Northwest Observer | April 26 - May 2, 2018 by pscommunications

April 26 - May 2, 2018

Photo by Pa� Stokes/NWO

This group from Des�na�on Arts in Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center received the “Most Spirit” award at Northwest Middle School’s third annual Viking Na�on Color Run on April 21. See more photos from this event on p. 30 and at Facebook.com/NorthwestObserver.

Rotruck takes seat at council table, leaves under protest Attorney advises council not to bring special call meeting to order unless Todd Rotruck removes himself from the table by PATTI STOKES SUMMERFIELD – There was no name plate at what had been his designated place at the council table, nor had a chair been placed there for him to sit on. But moments before Summerfield Town Council’s special call meeting on Monday evening was to get underway, Todd Rotruck pulled up a folding chair, sat down at the town council table, and took what had been his usual place beside Councilwoman Teresa Pegram since the two

were sworn into office in December. The meeting was scheduled so that council members could consult with Town Attorney Bill Hill about what their next steps should be after the Guilford County Board of Elections unanimously voted on April 17 that Rotruck had not established permanent residency in Summerfield and ordered that his voter registration be corrected to designate his home on Lewiston Road in Greensboro is his permanent residence. The decision rendered Rotruck ineligible to vote in Summerfield, thereby making him ineligible to hold a council seat in Summerfield. His council seat was declared vacant, effective immediately. Rotruck’s residency was called into question soon after he filed to run for

office last July. It wasn’t until February, however, that Summerfield resident Janelle Robinson brought things to a head by filing a challenge to his voter registration with the BOE, saying Rotruck’s permanent residence was not in Summerfield, rather it was on Lewiston Road in Greensboro. In a text to Robinson last fall Rotruck indicated that he had purchased property on Strawberry Road in July 2016 and moved there with his family the following month. As Robinson noticed the house under extensive construction several months ago, however, she questioned whether Rotruck and his family were living there. As she began to research the

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IN THIS ISSUE Council oks earlier alcohol sale ... 2 Your Questions ............................... 4 News in Brief ................................... 6 Stokesdale Town Council ............. 9 Bits & Pieces ................................. 12 Summerfield Town Council ........ 16 Community reaches out ............ 18 Community Calendar ................22 Crime/Incident Report ...............23 Youth Sync ....................................25 Northern student art show ..........26 Student profiles ............................28 Viking Nation Color Run .............30 Grins & Gripes ..............................32 Letters/Opinions ..........................34 Classifieds ....................................35 Index of Advertisers ....................39 NWO on the Go! ..........................40

Council votes 3-2 to allow earlier Sunday alcohol sales by PATTI STOKES

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STOKESDALE – Effective April 12, Stokesdale retailers were permitted to sell alcohol beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays. The effective date coincides with the Stokesdale Town Council’s 3-2 vote at its April 12 meeting to allow the sale of alcohol to begin two hours earlier on Sundays; the decision brings Stokesdale into alignment with the county’s ordinance regarding Sunday alcohol sales and follows Gov. Roy Cooper’s June 30 signing of Senate Bill 155 – the “brunch bill” – which authorizes local governments to adopt an ordinance allowing the sale of alcohol beginning at 10 a.m. (versus noon) on Sundays. The issue was placed on the council’s April 12 meeting agenda after it was brought to the town’s attention that a “major grocery store that has an Oak Ridge address but is in the town limits of Stokesdale” was selling beer and wine at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Food Lion in Kings Crossing Shopping Center has an Oak Ridge address but it is in Stokesdale; Councilman Thearon Hooks said there may have been confusion on Food Lion’s part because both Oak Ridge and Guilford County passed ordinances last August allowing bars, restaurants and grocery stores to sell alcohol beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Mayor John Flynt advocated for enforcing the town’s current ordinance, which prohibits the sale of alcohol before noon on Sundays. Councilman Frank Bruno spoke in favor of changing the alcohol sale time on Sundays to 10 a.m., saying Oak Ridge had changed its ordinance and not changing could lead to issues between the local grocery stores. Councilman Tim Jones then made a motion to have the town attorney

