Northwest Observer / Feb. 15, 2024 - March 20, 2024

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

...continued on p. 50

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

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

...continued on p. 42

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.

Scott Whitaker

How ‘connected’ does Summerfield want to be?

Council members and staff question whether citizens’ views about connectivity – and other topics – have changed since the town’s comprehensive plan was adopted in 2010

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – In July 2008, a committee of 20 Summerfield citizen volunteers was appointed to work with members of town staff to develop a comprehensive plan that would guide the town into the future. During what became an almost two-year process, they held open houses and sought input from other residents on their concerns, priorities and vision for the town as it continued to grow. Based on the feedback committee members

received, connecting neighborhoods and trails was high on citizens’ priority list. Town leaders are now questioning whether views have changed since the plan was adopted in May 2010.

As town leaders have planned the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, some people have expressed safety concerns about it passing through town. That concern has been persistent, emerging last fall during trail-planning meetings and several years ago in early discussions explaining the trail would pass by

Summerfield Elementary School.

“We’ve heard that those people on the greenway might harm or kidnap our kids,’’ Town Manager Scott Whitaker said. “That’s a common complaint… about the greenway.’’

Such resistance runs counter to Summerfield’s comprehensive plan. In numerous places, the blueprint for the town’s development recommends that sidewalks connect neighborhoods and trails connect different sections of town.

The disconnection over community connectivity generated much discussion among council members on Jan. 26 as, seated around a long table crowded by notepads and their leftover dinner, they began two days of tackling long-range issues for Summerfield.

Connectivity emerged as a primary topic of discussion. The mismatch between the call for connection, as expressed in the comprehensive plan, and some residents’ opposition to the idea illustrates the 14-year-old document needs to be updated, Mayor Tim Sessoms said.

The council adopted the plan in 2010, based partly on “a lot of community involvement saying, ‘yeah, we want a high level of connectivity,’” Whitaker said, adding, “But I'm not sure if neighbors still feel that way.”

State law requires that municipalities periodically update their comprehensive plans so they’re “reasonably maintained,” according to Adam Shull, the retreat’s moderator. He works as assistant regional planning director for the Piedmont Triad Regional Council.

While the law doesn’t specify how frequently plans need to be updated, municipalities are generally embracing that they need to revisit their plans

...continued on p. 17

Be mindful of what you say – your comments may be picked up on a hot mic

After Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone’s disparaging comment about a citizen was caught on microphone, several citizens have demanded a public apology; almost two weeks since the incident, one has not yet been made

By PATTI STOKES

A recording of Oak Ridge Town Council’s meeting on Feb. 1 picked up something unexpected, and citizens’ reactions have ranged from indifference to disappointment to, in some cases, outrage.

During a period for Citizen Comments, former council member George McClellan – who lost his bid for reelection this past November –raised his hand to speak. However, a person sitting in front of McClellan didn’t see it, and stepped to the podium first. The same thing happened again a few minutes later.

Finally, as McClellan made his way to the podium to speak on his third attempt, the microphone picked up Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone saying “Geroge is a f***ing idiot” under his breath. Although it wasn’t audible at the time, a citizen listening to the recorded meeting the next day brought it to the attention of Mayor Jim Kinneman.

In an interview with the Northwest Observer, Kinneman said he was “disappointed” after learning of Stone’s remark, and encouraged him to make an apology.

Kinneman said he also informed the rest of the council about the incident.

“We haven’t discussed what action we will take and I think it is a full council decision to make,” he said.

Kinneman also apologized to McClellan on behalf of the council.

“There’s not a lot more for us to do at this point,” the mayor said. “This isn’t a situation where we can command someone to do something or we fire them. Each member of the council is an elected official and responsible for their own behavior.”

Kinneman said he’s received five or six emails from citizens about the incident, with most having a common theme.

“There is a steady level of disappointment and outrage over this… They feel that at the bare minimum, an apology is warranted,” he said. “Some have asked for his resignation. And there is the suggestion of censure. From an official standpoint, censure is about the only thing we can do.

“I definitely think there are two apologies called for – the person the comment was directed to and, since it did go out over live streaming, it would be disappointing if a public apology was not made to the community,” Kinneman added.

As of this writing on Feb. 14, almost two weeks after the Feb. 1 meeting, Stone has not yet apologized to McClellan, nor has he offered a public apology. He has, however, responded to the citizens who emailed Kinneman and offered an apology if

...continued on p. 12

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your QUESTIONS

Hallelujah – it looks like that humongous, halffinished house with the neglected yard at the corner of Haw River Road and Warner Road in Oak Ridge is finally getting some love. When I passed by it recently I noticed heavy equipment and big piles of dirt in the front yard, and a dumpster and Port-A-John; also, the grass has been mowed and the ominous “Stop, Do Not Enter – Keep Out” sign has been removed (although there is still a less ominous “STOP” sign by the driveway gate). AND, I heard Dee Snider, former frontman for the heavy metal band, Twisted Sister, of the ‘70s and ‘80s, is the one who purchased the property. Is this true?

The large house at 8505 Warner Road in Oak Ridge was sold this past October and it appears that work on the 9,700+ square-foot house (with the potential of up to 20,000 square feet) is once again underway. Initial construction on the house began in 2015, but it was put on hold before the interior of the house and its infrastructure (i.e., heating and AC system, plumbing, electrical, etc.) was completed. It remained in an unfinished and often neglected state until recently.

We can definitely confirm that construction is underway at the house at 8505 Warner Road in Oak Ridge, which we’ve written about numerous times after it was left in an unfinished state for several years.

As for the rumors about Dee Snider purchasing it – we can only confirm that we’ve heard the same rumors, and that several people we’ve spoken with say they’ve seen Snider around town in recent months. WFMY aired a feature on the rumor a few months ago, and the manager of StokeRidge Tavern in Stokesdale was quoted as saying his wait staff and employees at neighboring businesses said they had spotted Snider in the area. We’ve also been told that Snider’s manager lives in the area – if it’s true, that would shed light on Snider’s connection to Oak Ridge.

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

March 5 primary contests

Early voting starts Feb. 15

Early voting for the March 5 primary starts Thursday, Feb. 15, and will run through Saturday, March 2. Voters are required to present a valid photo ID when voting in person. If you do not have a valid photo ID card, you may obtain one from Guilford County’s Board of Elections prior to the election, through the end of the early voting period.

In northwest Guilford County, early voting sites will be open at Oak Ridge Town Hall and at Bur-Mil Clubhouse off U.S. 220 just outside the Summerfield town limits, in northwest Greensboro.

For comprehensive election-related information, including a list of the early voting locations and voting hours, photo ID information, a list of candidates, and a sample ballot, visit www.guilfordcountync. gov/our-county/ board-of-elections.

Voters must vote in their assigned precinct on Election Day, March 5.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (DISTRICT 6)

The primary attracted six Republican candidates after the GOPcontrolled General Assembly redrew the statewide legislation map last year. Numerous districts, including the 6th, now lean Republican. Democrat Kathy Manning, District 6’s incumbent, decided not to seek re-election after re-districting. No other Democrat entered the race.

On their campaign sites, the six GOP candidates align themselves with some issues embraced by former President Donald Trump, such as southern border security and election reform. The candidates back the Second Amendment right of owning a gun and the support of law enforcement.

Addison McDowell, of Raleigh, won Trump’s endorsement. A former constituent liaison for U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, he favors an end to previous administrations’ “free-trade agenda” that cost U.S. jobs.

Mark Walker, of Summerfield, is the only candidate seeking re-election to the U.S. House. Previously, he represented the 6th District and earlier served as a pastor.

If elected, Walker said he will “champion…conservative solutions” that include “cutting wasteful spending and balancing the budget, building President Trump’s border wall and ending illegal immigration.”

A Greensboro plastic surgeon, Mary Ann Contogiannis wants to cut “out-ofcontrol’’ federal spending. She said she’s pro-life and favors school choice for parents and students.

Bo Hines, of Salisbury, said he supports “conservative ideologies’’ such as the Second Amendment and immigration reform. In 2022, he lost the Raleigh-area 13th District race to Democrat Wiley Nickel.

High Point Mayor Jay Wagner advocates the constitutional right of gun ownership. He’s pro-life and opposes illegal immigration.

A former Green Beret, Christian Castelli, of Southern Pines, favors a balanced budget and finishing the southern border wall. He also wants energy independence for the U.S. and vows to support America’s military and parental rights in schools.

N.C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (DISTRICT 62)

Five candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for the

Ashley Michaels, PA-C and Chase Michaels, PA-C

Vote Michelle C Bardsley for NC House District 62

The "People's Choice" common-sense Republican candidate fighting to:

• Preserve our conservative American values

• Protect our citizens

• Provide opportunities for a brighter future in North Carolina

Michelle is a K-12 education leader of 16 years; businesswoman of 13 years in accounting, finance, and IT; wife, mother of four adult GCS graduates, and grandparent.

Michelle is committed to Families, Businesses, & Communities for:

Economic Growth: invest in infrastructure, workforce development & Triad jobs, lower taxes; Education: choice, commonsense curriculum, power back to parents, educator competitive pay; Public Safety: support, fund and equip law enforcement and first responders; Active Military & Veterans: stand behind and support national defense; Workforce Housing: options for all stages and income levels; Health Care: accessible, affordable and protects life; Farmland Protection. Constitutional Freedoms; Rule of Law; Small Town Governance; No De-annexation of Summerfield; No Casinos

John Parker STONE for District Court JUDGE

MARCH 5 PRIMARY ...continued from p. 6

District 62 seat. No Democrat entered the race.

High Point councilman Britt Moore said he’s pro-life and views supporting first responders as a top priority.

If elected, Moore said he would emphasize career readiness and partnering with industry to create careers for students. He embraces support for local businesses and domestic manufacturing as engines for job creation and economic growth.

Former Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider said she will bring “commonsense, small town conservative values to Raleigh’’ if she’s elected.

Still a member of Oak Ridge’s council, Schneider said she’s built strong relationships with leaders in the towns and cities represented by the district and in the legislature.

Schneider said she would stand up for first responders and seek to reduce crime with an increase in prosecution and enforcement. She vowed to “get schools back to basics” by empowering parents and supporting teachers.

Jaxon Barber, of northwest Greensboro, said he favors controlling government spending and

implementing common-sense tax reform to spur business and personal economic growth.

He said he supports the passage of legislation “to end abortion at any stage of pregnancy,’’ while bolstering foster care, adoption systems and other efforts to help struggling mothers and families.

Barber favors giving more resources to law enforcement, raising teachers’ salaries and allowing parents to send their children to the schools of their choice.

Northern Greensboro resident Michelle Bardsley said she would support “local town governance” if elected to the House. She added her campaign priorities are the economy, education, public safety, healthcare and housing.

If elected, she said she would draw upon her experience in public education and business to work with educational institutions and the state Commerce Department to recruit new employers to the state. Investing in infrastructure and providing opportunities for entrepreneurs are other campaign goals.

Former state legislator John Blust said the newly redrawn 62nd district resembles the House district he represented for nine terms ending in 2018. Earlier, he served in the state Senate.

Blust, of northwestern Greensboro, said he would seek greater transparency in decision-making by

...continued on p. 10

NCCU School of Law Graduate 12 years experience as a trial attorney

NFL Veteran and Super Bowl Champion Tavon Wilson

PAID

FOR JUDGE

4 Experienced Leader

4 Proven Track Record

4 Conservative Values

4 Fights for Citizens

NC STATE HOUSE

Experienced Leader:

■ 4 years as Oak Ridge Mayor; total of 6 years as Councilmember

■ Served on North Carolina Mayors Association Board

■ Understands distinct needs of each community in District 62

■ Strong relationships with state, county and local leaders

■ Small business owner for 25+ years

Proven Track Record:

■ Brought record investment to Oak Ridge while never raising taxes

■ Led opposition to state overreach in local zoning, including de-annexation

■ Organized small towns in fight against county-wide mask mandate

A Champion for Responsible Growth:

■ Low taxes, economic expansion and job creation

■ Strategic investment in local infrastructure and economic development

■ Support agricultural industry, open space, and natural/historic resources

Defending Citizens’ Rights:

■ Empower parents, support teachers, and get schools back to basics

■ Reduce crime through increased prosecution and enforcement

■ Stand up for those who protect us—Law Enforcement, First Responders and Veterans

N.C. House District 62

These following are previoulsly published quotes about John Blust during his 20 years of service in the North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House that indicate the reputation he earned while serving in office.

“John Blust is a man of character and integrity. You can count on him to keep his word.

I am proud to have him representing me in Raleigh.”

– Congressman Howard Coble

“John Blust is the most honest forthright person I have ever known in politics. He is a tireless advocate for Guilford County.”

– Joe Bostic, former Chairman of the Guilford County Commissioners

“John Blust is the conscience of the Senate.”

– Virginia Foxx, then NC Senator, now Congressman

“Over his last two years, Blust has made a name for himself in the Senate as a tireless voice for integrity and openness.”

– Greensboro News & Record

“John Blust is a stand up guy. He is a fighter who will always stand up for his constituents. Honor, integrity, and work ethic are not just words to John., they are a way of life.”

– BJ Barnes, then Guilford County Sheriff

“Sen. John Blust of Greensboro, a disarmingly candid, Mr. Smith goes to Raleigh sort of legislator.”

– Raleigh News & Observer

“Blust, a Greensboro resident shows uncommon integrity. He has been a refreshing voice in the N.C. Senate, where he regularly challenges standard operating procedures.”

– High Point Enterprise

“A hardworking tenacious representative.”

– Greensboro News & Record

“Blust is one of the most conscientious and hard-working elected officials I have ever met and I have met quite a few.”

– John Hammer, Rhinoceros Times Editor

“A Republican of character…a devout conservative whose truest allegiance is to the rule of law, not to any party or clique.”

– Author Corban Addison

“Blust, a Greensboro attorney and accountant, is an exceptionally conscientious legislator who has served in the House and Senate…He is a fervent advocate of more responsible fiscal management in Raleigh and has pushed relentlessly for zero-based budgeting, among other reforms.’

– Greensboro News & Record

lawmakers. He said he also opposed “the threat by legislative leaders” to de-annex almost 1,000 acres in Summerfield owned by developer David Couch.

Blust said he favors the enactment of additional pro-life legislation and protection of the Second Amendment. He added that he supports “Texas-like law’’ to empower law enforcement in North Carolina to arrest and deport people who are here illegally.

