baseball at UNC-Wilmington and was named to the UNC-W all-decades team.

Hemingway played professional baseball in the Atlanta Braves minor league system.

Thomas Hennigan

Three-time all-conference, threetime all-area, and all-state his senior year in football. Over 3,000 career-receiving yards at Northwest on 221 catches. Over 1,500 rushing yards and 500 passing yards, with 50 total touchdowns in high school. Played football at Appalachian State, where he finished with 242 career catches and ranks second in receiving yards and third in touchdowns in the university’s program history. Three-time All-Sunbelt team. Currently in the Minnesota Vikings organization.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 JAN. 19 - FEB. 1, 2023 23

Head football coach from 1982 to 1998, and led the Vikings to a

An induction ceremony will be held this Friday, Jan. 20, during hal ime of the boys basketball game, which starts at 7 p.m. and will be played in Northwest High School’s Roger Nelson gymnasium, 5240 Northwest High School Road, Greensboro.

SMILES AS WHITE AS SNOW

TWO LOCATIONS

Main Office : 6161-A Lake Brandt Rd. | 336.643.1440

Bobby Joyner

Three-sport athlete at Northwest, competing in wrestling, football and baseball. Two-time all-conference and all-county in football. All-conference and all-state his senior year in baseball. In wrestling, he compiled a 56-9-2 record and was the first individual state wrestling champion in school history.

Darlene Joyner

Coached softball, volleyball and basketball at Northwest, her alma mater. Her career record in softball was 260-57, culminating in a state championship in 1996. In volleyball she was 515-101 and her teams won 20 regular season conference titles and 18 tournament titles. Coach Joyner’s basketball career included a 370-98 career record, winning eight regular season titles and seven conference tournament titles. She led the Vikings to three straight state championship games and they won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.

Rusty LaRue

Played baseball, basketball and football at Northwest and received multiple all-state honors in each sport. He was the North Carolina athlete of the year his senior year and went on to play collegiately at Wake Forest, becoming only the second player in ACC history to compete in those

NEW Office (next to CVS): 7092 Summerfield Rd., Ste C | 336.441.8055 SummerfieldDentist.com

three sports in one year. He set various ACC records for passing in football and was a member of back-to-back ACC championship teams in basketball. He played professionally in the NBA and was a member of the World Champions team in 1998 with the Chicago Bulls.

Roger Nelson

Coach Nelson was the boys and girls basketball coach at Colfax, winning the 1962 Boy’s 1-A state championship. When the schools merged to form Northwest High School, he led the Vikings to four regular season conference championships and three tournament titles. His boys teams were four-time sectional champions, two-time state runners-up, and the 1967 3-A state champions.

Tony Searcy

Averaged 12.8 points and 15 rebounds per basketball game as a junior and improved those numbers to 19.8 points and 20 rebounds per game his senior year. He was both the conference and county Player of the Year his senior year. Tony was a JUCO All-American at Surry Community College, winning conference Player of the Year in 1976. He transferred to Appalachian State and averaged 15 points and 13 rebounds per game. Tony was ranked seventh in the NCAA for rebounding. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors and also played professionally in Europe.

Merideth Thompson

Three-sport athlete all four years at Northwest, competing in track, volleyball and basketball. She was team MVP in track and volleyball each year and placed fourth in the state in the 100-meter hurdles in 1993. Merideth excelled in basketball and received numerous high school accolades. She received a scholarship to play basketball at Appalachian State, where she is a member of their sports Ring of Honor. She played two years professionally in Israel.

Jason Widener

Excelled in basketball and golf at Northwest. His stellar golf career included all-conference, all-region and all-state honors. He was a two-time Carolinas junior champion, two-time NCHSAA state champion, 1988 USGA junior champion, and reached the No. 1 world-ranked amateur golfer in 1988. At Duke University, he was the 1990 ACC champion and achieved an all-American status. Jason has played on the PGA tour for a number of years as well as coached collegiately.

Bob Yow

Coach Yow led the women’s basketball program at Northwest for 24 years, during which time he garnered multiple Coach of the Year honors. He was the first soccer coach in school history and the soccer field was named in his honor in 2013. Yow also coached football and track during his time at Northwest.