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send Food Lion a letter citing the town’s ordinance and informing the retailer it was in violation; Jones’ motion died for lack of a second. David Wrenn, owner of the Bi-Rite on U.S. 158 in downtown Stokesdale, told council members he was okay either way, but he wanted to make sure all the retailers were abiding by the same rules. “If one store in Stokesdale has been selling at 10 o’clock for the last five or six months and has signs up that they can sell it, then all I’m asking is that you vote for 10 o’clock and make it even for everybody,” Wrenn said, adding, “In the summertime it will hurt my business.” Bruno then made a motion to allow the sale of alcohol at 10 a.m. on Sundays, saying, “This would put a guy like David on an even playing field.” Speaking from the audience, Eileen Thiery pointed out that not making this change would hurt Bi-Rite, since its business picks up during the summer with people going to Belews Lake on the weekends. People who want to buy their alcohol earlier on Sundays would just shop at a store in a neighboring town, she said. “Even if we can somehow stop Food Lion from doing it, people coming up the road are just going to stop at Lowes, in Oak Ridge,” Bruno said in agreement. “And he’s (David Wrenn) going to be sitting there closed for two hours and not being able to sell stuff and they’re going to buy all their groceries somewhere else. He’s going to lose a lot of business, and I think we have to look out for our businesses in Stokesdale.” Wrenn said people who are going to the lake on Sundays are often going there before noon, and if Stokesdale doesn’t allow earlier sale of alcohol on

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your QUESTIONS

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OUR TEAM Patti Stokes, editor/publisher Laura Reneer, marketing manager Jorge Maturino, art director Yvonne Truhon, page layout Leon Stokes, IT director Lucy Smith, finance manager Linda Schatz, distribution manager Steven Mann, staff writer Marc Pruitt, Helen Ledford, Nora Murray and Annette Joyce, contributing writers

After reading about the failure of the noise barrier walls along U.S. 220 in last week’s paper, I’m wondering, who has to pay for the walls to be replaced, and what kind of material will be used to ensure they won’t fail again? NCDOT construction engineer Patty Eason said DOT and Tetra Tech, the contractor for the U.S. 220 widening project, have negotiated a cost-sharing agreement and the cost of replacing the three noise barrier walls along U.S. 220 (one on either side of the Elmhurst Estates neighborhood in

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

This noise barrier wall along U.S. 220 North is one of three noise barrier walls that will be replaced within the next few months due to faulty material. The wall’s manufacturer, Paragon Noise Barriers based in High Point, is no longer in business so NCDOT and Tetra Tech, the contractor on the U.S. 220 widening project, will bear the cost of replacing the walls.

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Eason explained the panels used in constructing the noise barrier walls in 2016 were part of a pilot program. “The neighborhood (Elmhurst Estates’ residents) went to the town council, which passed a resolution requesting a specific wall,” Eason said. Based on that request, Tetra Tech representatives used material manufactured by Paragon Noise Barriers. The original cost of the three walls’ material and installation was $2.6 million. Unfortunately, Paragon is no longer in business, so neither DOT nor Tetra Tech will be compensated for the

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faulty material, which started bubbling within months of installation. Eason said replacing the walls will cost about $1.6 million. Carsonite, which has been in business for over 30 years, will manufacture the replacement material, which Eason said is the same type of lightweight composite material used on other DOT projects dating back to 2007, and the same type of material used on the new bridge over Battleground Avenue, near its intersection with Horse Pen Creek Road. “We met with the contractor and supplier for the new walls four weeks ago and they started manufacturing the materials the next week,” Eason said, adding it is expected to take about 10 weeks to make the panels, so they should be finished about six weeks from now. As for how long it will take for the old walls to be taken down and the new walls to be installed, Eason said installation should get underway soon after the wall materials have been completed. “It’s a fairly fast process, so I would think it would take about eight weeks from that point,” she said. In response to those who have asked if a material significantly different than what was selected before could be used, Eason explained the constraints of working with the lightweight material used in the existing walls. “The piles (vertical supports) aren’t large enough or strong enough to support a concrete panel,” she said. “So unless we replace the piles (which would double the cost), we have to work with the existing ones.” The wall material will be light gray, the same color that DOT is using throughout Greensboro, and the noise reduction level is “as good as, or better than, the existing wall material,” she added.