N.C. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGESHIPS

DISTRICT 24B (SEAT 1)

Tab Hunter (R) High Point

Georgia Nixon (R) Jamestown

DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 5)

John Parker Stone (D) Greensboro

Trip Baker III (D) High Point

DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 10)

Moshera Mills (D) Summerfield

Charlene Armstrong (D) Greensboro

DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 12)

Cynthia Hatfield (D) Greensboro

Kelvin Smith (D) Greensboro

ShaKeta Berrie (D) Greensboro

DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 13)

Gabriel Kussin (D) Greensboro

Brian Tomlin (D) Greensboro

DISTRICT 24 (SEAT 14)

Tomakio Gause (D) Jamestown

Stephanie Goldsborough (D) Greensboro

Bill Hill Jr. (D) Browns Summit

RACES NOT ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT

NORTH CAROLINA SENATE (DISTRICT 26)

State Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, an Eden Republican, faces no primary challenger. Reidsville Democrat Steve Luking is also running unopposed. They will face off in the Nov. 5 general election.

BOARD OF EDUCATION (DISTRICT 3)

Incumbent Michael Logan, of northwestern Guilford County, is unchallenged in the Republican primary. Greensboro resident Bill Goebel is a potential challenger in the general election.

Earlier this month, Goebel said he’s collected three-fourths of the 2,136 signatures he needs to run as an independent in the District 3 race.

David Coats, a Greensboro Democrat, is also running in the general election.

BOARD OF EDUCATION (DISTRICT 5)

Democratic incumbent Deborah Napper and challenger Cara Townsend Dohner, a Summerfield Republican, face no primary challengers. The two will compete in the general election.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (DISTRICT 5)

Incumbent Carly Cooke, a Greensboro Democrat, and former Summerfield council member Reece Walker, a Republican, will compete in the November election. They face no primary challengers.

JohnBlust N.C. House District 62

Integrity

Results

John Blust served a term in the N.C. Senate and nine terms in N.C. House District 62. He grew up in Northwest Guilford County where he learned the values of faith, family, freedom, individual responsibility, hard work, and initiative. He is a constitutional, common-sense, conservative who believes in limited government.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS

Education

• Standout student and athlete at Western Guilford High School

• B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration at UNC Chapel Hill

• Law Degree at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law

• Passed Certified Public Accountant exam

• Passed bar exam

Military Service

• Left home to join the army the day after turning 18

• Earned the rank of Captain – Field Artillery Branch

• Earned Airborne Wings at US Army Airborne School

• Class leader of Officer Basic Course in field artillery

• Served 18 months in the 82nd Airborne Division

• While serving as a Fire Direction Officer on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea, John was cited by superiors for “executing one of the most challenging assignments in the battalion flawlessly.”

Professional Service

As an accountant and an attorney, John has assisted countless clients with tax problems, wills, trusts, estates, and planning financial affairs to reduce taxes. He has also helped many clients start or expand businesses or work out financial problems.

LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS & PROPOSALS

• Got state spending under control and closed $3 billion budget gap

• Lowered personal and business income tax rates

• Significant regulatory reform

• Extensive government ethics reform to fight corruption

• Comprehensive lobbying reforms

• Increased number of charter schools and school choice

• Photo ID to vote and other election integrity measures

• Education reform to end DEI, CRT, and indoctrination in schools

• Improve school safety and safety of community

• Protect the Second Amendment

• Additional pro-life legislation and protecting babies born alive

• Texas-like law to empower North Carolina law enforcement to arrest and deport those illegally here

• Harden North Carolina’s electrical grid

• Stop China from buying our land

• Opposes and works against casinos and Summerfield de-annexation

www.blustfornchouse.com

his comment was offensive.

“The role of every council member is to be clear that this kind of language is unacceptable,” said Ann Schneider, who served as the town’s mayor for four of the six years she has been a council member. “For a sitting councilman and a mayor pro tem to disparage a resident and a former council member, before they even speak, with this foul language is unacceptable. It shows a lack of self-control and civility, and both are required in order to serve residents. If residents feel they are going to be disparaged before they even speak, how can they step up to the podium?”

As for Stone not offering an apology to McClellan or to the public, Schneider said, “I think this would be a non-issue if he would be gracious and generous and make things right.”

She added, “If the shoe had been

on the other foot, the outrage would have been unlimited.”

McClellan said a citizen informed him about the comment the day after the meeting.

“After serving on the council for 12 years, you get a thick skin,” he said. “At first, I wasn’t too upset about it –but I was definitely disappointed that he would have said that.

“The more I thought about it, though, the more I thought, ‘he really doesn’t owe me an apology, he owes his fellow council members and the public an apology,’” McClellan added.

If Stone offers him an apology, McClellan said he’ll accept it – but as of this writing, he hasn’t received one.

“It’s a shame this happened. It seems he isn’t taking responsibility – and he should. The fact that he is mayor pro tem, he’s done a disservice to his role,” McClellan added. “We all

make mistakes and I am typically the first to apologize when I make one.”

McClellan said he sees a pattern with Stone not taking responsibility for his mistakes, referencing a situation years ago when “someone” blew up the beaver dam across the street from the Old Mill, in the subdivision where Stone lives. Stone denied being involved with the incident, but community members at the time said they had reason to believe he was not only involved, but spearheaded it.

Most recently, Stone said he had

no knowledge of a campaign flyer endorsing himself, Mike Greeson and Jim Harton that was circulated by members of the Bear Creek HOA, who were later criticized for passing out the flyers in the Oak Ridge Elementary car rider line on Election Day.

“It seems he tries to avoid, deflect and hope that things will go away,” McClellan said.

Stone declined our requests to comment for this article.

Oak Ridge fire training tower nears completion

Oak Ridge firefighters are preparing to learn the proper use of the training tower nearing completion behind Station No. 15 on Linville Road.

After final grading and other driveway work, the facility will be finished by the end of February, Chief Ken Gibson said in a recent email. Staff training is planned for March, followed by a public

walk-through in April.

The structure of silvery gray and red consists of 2 ½ stories, providing the setting for training in various emergency procedures: live fire, search and rescue, high-angle rescue, ventilation, forcible entry and ladder.

The facility will be available to Oak Ridge’s neighboring departments and mutual aid departments in Forsyth County, according to Gibson.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

A 2 ½-story training tower behind Oak Ridge Fire Department’s Station 15 on Linville Road should be completed by the end of this month.

Life-Long District 62 Resident

Proud American and North Carolinian

Constitutional Conservative

Ensuring Public Safety and Security

Promoting Economic and Job Growth

Proven Track Record of Public Service

Advancing Educational Excellence

EXPERIENCED. TESTED. PROVEN CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP FOR A STRONGER NORTH CAROLINA

Endorsed by: Rep. John Faircloth NC House District 62

REAL ESTATE/BUSINESS

I recently saw a house for sale with a “Coming Soon” sign in the yard. What does that mean? If it’s “coming soon,” can you still view photos of the house online, and is the house ready to be shown?

The “Coming Soon-No Show (CSNS)” rider gives prospective buyers notification that a home is coming on the market, although it cannot yet be shown, said Nicole Gillespie, a REALTOR/broker with RE/MAX Realty Consultants. She explained the seller may use this time to make last-minute repairs and/or preparations for the house to be shown, or may simply want to allow prospective buyers to schedule a showing at a later date, when the house becomes active on the market.

Gil Vaughan, a REALTOR/broker with Keller Williams One in Greensboro, said

he routinely uses the CSNS rider. He noted that not only does it give sellers the opportunity to make buyers aware the house will soon be on the market, but it can also help create “a smaller block of time that the house is being shown,” which limits some of the hassle that can come with making a house available for showings – especially if the homeowners are living in it.

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) dictates how agents are allowed to use the “Coming Soon” status. According to its guidelines, it “is to be used when the listing broker and seller are preparing the property for sale and the property is not available for showings on the listing agreement’s marketing date. While the property is in the CSNS status, the property may not be promoted or advertised in any manner other than as ‘Coming Soon.’”

The CSNS status is valid for up to seven days; during this time the house cannot be shown to any potential buyers, nor can any open houses be held. However, showings can be scheduled during this time for after the

CSNS period has ended.

“When the CSNS agreement expires, that is when everyone is allowed to look,” Gillespie said.

Can prospective buyers view photos of the property online when it is in the CSNS status?

Yes, Gillespie confirmed. In fact, she noted you must have at least one photo posted to list a home on MLS, even if it is in the CSNS status. Photos for a home that is “coming soon” are often not as plentiful, however, since the home is still

being prepared for showing and may not be as photo-ready.

Can a seller accept an offer from a prospective buyer even if the property is in the CSNS status, therefore not available for showing?

Yes – however, NCREC points out that “accepting an offer while the listing is in CSNS status could circumvent other potential offers from prospective buyers waiting for the listing to become active and for the property to be available for showing.”

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

N.C. 150 property rezoned for 28-home subdivision

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Developer Kevan Combs will advance plans for a new subdivision with as many as 28 houses on a 52-acre tract fronting N.C 150 after Oak Ridge Town Council voted unanimously to rezone the property.

At its Feb. 1 meeting, the council followed the Planning and Zoning Board’s earlier unanimous recommendation to approve the rezoning of 2835 and 2843 Oak Ridge Road (N.C. 150), from residential (RS-30) and agricultural (AG) to conditional residential (CZ-RS-40).

As one of the conditions of the

rezoning, the developer plans to limit the use of the property to singlefamily detached houses. The number of units won’t exceed 28, according to Bill Greco, principal of Land Solutions, a land surveying and design firm representing rezoning applicants Billy Kanoy and Denise Kanoy.

The houses will be similar to those already built and under construction in Pemberley Estates, a subdivision just across Highway 150 from the Kanoys’ property, Greco told the council. Houses in Pemberley Estates have typically been listed for $1 million and above.

A 120,000- to 130,000-square-foot-shopping center is planned at the intersection of Spencer Dixon Road and N.C. 150 in northern Greensboro. Developers hope to add “convenience store with gas pumps” to the list of permitted uses in the property’s Conditional Zoning-General Business zoning classification. The county commissioners will consider the developer’s request at their meeting on Feb. 15. More details on p. 17.

Up to 28 houses are planned for this 52-acre

In an interview after the rezoning vote, Billy Kanoy said the house, barn and other buildings on the land belonged to his parents, who are now deceased. He operates his business next to the property.

During last month’s P&Z board meeting, some nearby property owners expressed concerns about

construction traffic and water runoff, board Chair Jason Streck told the council.

Homeowners in Stonehenge appreciate the developer’s willingness to address those concerns, according to Debra Cimbala, secretary of the subdivision’s HOA. She spoke during public comments for the rezoning request.

8200 Hunting Cog Road, Oak Ridge

Stately

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

tract fronting N.C. 150 in Oak Ridge.

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Strader Road rezoning denied after residents object

In an uncertain twist, Summerfield Town Council’s unanimous vote creates the potential for a fast food restaurant or a dollar store locating on a portion of the property

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council voted unanimously to deny the conditional business rezoning of roughly 3.2 acres at N.C. 150 and Strader Road after nearby homeowners complained that medical and other professional

offices aren’t suitable for the area.

The council’s vote this past Tuesday, Feb. 13, followed the Planning Board’s earlier recommendation to deny the rezoning application. It also reflected property owners’ opposition to a litany of potential problems: increased traffic, safety risks for children, light pollution

Quality Craftsmanship

and the loss of rural tranquility. A plumber who lives across from the site warned that if heavy rainfall were to saturate the development’s septic field, a toxic mix could overflow onto adjacent properties.

“We are looking at potential hazardous waste coming down the street,’’ said Craig McGarry, one of more than a dozen homeowners who expressed their opposition to the rezoning. Opponents also crowded last month’s Planning Board meeting.

Seeking more time to reach a compromise with opponents, developers Will Stevens and Tim Whelan sought to continue the public hearing for the rezoning request until the council’s meeting March 12. However, a motion to delay the hearing failed.

The developers also passed on the opportunity to withdraw their rezoning application and return later with a new request. Instead, they reiterated that the current business zoning of the corner lot allows many uses, such as drive-through restaurants, that would be less desirable than the single-story professional office building they’re proposing for the larger tract.

The property up for rezoning consists

of two parcels. The corner lot is currently zoned for general business (BN). The second parcel wraps around the corner lot and is zoned for agricultural (AG) use.

Stevens and Whelan applied for conditional business (CZ-BN) rezoning for both tracts, with plans to combine them for development of buildings, parking and septic and well water systems.

Earlier, the developers raised the prospect of selling the property if the rezoning request were denied. A new owner could build a range of businesses on the corner lot.

Marc Isaacson, a Greensboro lawyer representing the developers, reinforced the possibility with a power-point presentation showing several businesses including Dollar General, Wendy’s and Waffle House that could build on the corner lot under current zoning.

On the other hand, Isaacson said, rezoning of the larger tract creates “an opportunity for certainty’’ in how the property would be developed.

Some homeowners criticized Isaacson’s presentation as a threat to persuade homeowners to drop their opposition to the rezoning request.

“I feel very threatened by some of the

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

An application to rezone two parcels at the corner of N.C. 150 and Strader Road in Summerfield for conditional business zoning was unanimously denied by Summerfield Town Council at its Feb. 13 meeting.

slides that were shown tonight about what could go there,’’ said Garland Graham, who lives with her husband, Gary, on a farm across Highway 150 from the site. “I hope that everybody saw through that. If it has to be developed commercially, I hope they’ll do the right thing.’’

Stevens said the presentation wasn’t intended to threaten homeowners. Eventually, the property is going to be developed, driven by market demand, he and Whelan stressed.

Some homeowners said further commercial development should take place at N.C. 150 and U.S. 220 and

NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 2

every five to 10 years, Shull said.

By that measure, Summerfield’s plan is outdated. The council discussed, but didn’t decide, how to proceed with updating the plan. They batted around whether to complete the town’s stalled land use plan before updating the comprehensive plan.

“If we focus on the land use plan, what do we do with an outdated

N.C. 150 and Lake Brandt Road where it already exists. The Strader Road site is roughly midway between those two areas.

As opponents were speaking, councilman Jonathan Hamilton asked them whether they were “OK rolling the dice’’ if the rezoning application were denied.

Echoing other opponents, Strader Court homeowner Ernest Sutton said he’d accept the uncertainty of how the smaller parcel may be developed.

“I would rather take a 1-acre problem and not have a 3-acre problem,’’ Sutton said.

citizen- focused plan that we're not maintaining?’’ council member Heath Clay asked.

Whitaker suggested the council seek advice from Town Attorney Bob Hornik. He didn’t attend the Friday evening meeting.

“I think it's a fair question for the town attorney,’’ Whitaker said. “As a municipal attorney, what do you think about our 14-year-old comp plan and not having a land use plan?’’

Developer seeks additional permitted use

NORTHERN GBO – The developer for the proposed Shaw Farms Shopping Center at the corner of N.C. 150 and Spencer Dixon Road hopes to add one more permitted use to the property’s zoning – a convenience store with gas pumps. Tim James of Greensborobased T. Cooper James & Associates confirmed last year that plans for the initial phase of the 30-acre shopping center call for a grocer anchor tenant, other retail businesses and an outparcel fronting N.C. 150, with construction getting underway once a grocer has signed on.