MONDAY, JAN. 23

 Lions Club | Oak Ridge Lions Club will meet Jan. 23 in the Oak Ridge Room, 2205 Oak Ridge Road (next to Bistro 150). Come at 6 p.m. to socialize and order dinner from the Bistro if you would like; the business meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. More info: Frank Kelleher, president, (336) 327-7786 or frankxk95@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25

 Chili cook-off fundraiser | Spring Arbor Senior Living at 5125 Michaux Road, off U.S. 220/Battleground Avenue in northwest Greensboro, will sponsor a chili cook-off fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on Jan. 25. The tasting begins at 5 p.m. and the winners will be announced at 6:45 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a donation. More info: Debby Wilson, (336) 286-6404 or dbwilson@springarborliving.com.

THURSDAY, JAN. 26

& TUESDAY, JAN. 31

 Red Cross blood drives | The Summit Church at 1420 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge will host a blood drive Jan. 26, 1:30 to 6 p.m., and Stokesdale United Methodist Church at 8305 Loyola Drive will host a blood drive Jan. 31, 2 to 7 p.m. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter 27357 zip code for Stokesdale and 27310 for Oak Ridge.

SATURDAY, JAN. 28

 Food pantry | Good Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry in Stokesdale will open for those in need of food on Jan. 28, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Stokesdale Business Center, 8500 Ellisboro Road. To receive assistance or to make a donation to the ministry, contact Terri Johnson, (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com.

SUNDAY, JAN. 29

 Fifth Sunday Singing | Good Samaritan Ministries of Stokesdale invites the community to a Fifth Sunday Singing event Jan. 29, starting at 6 p.m. at Flat Rock United Methodist Church, 6720 U.S. 158. Groups from local churches will sing and play

instruments, and light refreshments will follow. An offering will be taken to support Good Samaritan Ministries. More info: Terri Johnson, (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1

 Senior program | Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor a senior program including activities and a take-home lunch on Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church, 2445 Oak Ridge Road. To learn more and/or RSVP, contact Marsha McDaniel, (336) 373-4816, ext. 265.

 Preservation Oak Ridge | Preservation Oak Ridge, a nonprofit committed to preserving historic structures in Oak Ridge, will meet Feb. 1, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the historic Ai Church, 1306 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. More info: www.preserveoakridge.org or call (336) 644-1777.

 Friends of Stokesdale | Friends of Stokesdale, a nonprofit committed to preserving Stokesdale’s history and downtown charm, will meet Feb. 1, 7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/ friendsofstokesdale or call Joe Thacker, president, at (336) 708-0334.

LETTERS/OPINIONS

Submit your letters (maximum 350 words)

online: nwobserver.com email: editor@nwobserver.com

Include your name, daytime phone number and name of community. Letters from the same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

Editor’s note: In Michael Smith’s editorial, which was published in our Jan. 5-18, 2023 issue, he wrote about the Farmhouse Community Center (formerly referred to as the Redmon house) in Oak Ridge Town Park and stated, “At 1,800 square feet the unoccupied structure was too small to qualify as an historic building so the purpose was changed to that of a community center.”

Had I done my fact checking, I would have noted a couple of inaccuracies in that statement.

First, the Redmon house is actually 1,200 square feet, and the town plans to convert it to 1,800 square feet for use as a community center.

Second, according to the state’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, there is no minimum size for a structure to be considered historic. Rather, the ordinance states: “To be designated as a historic landmark, a property, building,

site, area, or object shall be found by the (Historic Preservation) Commission to possess special significance in terms of its history, prehistory, architecture, archaeology, and/or cultural importance, and to retain the integrity of its design, setting, workmanship, materials, feeling, and/or association.”

My apologies for letting the writer’s misstatements get past me, and thanks to the reader who called them to my attention.

Patti

Stokes, editor, Northwest Observer

P.S. We received one Grin and one Gripe in response to Smith’s editorial. However, since an editorial writer openly takes a stand and signs his/her name – and therefore accepts targeted feedback (or, in some cases, backlash) – it seems only fair that anyone wishing to respond should do the same. Therefore, our policy is to withhold anonymous responses to editorials.

Regarding property values, Farmhouse renovation

Most people say they love living in Oak Ridge and support our town’s direction. Clearly, Mr. Smith is not among this majority, although he provides only one example from our $7.4 million budget of a “non-prudent fiscal decision.”