ALCOHOL SALES ...continued from p. 2

Sundays it will be one of the few neighboring municipalities which doesn’t. Tim Jones said the law about not selling alcohol before noon on Sundays has been in practice for many years and he wondered if the council was thinking this (potential change) all the way through. Flynt acknowledged the change would probably come with pushback from some of the local churches, to which Councilman Thearon Hooks responded that he will still be in church on Sundays and didn’t think this change would take anyone out of church at 10 a.m. versus at 11 a.m. “With that said, I understand there was a Greensboro City ordinance – that may still be on the books – that you could do no buggy racing on Market Street in front of the courthouse on Sundays until after church hours,” Hooks said. “So, people are either going to be in church or they’re not going to be, regardless of whether you sell alcohol at 12. I, for one, am not going to be anywhere at 10 o’clock on Sundays drinking alcohol.” “Whether you like it or not, Stokesdale did pass liquor by the drink and liquor sales in restaurants,” Councilman Bill Jones said. “What you’re doing is just changing the hours… You’re not going to seduce people out of church into the bar, at least not the people I go to church with anyway.

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“Now you’re to the point of hurting the local businessman, for no real purpose… You can’t legislate morality. It’s been tried,” Bill Jones said. After further discussion, Mayor John Flynt and Tim Jones voted in opposition to Bruno’s motion, with Bruno, Bill Jones and Hooks voting in favor of it.

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“I’ll stick to the illusion of Mayberry as long as possible,” Tim Jones said after his vote.

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

NEWS in brief

Early Voting now through May 5 Voter information available on Board of Elections, League of Women Voters websites GUILFORD COUNTY – Early voting in the May 8 primary election is taking place weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at two locations, the Old Courthouse at 301 W. Market Street in Greensboro and Washington Terrace Park at 101 Gordon Street in High Point. Six additional early voting sites will open on weekdays beginning Thursday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. All eight early voting sites will be open Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 5 is the last day to vote

early in the upcoming primary election. The closest early voting sites to northwest Guilford County residents are at Bur-Mill Club, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road in Greensboro, and Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Road in Greensboro. For a complete list of candidates, early voting sites and other election information, visit www.myguilford.com/ elections. The League of Women Voters has also created a website to help voters prepare for the May 8 primary. By going to www.VOTE411.org and typing in their address, voters can find out such information as their assigned precinct for voting, which races are being contested in the primary and the roles and responsibilities of each office,

candidates’ responses to questions developed for the voter guide by the League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad and the News & Record, and the schedule for early voting.

Water feasibility study delayed NW GUILFORD – The report on the $175,000 feasibility study regarding a proposed regional water system isn’t expected until May or June, according to Scott Whitaker, Summerfield’s town manager. The original timeline called for the study – conducted by The Timmons Group for Oak Ridge, Stokesdale, Summerfield and some unincorporated areas of northwest Guilford County – to take 6-8 months and be completed by the end of February. During a Feb. 14 meeting in Stokesdale, Timmons’ Mike Solomon said he expected the study to be completed by the end of March. During the April 10 meeting of the Summerfield Town Coun-

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cil, however, Whitaker said the new target is May or June. Whitaker said in an email it has taken longer for Timmons “to receive input and data from both potential water suppliers and the jurisdictions themselves.” “We’re all eager to have it presented, but we want to afford Timmons the opportunity to do their best work,” Whitaker said. Bill Jones, a member of the Stokesdale Town Council, said part of the delay was that Timmons had not received information from Winston-Salem about pressure models regarding extending waterlines to Oak Ridge and Summerfield. Stokesdale purchases its water from Winston-Salem.