The developer’s request to add a convenience store with gas pumps to its Conditional Zoning-General Business classification was denied by the county’s Planning Board on Dec. 13; on

Dec. 28 the developer filed an appeal to the board’s decision to deny the additional permitted use. The appeal will be heard by the county commissioners at their meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Old County Courthouse in downtown Greensboro.

Stated conditions currently on the property allow for the following uses: medical or professional office; personal service; bank or finance with drivethrough; insurance agency; laundromat or dry cleaner; pest or termite control services; studio/artist/recording; retail (general); auto supply sales; auto rental or leasing; car wash; garden center or retail nursery; used merchandise store; bakery; restaurant with drive-through; and wireless communications tower.

YOUR QUESTIONS

...continued from p. 4

For those not familiar with Twisted Sister, the heavy metal band was formed in 1972 and disbanded in 1988. According to Wikipedia, “their best-known songs include ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ and ‘I Wanna Rock,’ both of which were associated with music videos noted for their sense of slapstick humor.” Dee Snider was the band’s lead singer and songwriter. He later formed and was the lead singer in the heavy metal bands Desperado, Widowmaker and SMFs.

Snider has since produced several solo albums (his most recent in 2021), made numerous guest radio and television appearances, co-authored a teenage adolescence survival manual in 1987, published an autobiography in 2012 and a children’s book in 2020. The musician/songwriter/author and his wife, Suzette, have been married for 45 years and have four children.

As for that house on Warner Road, it was built in 2015. The original owner, listed on tax records as JF Homes, LLC, built the homes in the adjacent subdivision, Warner Pointe. The LLC eventually put the unfinished home up for sale and it was listed “in its current state of construction (no HVAC/plumbing/electrical yet).” In

September 2020 it sold to a limited liability company called 8505 Warner Rd, LLC for $750,000.

At that time the listing described it as having 9,700+ square feet, with the potential for up to 20,000 square feet; six bedrooms; eight full bathrooms and seven half-baths; and eleven garages.

Until recently, the house had been boarded up and a large wooden sign posted in the front yard warned that any trespassers would be prosecuted.

When we followed up with Oak Ridge’s planning director, Sean Taylor, last October after readers again inquired about the house, he told us a contractor had just inquired about a building permit for the house and indicated he hoped to get construction underway in a few months. A property search this week indicated the 5.08-acre Warner Road property was sold in October to GAIA Holding Trust for $1,250,000.

If Dee Snider and his wife are the new owners – or whoever the owners are – I hope the soon-to-be Oak Ridge residents will become readers of the Northwest Observer, and would love to meet them. I can have my people contact their people to arrange it –or, I can just be reached directly at editor@nwobserver.com or through our office at (336) 644-7035.

Smith Marketing

Award-winning team offers expertise to navigate real estate market

Over the last two decades, Smith Marketing has established itself as an expert in new construction while developing valuable relationships with local premier home builders. It’s that experience that has enabled the company to navigate through any real estate market – regardless of its challenges.

Regarding conditions most affecting the local market, Jason Smith, co-owner/vice president of Smith Marketing, said, “We continue to experience very low inventory levels, rising cost of construction and development, and interest rates that are trying to drop. While many other economic and global factors come into play, those are the direct challenges we face on a daily basis.”

Buyers looking for new homes are facing an uphill battle. As a result, Smith said volume-home builders are entering the market to attract them.

“It is not uncommon to see the volume builders now offering homes in the $500,000s and $600,000s,” he

said. “With a few occasional exceptions, the custom home builders are pretty much building in the $600,000s and up.

“Interest rates seem to be the wildcard at the moment. Industry leaders indicate rates may continue to fall slightly in 2024,” he continued. “If that is true, the market should see a boost.”

The Smith Marketing team is committed to staying on top of this ever-changing market and is constantly adapting to current conditions. Those looking to purchase new construction homes have the assurance that Smith Marketing has worked with the builders they represent for many years and can attest to the quality and care they put into every home.

Smith offers this advice to buyers: “It’s so important to know who is building your home. Do your due diligence on builders and make sure they are the right fit for what you are looking for. We specialize in this area of real estate and are here to assist

you in any way we can.”

Smith Marketing is currently representing the custom home builders in several luxury new home communities. One of the most popular is Pemberley Estates, located on the site of a former 52-acre farm in the heart of Oak Ridge along N.C. 150. The development is limited to 25 lots, from 1 to 3 acres each, which are large enough to accommodate many amenities such as swimming pools and outdoor gathering places, and perfect for estatetype homes.

Homes in Pemberley Estates

are being built by an exclusive slate of local builders that includes R&K Custom Homes, Don Mills Builders, Walraven Signature Homes and Friddle and Company.

Smith Marketing will soon introduce Lion’s Gate, located just off Lake Brandt and Plainfield roads in northern Greensboro, with homes starting around $1 million plus.

And late this summer, Smith Marketing plans to begin selling custom-built homes in Riverside at Oak Ridge, with prices starting around $900,000.

File photo

As the owners of Smith Marketing, Betty Smith (center) and her sons Jason (left) and Jeff have been providing professional expertise to home buyers and sellers for over 20 years.

Building beautiful custom homes in the Triad for over 30 years

Rich and Kathy Dumas began building in the Triad in 1992. Since Rich and Kathy Dumas began R&K in 1992, it has become a respected, multi-gold award-winning company. Having built over 500 homes ranging in price from the $500,000s to $2 million, R&K’s wide range of construction and design types separates them from the others. Rich & Kathy walk you through every detail as they show you their passion for not just crafting homes, but building memories. R&K’s challenge to produce the best never ceases.

Rich and Kathy Dumas, owners

Parker’s Home Cookin’ Restaurant

Still going strong after over 65 years and three generations of family members

By ANNETTE JOYCE

People doing a quick pass through the town of Stokesdale might not take much notice of the small, unassuming building near the crossroads of U.S. 158 and Ellison Road. However, if they’re looking for some authentic and delicious home cooking served up with a side of hometown hospitality, it’s worth stopping by Parker’s Home Cookin’ Restaurant, which locals have for decades simply referred to as “Parker’s.”

Established 65 years ago by husband-and-wife Parker and Lucie Joyner, what was then Parker’s Café sits on 3.5 acres that Parker purchased from his father-in-law, Clay Wilson, who lived in the family farmhouse across the highway.

What soon became a popular eatery has since spanned three generations of the Joyner clan. Jerry Joyner, the eldest of the Joyner’s seven children, took over the restaurant in 1978. In recent years he’s stepped back from

the daily operations and his daughters, Misty Joyner, Sheena Rumley and Amy Joyner, now run the restaurant.

When Parker’s Café opened in August 1958, it was much more than just a local eatery. It also served as home to the couple and their then five children, who occupied two bedrooms and a bath located in a small space at the back of the restaurant beside the kitchen.

It’s hard to imagine that many people fitting into such a tiny area, but Lucie said it worked fine for the family, which eventually grew to include two more children. She added that the family ate all their meals in the dining area and rarely ever sat down at the same time for a meal.

Even after the family moved out of the restaurant, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were, and are ever present.

“When I was a little kid, I’d ride my tricycle through the door and get a hot dog and applesauce,” recalled Misty,

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Parker’s on U.S. 158 in Stokesdale was established in 1958 by Parker Joyner and his wife, Lucie. Their oldest child, Jerry, took over the restaurant in 1978 and although he remains involved, his three daughters now run the restaurant on a day-to-day basis.

adding that she started working in the restaurant when she was 10, washing dishes for $1 an hour.

The trend continues as Sheena’s two daughters, Parker, 7, and River, 4, spend time with their mom in the afternoons. Parker is already waiting tables and running food.

“She’s a natural and loves it,” Misty said.

Jerry remembers how isolated it was on U.S. 158 when his father started building there.

“People would stop by as he was building the restaurant, and they told him he was going to starve to death in the middle of nowhere,” Jerry said. “(Plus) people didn’t eat out much back then.”

Lucie said it was truckers with the now-defunct McLean Trucking Company out of Winston-Salem who made the big difference in those first years. Back then, Parker’s became known as more of a truck stop, with trucks lining up along the highway before they headed north.

“After a few months we knew the truck drivers by name and even knew what they wanted to eat. They were like family,” Lucie said.

Parker added a small motel beside the café and in 1963 built the family a separate home behind the restaurant.

On the same property sits a “round” house, where he and Lucie resided until Parker passed away in 1994. Lucie still lives in the uniquely shaped structure. The motel has been converted into apartments and Jerry and his wife, Glaisa, live in the original family home.

When Parker’s initially opened, the restaurant sold hamburgers for 15 cents each and hot dogs for a dime; a drink added another nickel to the meal. Country-style steak, along with a couple of vegetables, was available every day.

Just what is it that has enabled this little family-owned restaurant to become a local icon that has lasted for more than six decades?

The answers are simple – the food and the friendly, family atmosphere.

The family members who work in the restaurant eat most of their meals there, which gives them an extra incentive to go above and beyond for quality and taste.

Misty said they use real potatoes (never instant!) and dry pinto beans, which are soaked overnight. Hush puppies, slaw and onion rings are all homemade, as is their tartar sauce.

But that’s not all – there are also those homemade biscuits made from scratch daily.

“I make all the biscuits and take a lot of pride in how they turn out,” Misty said.

The restaurant features a different special every day – for example, you’ll find meat loaf on Mondays, countrystyle steak every Thursday and fried chicken on Fridays.

Another key to Parker’s success is that the family members who run it love what they do, they love each other and they love their customers.

“Most of the folks are regulars, but we get new people, too,” Jerry said. “A

lot of guys come in almost every day for breakfast, and we have people who come here three or four nights a week.”

New customers often tell the owners they’re there because someone else recommended they give it a try, and they’re usually pleasantly surprised when they visit this little restaurant for the first time. It only takes one visit to realize why Parker’s is known as one of the best places to eat for miles around.

Mitch Bullins (center) with his parents, Lisa and Ray Bullins, at Ray Bullins Construction Co., Inc.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Lucie Joyner (center) is shown here with two of her granddaughters, Misty Joyner (left) and Sheena Rumley, who are part of the family-owned Parker’s Home Cookin’ Restaurant team.

Fosters essential to Triad Golden Retriever Rescue

Donations to cover the cost of caring for the rescue retrievers as well as support people and other volunteers are also needed

Fostering is not that difficult … All you need is a willingness to take a dog who’s not perfect and have the patience to allow them to settle.”

Helen Williams, TGRR volunteer

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Paisley and Tucker are typical golden retrievers – happy, clumsy and loving. They enjoy nothing more than rolling around with one another and being with their people. Paisley, 4, is quite calm; however, her 10-month-old ‘brother,’ Tucker, is the complete opposite.

These two adorable pups are “foster fails” – a term used when someone intends to temporarily foster a dog but ends up falling in love and adopting them instead. In this case, it happened to Helen Williams, who has been a volunteer with Triad Golden Retriever Rescue for the past five years.

According to its website, TGRR, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteerrun organization, is “dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, humane treatment and placement of homeless golden retrievers, and to the education of the public about the breed.” Since incorporating in 1995,

TGRR has placed over 2,500 dogs in loving homes.

Williams, who lives in northwest Greensboro, discovered TGRR at a time when she was looking for an opportunity to make a difference in her world.

“I had volunteered a lot at school when my kids were younger,” she said in a recent interview. “I needed something meaningful in my life and wanted to give back.”

Over the years, Williams and her family had rescued a couple of sweet mixed-breed dogs and also had a golden retriever they loved dearly. Williams was drawn to the idea of helping find homes for these lovable dogs.

Photo by Annette Joyce/ NWO Tucker (left) and Paisley have found their forever home with Helen Williams, a TGRR volunteer.

STOKESDALE town council

FEB. 8 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by PATTI STOKES

Mayor Mike Crawford opened the monthly council meeting at 7 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy, council members Jimmy Landreth and Tim Jones, the town clerk, finance officer, attorney and about a dozen citizens were present, along with Scout members, parents and troop leaders with Scouts BSA Troop 600 based out of Oak Ridge. Council member Jim Rigsbee arrived later in the meeting.

The Scouts in attendance led the Pledge of Allegiance and council member Tim Jones offered the opening prayer, after which Foy presented Scout James Reed with a plaque recognizing the flag retirement ceremony station he recently constructed in the town park for his

Eagle Scout project.

“It’s a nice complement to our facility,” Foy said.

 4  0 (in separate motions) to approve a revised meeting agenda, and minutes from the Aug. 20, 2023 regular council and closed session meetings, the Dec. 14, 2023 closed session meeting and the Jan. 11, 2024 regular council meeting.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Fire Department. Chief Todd Gauldin reported Stokesdale Fire Department responded to 113 calls for service in January; 58 were medical-related, 16 fire-related and 39 miscellaneous.

In response to inquiries Gauldin said the fire department gets about fire

extinguishers, he offered this advice:

“Remember what you’re buying one for – it’s for something small, very small.” For this purpose, he recommended an ABC extinguisher, which can be purchased at a local hardware or home supply store, or Walmart.

“They are for small fires – don’t try to use it on something bigger than you can handle,” he stressed. “If you have to use it and do extinguish a fire, still call the department and let us check it out – especially if the fire was inside a structure.”

Gauldin also said he was very proud of his department for recently earning a Class 2 ISO rating (on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best rating possible), which will go into effect in May.

“Our folks put a lot of effort into that,” he said.

Sheriff’s office. Town Clerk Robbie Wagoner read a report from the sheriff’s District 1 office, which noted it responded to 155 calls for service in Stokesdale last month, resulting in eight formal case reports. As of the Feb. 1 report date, the theft of a truck from the lot of Priority One Auto Sales on U.S. 158 on Jan. 22 remains under investigation.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Wagoner updated the council on the water line extension project on Coldwater Road and said preparation for the geotechnical boring along the alignment is in progress.

Deputy town clerks Dale Martin and Mason Winfree were thanked for working through the backlog of minutes from past council meetings that had accumulated for months – or longer –before the current staff came on board.

Wagoner said town staff is working with GFL Environmental, the town’s contracted solid waste and recycling collector, to schedule a bulk waste collection event this spring.

The county’s Technical Coordinating Committee recently approved Wagoner and clerks from other small towns in the county to be voting members on the committee.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Town Park Improvement. Chair Tee Stephenson said the committee has received another request for an Eagle Scout project (see discussion about this later in the meeting).

Rules/Regulation signs for the town’s new basketball and pickleball courts have been sent to the vendor

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO Flanked by (L-R) Stokesdale mayor Mike Crawford, and council members Jimmy Landreth and Tim Jones on his left, James Reed, a Scout with BSA Troop 600 based in Oak Ridge, accepts a plaque from Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy (far right) at Stokesdale Town Council’s Feb. 8 meeting. The plaque is in recognition of the flag retirement station Reed designed and constructed in Stokesdale’s town park, with help from his fellow Scouts, for Reed’s Eagle Scout project.

and will be posted soon.