Yes, Oak Ridge’s taxes are higher than Summerfield’s, but including local fire taxes, the difference is less than two cents. Not surprisingly, there are other differences between the towns, including size, population and amenities. But Smith’s fears that the average property tax bill here will rise to $1,000 in a few

years seem unfounded, since that would require average property values to reach $1.25 million! Currently, the average property value in Oak Ridge is $508,400, with an annual tax bill of $406.

While there is disagreement about renovating the historic Farmhouse, it’s unfair to exaggerate its costs. We’ve budgeted $455,000, to be offset by $380,000 in county and state grants. Landscaping ($45,000 budgeted, which is probably low) and possible additional Town Park parking ($150,000 budgeted) are part of the Town Park Entrance

Master Plan, a separate project to be completed regardless of whether the Farmhouse is renovated. Since early estimates of Farmhouse operating costs are low (and will be offset by rental revenue), it’s difficult to imagine costs skyrocketing to $1 million. But we’ll learn the actual costs once bids are received.

Regarding ARPA monies, Oak Ridge followed the county’s emphasis on infrastructure. We received $3.27 million for municipal water (Summerfield received $5.5 million for water), plus $305,000 for the Farmhouse. But Mr. Smith will be happy to know that we had already committed $1.65 million in direct ARPA

funds to the new park; we also received a $490,000 PARTF grant that requires a 1:1 match of town funds.

From what area realtors say, property values in Oak Ridge and Summerfield are very similar. I can’t find any evidence that renovating the historic Farmhouse and expanding park facilities to include a community center will do anything but increase property values. To me, that’s a win for Oak Ridge.

I encourage Mr. Smith to bring his concerns directly to Town Council or staff. We all welcome resident input!

Ann Schneider, mayor, OAK RIDGE

Reduce thieves’ opportunities, use safety precautions

We’re all concerned about smashand-grabs in our town park, and about pedestrian safety. These issues are very important to Town Council members, and we’ve met with NCDOT and the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department to explore ways to improve in these areas. Long-term solutions will take time.

There is, however, much we can do ourselves.

Cameras may deter amateurs from trying to steal, but the sheriff’s office believes the smash-and-grabs are likely being done by experienced teams who know how to avoid cameras and move quickly.

As one sheriff’s officer said, “There isn’t much we can do about motive, but we can reduce opportunity.”

Every time I’ve asked officers if the items stolen from a car were in plain sight, they answer, “yes.” “Plain sight,” by the way, includes trying to hide something under a blanket or jacket.

Please, leave your valuables at home if possible. If you do take them with you, place them in your trunk before getting to the park. And last, lock your vehicle.

We are adding sidewalks to the town core. Since we have a pedestrian plan, when NCDOT reworks a roadway, they will add “some” additional paved

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

shoulder – and depending on the project, they will include sidewalks. The rebuilding of N.C. 68 and 150 will give us a fair amount of new sidewalk, but that still leaves a large part of the town without sidewalks and minimal shoulders, and that will likely be the case for a long time.

Even with sidewalks, we need to practice good pedestrian behavior. I’ve seen people walking on the road, in the same direction as traffic, with headphones on – even though there was a sidewalk just feet away.

Please follow these safety precautions:

• Use sidewalks when available.

• Walk facing traffic, if not on a sidewalk.

• Walk as far off the roadway as practical.

• Wear light-colored clothes.

• Wear or carry a light.

• When wearing headphones/earbuds, make sure you can hear what’s going on around you.

• Use crosswalks and activate any walk signals.

Please use the above actions to help keep yourself, your family and your property safe.

Jim Kinneman

Mayor Pro Tem, OAK RIDGE

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in 40 words or less online: nwobserver.com email: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com

Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

GRINS to...



Those who send in genuine “grins,” i.e., calling out a community member, business or school for doing something great. You real grinners make me smile – keep ‘em coming!

dog barks outside. Please stop – you are going to cause a heart attack. It’s ridiculously loud with no warning. Stop scaring the children.



Tony’s Food Mart on Edgefield Road in northwest Greensboro for donating food on Christmas Day to the Summerfield Fire Department when we lost one of our own. Another good reason to support our local businesses.

 Landowner/developer David Couch and his ridiculous plan to destroy Summerfield. It’s already been rejected once – the people have spoken and you won’t listen.

 The need for a public safety alert in the N.C. 65, Ogburn Mill Road, Kingsbranch Drive and Gilrock Court area.

Oak Ridge for committing $1.65 million in ARPA funds and a $490,000 PARTF matching grant to building the new Heritage Farm Park.



