Letters/Opinions

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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 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