Duke Energy has replaced the nonfunctioning light bulbs on the soccer fields at no charge. Two additional security lights will be installed at the basketball and pickleball courts.

Additional cameras, security lights and fencing for areas of the town park are under consideration and District 3 county commissioner Pat Tillman has been asked to help obtain county funds to pay for them.

FINANCIAL

Town Finance Officer Kim Thacker said Rex Rouse, whose firm previously performed the town’s financial audit, passed away on Feb. 3.

“It was a pleasure to work with him, and we wish his family courage and peace during this time of mourning,” Thacker said.

(At 7:27 p.m., council member Jim Rigsbee arrived and took his place at the council dais).

Thacker offered highlights from the written financial report provided to council members, noting assets in the town’s operations account totaled $3,377,648 as of Jan. 31. Of this, $2,655,645 is in CDARS (certificates of deposit); interest earnings on investments were $56,559 in January. The town’s other major source of revenue is its share of state-collected franchise tax on utilities, which is estimated to bring in $295,000 this fiscal year.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

„ Ann Schneider, an Oak Ridge Town Council member, introduced herself and said she has been on the council for six years, four of which were as the town’s mayor. She is running for N.C. House 62, which for the last several years has been represented by John Faircloth, who is retiring.

Schneider said she has leadership experience, relationships and conservative values, and is the only Republican candidate running in the upcoming primary with deep knowledge of the small towns in the district.

“I have a proven record of leading the fight against state overreach; as

your next representative, I will continue to fight for our small towns. I think I can get things done in Raleigh. I have a strong backbone … I will fight for low taxes and responsible growth. I will defend citizens’ rights and will stand up for those who protect us and give them the tools they need,” she said.

When asked by Jones whether she supports a change in the way the county distributes the sales tax it collects (currently the ad valorem method), Schneider said this was a county, not a state issue, but she would love to help find a better solution for Stokesdale (based on the ad valorem method, since Stokesdale does not charge a property tax, the town does not get its share of sales tax paid by its citizens).

NEW BUSINESS

 5  0 to schedule budget workshops on Tuesdays, March 5, April 2, May 7 and June 4, at 7 p.m. Per Foy’s request, council agreed that advertising these meetings as budget workshops means no other line items will be added to the workshop agendas.

The state budget for this fiscal year includes $175,000 for Stokesdale, which the town plans to use for installing lights on the soccer field in the town park. Council discussed the scope of work this project involves, and must provide details to the state’s grant manager before the funding is released. To date, the town has spent about $10,000 for lighting engineers to review the project and create a lighting plan.

 5  0 to direct the town clerk to put together an RFP for installing lights on the park’s soccer field. The town hopes to select a contractor by early spring and complete the lighting project this summer.

Fencing. Council discussed the merits of installing fencing around the soccer field, distance it would be from the field, and whether it would deter cars from driving across the field as has happened. A fence around the playground area was also discussed.

 5  0 to submit an RFP for

fencing around the soccer fields and around the playground (with costs for each separately broken out).

Nature Trail. Tee Stephenson said a Scout has proposed working on the future nature trail in the park for his Eagle Scout project. With the council’s blessing, the Scout would present a plan to his Scout leaders and if they approve it, he would submit it to the town for approval. There are 38 members in the Scout’s troop and eight more coming up, so 46 Scouts could be involved in the project.

“It’s a great opportunity for us, and I was hoping something like this would happen,” Landreth said.

When Stephenson mentioned the nature trail will be as wide as 6 feet in some places, Jones expressed objection.

“I won’t vote for a 6-foot-wide trail,” he said. “If we build it that wide, it won’t be long before someone would ask for it to be paved.”

Stephenson said the trail’s width

would vary, and be as narrow as a few feet in some places. Landreth emphasized that citizens had indicated a nature trail was a top priority for park features and having Scouts participate in developing the trail was exactly what he had hoped would happen.

“If we don’t put nature trails on there (referring to a 9.8-acre tract adjoining the park that the town purchased in 2021) and let people start using it, we’re going to have a piece of property we bought but aren’t using,” he said.

 5  0 endorse working with a Scout troop on designing a plan for the nature trail and let the Park Improvement Committee serve as liaison on the project.

 5  0 have Wilson Pumping pump the septic system at the town park for $700.

 5  0 to request Justin Snyder, a senior planner with Guilford County

...continued on p. 26

7101

who serves as the town’s contracted planner, to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to use in training new Planning Board applicants.

 5  0 to authorize the town clerk to serve as the town’s special voting member on the county’s Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC), which is an advisory board to the TAC (Technical Advisory Committee), and to request that he keep a record of all votes he makes.

Thoroughfare & Collectors Street Plan. Wagoner said GUAMPO (Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) would like all municipalities in the area to endorse this plan – however, the plan still includes the U.S. 158 bypass.

“Last fall, NCDOT representatives came to Town Hall and seemed uniform in their answer that data doesn’t support the bypass happening in 20 or more years,” Foy said. “I-73

has alleviated much of the traffic on Highway 158 – but MPO is asking us to endorse a map with the bypass on there.

“I struggle with having this bypass on the MPO plan,” he said.

Wagoner said NCDOT has indicated that traffic counts now show traffic doesn’t warrant the widening of U.S. 158, so it is very unlikely to happen – however, in a discussion with Craig McKinney with MPO and a DOT representative, McKinney initially felt Section C of the U.S. 158 bypass should remain on the map.

“The answer has been very consistent from DOT and MPO, and they have both said it is very unlikely the bypass will ever be constructed,” Foy emphasized.

Landreth said he wanted GUAMPO and DOT representatives to attend a council meeting and explain the map before the council takes any action on it.

 5  0 to invite MPO and DOT representatives to attend the March 14 council meeting to answer questions about the thoroughfare and collector map.

 3  2 (Landreth and Jones opposed) to work with NCDOT to get an encroachment agreement east on U.S. 158, for those coming into Stokesdale’s town core, and purchase and install a Stalker radar sign, with cost not to exceed $5,200, using money coming from the American Rescue Plan fund.

Social media policy. Wagoner noted that he gets requests to add things to the town’s Facebook page – such as promoting other group’s events – and tries to make good decisions about what to post, but the town has no social media policy.

With that, Jones made a motion to eliminate the town’s Facebook page, saying the town spends too much money on staff overseeing its Facebook page and attention should instead be directed to the town’s website.

“That would be a terrible idea,” Foy said.

 1  4 to take down the town’s Facebook page, with Jones casting the only vote in favor of his motion.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

„ John Blust, a Greensboro-based attorney, introduced himself as a Republican candidate for N.C. House 62. Blust has served terms in both the state House and Senate, and his districts included Stokesdale for 14 of the years he served. He is seeking a state seat again after being away from state government for the past six years.

Blust said over 50 years ago he was in the same Western Guilford High School graduating class as Bi-Rite owner David Wrenn.

Landreth told Blust that Stokesdale is one of the most (fiscally) conservative towns in North Carolina. The town does not charge a property tax, and therefore doesn’t get its share of sales

tax from its citizens’ purchases.

“We would like to have our sales tax distribution money back,” he said. “We’re not asking for something that doesn’t belong to us. Stick this in a bill somewhere… I don’t like the system, but if that’s what it takes…”

Blust talked about the wrongness of burying one item in a bill that has nothing to do with it.

“There needs to be a single subject rule (in a bill),” he said. “Putting together things that shouldn’t be together is poor legislation.”

“I agree, but until it happens, we would like to get our money back,” Landreth said.

„ Ryan Mayberry introduced himself as a Republican candidate running for the 5th District U.S. House of Representatives. He said he served as a county commissioner in Alexander County for three terms.

“I was fascinated to learn you don’t have a property tax,” he told the council. “I am impressed with you guys.”

„ Michael Logan, the District 3 representative on the county’s Board of Education, offered an update on Northwest Middle and High schools, saying progress is being made on a land purchase for a new middle school. When constructed, the existing NWMS may be used for ninth-grade high school students.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

„ Foy gave a special thanks to Logan for attending council meetings in recent months and providing schoolrelated updates.

„ Landreth said he was “thankful to God for living in such a good community with good people.”

„ Jones thanked the six people who stayed until the end of the three-hour meeting, then said, “I’m going to vote for John Blust.”

Following announcements, the meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m.

Diane and Steve Barbour from Stokesdale enjoyed a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica. While exploring Damoy Point, they paused for a moment to catch up on the news in the Northwest Observer.

Penn Edwards and Gigi Volpert from Stokesdale enjoyed reading the Northwest Observer together while making memories during a great vacation in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Cody & Megan Hutson traveled to North Dakota for a visit with family. They braved -40 degree weather for this amazing shot with the Northwest Observer!

The

from Stokesdale and

Byrd family from Summerfield took the Northwest Observer on their recent cruise to Haiti, Dominican Republic and the

Oak Ridge Commons

A surprisingly uncommon experience in the heart of Oak

Since 2002, Great Clips in Oak Ridge has provided local residents with quality, affordable hair care along with convenient daytime, evening and weekend operating hours to fit within their busy schedules.

Owned by Greensboro native Richard White, the family hair salon specializes in haircuts for adults and children of all ages. The talented stylists are also able to create beautiful and unique updos for special occasions such as weddings, holiday parties and proms.

Manager Becky Keaton, who has been with Great Clips for 13 years, oversees the store’s daily operations, and the franchise is run by White’s niece and vice president of operations, Courtney Lowrance.

The professional stylists at Great Clips in Oak Ridge offer a wealth of experience in haircuts and styling and strive to offer their clients the most up-to-date styles while making sure those styles can be easily managed.

Great Clips is founded on the belief that great results can be provided at a reasonable price. Along with offering everyday low prices, twice a year the salon gives its

The staff at Great Clips in Oak Ridge Commons: (front L-R) Eunice, Becky (manager) and Fatemeh. Not pictured:

An active business participant in the community, Great Clips supports local schools, churches and charitable events that impact area youth.

“Thanks to our loyal customers, we’ve had a great year, and we just want to express our gratitude to those who have continued to support our business,” Lowrance said. “We look forward to seeing all of you in the new year.”

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO (front row, L to R), Amanda, Windy; (back row, pictured: Andrea, Jana and Brittany.

FEB. 13 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Mayor Tim Sessoms called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Janelle Robinson, John Doggett, Jonathan Hamilton and Heath Clay present.

Sessoms reported that first responders recovered the body of a person who may have died by suicide earlier in the day by jumping into Lake Higgins on U.S. 220, just south of Summerfield’s town limits. The presence of numerous emergency vehicles throughout the day prompted questions by passing motorists.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Founders’ Day. Town Manager Scott Whitaker reported the town’s Founders’ Day celebration is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 17-18.

RECOGNITION

Board of Adjustment. Sessoms presented a plaque to Ron Willis in appreciation for his 20 years of service on the Board of Adjustment.

Willis “should serve as an example to participate in government, instead

of just complaining about it and not doing a darn think about it,’’ board Chair Jim Brady said. He thanked Willis’s wife, Modene, for “giving all that time away from you.’’

PUBLIC SAFETY

Summerfield Fire District. The fire district reported that it ran 115 calls in January. They included 25 fire-related calls, 51 EMS-related calls and 39 other calls. Staff installed 15 car seats.

Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s District 1 office reported it responded to 249 calls in Summerfield last month, resulting in 16 formal case reports.

Deputies responded to a residential breaking and entering in the 5600 block of Green Dale Court and the theft of copper wiring from the cellular phone tower on Winfree Road. Both incidents remain under investigation.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Trails and Open Space Committee. Chair Ginger Lambrecht reported the committee has seeded an openspace wildflower garden at Summerfield Community Park. In the next step,

volunteers will build bluebird houses, benches and “a few meandering paths,” she said.

During a workday on Saturday, March 16, committee members plan to relocate eroded sections of trails in the community park, as well as design new trails, Lambrecht said.

History Committee - Bugler Boy monument rededication. Sessoms reported that he and Bruce Petersen, chair of the History Committee, spoke during a Feb. 11 rededication ceremony for the Bugler Boy monument on N.C. 150. Last year, a contractor stabilized and refurbished the monument honoring James Gillies, a teenage bugler for American General “Light Horse’’ Harry Lee who was killed by British troops in 1781.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

N.C. House District 62 candidates

„ Republicans Michelle Bardsley, Ann Schneider and John Blust spoke in support of their campaigns to win the

GOP primary for the 62nd district of North Carolina’s House of Representative.

They said they oppose the possible legislative de-annexation of landowner David Couch’s nearly 1,000 acres, as an example of what they described as an overreach by the state’s General Assembly.

„ Reece Walker told Robinson that he understands she reported his wife, Sierra, to her employer, Guilford County Schools, for a Facebook post criticizing the council member. Robinson said she didn’t contact the school system to complain about the Facebook post.

„ Bill Goebel said he’s collected more than 2,000 of the 2,136 signatures he needs to run as independent in the District 3 school board race in the Nov. 5 election.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Commercial rezoning request  5  0 to deny the conditional

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

At left, Mayor Tim Sessoms presents a plaque to Ron Willis for his 20 years of service on the Board or Adjustment. Willis is joined by his wife, Modene, and board Chair Jim Brady (far right).

business rezoning of roughly 3.2 acres at N.C. 150 and Strader Road for the development of offices for medical and other professional services. (See related article on p. 16)

Voluntary annexation rezoning  5  0 to approve the rezoning of 11 parcels that became part of Summerfield last month due to voluntary annexation requests by property owners. The tracts were rezoned to the town’s residential (RS) district, comparable to their residential (RS-40) zoning when they were part of unincorporated Guilford County.

MANAGER’S BUSINESS

Water system engineering

 5  0 to proceed with the engineering of the first phase of a municipal water system with a smaller elevated tank and smaller transmission lines than originally proposed last year.

Last month, the council delayed a decision on advancing the project with engineering firm Freese and Nichols to give newly seated council members more time to review the project.

As revised, the cost of the project increased to a maximum of $575,000 from its original estimate of $485,510. The revised plan shrinks the size of the tank to 100,000-130,000 gallons from 200,000 gallons and narrows the diameter of the transmission lines from 12 inches to eight inches. Those steps will allow the lines to extend further on Summerfield Road and Highway 150 from the tank to be located on the northern Gordon tract at Highways 220 and 150.

Earlier in the meeting, Dwayne Crawford reiterated his opposition to a proposed municipal water system initially proposed to aid firefighting. He said Summerfield’s fire department extinguishes most fires with water from tanker trucks arriving on the scene.

