Feb. 15, 2024 - March 20, 2024
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Dispute flares over Mountains-to-Sea Trail easement Oak Ridge’s mayor hopes the differing parties can agree upon a trail route before the Town Council revisits the issue in May by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – A three-month delay for Oak Ridge residents to offer their views on a disputed easement for the Mountains-toSea Trail (MST) gives parties the opportunity to work out their differences. At least that’s the hope stated by Mayor Jim Kinneman during the Town Council’s meeting Feb. 1. But if the discord that flared later during
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IN THIS ISSUE
News in brief...................................................2 Your Questions......................................... 4 March 5 Primary...................................... 6 NWO Business & Real Estate................ 14 Parker’s Restaurant: 65+ years............20 Triad Golden Retriever Rescue........... 23 S’dale TC Feb.8 meeting highlights...24 NWO On The Go.................................... 27 SFTC Feb.13 meeting highlights..........30 ORTC Feb.1 meeting highlights..........34 Youth Link................................................ 37 Congrats to NWHS coach Ron Bare!.38 NWO Kids’ Korner..................................40 Crime/incident report..........................44 Community Calendar.........................45 Grins and Gripes...................................46 Classifieds............................................... 51 Index of Advertisers...............................55
Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge MST Committee
Volunteers with Oak Ridge’s MST Committee rough cut a trail near the new Pemberley Estates subdivision off N.C. 150 on a recent workday as part of their effort to extend the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through Oak Ridge. An easement for a future MST trail route in Ashford, a new subdivision on Brookbank Road, is being disputed by homeowners in the adjoining Bear Creek subdivision.
Summerfield council puts manager Whitaker on ‘notice’ The 4-1 vote sets the stage for renegotiating Whitaker’s annual employment contract or seeking a successor to run the town by CHRIS BURRITT
Scott Whitaker
SUMMERFIELD – After working 11 ½ years as Summerfield’s manager, Scott Whitaker may be on the verge of losing his job after the new majority of Town Council voted not to extend his annual employment contract. The council emerged from a
closed session in the early hours of this past Wednesday, Feb. 14, as Whitaker, town staff and several Summerfield residents waited in anticipation for the council’s decision. The council voted 4-1 against extending Whitaker’s contract that pays him $150,929 a year plus benefits. The annual contract expires May 31, presumably setting a deadline for the council to decide how to proceed with the position of Summerfield’s top
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