Jan. 23 - 29, 2015
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996
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Looking back, looking forward Compiled by ANNETTE JOYCE In this issue we continue with responses we received from northwest-area elected officials on what they saw as challenges and accomplishments of 2014 and goals for 2015. ”The greatest challenge Stokesdale faced in 2014 and will continue to face is our water system,” says Frank Bruno, mayor pro tem. “This past year, after analyzing the economics of the system, the Bruno council found out we were charging about half of what we were paying Winston-Salem for our water. “For whatever reason, past councils did not raise the rates for our customers to match the raises that Winston-Salem was imposing, thus putting us in a very difficult position. We could continue to
charge less and lose money every month, or raise the rates we are charging. “After holding numerous water system workshops, we reluctantly raised the rates we are charging customers to match what we are paying. This was not an easy decision to make, but for the good of the water system, had to be made. This is Step 1 for making the water system operate in the black. “Moving forward, our challenge will be to expand the system by adding more customers and putting together a fund for needed system maintenance and repairs.”
Jones
Stokesdale Councilman Bill Jones agrees with Mayor Braswell and Councilman Bruno that the biggest challenge the town council faced in 2014 was the municipal water system.
Pedestrian killed on N.C. 68 by GERRI HUNT
Patrol Trooper Chris Knox.
STOKESDALE – A Stokesdale man died Tuesday, Jan. 20, after being hit by a car at about 7:25 p.m. as he tried to cross N.C. Highway 68 just east of U.S. Highway 158.
“The driver was unable to avoid him and struck him,” Knox said.
Kevin Eugene Stinson, 50, of 8030 U.S. Highway 158, was returning home from a trip to a convenience store at the intersection of U.S. 158/N.C. 68 when he stepped in front of a car traveling north on N.C. 68, according to N.C. State Highway
The passenger car was driven by a 28-year-old Summerfield Road resident, who was not injured. The driver remained on the scene and cooperated with investigators, and no charges were filed against him. Stinson was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, Knox said.
“It seemed that every time I looked at a piece of paper with ‘water’ on it, there was a new issue,” says Jones. “We probably have over 1,000 people depending on us to provide them with safe water. We have limited resources to expand the system, and our priority must be on improving efficiency and safety.” Jones says Stokesdale will be fiscally challenged for many years due to maintenance and operating costs for infrastructure, including a 6,600-squarefoot town hall and the expense of nearly $100,000 per year for additional law enforcement. “With an annual budget of about $300,000, there is nothing left to improve the park, provide services to the elderly, etc. The water system has operated at a loss since its inception, and we need
IN THIS ISSUE News in brief.......................... 3 Your Questions ...................... 4 Summerfield Town Council ....6 Firefighter of the Year ........... 8
Congratulations to Tim Frazier! See story on page 8
High School Sports ............. 10 Student Profiles ....................11 Business Notes .................... 14 Bits & Pieces ........................ 14 Community Calendar ........ 15 Crime/Incident Report ....... 16 Letters/Opinions .................17 Grins & Gripes ......................17 Classifieds ........................... 19 Index of Advertisers ........... 23
...continued on p. 18 Photo courtesy of Center for Creative Leadership
The public is invited to a reception and art exhibit at Center for Creative Leadership, One Leadership Place in northwest Greensboro (just past Lake Higgins on U.S. 220) on Friday, Jan. 23, 5 to 7 p.m. More details on p. 14.