Teresa Perryman said the extension of water lines would eventually

necessitate the development of a municipal sewer system. The combination of water and sewer services would open Summerfield to rapid development, according to residents opposed to investing in water and sewer infrastructure.

County tax collection agreement

 5  0 to extend by five years through June 2029 the town’s agreement with the county to collect property taxes for Summerfield.

Lobbyist contract

 5  0 to approve a contract retaining lobbying firm King and Co. to represent the town in its fight against the legislative de-annexation of Couch’s property in Summerfield. The firm’s monthly fee is $7,250, down from its earlier contract of $8,000.

Board reappointment

 5  0 to reappoint Jim Brady to the Board of Adjustment for an additional three years, while moving Anthony Donato from a board alternate to a full-time member for three years.

Planning Board conflict of interest policy

 4  1 to adopt a conflict of interest policy for the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment that will force Clark Doggett to resign from the Planning Board.

Last month, Hamilton asked Town Attorney Bob Hornik to draft a policy prohibiting relatives of a council member from serving on the boards to align with conflict-of-interest rules for other town boards and committees.

The policy adopted by the council states that “an immediate family member of a Town Council member or the Mayor may not serve as a voting member on the Planning Board or the Board of Adjustment.’’

Clark Doggett’s son, John, serves on the council. Both father and

son supported the text amendment adopted by the council last October to create a zoning district that would accommodate Couch’s plans for Summerfield’s first apartments.

Newly seated council members Hamilton and Clay have criticized the council’s negotiations with Couch, while DeVaney and Robinson voted against the text amendment.

“No one is attacking Clark Doggett,” Hamilton said. However, Doggett’s wife, Jane, John Doggett and his sister, Beth Kaplan, disagreed.

“We do take it personally,” said John, the only council member who voted against adoption of the policy.

Kaplan said the council wants “to rewrite the conflict of interest policy so that they can start systematically removing Planning Board members that don’t vote the way they feel they should vote.”

After the council’s vote to adopt the conflict-of-interest policy, Jane Doggett spoke from the audience. A former

council member, she said she and her family members have volunteered and supported Summerfield as part of their “civic duties” to the town.

Doggett said she plans to resign her committee assignments. She serves as an ex-officio member of the Trails and Open Space and Founders’ Day committees.

Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway

 5  0 to instruct the Trails and Open Space Committee to evaluate and prepare a proposal to shift the course of the southern leg of the Atlantic and Yadkin (A&Y) Greenway.

As previously envisioned, the trail will exit the U.S. 220 pedestrian tunnel and turn immediately south along the highway toward Lake Higgins. The route follows the watershed and tracks north before connecting with Summerfield Road past the mobile home park.

Partly due to objections from some property owners along the route, town

...continued on p. 32

State highway planners were supportive of the proposed route that would turn north from the pedestrian tunnel. It would follow the sidewalk along U.S. 220 before traveling along the eastern side of Summerfield Road, opposite the mobile home park.

The council plans to hold a meeting to gather feedback from Summerfield Road property owners and others in town, according to Whitaker. It will also have to negotiate with engineering firm Kimley-Horn to perform a survey and other evaluations of the stretch of Summerfield Road proposed for the greenway, he said.

The shorter route may offset costs that have spiraled upward since the pandemic, Sessoms said.

“It makes total sense to me to go down Summerfield Road,” said Priscilla Olinick, who grew up and still lives

on Pleasant Ridge Road property that backs up to the Lake Higgins watershed. After rain, the area is so swampy that a bridge may be required for the trail.

Earlier in the meeting, Ginger Lambrecht, chair of the Trails and Open Space Committee, said the committee was aware of exploratory discussions to relocate the greenway. She said Summerfield Road is already a popular route for cyclists, runners and pedestrians.

Placing the trail to the stretch of road would support “safe connectivity,” she said.

CLOSED SESSION

 4  1 (Doggett opposed) not to extend Whitaker’s annual employment contract. The council voted in public session after discussing the terms of the manager’s employment in closed session. (See related article on FC.)

celebrating 27 years of covering northwest Guilford County’s local matters www. nwobserver .com

Barbour

staff recently explored with the North Carolina Department of Transportation an alternate route, Whitaker told the council.

Ordinary people, Extraordinary impact

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibran

Sondra Beene, spreading joy and caring for others

‘I just enjoy doing for other folks. It’s the Christian thing to do.’

by ANNETTE JOYCE

You don’t have to be around Sondra Beene more than a few minutes before you realize how caring and full of joy she is. She’ll tell you it comes from knowing Jesus, and sharing His love is what motivates her to give so much of herself to serving others.

From founding and directing the Stokesdale Community Choir to regularly checking in on friends and neighbors, Beene finds countless ways to show others she cares about them.

In 2015, she organized what was then a senior adult choir consisting of 16 singers.

“Even though God spoke to her and told her to start a choir, she said ‘no’ for months,” Pete, her husband said.

“I felt I wasn’t competent – that I wasn’t talented enough,” Beene said. “I just didn’t feel I had the ability.”

She finally gave in, and credits God with leading the way from there. These days, Beene works with a choir of about 44 community members ranging from 30 to 90 years old. The group performs two concerts a year at Gideon Grove Church in Stokesdale, as well as at local retirement homes a week prior to their major performances and a week after.

Over the years, Beene has sought ways to ensure the group is about more than singing and just as much about fellowship. Refreshments are

served during their Monday morning practices and outside of practice times they often get together for meals at restaurants.

“I most enjoy the fellowship and the laughter,” she said.

Giveaways at the concerts are plentiful, and include money, gift cards – and once, even a storage building donated by the House of Stars which Pete managed for several years (the building was given to a veteran at one of the choir’s patriotic concerts). And of course, refreshments are always served at the concerts.

“I want to make it fun for everyone,” Beene said. Besides working with the choir, she often fills in at churches that need a temporary pianist until a permanent one is in place. Upon request, she’s also sung for people at their loved one’s funeral.

Beene has a special place in her heart for the elderly, and often visits residents living in retirement homes. Two of her favorite things are playing handbells and leading sing-alongs, and she and her sister have also hosted bingo (as well as donated prizes).

A caring and thoughtful “people person,” Beene regularly reaches out to neighbors and friends to check on them and make sure they’re okay. She also has what Pete refers to as her “card ministry,” and he estimates she mails 40 to 50 cards every month just to let people know she’s thinking of them.

It doesn’t stop there, though. She also has a heart for children and has been involved in several children’s ministries at Woodbine Baptist Church in Mayodan, where she and Pete are members. Most recently, she was co-director of Vacation Bible School and director of the children’s Christmas musical.

A former special education teacher, Beene volunteers at Huntsville Elementary School in Madison, where she helps with festivals, dances and plays the piano for special events.

“I just enjoy doing for other folks. It’s the Christian thing to do,” she said. “We are so blessed and the least I can do is bless others.”

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Sondra Beene loves Jesus, music and finding ways to show others she cares about them

OAK RIDGE town council

FEB. 1 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by CHRIS

BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Mayor Jim Kinneman called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone and council members Ann Schneider, Jim Harton and Michael Greeson present. Oak Ridge resident Mike Hansen offered the invocation.

PROCLAMATION

Cheer champions. Mayor Kinneman read a proclamation congratulating Northwest Guilford High School’s competitive cheer team and coaching staff for winning the 2024 National Cheerleading Association Championship.

The team made history as the first in North Carolina to win the national honor, and followed six successive victories as state champions since 2018.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Sheriff’s Office. Deputy V. Chusakul reported the District 1 office responded to 147 calls for service in Oak Ridge in January, resulting in 12 formal case reports.

Officers are investigating the

theft of construction equipment and building materials from multiple residential construction sites, according to the report. Separately, a 21-year-old employee of McDonald’s was charged with larceny by an employee after he was reported for stealing from the business.

Fire Department. Fireman/EMT Devin Teague reported the department responded to 92 calls last month; of those, 31 were EMS-related calls, five related to structure fires and one to a brush fire.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Mountains-to-Sea

Trail easement

 5  0 to continue until the council’s May 2 meeting the public hearing on the disputed Mountains-to-Sea Trail easement next to the Bear Creek subdivision. (See related article on front cover)

N.C. 150 rezoning request

 5  0 to approve the rezoning of 52 acres on N.C. 150 from residential

(RS-30) and agricultural (AG) to conditional residential (CZ-RS-40) for the development of a subdivision. As conditions of the request, applicants Billy Kanoy and Denise Kanoy said the number of building lots won’t exceed 28 and the use of the property will be limited to single-family detached housing. (See related article on p. TK.)

PUBLIC COMMENTS

„ Eric Strimple recommended the town install synthetic turf on the two multi-purpose fields under construction in Heritage Farm Park.

“There’s got to be money somewhere for synthetic fields,’’ Strimple said. While grass is great,’’ he explained that fields with artificial turf would be available for play year-round and generate usage fees for baseball, lacrosse and soccer tournaments.

Kinneman told Strimple that synthetic grass has already been installed on the fields.

„ Michael Logan, District 3 representative on the Guilford County Board of Education, urged people in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale to “get involved’’ in pushing Guilford County Schools (GCS) to expedite spending of bond funds in the northwestern por-

tion of the county.

As of mid-January, the acquisition of land for a new Northwest Guilford Middle School at a cost of $7.5 million was the only northwest-area project listed as a priority of GCS’s bond program. So far, $2.26 million has been committed for buying land.

Logan added that some of the bond money earmarked for deferred maintenance of facilities countywide will go toward HVAC improvements at Oak Ridge Elementary School.

Logan reiterated comments that he offered at Stokesdale Town Council’s meeting last month, when he said plans for building a 1,200-seat northwest-area high school with an aviation technology magnet program have been taken off the priority list for bond funding.

Later in Oak Ridge’s meeting, Stone said funding for northwest-area schools is “really thin’’ and “just ought to be called out.’’

„ Tomakio Gause introduced herself as a Democratic candidate in the March 5 primary for the county District Court judgeship being vacated by retiring Teresa Vincent. A Jamestown resident, Gause cited her 18 years of experience in practicing civil and criminal

Mike Stone mayor pro tem

Jim Kinneman mayor

Ann Schneider

Jim Harton Michael Greeson

law and her volunteerism, such as mentoring at the Women’s Resource Center, as qualifying her to serve as a judge.

„ Bill Goebel said he’s collected 75% of the 2,136 signatures he needs to run as an independent in the District 3 school board race in the Nov. 5 election.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Board reappointments

 5  0 to reappoint John Jenkins and Paul Kress to two-year terms on the Finance Committee and Edyie Bryant and Danielle Walraven (alternate) to one-year terms.

 5  0 to reappoint Michael Bell to the Board of Adjustment.

Separately, Gigi Williams withdrew from seeking reappointment to the Tree Committee.

 5  0 to add Gumwood Road (extension) to the state’s road maintenance system.

 5  0 to end the town’s participation in a U.S. Geological Survey groundwater monitoring program after the annual cost increased from $5,000 to $6,600.

Oak Ridge has participated in the program since 2008. The agency compiled data from the town’s well and others across the region and the state to create a historical record of groundwater levels.

The information “in its raw form has little practical value for staff,’’ according

to a Jan. 26 memo from Town Manager Bill Bruce. It also has generated little interest among residents, despite the posting of a link to the program on the town’s website, he said

Haw River Road digital speed sign. Digital monitoring of traffic speeds on Haw River Road last year “indicates that the radar sign has calmed traffic,” according to a Jan. 31 memo by

Ashley Royal, deputy town clerk. Bruce presented the findings to the council.

(See related article in News Briefs) Road improvements update. Bruce reported the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) plans to start N.C. 68 and 150 improvements in Oak Ridge’s commercial district in late spring, pushing back the initial start date of mid-March.

Bruce shared NCDOT’s plans for routing traffic during construction. At least one lane of Highways 68 and 150 will always be open, with both lanes open during “the school rush’’ in the morning, he said. At least one entrance/exit will be open in Oak Ridge Commons and the Marketplace shopping centers at all times.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Members of Northwest High School’s competitive cheerleading team pose with head coach Jennifer Loveday-Donovan (second row, second from right) and Oak Ridge Town Council members at the council’s meeting on Feb. 1 after Mayor Jim Kinneman read a proclamation congratulating the team on winning the 2024 National Cheerleading Association championship.

The town manager also noted that Linville Road may be closed to thru traffic at some point, requiring the rerouting of traffic.

Veterans Honor Green restricted fund

 5  0 to establish a restricted fund for the second phase of Veterans Honor Green, after council member Harton recently donated his annual stipend pay.

Due to costs, the council broke the project down into two phases, starting with the construction of the veterans’

memorials in Heritage Farm Park. As funding allows, a second phase will include the construction of a boardwalk leading to an area with benches in a pine grove, providing shade in hot weather and a place to rest and reflect while viewing the Honor Green.

NEW BUSINESS

Water distribution agreement

 5  0 for Oak Ridge to enter a 30-year agreement with the WinstonSalem/Forsyth County Utilities Commission to buy up to 350,000 gallons of water a day; the town plans to use the water for both firefighting and human consumption.

As proposed, the water will flow

through a pipe along N.C. 150 from Kernersville to an elevated storage tank to be erected behind Town Hall on Linville Road. Property owners along N.C. 150 will be able to tap into the line, Bruce said. Hydrants are planned at 1,000-foot intervals to aid firefighting.

The town has four years to start using water. If it does not, the agreement will terminate without penalty. Separately, if Oak Ridge doesn’t tap into Forsyth County’s water, it won’t be required to pay a one-time reserve capacity fee of $224,000, Bruce said.

Later in the meeting, Oak Ridge resident and former councilman George McClellan described the agreement as “truly a momentous event” marking Oak Ridge’s efforts to create a municipal water system over the past 25 years.

Meeting schedule revision

 5  0 to change the start time of the council’s CIP (Capital Improvement Planning) meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 2 p.m. to 11 a.m.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee. Chair Anne Steele said committee member Mike Kimel is working on a proposal for the construction of a trail information kiosk at Town Park.

Conservation Easement Committee. Chair Stephanie Farrell reported that discussions are progressing between the committee, town staff and five property owners who are considering placing their land under conservation easements.

Special Events Committee. Chair Patti Dmuchowski reported the town’s 25th annual volunteer dinner last month was “an amazing event” with more than 100 people in attendance.

Tree Committee. Co-chair Austin Goldman reported that a state forester examined the three pine groves in Heritage Farm Park and determined the trees are in “good condition.” By

contrast, a gum tree in Town Park is dying and needs to be cut down, he said.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Co-chair John Garrett reported the board approved a project for Boy Scout Troop 779 to install five “pollinator hotels” for honey bees, bumble bees and other insects; he noted they won’t be located near trails, playgrounds or other areas where people congregate.

Triad Municipal ABC Board. Oak Ridge representative Jimm Barbery reported the town collected a recordsetting $109,555 in ABC profits last quarter.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Comments by some council members focused on the opposition of Bear Creek homeowners to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail easement.