Help fight crime and anonymously report suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers at (336) 349-9683 to aid in the current open case.



The griper who wrote the awesome poem in response to an earlier antisemitic gripe involving menorahs at the Science Center. Thanks for the laugh –you rock!

 The reader (in the Jan. 5-18 issue) who used “God’s judgement” as a threat of punishment and power source. My God is one who loves and forgives.

You Are Here. So Are We.

Remarkable care that keeps you healthy everywhere.



Superb mechanics at EuroHaus Auto Service who consistently do the job right the first time, always charge a fair price and offer great conversation!



All our teachers, who work so hard to teach our children. All the teachers I know spend many hours after school grading papers and preparing lessons.

 (Former) Northwest High School football Coach Wallace and Coach Perez for not attending the end-ofseason football banquet to celebrate their players’ successes. The players (especially the seniors) deserved better than this.

With Novant Health, you can expect:

• Convenience with 26 locations from Oak Ridge to High Point

• Access to primary care and pediatrics, heart, orthopedics, women’s health and more

• World-class hospital care at Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center

Expect Remarkable.



Guilford County Schools for providing excellent service to their students. I graduated from Guilford County Schools 10 years ago, and still have excellent connections with all my teachers! I am truly blessed and thankful to be a part of this school system.

GRIPES to...

 The couple on Pate Drive in Oak Ridge who blow an air horn when a

 Republic Services, for not fixing their trucks that leak hydraulic fluid on streets in Trotter Ridge and Windsor Farms, and on Bunch Road and Pleasant Ridge Road. What were once nice clean residential streets are now fouled and disrespectfully damaged.

 The developer who has submitted yet another text amendment with a reduced number of apartments. The people of Summerfield spoke loudly and clearly – we do not want any number of apartments here. “No” means “no!”

Find a provider near you.

NovantHealth.org/Guilford

 AUTO SALES & SERVICES

SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 965-7955

CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002

 HOME SERVICES

CLEANING

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

CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Quality cleaning/ budget friendly. Pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

 HOME SERVICES

FLOORING / TILE

MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free est., exc. references. Call (336) 215-8842 or visit Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

(336) 891-3876

EUROHAUSAUTO.PRO

KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE

European Auto Service & Repair. Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini, and Porsche. 32 years experience. 4559 US Hwy. 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669

THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN LLC. Back in business. Let me provide my cleaning services and help your house sparkle this winter! I do detailed cleaning. Licensed, bonded, insured and vaccinated. Please call Lisa, (336) 207-0770

MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years experience. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223

PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential & commercial. Insured. (336) 669-5210

DECORATING

EXPERIENCED INTERIOR DECORATOR & personal furniture shopper will help you with style, color, shopping & furniture placement. E-mail appeninc@gmail.com or call Ann Appenzeller, (336) 314-1411

CLOCK SERVICE. Free house calls for sick clocks. 8103 Windspray Dr., Summerfield. (336) 643-9931

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE . “We get you mowing!” Comm./res., all models. Oak Ridge, NC. Please call (336) 298-4314 Ltsmeng16@gmail.com

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

LOW-COST GARAGE DOORS. Repair and sales. 35 years exp. (336) 207-1003

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

NEW HAIR SALON located in Cardinal Shopping Center is looking for ambitious stylists. We have chairs for rent and will consider commission. To find out what incentives we have to offer, call Lori or Ava at (336) 286-2006

STAFF POSITIONS available in childcare center. Please call (336) 643-5930

BLISSFUL ART & FRAMING SHOP LOCAL! Framing, gifts, graphic design. 4533 Hwy. 220 N., Summerfi eld. (336) 298-4502

ELECTRICAL

CKH ELECTRIC, LLC. Give us a call for your next residential, commercial, or industrial project. Free estimates. Licensed, insured, and BBB accredited. (336) 414-4899

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

CAREGIVER NEEDED. Oak Ridge area. COVID vaccinated. Background check and references. Must have dependable transportation. Call (336) 215-6108

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

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? It's portable generator season. Please call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486

Your home services company should be here! Place your classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com

GRADING / HAULING

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

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

H&L GRADING, LLC. No job too tough or too 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. Call Bobby Lipstreu, (336) 543-7867

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING

Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

DTW GRADING & HAULING, INC. Offering a sum of aggregates, including but not limited to: fill dirt, stone, asphalt millings, and crushed concrete. We also offer full bobcat services. Driveways, minor clearing, drainage solutions and snow removal. Daniel Wilson, (336) 339-0212

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

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS

S&M SEAMLESS GUTTERS. Install new gutters. Repair and clean old gutters. Free estimates. Fully insured. (336) 587-8223 or (336) 709-5944

 HOME SERVICES

CM STUMP GRINDING, LLC. Family owned and operated. Commercial/residential. Free quotes! (336) 317-4600.

EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456

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

STRAIGHT EDGE LAWN CARE. Free estimates. Please call (336) 306-0274

SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE. Offering complete lawn maintenance services, landscaping, bush hogging, privacy fence installation/repair/staining, and stump grinding. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086

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GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE

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

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES

Free est. Call (336) 669-5448

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC.

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

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE

Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157

 HOME SERVICES

MASONRY

SOUTHERN STYLE Concrete, LLC & Outdoor Living can design any concrete project you need, from stamped patios, sidewalks, driveways, basketball courts and fire pits. Our workers are experienced craftsmen who can customize any project to exceed your expectations. Call us at (336) 399-6619.

CONCRETE COATINGS

Flake Epoxy Systems

Garage Floor and Concrete Resurfacing Decorative Concrete Overlays Stamped Concrete Rejuvenation

Eric Sauls, Owner ● (336) 970-3543 Call for your free estimate

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 (336) 949-9019. www.colonialmasonry.com.

NEW PHASE CONCRETE. Here for all your decorative concrete needs. Specializing in decorative stamp, stained, epoxy and all other concrete poured finishes as well. Also offering refurbishment of existing stamped concrete. Make your existing stamped look like new again! (336) 399-1474 or (336) 595-4654

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

PAINTING & DRYWALL

BEK Paint Co.

Residential & Commercial

David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com

• References Available

• Licensed & Insured

• All Work Guaranteed

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

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR , 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186

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

Your HOME SERVICES

company should be here!

Place your classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com

PLUMBING

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING

DSL DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING (336) 362-4354.

INTEGRITY TREE SERVICE, LLC Tree removal, risk assessment, tree pruning, dead wood removal. Affordable/competitive pricing. Fully insured. Owner-operated. Call for free estimate, (336) 210-8310

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. FREE EST. Fully insured. Topping, pruning and removal. Natural area thinning and cleanup. Oak Ridge. (336) 643-1119

DILLON TREE SERVICE. Certified arborists. BBB accredited. Fully insured. Familyowned. Tree removal and trimming. Available for emergency removals 24/7. Free estimates. (336) 996-6156. www.dillontreeservice.com. info@dillontreeservice.com.

JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470

PEARMAN QUARRY LCID. Inert debris landfill. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Mulch and fill dirt available. (336) 803-2195 or (336) 558-7673

ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519

The Northwest Observer Keeping you connected since 1996!

SIGNATURE PLUMBING. Discount hotwater heater installation and plumbing. (336) 279-6196

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.

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 JAN. 19 - FEB. 1, 2023 29

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 JAN. 19 - FEB. 1, 2023 29

POOLS

PRESSURE WASHING

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

HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

AMERICAN BUILDER CONSTRUCTION

Repairs & remodeling, kitchens/baths, additions, decks, attics, basements. Licensed & insured. Short wait list. NC general contractors. (336) 225-7478

HOME SERVICES

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

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC

N.C. general contractor with 30 years experience. Specializing in new homes, room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, decks, vinyl siding and windows, painting, tile, laminate and vinyl plank, and remodeling of all kinds. Quality for the right price. Free est. Please call (336) 362-7469

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.

PAINTING, DECKS AND MORE. Call Premier Construction for free estimates. (336) 430-9507.

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

ROOFING

DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles,

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC 40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We finance. Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 362-6343 www.5StarROOFINGUSA.com

 MISC. FOR SALE

SEASONED FIREWOOD. $90/pickup truck load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615

Got stuff ? Need stuff ?

 MISC. WANTED

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

 REAL ESTATE

HOME FOR RENT

PREMIER ROOFING

HOUSE FOR RENT IN STOKESDALE 2BR, 1 BA, 2-car garage/shop, full upstairs that could be used as a bedroom or office. Large yard. $1,200/month. Contact Mon.Sat., 9am-6pm. (336) 707-9934

LAND FOR SALE

MADISON PROPER, 8-10 acres zoned for multi-family. Water/sewer hookups at property. Great property for apartments, investor or builder. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

COMING SOON! 1- to 3-acre lots in Rockingham County, Reidsville area. Modular homes allowed. Call (336) 314-3773 anytime.