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U.S. 158 bypass decision still expected in June STOKESDALE – The announcement on which of two alternatives will be selected for the U.S. 158 bypass around Stokesdale is still on target for June, according to Karen Reynolds of the N.C. Department of Transportation. Reynolds said in February the interagency project team had postponed its meeting from March to May because some of the reports it needed had not been finished. In an email last week Reynolds confirmed the meeting is still scheduled for May. “The NCDOT will mail a newsletter to project-area property owners by early June 2018, informing them of this interagency project planning team decision,” Reynolds said. “We will also update

our project webpage with this decision, to coincide with our newsletter mailing, so that all of the project-area property owners learn of this project decision at the same time.” The 18.8-mile project to widen U.S. 158 from north of I-40 Business/ U.S. 421 in Forsyth County to U.S. 220 in Guilford County consists of three sections, with Section C – the 6.5-mile segment around Stokesdale beginning at Anthony Road and ending at U.S. 220 – the final piece. What started as four routes was whittled to two in 2015 – Alternative 2, south of existing U.S. 158 in Stokesdale, and Alternative 3, north of existing U.S. 158 in Stokesdale.

Double-digit spending increases, raises for staff, council highlight Stokesdale’s proposed budgets

STOKESDALE – Raises for council members and Town staff, and $180,000 for water tank painting are among the spending requests in Stokesdale’s proposed general fund and water enterprise budgets for fiscal year 2018-19. No property tax is proposed. The council plans to present the budgets and budget message at its regular monthly meeting Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 8325 Angel-Pardue Road. The council will vote on the budgets on June 14. The proposed general fund budget presented by Budget Officer Philip Pulliam during the council’s fourth workshop April 24 is $428,283, an almost 11.5-percent increase over $384,409 for FY 2017-18. That includes a 3-percent raise for staff members and a one-time grant of $33,333 for downtown revitalization through the Rural Economic Development Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

The proposed budget also calls for raising the quarterly stipend for mayor from $488 to $700 (a 43.4-percent increase), from $434 to $650 (49.7 percent) for mayor pro tem and from $325 to $600 (84.6 percent) for council members, for a total of $12,600. Staff members’ salaries are split between the general fund and the water enterprise fund based on cost accounting. Salaries, which includes the vacant town clerk’s position, total an estimated $138,939.84. The largest revenue source continues to be the utilities franchise tax distribution (an estimated $308,000). That is followed by beer and wine excise tax ($26,000), planning fees ($22,000), Greensboro-Jamestown ABC profit share ($13,500) and earned interest from CDs and savings ($10,000).

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...continued on p. 18

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

Council goes round and about before scrapping intersection concept by PATTI STOKES SUMMERFIELD – The concept of a mini roundabout at the N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road intersection was proposed in January as a way to improve traffic flow and to eliminate the “ugly” mast arm traffic signal that, to some at least, dominates the view as vehicles approach the intersection. Although some Summerfield Town Council members were intrigued by the concept and had hoped to explore it further, it was scratched at the council’s April 10 meeting after it became clear there was not strong enough support to move forward with it. Before the decision was made, Frances Gallagher, transportation manager at WithersRavenel, of Greensboro, and Jay Clapp, regional manager at Ramey & Kemp Associates, of Winston-Salem, told the council the mini roundabout could have a traffic “calming” effect because it would allow traffic to keep moving, but at a slower pace. Pedestrian safety was also a consideration, especially if the town realizes increased use of its historic buildings at the intersection corners. And, eliminating the large mast arm traffic

...continued on p. 18

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

The concept of a mini roundabout at the N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road intersection was taken off the table at Summerfield Town Council’s April 10 meeting. Ideas will be explored for improving traffic flow during peak hours and for beautifying the mast arm traffic signal, but the massive overhead utility lines will remain.