„ Greeson told easement opponents that he understands “where you’re coming from.”

„ Stone suggested the town try to facilitate conversations between differing parties to resolve the easement dispute.

„ Schneider said she opposes Stone’s idea of allowing committee members to aid negotiations because “it’s a legal issue at this point. I wouldn’t want to put them in that position.”

„ “All of our public amenities are in someone’s backyard,” Kinneman said. “Even if we move this easement, it’s going to be in someone else’s back yard or side yard.”

„ Harton reminded the council that some big donors to the Veterans Honor Green had given money for the entire project – both the memorials and the boardwalk. At the time of their giving, they didn’t know the project would be broken into two phases, he said.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Call or text: 336-274-7649

NWHS Coach Ron

Bare recognized for 600 wins

Described as humble, a ‘man of few words’ and a ‘pillar of coaching excellence,’ Northwest High School’s wrestling coach is celebrated for 600 dual wins

By PATTI STOKES

Ron Bare has been at the center of Northwest Guilford High School’s wrestling program since he accepted a teaching position at the school in 1989. He served as an assistant wrestling coach for seven years before taking over as head coach in 1996. On Jan. 23, Bare was presented with a plaque in honor of 600 dual wins (as of Dec. 21) during his high school head coaching career.

A quiet man who is quick to direct attention away from himself and onto his players, Bare is known for his attention to detail, calm demeanor – and his humility. Even after his wrestlers won a dual team state championship last year –the second state championship under Bare’s coaching in four

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years – he was quick to give his wrestlers all the credit.

“The kids really have to rely on their teammates to be successful. We had a really great team effort. They set their goal last year and did everything I asked them to do, in-season and off-season,” he said in an interview with the Northwest Observer in February 2023.

And just what did he ask of his players? In short, to work hard, be disciplined, condition themselves mentally and physically, and commit to a long season.

In recognition of Bare’s latest accomplishment, we asked some of the coaches and staff members who have known him the longest to share their thoughts on this unassuming

coach and mentor, and here’s what they had to say…

John Shumate is the wrestling coach at Northwest Middle School.

“Coach Ron Bare has a very disciplined and measured approach to coaching. I’ve learned a lot from him over the last 27 years, mostly regarding doing the right things and doing things the right way,” Shumate said.

“We (Northwest) win the right way

and we lose the right way. We put in the hard work every day to get better.

“Just a comment: our wrestling room won’t accommodate all the wrestlers in one practice. Most days the JV wrestlers will practice from 4 to 6 p.m. and the varsity practices from 6 to 8 p.m. I look up at the high school most nights when my middle school practice ends at 6 p.m. and think about Ron’s practice just starting… I don’t know how he does it day after day.”

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Ron Bare (left), Northwest High School’s head varsity wrestling coach, receives congratulations from Athletic Director Jason Allred on Jan. 23 at a ceremony celebrating Bare’s 600 dual wins as of Dec. 21

Derrick Rice is the JV coach for Northwest High School and one of the assistant coaches to Coach Bare.

“My first time meeting Coach Bare was in 2007, when I was a high school wrestler at East Forsyth High School,” Rice said. “It was a match for the Conference Championship against Northwest High School, and we lost. I remember the structure and culture he and that team had like it was yesterday. So, coming in to coach and teach at the school 15 years later, I was eager to see just how this man does what he does.

“It's amazing – his attention to detail and how he holds his athletes accountable both in the classroom and on the mat; the coaches who care about him and this program, and how wrestlers he coached still come back

youth link

“He has built an unbelievable culture here. His drive, determination, and passion are contagious. I woke up every morning during the season knowing it was going to be a long day, but a rewarding one. Not many people get to say they are coaching with and learning from one of the best coaches they possibly could. I soak it up like a sponge. 600+ hard-fought dual wins do not come easy, but his structure has proven why it is possible.”

Jason Allred is NWHS’s athletic director.

“Coach Bare is a pillar of coaching excellence in high school sports. Despite his consistently calm demeanor, he has a passion and intensity when it comes to wrestling,” Allred said. “His attention to detail is evident in how his athletes are prepared to

“600 wins is a tremendous milestone and Coach Bare is deserving of the highest praise, but he is always quick to give credit to the athletes he has worked with over the years. So not only is he a great coach, he has continued to remain humble and that is a rare quality today.”

Lee Reavis is the head men’s basketball coach at NWHS.

“Coach Bare has a huge impact on our Northwest community, school and obviously our athletic programs here at NWHS,” Reavis said. “He continues to lead us towards a standard of excellence through his hard work and dedication to students, staff and the entire Northwest community.”

Ashley Young is the principal at NWHS.

with Coach Bare for 18 years,” Young said. “He has remained humble through the years, but he is always very eager to praise his athletes. While Coach Bare is a man of few words, the care and concern he has for Northwest High School student-athletes is obvious. We are very proud of his accomplishments, and thankful for all that he has done for the Northwest community.”

Among his many accomplishments, Bare has coached 25 regional champions, 58 state place-winners, and nine individual state champions winning 12 state titles. He has been named conference coach of the year 19 times and in 2019 was named the Mat News 4A Coach of the Year. In 2019, Bare also received the NCHSAA’s prestigious “Toby Webb Outstanding Coach Award” and is the first wrestling coach

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One good hunt could mean food for a week!

Tigers primarily hunt deer, but they can also eat wild boars, birds, fish, rodents, amphibians, reptiles and even insects. A large deer can provide a tiger with one week’s food, but only one out of every ten hunts is successful.

Kids’ Korner

Student ambassador program offers opportunities for involvement, leadership

By BREANNA ADAMICK

NW GREENSBORO – Northwest Middle School recently implemented a program in which selected students are invited to become student ambassadors for their school.

The foundation for the program first began around two years ago after the school counselors discussed the possibility of more actively including students in representing the school. Initially, a student’s involvement was limited to providing school tours to incoming students and their families, but the recently expanded program offers selected student ambassadors the opportunity to engage in a variety

of activities, from assisting school faculty and staff in the office, setting up and speaking at events such as the monthly Spotlight Breakfast – an event honoring students who have displayed a specific positive character trait –and participating in local town council meetings by handing out agendas and leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, both from families and the student ambassadors themselves. Counselors Katie Thompson and Sharla Martin, leaders of the student ambassador program for Northwest Middle School, work to ensure the

...continued on p. 43

Photo by Francine Bock (ELA teacher at NWMS)

Northwest Middle School student ambassadors (L-R) Annabelle Lee, Jackson Brady, Ray Phelps, Kessler Bock and Holden Bullins pose with then Oak Ridge Town Council mayor Ann Schneider (center) at the council’s Dec. 7, 2023 meeting, when the ambassadors passed out meeting agendas and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

administrator. Councilman Jonathan Hamilton suggested two options for the council: renegotiating Whitaker’s contract or starting the search for a new manager.

“We are clearly giving him notice,” Hamilton said shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday after the council emerged from the approximately 1 ¾-hour closed session during which it discussed the terms of Whitaker’s contract.

Hamilton joined Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Janelle Robinson and Heath Clay in voting against extending the manager’s contract. Councilman John Doggett voted in opposition to the move.

In years past, Whitaker’s contract has essentially renewed automatically, with little public discussion by council members except for praise for his performance that accompanied

annual pay increases.

After Wednesday’s meeting, DeVaney declined to explain why she voted against extending the manager’s contract after supporting pay raises for him in recent years. About six months ago, DeVaney joined Robinson and other council members at that time in the unanimous approval of the 5% raise for Whitaker.

Roughly a year earlier, Sessoms presented a plaque to Whitaker congratulating him for 10 years of service to the town.

“No

one

else cares as much as this guy does,”

Sessoms said during the council’s meeting in June 2022, as DeVaney, Robinson and other council members flanked the manager.

“He

does a magnificent job.”

Wednesday morning, Clay offered a partial explanation for the vote

on the manager’s contract. While appreciative of Whitaker’s historical knowledge about town affairs, Clay said he considered the manager’s contract to be an unjust agreement’’ that favored Whitaker and provided limited safeguards” for the town.

Several years ago, the council added a severance agreement to Whitaker’s contract, entitling the manager to roughly a year’s salary, he said in an interview last week. After the meeting, Whitaker declined to comment on the council’s vote.

Public notice of the council’s intent to discuss the manager’s contract in closed session created anticipation for town staff and drew criticism from some residents in posts on the Northwest Observer’s Facebook page.

Vicky Bridges, chair of the town’s Finance Committee, joined others in supporting Whitaker. She praised the manager for his “depth and breadth of knowledge” in day-to-day operations, as well as annual budget preparation, capital spending and other long-term planning.

Calling Whitaker a “true asset” for Summerfield, resident Pam Tocornal said letting him go would be “horrible.’’

Bridges added that “some of our council members don’t understand finance. They don’t understand what it takes to run a town. We need someone who can do that.’’

Signs of tension and distrust have arisen between Whitaker and the new majority of the council created by the Nov. 7 election. While asking for better communication from town staff, the council’s majority has scrutinized Whitaker’s decision making and the town’s spending on major projects such as Bandera Farms Park, the proposed municipal water system and a proposed Welcome

to Summerfield sign on U.S. 220 at Strawberry Road.

The majority consists of newly elected Hamilton and Clay, DeVaney, who was re-elected, and Robinson, who wasn’t up for re-election. On the other hand, Mayor Tim Sessoms and Doggett have aligned with the manager.

Whitaker “has done nothing but work hard for the town of Summerfield and the wishes of the majority of the council,” the mayor said in an interview earlier this week before the council’s vote.

The majority’s scrutiny turned to criticism during the meeting. They questioned Whitaker and Sessoms about their recent meeting with landowner David Couch, asking whether they discussed the state legislature’s de-annexation threat.

The mayor and the manager said they discussed with Couch the possible location of public trails on his property, not de-annexation or the text amendment adopted by the council last October in an effort to discourage Couch from seeking de-annexation.

Robinson sought a pledge from Sessoms and town staff that they’d alert all council members if they plan to meet with Couch again. Some council members may want to suggest questions for Couch and attend the meeting, she said.

Clay said he’s not met Couch.

“This citizen is not an ordinary citizen,’’ said Hamilton, who has taken responsibilities from the mayor in deciding how the council should respond to the de-annexation threat.

Shortly after midnight Wednesday, Whitaker initially entered the closed session with the council, Town Attorney Bob Hornik and Town Clerk Sarah Tibbetts. Whitaker then exited the session, giving the council more time to discuss the contract before calling him back into the session. The council reconvened in public session, voted on Whitaker’s contract and quickly adjourned.

“What has been done to Scott is an unimaginable injustice,” Sessoms said in an interview hours after the meeting’s 1 a.m. end time. “That they could do this to someone who has worked so hard on behalf of our town and who has done nothing to deserve the way he has been treated is so wrong.

“To let Scott go shows these guys

STUDENT AMBASSADORS

program is as beneficial to new students and their families as it is to the students.

Through participating as a student ambassador, it is hoped that each student will grow in their presentation and public speaking skills, gain confidence and further their leadership abilities. The successful achievement of these goals by many of the ambassadors has already been realized, even in such a short history of the program, the counselors say.

Student ambassadors must be selected by at least three teachers. In addition, they must be in seventh or eighth grade and have demonstrated their ability to keep up with all class assignments despite their extracurricular activities. The ambassadors make up about 5% of the entire student body, and before being selected must have demonstrated maturity, leadership potential and determination, making them excellent candidates for a program designed to both showcase and enhance those qualities.

Three such student ambassadors, Morgan Jackson, Sara Erwin and Robert Caldwell, have found the program to be rewarding and enjoyable throughout the nearly two years they have been participating. Now in eighth grade and nearing the end of their middle school student ambassador experience, they recently

...continued from p. 43

reflected on their favorite part of the program.

“My favorite part of being a student ambassador is meeting new people, giving tours and having a great time at school with friends,” Robert Caldwell said.

In addition to having fun, new experiences, these student ambassadors all feel they have benefited in other ways from this program. Stating that she wants to become a veterinarian, Sara Erwin remarked, “This [experience] will help me a lot. The career I want to go into involves talking to new people and helping them find their way around,” which are skills she and her peers now possess and can attribute to their time as student ambassadors.

have never run a staff before, and what they have done to the confidence and moral of the entire town staff is a travesty,” he added.

Another option the council didn’t publicly discuss was a possible switch in the form of government to give council members greater authority in running the town. With a majority vote, the council could enact an ordinance to change the town’s form of

government from council-manager, as it operates now, to mayor-council, without an opportunity for citizens to vote on it.

Stokesdale Town Council is organized as a mayor-council form of government, relying upon a clerk and other staff to perform town duties under the direction of the five council members.

This was the first time in state VFW history that two sisters have won 1st place in the state in the same year. The sisters were honored to read their essays to over 300 people attending the VFW’s Council of Administration Banquet in Raleigh on Feb. 3.

Photo courtesy of Julia Denton

Summerfield residents Aubrey Denton (second from left) a high school freshman, and her younger sister Holly (second from right), a sixth grader, pose with their

District 3 candidate

What I plan on doing as your School Board District 3 Representative

Our

children are more important than anything!

I propose a 5-point plan to keep our children safe while getting an excellent education. I’m calling this the “Starfish Plan,” where we collaborate between parents’ rights, school curriculum, local businesses, the faith community and government agencies.

Ultimately, our goal is to prepare our children with a competitive advantage to be productive members of society. We can do this by being “Better Together” as a team.

Starfish

Rights School Curriculum Faith

CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ...

ARSON

Feb. 3 l Officers conducted an arson investigation after two clothing donation bins in the parking lot of Walgreens in Summerfield were found burned.

ASSAULT

Jan. 22 l Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 1800 block of Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge.

Jan. 25 l Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 3900 block of Lewiston Road in northwest Greensboro.

Jan. 25 l A 43-year-old female was arrested in the 6000 block of Lomond Drive in Summerfield (near Northwest School Road) for simple assault.

Jan. 26 l Officers responded to a reported assault in the 8400 block of W. Harrell Road in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N).

Summerfield (off Strawberry Road).

BREAKING & ENTERING

Jan. 17 l A 58-year-old male was arrested in the 800 block of N.C. 68 N/Pleasant Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro for breaking and entering.

DEATH INVESTIGATION

Jan. 15 l Officers conducted a death investigation in the 7100 block of Ellison Road in Stokesdale (off U.S. 158).

DRUGS

Jan. 27 l Officers responded to an attempted suicide via narcotics overdose in the 6900 block of Summerfield Road in Summerfield.

Feb. 1 l An employee of Summerfield Charter Academy reported a known suspect stole 20 Adderall pills.