VACATION PROPERTY

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION

Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 41 yrs. exp. (336) 362-6343

PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906 WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR Call Tim, (336) 402-3869

BOAT N RV STORAGE. $70/$100 monthly. Located on Brigham Rd., Greensboro, near Pleasant Ridge Road. Call (336) 663-3051 

MISC. FOR SALE

SEASONED FIREWOOD. Any size load delivered or you pick up. Steve Newman Tree Service. Call (336) 643-1119

VACATION RENTAL on Smith Mountain Lake, VA. Only a 2-hour drive from Greensboro! Sleeps 10. Allows dogs. Has fenced yard. Visit vavacationrentals.com, listing #73, Dream Come True, to see pics & get rates and contact info. Rare opening for week of Aug. 13. Weekly only in summer months. 3-night minimum in other months.

ACCOUNTING

By the Book Accounting 13

Carlotta Lytton, CPA 25

Kimberly Thacker Accounting 25

Personal Accounting Services 25

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC 8

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

EuroHaus 28

BANK / LENDING

Brian Campbell, Truist Mortgage 5

BUILDING / REMODELING

CJ Builders Inc. 16

Disney Construction Company 17

Don Mills Builders 21

Old School Home Repair 28

R&K Custom Homes 19

Ray Bullins Construction 15

Superior Outdoor Spaces 20

TM Construction Services 39

Walraven Signature Homes 15

CHARTER SCHOOL

Revolution Academy 2

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Guardian Ad Litem 25

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

Summerfield Merchants Association 18

DENTAL SERVICES

Summerfield Family Dentistry 24

FUNERAL SERVICES

Forbis & Dick Funeral Services 13

GROCERIES / SUPPLIES

Southern Foods 9

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

5 Star Roofing 30

BEK Paint Company 29

Bob Rents, LLC 12

Carpets by Direct 7

CharCo Concrete Coatings 29

K&J Homes Services 25

Rymack Storage 30 Southern Style Concrete & Landscaping 30 Stokesdale Heating & Air 14

Village Roofs, Inc. ........................................... 30

Wilson Seamless Gutters 29

INSURANCE

Gladwell Insurance Agency 4

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law 3

MEDICAL / HEARING

Aim Hearing & Audiology 31 Bream Medical 3

LeBauer HealthCare ....................................... 11 Northwest Pediatrics 6 Novant Health 27

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Olmsted Orthodontics 23

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS Northwest Animal Hospital 10

REAL ESTATE

A New Dawn Realty 13 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX .............................22 Smith Marketing, Allen Tate Realtors 15

YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS

Oak Ridge Youth Association 8

YMCA of Greensboro 24

practicing at multiple emergency departments in the Charlotte and Triad metropolitan area as well as in multiple critical access emergency departments in the eastern region of the state. He also served for five years as medical director at Novant Rowan Medical Center, where his team was able to implement major improvements to the quality of patient care, and he currently serves as director of Immunotek Bio Centers’ plasma donation center in High Point.

On a personal note: Dr. Bream and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for four years and the couple has two children, Lincoln (2 1/2 years old) and Amelia (2 months old). Jennifer is co-owner of 119 on North and Oh Baby Boutiques in

Stokesdale and Kernersville.

As a way of giving back, Bream donates physicals to indigent children for Special Olympics.

In his free time Bream enjoys landscaping, playing golf, traveling and spending time with his family at the beach – and he is an avid fan of the ECU Pirates, Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets.

Interesting fact: “I pitched a perfect game in eighth grade!” Bream proudly shared.

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Mary Autwell (far right) celebrated her birthday in October with a girls’ trip to Nashville, Tennessee. Shown in photo (L to R): Autwell’s niece, Morgan Gregory, sister, Elizabeth Brown, and Autwell smile while reading the Northwest Observer in front of the iconic Tootsies, a world-famous honky-tonk.

Pat and Scott Russell of Summerfield take a quick stop during their adven- tures across Ireland and Scotland to catch up on the local news!

Kasey and David Baity of Stokesdale fit in one more dose of news from back home before boarding the Hogwarts Express (from the “Harry Potter” books/movies) during a trip to Scotland in October.

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