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

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STOKESDALE town council

April 12 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES Mayor John Flynt called the monthly meeting to order with all four council members present, as well as the interim town clerk, deputy clerk, budget officer, town attorney and seven citizens.

Fire Hydrant Maintenance. Stokesdale Fire Chief Todd Gauldin spoke about fire hydrant maintenance and repair and said the fire department has shared with the town a record of the maintenance it does on the hydrants, which includes testing, static pressures and gallons per minute. When asked about the water pressure at various locations, Gauldin said the best water pressures are on U.S. 158, where the water system comes into the town; there, the water pressure is about 1,200 to 1,300 gallons a minute. The lowest water pressure is on Lester Road, which is at the end of a water line; there, the pressure is about 475 gallons a minute. “If we know we’re going to flush a little bit of water we try to go to the end of some of those lines where there isn’t a lot of water flowing through and get some of the sludge moved out,” Gauldin said.

 5  0 to add the fire department to the town’s vendor list and generate a task list for exercising maintenance on the fire hydrants, with up to $2,000 budgeted for materials and supplies. The money will be reallocated out of water line and general repairs, and a subcategory created for “Hydrant Maintenance.” FINANCE REPORT

Budget Officer Phillip Pulliam presented a general fund balance sheet, noting in March the town withdrew $409,436 from BB&T and invested in two CDARs at the Bank of Oak Ridge in the amounts of $204,000 and $205,000. So far this fiscal year the town has received two quarterly utility fran-

chise distribution payments totaling $139,588. Utility franchise taxes are the town’s largest source of revenue. Flynt asked Pulliam if the water system is operating in the black and Pulliam answered yes, and it has been for at least the two years he has worked for the town. Councilman Bill Jones noted the town has not deducted for depreciation of water system equipment and Councilman Tim Jones said the water system also isn’t charged for office space in Town Hall, electricity, etc., although staff salaries and legal costs are split between the water system and the general fund.

Republic Services. Referring to a “failure to perform” letter the town sent to Republic Services’ president in March, Councilman Frank Bruno said he has asked Waste Industries to submit a bid to serve the town’s residents. Flynt confirmed with Interim Town Clerk Alisa Houk that the town is still receiving complaints from citizens about their garbage and recycling pickup. Confirming Republic’s attorney responded on March 27 to the letter the town wrote to the company’s president, Town Attorney John Bain said the company must be given a chance to improve. The town has granted Republic a franchise agreement, which gives the company exclusive permission to serve those within Stokesdale’s town limits, so before it can consider terminating its agreement with Republic the town must prove the company has failed to meet the terms of the franchise agreement, Bain said. The Northwest Observer was asked to publish a notice asking Stokesdale citizens to provide feedback to the town on their garbage/recycling pickup service since late March, when Republic said it had put several measures in

place to address service problems.

Town car. Council discussed again taking steps to sell the town-owned 2009 Dodge Charger used by the former deputy. Tim Jones said he believed the advertised price when the town initially tried to sell the car (in August 2016) on www.govdeals.com was much higher than the car was worth, which is why the town didn’t receive any bids (the minimum bid then was $8,500). Jones said his research indicates the car is valued at about $3,500 to $3,800. Council agreed to declare the car surplus, advertise it online for 60 days, and then consider a private sale or auction if it doesn’t sell. Park benches. Bill Jones, who serves as the town’s Property Committee, was authorized to move forward with getting the park benches installed and to install them on cement slabs. Water Plan, Tower Maintenance. Flynt said he and Bill Jones had met with Courtney Driver (director of WinstonSalem/Forsyth County Utilities, which

sells water to Stokesdale) and others with the City of Winston-Salem and discussed ways to reduce the cost of water that is flushed from the town’s system. “We are doing all of our flushing on our side and we are paying full retail ($5.25/thousand gallons),” Flynt said. “If we flush on their side of the lake, where they have an automatic flushing station, they would charge us the wholesale rate, which is roughly $2… They suggested we do a water study with Hazen & Sawyer.” Flynt also said the water system’s THM levels are back in the acceptable range. It was noted the levels are typically higher in the summer; also, during another quarter when the THM levels were elevated the town’s chlorine booster system at the connection point was not working properly. Bill Jones said the town needs to file a report by June verifying what steps it has taken to remedy the violation notice it received several months ago regarding the water system’s elevated THM levels.