FALSE PRETENSES

If we can teach our children Duty to God, Duty to Country and Service to Others we will have a strong society. Community Government Agencies

Jan. 27 l Officers responded to a reported physical altercation in the 7700 block of Eversfield Road in Summerfield (off Oak Ridge Road).

Beginning in March, I will give you deep insight into each part of the Starfish Plan.

bill@goebelforcommonground.com

Jan. 27 l Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 8300 block of Wrights Farm Lane in Summerfield (off U.S. 158).

Jan. 28 l A 49-year-old male was arrested in the 6400 block of Winnington Court in northwest Greensboro (near Pleasant Ridge Road) for assault on a female.

Feb. 6 l Officers responded to a reported physical altercation in the 6500 block of Horseman Trail in

Jan. 28 l A 46-year-old male was arrested in the 6800 block of Brookbank Road in Summerfield for obtaining property by false pretenses; the incident involved animal pedigrees.

FOUND/STOLEN PROPERTY

Jan. 30 l Officers discovered a wooden trailer and an air pump that had been stolen from property at the intersection of S. Bunker Hill Road and W. Market Street in Colfax.

Feb. 2 l An employee of Oak Ridge Auto Sales in northwest Greensboro reported a citizen left a black/gold Smith & Wesson firearm with ammunition, a holster and a wallet.

PRE-ORDER BY MARCH 11

z BBQ butt sale l Stokesdale Fire District, 8401 U.S. 158, will take pre-orders for a BBQ butt sale at $40 per butt. Pre-order by Monday, March 11, and pick up Saturday, March 23. Call (336) 643-0790 to order.

SATURDAY,

FEB. 17

z Pancake supper fundraiser/auction l A pancake supper and silent auction will be held at Flat Rock Methodist Church, 6720 U.S.158 in Stokesdale, on Feb. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. Donations accepted for all-you-can-eat pancakes, bacon or sausage, fresh fruit, and a beverage, with all proceeds going to Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show & Rodeo (to be held March 29 and 30). More info: oakridgehorseshow.com, and see ad on p. 36.

TUESDAY,

FEB. 20

z Informational meetings l Town of Summerfield will host two informational meetings for rezoning requests Feb. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Summerfield Town Hall, 4117 Oak Ridge Road. Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov for the meeting agendas.

SATURDAY, FEB. 24

z Food pantry l Good Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry in Stokesdale will open for those in need of food on Feb. 24, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road. More info: (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com.

MONDAY,

FEB. 26

z Lions Club l Oak Ridge Lions Club will meet Feb. 26 at Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons. Members and guests are encouraged to come at 6 p.m. to order dinner and socialize; the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. More info: Jim Kinneman, (336) 207-7166 or james.kinneman@gmail.com.

Wishing our community a healthy, love-filled season!

Set up your FREE consultation today

(336) 644-8078 | orchiro.com

Oak Ridge Business Center

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

z Waggin’ Wild 5K & fun run l Loving Pet Project NC invites dogs and their families to the 11th annual Waggin’ Wild 5K & fun run on March 2 at Bur-Mil Park, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road in northwest Greensboro, starting at 10:35 a.m. More info or to register: https:// runsignup.com/Race/NC/Greensboro/WagginWild5k.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

z Kiwanis Club l Kiwanis Club of NW Guilford will meet March 5, 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.

z SMA meeting l Summerfield Merchants Association invites Summerfield-based professionals to its next meeting on Tuesday, March 5. More info: www.summerfieldmerchant.com (also, see display ad on p. 45).

z Friends of Stokesdale l Friends of Stokesdale will meet March 5, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. More info: www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale.

WEDNESDAY,

MARCH 6

z Blood drive l Morehead UMC at 3214 Horse Pen Creek Road in northwest Greensboro will host a blood drive March 6, 2:30 to 7 p.m. For an appointment, visit www. redcrossblood.org and type ‘27410.’ Walk-ins welcome.

z Community meal l Gideon Grove UMC at 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale will host a free community meal with soup and fixin’s on March 6, 5 to 7 p.m. More info: www.facebook.com/gideongroveumc.

MARCH 6, 12, 14 & 21

z Senior programs | Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor programs for seniors from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon on March 6 at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church (2445 Oak Ridge Road); March 12 at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church (119 N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax); March 14 at Stokesdale United Methodist Church (8305 Loyola Drive); and March 21 at Summerfield First Baptist Church (2300 Scalesville Road). To RSVP, call (336) 373-4816, ext. 265.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7

z Town Council meeting l Oak Ridge Town Council will meet March 7, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for more info or a meeting agenda.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

z Veterans’ coffee l Local veterans are invited for coffee and fellowship at Bethel Methodist Church, 8424 Haw River Road in Oak Ridge, on March 8, starting at 8:30 a.m. More info: Larry McDonald, (336) 215-3141.

MONDAY, MARCH 11

z Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club l NWGWC will hold its monthly meeting March 11, starting at 7 p.m. For more info about the club or to attend as a guest, contact: Tiffany Hansen, president, at (336) 404-8038 or tiffanykhansen96@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

z Town Council meeting l Summerfield Town Council will meet March 12, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov for a meeting agenda.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

z Town Council meeting l Stokesdale Town Council will meet March 14, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Visit www.stokesdale.org for a meeting agenda.

MARCH 15 & 16

z Kids consignment sale l St. Paul’s Catholic Church at 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road in northwest Greensboro will host a kids consignment sale Friday, March 15, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. More info: www.saintpaulskidssale.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

z Northwest Guilford VFW l Northwest Guilford VFW Post 7999 invites veterans to its monthly meeting March 19, 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info: Andy Schlosser, (336) 456-2199, or Rick Dunlap, (336) 601-0941.

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

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

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

kindly allowing us to set up a Girl Scout cookie booth inside the store on Jan. 20, which was a very cold Saturday afternoon. We appreciate this kind gesture.

„ Dillon Tree Service for doing an amazing job taking down trees at our Oak Ridge home and cleaning up afterward. They also have state-of-the-art equipment. I highly recommend them!

house renovation, costing over $650/ sq. ft. in an area where the nicest homes sell for less than half that. Bar Construction will be the only beneficiary of this financial stupidity. Easiest money they’ll ever make.

„ The ignorant person who dumped a dead, headless deer on Linville Road. It stinks, and it is gross. There are tons of wooded areas and even a large dump. Don’t be a jerk.

„ Summerfield Fire Department for helping me figure out the problem with my smoke detectors on Jan. 21 after they kept going off.

„ The Tunnel to Towers Foundation for paying off the mortgage for the family of Sgt. Nix who was killed in the line of duty. This is a great charity – $11.55 a month if you can afford it, and money well spent.

„ Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge for

„ The gentleman in the truck in front of me at McDonalds who paid for our order. The kindness and generosity from a complete stranger was so uplifting, especially after the day I had! I certainly will be paying it forward.

„ The mystery person or persons who surprised Stokesdale Fire Department the morning of Jan. 31 with the fantastic “Congrats Stokesdale Fire #12” yard sign! We recently received a new ISO rating of #2, which we are very proud of.

„ The high school student on Bus 1107 who turned in my child’s lost watch to the bus driver! Also, grins to your parents for teaching you right!

„ Ann Schneider, for your dedication to our town council. Your diligent research, insightful contributions, and impressive command of relevant information make you an invaluable asset. We appreciate your commitment to ensuring informed decision-making for our community’s betterment.

„ Spectrum for losing their contract with ESPN/Disney and blaming them for high prices, which costs us viewers. We pay for these packages, not for your poor business practices and failures. Use your profits to pay them, not punish us!

„ McDonald’s Oak Ridge. I asked to substitute my drink for a McFlurry (60 more cents), but they forgot to add it, so it wasn’t on my receipt. When I asked for it, I didn’t have enough money, so they threw it out.

„ The lady who was smoking underneath the picnic shelter at Oak Ridge Town Park with kids and babies all around her. At least find a secluded spot rather than one with kids so close by.

„ Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughn. Greensboro needs to use city funds and resources for our police department first, then housing, etc. We need law and order and protection, not homes which cannot be protected!

„ The people who cut in the merging drivethrough line at McDonald’s in Oak Ridge. Why are you more important than anyone else in line?

„ The driver of a Rav4 at Starbucks’ intersection with a medium-sized dog on her lap, hanging out the window, and large dogs in passenger and rear seats roaming freely. How do you expect to keep your dogs, others, or yourself safe?

„ Those who support the Redmon

„ The audacity of NC House 62 candidate Ann Schneider, who claims to have been a leader “while never raising taxes” in Oak Ridge! When mayor, she imposed a huge property tax hike, and she knows it. So do we.

Editor’s note: To clarify, when Oak Ridge Town Council voted to approve its FY2022-23 budget, the property tax remained unchanged from previous years (8 cents per $100 valuation). However, when the county released its residential and commercial property revaluations in the spring of 2022, it showed Oak Ridge property values had increased by an average of 23%; as a result, the town’s revenue from property

tax increased. While Oak Ridge property owners are still paying the same property tax rate as before the revaluation, most property owners’ taxes increased because the value of their property increased – thus the argument that the town voted to increase property taxes when it approved its 2022-23 budget with the same 8% property tax rate.

„ Mike Stone, for his ‘hot mic’ comment disparaging and cursing a citizen who came to speak to Town Council. He owes him and us a public apology. If he cannot respect and serve all our citizens, he should resign.

„ People who don’t understand the drive-thru line system at McDonald’s. It is not “1,2,1,2 order.” Lane 1 can go three times in a row if Lane 2 is slow. Online orders move ahead to keep the food in order at the window.

„ Councilman Mike Stone for his under-the-breath profanity directed at a citizen during the Feb. 1 Town Council meeting. Such disgraceful

conduct demonstrates the hypocrisy of Mr. Stone’s calls for increased ethics and transparency in our town’s government.

„ Oak Ridge Swim Club management for not letting me (a senior citizen) park my car in the lot during off-season while walking my dog. Support local small businesses? How about local small businesses supporting local seniors?

„ Jennifer Mun and the wonderful staff at Bistro 150 for the wonderful food and service provided to the ladies of Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church at our recent visit. We’re grateful to have you in the Oak Ridge community.

„ Happy Tail Puppies for selling puppies with Giardia (a parasite that is contagious to humans) and gripes to Oak Ridge for allowing this business in our community in the first place.

„ The two men who dumped a donation bin into the grass on Bronco Lane in Summerfield and set it on fire at

3 a.m., and then quickly fled. I hope you know the police are looking for you!

„ Oak Ridge Councilman Mike Stone, who talks about showing “a little grace” on nextdoor.com but who gives no grace or respect to the constituents who disagree with him and who believes that vulgar name-calling at a Town Council meeting is acceptable.

„ Cone Pharmacy at Drawbridge Parkway in northwest Greensboro. Thanks for helping me get the medicine I needed and fighting thru the bureaucracy of Cigna Insurance company. You all are awesome, and God bless you for what you all do!

„ NWHS for taking WIN away from 10th graders for a presentation about

class rings. They don’t graduate for two years and it shouldn’t be mandatory. It especially shouldn’t take away from possible learning time.

„ Newly elected councilman Mike Stone – he needs to apologize and resign after he is heard and recorded calling a private citizen a f***ing idiot during the most recent town meeting. He once again shows his true colors.

„ The company responsible for grading and laying the asphalt for the walking path at Heritage Park. What a poor job and waste of money. When it rains, there are water puddles all along the sidewalk making a messy, unenjoyable walk.

Years

  

 





  

GRINS & GRIPES

...continued from p. 47

„ Rockingham County elected representatives. The casino looks like a done deal. The power lines to the site have been upgraded and the green sewer pipe along U.S. 220 will soon be buried.

„ Mike Stone. “I intend to return integrity,” he said when campaigning. Yet, his under-the-breath profanity towards a former council member during the Feb. 1 council meeting were captured on the YouTube recording, 43:30 and 52:08 minutes in.

„ The Mayor of Summerfield for meeting with David Couch without including the rest of the Town Council.

Remember you are a figurehead with no vote, responsible to the Town Council and people!

Outside the

…

The following reader-submitted GRIPES express opinions about state and/or national topics, and have been separated from the other Grins and Gripes as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on state and/ or national political and other non-local topics in a local newspaper.

GRIPES to...

„ ACC presidents and athletic

An association of professionals supporting each other and our community

For more info about SMA:

email info@summerfieldmerchant.com visit www.summerfieldmerchant.com or Facebook.com/SummerfieldMerchantsAssociation

Thanks to Emma Legg (left) and Sydney Foley, co-owners of Kindred Interior Studios, for hosting our meeting on Feb. 6!

Join us for our next monthly meeting on Tuesday, March. 5, from 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. RSVP on our website.

directors for voting Cal, Stanford and SMU into the Atlantic Coast Conference. Why do we need teams from the other side of the country to make profits? Just pure greed!

„ For those who are going to vote for President Biden, don’t. Please don’t

CRIME..continued from p. 44

Feb. 3 l Officers seized a firearm and several rounds of ammunition in the 6000 block of Lomond Drive in Summerfield (near Northwest School Road).

FRAUD

Jan. 24 l A worker on a construction site in the 6300 block of Whitaker Trace in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 150 W) reported an unknown suspect stole a pallet fork attachment and a grapple rake attachment, with a combined value of $5,850.

Jan. 31 l A resident of the 7500 block of Summerfield Road reported an unknown suspect defrauded her of $56,940.95 over the course of 11 transactions.

Feb. 2 l A resident of the 8200 block of Coldwater Road in Stokesdale (off Belews Creek Road) reported a known suspect defrauded him of $21,845.97 during two transactions.

LARCENY

Jan. 18 l A 21-year-old male was arrested in the 8000 block of Marketplace Drive in Oak Ridge for four counts of larceny by servants and/or other employees.

Feb. 11 l A 19-year-old female was arrested in the 4500 block of Peeples Road in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N) for larceny.

THEFT

Jan. 18 l An employee of Food Lion in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect shoplifted three cans of beer, with a retail value of $7.

Jan. 19 l A cashier at Dollar General

contribute to elder abuse. The U.S. is in such a chaotic mess under his presidency. God, please protect us in 2024.

„ Senator Tillis for flip flopping on the border bill when the former president came out against it. It should be country before party.

on Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect shoplifted two pairs of pants and a pack of socks, worth $45 altogether.

Jan. 22 l An employee of Priority One Auto Sales in Stokesdale reported that between Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 an unknown suspect stole a white 2019 Dodge Ram.

Jan. 23 l An employee of Oak Ridge Auto Sales in northwest Greensboro reported an unknown suspect stole a vehicle, but it was later recovered.

Jan. 24 l A worker on a construction site in the 6300 block of Andrew Henry Court in Oak Ridge (near Alcorn Road) reported an unknown suspect stole several windows, worth $9,500 altogether.

Jan. 26 l An employee of Walgreens in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect shoplifted a pack of Crest 3D white strips worth $64.