...continued on p. 10

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 9

As for a second citation for failure to submit a required operational evaluation level report for the fourth quarter of 2017 on time, Tim Jones said he was hoping to get a memo back from DEQ verifying the report was filed on time so the town could have its good name cleared.

 5  0 to obtain three bids for a hydraulic model for the water system.  5  0 to purchase an automatic

hydrant flusher for no more than $1,500.

Sign installations. A “No ATVs/No Off Roads” sign and a “No Trespassing” sign are ready to be installed in the park. Water tower maintenance. Flynt said years ago a consultant had said the water tower should be inspected about every 10 years and the town was about four years overdue on that. Bruno said bids previously received for this service were about $150,000; the cost can be spread out over several years. Referring to a memo dated March 2013, Tim Jones said the bids for water tower maintenance at that time ranged from $122,720 to $160,395, depending on the paint used. Jones said he trusted Charlie McGougan (of the civil engineering firm Marziano & McGougan) to supervise the maintenance work.

 5  0 to seek three bids for the

water tower maintenance.

 5  0 (in two separate votes) to

approve an agreement with McGill Associates to review design plans provided by two developers’ engineers for installation of water lines in Northwest Meadows, Phase 2, and in the Treeline subdivision, and to periodically review the construction phase of the projects. Since the number of linear feet is 1,000 in one project and 1,600 in the other, yet McGill’s price of $6,900 is the same for each, council agreed to ask for project worksheets to verify how the price was calculated.

OLD BUSINESS Brunch Bill. Based on a state law commonly referred to as the “Brunch Bill,” which passed last June, municipalities may now allow the sale of beer, wine and mixed drinks on Sundays at 10 a.m. versus at noon if they vote to do so.

 3  2 (with Tim Jones and Mayor Flynt opposed) to allow the sale of beer, wine and mixed drinks at 10 a.m. on Sundays, effective immediately. See article on p. 2 for council discussion.

Paving/Striping. Tim Jones agreed to send draft specs for all asphalt surfaces at Town Hall and the town park to council members to review before the town seeks bids for repaving and striping. New website. Bruno said he spoke with three companies about website design and maintenance and prices for setting

the town up with a new website ranged from $1,200 to $4,300. Tim Jones said he leaned toward www.govoffice.com because he liked the stability of the program and other towns in the area use it and are happy with it. After more discussion, council agreed to try to take a direction on the website at next month’s meeting.

Ordinance 67. The town’s nuisance ordinance has been under review and revision for over a year and the Ordinance Review Committee has requested the town attorney review the committee’s suggested revisions. When Tim Jones, who serves on the committee, asked that the item be tabled, Hooks asked if the ordinance was considered null and void. Jones said the committee had wanted to talk with other departments in Guilford County but the former town administrator had said all communication had to go through her. Flynt asked if the committee was willing to work more on the ordinance, at which point Eileen Thiery, also a member of the committee, indicated she was confused by Jones’ suggestion that the rewrite be tabled. The committee was trying to tailor the ordinance to the town versus simply using another town’s ordinance, she said, and then asked why the attorney couldn’t review and provide feedback on what the committee had come up with.

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

“We’re going to hatch an egg,” Thiery said of the lengthy rewrite and review process. “We don’t seem to be getting anywhere, and how long have we been in existence?”

 5  0 to refer the ordinance back to the committee for further review and a more detailed recommendation. Water Technician. Houk said the water technician hired last November has taken a new job and will only be available on weekends.