Jan, 30 l A worker on an industrial site in the 7900 block of Winfree Road in Summerfield (off U.S. 220 N) reported an unknown suspect stole $2,500 worth of copper wire.

Feb. 6 l A citizen at Oak Ridge Town Park reported an unknown suspect broke into her vehicle through a window and stole her purse, which contained her wallet and glasses.

VANDALISM

Feb. 1 l Officers responded to a report of damaged property at a home in the 8500 block of Benbow-Merrill Road in Oak Ridge (off Beeson Road) and found $200 worth of damage to grass in the yard.

FOSTERING FOR TGRR

...continued from p. 23

After meeting with TGRR president Faye Wilhite, Williams was completely on board and eager to help.

“I really wanted to be heavily involved with the dogs and people,” she said.

Her first volunteer jobs with the organization were conducting phone interviews with potential adopters and picking up surrendered dogs. The more she volunteered, the more responsibilities she took on wherever she saw a need. Within a year, Williams accepted an invitation to join the organization’s board of directors.

Around that time, she decided to give fostering a try. With the blessing of her husband, Stuart, she brought home two 8-week-old puppies from a litter that had been surrendered to Forsyth Humane Society. Since then, she has fostered other dogs, bringing the total to 13.

While that may seem like a lot to some people, Williams pointed out that TGRR has volunteers who have fostered many more dogs than she and her husband have. In fact, over the years one local couple has shared their home with 87 rescues.

As a fos ter, Williams is helping to provide one of the organization’s most vital needs – providing a home for a rescue until it can be evaluated, make

whatever adjustments are needed and placed in a loving permanent home.

TGRR is constantly on the lookout for foster homes for its dogs. Williams said the group has already taken in nine dogs this year and has 10 on the waiting list for foster homes.

“We just don’t have enough fosters,” she said.

Fostering isn’t that difficult for those who have the inclination, Williams noted.

“All you need is a willingness to take a dog who’s not perfect and have the patience to allow them to settle,” she said, adding that a structurally fenced yard is the one requirement that’s not negotiable.

TGRR covers all the expenses of caring for the dog.

“We provide everything you need – crates, all the food and vet services,” she said. “If you have a dog (with behavioral issues) that requires training, we’ll send them to a professional trainer.”

Williams noted that Tri City Canine and Cultured Canine, both located in Winston-Salem, have done an amazing job with helping dogs overcome behaviors that might hinder their adoption.

Each foster is assigned a dog support person who is available to answer questions, provide

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT MARCH 21

To place a DISPLAY

transportation for the dog if needed, and to do as much as possible to ensure a positive experience for both the dog and the foster.

And about those foster fails? Williams is the first to admit they can be both a good and a bad thing. While the dog has found a loving home, the rescue organization often loses a foster home if the adopter decides one dog is enough. She advises someone who is considering providing a permanent home for a dog to look at adopting a dog that would be the best fit for their home and situation.

Besides a need for more foster homes, TGRR relies on donations to

cover expenses, especially veterinary bills.

“All our dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations and they’re spayed and neutered if they’re at least 12 months old,” Williams said. “Plus, a lot of dogs come to us with medical issues. On average, we spend about $1,000 per dog and the only way we cover that cost is through fundraisers and donations.”

want to help?

To make a donation, volunteer, or consider fostering a golden retriever, visit www.tgrr.org

the meeting persists, efforts to agree upon the trail’s route on the eastern side of Oak Ridge may prove difficult.

Even after the council voted earlier this month to continue, or delay, the public hearing until its May 2 meeting, several property owners used the public comments section of the February meeting to voice their opposition to the easement.

The easement is an 8-foot-wide strip of land set aside for a future section of the MST, a North Carolina mountains-to-coast trail that bisects Oak Ridge. According to the town, developer Joe Brady offered the easement as he was seeking the town’s approval for plans for Ashford, a new subdivision on Brookbank Road. However, Brady’s lawyer said Oak Ridge forced the developer to offer the easement.

...continued from p. 1

The assertion fueled anger by homeowners in the abutting Bear Creek subdivision. While the easement is located in Ashford, the future trail route touches the eastern side of Bear Creek.

Calling the easement “unauthorized and unprecedented” in Oak Ridge, Lindsey Clark told the council earlier this month that she and other Bear Creek homeowners have retained a lawyer, incurred legal expenses and spent many hours dealing with the “living nightmare that this town has created.”

“We think we’re a better town than that; we think we’re a wonderful town,” said Kevin Brekka, president of Bear Creek’s homeowners association. “But this experience has certainly tested that.”

“It is never too late to do the right

thing,” said Jonathan Deline, who lives in one of the Bear Creek houses that abuts the easement.

The possibility of erecting a fence to separate the easement from its border with Bear Creek arose during discussions between homeowners and town leaders, according to Deline.

“That says so much,’” he said. “Instead of building fences, we should be building bridges across these communities. So, let’s come together and see if we can’t find something in the next three months that’s better than this.”

grant the easement as a condition of the approval of his subdivision plat.

Rust, representing Brady, went on to tell Oak Ridge Attorney Michael Thomas in an Oct. 17 letter that “there has not been a valid acceptance of the plat.”

Thomas countered, telling the lawyers in separate letters last fall that the town didn’t require Brady to grant the easement to obtain approval of his subdivision plat and its recording by Guilford County.

“The town cannot require an easement,” Kinneman reiterated during the council’s Feb. 1 meeting. “We push hard, but there is no strong arming” of developers.

The Greensboro Urban Area is considering upcoming transportation projects for years 2026-2035. The MPO wants YOUR input on:

How

The Greensboro Urban Area is considering upcoming transportation projects for years 2026-2035. The MPO wants YOUR input on:

You may Review and Comment on the ProjectRankingMethodology through March 7

Identified

The dispute surfaced last year when Bear Creek homeowners learned about the easement. It’s part of the trail section that volunteers on the town’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee are building from N.C. 150 near the Pemberley Estates subdivision through the woods to Brookbank Road. From there, the trail travels to the future site of Summerfield’s Bandera Farms Park on Bunch Road.

Brady can seek to revoke the easement in an application that would be reviewed by the town’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Board and decided upon by the Town Council, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce.

Brady started that process last month, when the P&Z board considered his application for removal of the easement. The board has recommended the council deny the application.

Online at: www.guampo.org

Send comments to:

You may Review and Comment on the ProjectRankingMethodology through March 7

Greensboro Urban Area MPO

Online at: www.guampo.org

Send comments to:

P.O. Box 3136

Greensboro, NC 27402 -3136

Greensboro Urban Area MPO

P.O. Box 3136

Greensboro, NC 27402 -3136

or for anyone in need of auxiliary aids or interpretive services to review the material

For more information or for anyone in need of auxiliary aids or interpretive services to review the material (336) 373-3117.

Bear Creek’s opposition intensified last October when Margaret Chase, a Greensboro lawyer representing the subdivision’s HOA and some individual homeowners, sent a letter to town leaders. She told them to “immediately cease and desist from any future development” along the easement. Three individual lots and the subdivision’s common area that abut the easement would be harmed by construction of the trail, she said.

Letters between lawyers in recent months demonstrate the depth of the discord. In a fundamental disagreement, the attorneys representing the developer and Bear Creek homeowners said the town required Brady to

The council scheduled a public hearing on the easement for its meeting on Feb. 1; it decided to delay the hearing until May 2 after learning letters had not been mailed to adjacent property owners advising them of the hearing earlier this month.

Then, scheduling conflicts among some of the parties on the dates of the council’s meetings in March and April pushed the hearing into May.

“Hopefully, this will give time for the developer, the neighborhood and the trail committee to explore alternate easements,’’ Kinneman said.

„ AUTO SALES & SERVICES

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

COX CUSTOM COATINGS, LLC. Automotive paint and body repair in Oak Ridge. In business 5+ years. We work with all insurance companies. Quality work at an affordable price! Call Kyle Cox, (336) 707-6219

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

Luxury Auto Service

Call EuroHaus for the very best in luxury auto service at (336) 891-3876.

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

„ EMPLOYMENT

OAK RIDGE SWIM CLUB is now accepting applications for the 2024 season. We are offering competitive wages for lifeguards, cafe workers, cafe cooks, and greeters! See our website for more info or to apply: www.orcaswim.org.

Experience preferred but not required. (336) 643-5930

NORTHWEST DAY SCHOOL – The Baby House Childcare. Seeking to hire experienced infant and toddler teachers. Full-time and part-time positions available. Pay scale based on experience and education. Nurturing and caring individual a must. Please

„ HOMECARE AVAILABLE

SENIOR HELPERS. Homecare for seniors and others including companion, personal needs, transitional, chronic disease, VA, respite, post-surgery assistance. Can provide house chores as part of service at no extra charge. Knowing your loved one is happy, safe, and cared for is your priority and ours too! Locally owned and operated. Call (336) 893-0300

„ CONSIGNMENT SALE

KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALE. Friday, March 15, 9am-8pm; Saturday, March 16, 8am-1pm. St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, GSO. Some items 50% off on Sat. www.saintpaulskidssale.com.

„ HOME SERVICES

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

A-ACTION AIR. Furnace check-up, $79.95. (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750

CLEANING

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

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

„ HOME SERVICES

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

ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family-owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941

ww w.nwobserver.com

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

ELECTRICAL

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

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC

Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192

„ HOME SERVICES

FLOORING / TILE

MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING

Installation of hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 20 yrs. exp. Free est., excellent references. Visit our new showroom at 605 N. Main St., Kernersville, or Monteros-hardwood-flooring. com, or call (336) 215-8842

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

OLD SCHOOL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

New decks, repairs/replacement, wood rot repairs, bathroom remodeling and other home repairs. “No job too small.” (336) 669-7252 See our display ad on p. 5 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).

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.

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

„ HOME SERVICES

GRADING / HAULING

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

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING

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

GRADING CONSULTANT, Bobby Lipstreu, former owner of H&L Grading. I can match your project to appropriate local contractor. I also provide custom rough-cut cutting with a portable sawmill. (336) 543-7867

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

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot

GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations, assemblies, etc. Light electrical and plumbing. Yard work and power washing. Insured. No job too small. Give Gordon a call, (336) 253-7700

Why

sagging floors...and much more!

WILSON Seamless Gutters

Installation, repair, replacement, Leaf Guard

Stokesdale 336-420-0200

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING

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. See our display ad on p. 46.

DELIMA LAWNCARE. Commercial & residential. Free estimates. (336) 669-5210. See our display ad on p. 17 of this issue.

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

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

BRADY LANDSCAPES. BBB accredited A+. A full-service landscape contracting co. Seasonal color, mulch & pine needles. Shrubbery bed installation & renovation. 40 years exp. Fully insured. FREE EST. (336) 621-2383. www.bradylandscapes.com.

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

STEVE NEWMAN, TREE SERVICE. FREE EST. 40+ yrs. exp. Fully insured. Any phase of tree work. Natural area thinning and cleanup. Oak Ridge. (336) 643-1119

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

„ HOME SERVICES

R C LAWN CARE. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 231-9599.

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE

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

GOSSETT'S LAWNCARE. Complete lawn care/maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. In business for 33 yrs. (336) 451-5216

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

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES

Free estimates. Call (336) 669-5448

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC.

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

MEDLIN'S LANDSCAPING. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 817-3036

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE

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

MASONRY

NEW PHASE CONCRETE. Here for all your concrete needs including pouring driveways, patios, garage slabs, pool decks, etc. Specializing in decorative stamp, stained, epoxy and all other concrete 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

„ HOME SERVICES

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

„ HOME SERVICES

Phil Barker’s Refinishing (336) 275-5056

Furniture Refinishing & Repairs Colored lacquering on furniture

1316 Headquarters Dr., Greensboro, NC Philbarkersrefinishing@gmail.com

PE ARMAN 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

BOB RENTS. Whether you’re planning a small project or a major one, we’ll deliver the tools you need to do the job yourself. (336) 298-8387 See our display ad on p. 5 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).

HOME SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER

Oak Ridge and surrounding area. Will run errands and do light housekeeping. M,W,F. Call (336) 707-4946; ask for Katrena.

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

PAINTING & DRYWALL David

CARLOS & SON PAINTING. Interior & exterior. 24 hours/7 days per week. Free estimates. Licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210 See our display ad on p. 17 of this issue. STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.

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

PLUMBING

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

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.

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

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Senior discount. 44 years exp. (336) 362-6343 or (336) 215-6122

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC

LAWSON'S PAINTING

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.

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. continued on p. 54

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.

„ HOME SERVICES

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

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.

ROOFING

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

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION.

Lifetime shingle and metal roofing Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 362-6343 or (336) 215-6122

DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles, metal, and leak repairs. Certified for 50year non-prorated shingle warranties. Call (336) 268-1908

„ MISC. SERVICES

PIANO LESSONS, all ages and levels, Summerfield area. Patti, (336) 298-4181.

ATCHISON WELDING. General welding, blacksmithing & custom iron work. Local & honest. Mike Atchison, (336) 486-9837 &

KIMBERLY THACKER. Accounting & Tax Services for individuals and businesses. Intuit Quickbooks ProAdvisor. See our display ad on p. 5 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).

PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906

WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR. Call Tim, (336) 402-3869.

locally owned & operated

6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale (336) 643-9963

(affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)

„ MISC. FOR SALE

COMFY CHAIR, opens to twin bed with matching storage ottoman. Very good condition. Perfect in den or cottage for kids or small adult. $200. (757) 620-4471

„ MISC. WANTED

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, mini-bikes, golf carts, go-carts and other gas-powered items. (336) 689-4167

Wanted: FARM EQUIPMENT to buy. All kinds. Please call (336) 430-9507

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

YARN NEEDED to make children's hats for homeless shelter. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155

„ PETS/ANIMAL SVCS

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING, LLC. Certified, bonded & insured. Summerfield/Oak Ridge area. wendycollinspetsitting.com. (336) 339-6845.

When veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare products. For dogs, horses, & cats. At Tractor Supply®

(336) 314-3773 today. Owner financing may be available.

FINISHED CORNER LOT. Located on Stafford Mill Rd., Oak Ridge. (336) 209-1296

„ REAL ESTATE

LAND WANTED

WANTED: LAND. Any size or shape. Vacant or with dwellings. Matters not. We pay CASH! Quick closings! Call (336) 430-9507

VACATION PROPERTY

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 openings for weeks of 6/9 and 8/25. Weekly only in summer months. 3 night min. in other months.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

Gated

(336) 643-9963 • 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale

2016 ZERO-TURN BAD BOY mower. 60inch electric deck. 747 Kohler engine. 368 hours. Good condition. $1,500. (336) 491-1565

HAY for sale, round bales. $40 per bale. (336) 430-9507

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

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