 5  0 to add the technician to the vendor list in case he is needed and available on weekends. CLOSED SESSION

Council recessed at 9:30 p.m. for a closed session and reconvened at 10:36 p.m. Saying he was satisfied with the information Mayor Flynt provided to him outside of closed session, Bill Jones asked to withdraw a request he made at the March 8 council meeting for an inventory of all personnel records taken from the former town administrator’s office by any elected officials; an inventory of all public records – including personnel records – removed from Town Hall; certification by anyone who copied the records of when the copies were made, a list of documents copied and the location of the copies; an inventory of records returned to Town Hall and their location; and what

safeguards have been taken to protect the records no longer in the administrator’s custody. (Former Town Administrator Kim Hemric resigned March 9 and council voted to accept her resignation during an emergency meeting March 13.)

 5  0 to approve Bill Jones’ withdrawal of his earlier request.

Bruno said that when he talked to Priscilla Hunsucker about the part-time deputy clerk position they had discussed a pay rate of $14 per hour, and he was not at a subsequent meeting when the motion was made to pay her $13 per hour.

 5  0 to increase Hunsucker’s

hourly pay rate to $14, pending a satisfactory 30-day review on April 20.

COMMITTEE/BOARD REPORT Sprinkler System. Hooks asked about the sprinkler system on the athletic fields and Tim Jones said he had noticed circular crystalized areas on the fields, which seemed to have come from the sprinklers being on during some severely cold weather. Jones suggested testing the sprinklers before spring soccer season gets fully underway to make sure they are not damaged.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Houk said Hunsucker has done very well since joining the town last month as deputy town clerk. In March the clerks answered 78 phone calls, received 38 visitors at Town Hall, processed 164 pieces of mail, sold four water meters, handled 28 811 locates and processed seven work orders. Backflow testing has been started and draft minutes of the Feb. 8, March 8 and March 13 meetings have been completed. Signs for the town park are ready to be installed and supplies have been ordered. Both clerks attended the Planning and Zoning Board meeting in March.

CITIZEN COMMENTS  Kathryn Bunthoff of McCrory Road said she was speaking on behalf of concerned citizens passionate about investing in the downtown area. Her group suggested the $33,000 downtown development

grant the town has been awarded be used to purchase the parcel of land on the northeast corner of U.S. 158 and Newberry Street, across from the pharmacy. Acquiring this land would enable the town to create more convenient parking and help spark interest and development in the downtown area, Bunthoff said. “As residential growth continues it is critical that we develop a plan and clarify our vision of what our town will become,” Bunthoff said. “Our town can and should be a place unto itself rather than a town adjacent to other communities with amenities. In the future it will draw people with qualities more compelling than its reputation as a place known for its fiscal conservatism – which, though an honorable principle, must work in the service of other quality-of-life priorities rather than remaining an end unto itself.” Flynt said previous councils had approached the property owners about selling this property but they were not interested. He asked Bunthoff if someone from her group would want to approach the two sisters who own it to see if they are interested in selling it now. When Tim Jones asked Bunthoff if she knew if the property was for sale she said she did not, but she was “suggesting the town consider doing something like this.” “But, we can only do it if the owners are willing to sell,” Flynt responded. Bunthoff repeated that her group felt this type of suggestion would be beneficial to the town.

Thiery. “It was an oversight on our part and I apologize.”  Joe Thacker said he was a current water customer and felt the town’s water department should have more visibility in Town Hall, i.e., an office out front with a desk, computer and file cabinets. “Something that creates over $400,000 in revenue should not be operating out of a little bitty room in the back of the building,” Thacker said, and then encouraged the town to work toward making the water system bigger and better. Flynt said Houk is the town’s “water person” and she sits at the front desk. The Town Hall is used for many purposes, including committee meetings, the water system administration, etc., he said. “I understand that, but this is budget time… I want it out front where everyone can see it. It is making $400,000,” Thacker said.

COUNCIL COMMENTS  Tim Jones thanked the four citizens still present (at 11:10 p.m.) and then clarified that salaries, attorney time and every other

expense that could be clearly assigned to either the general fund or the water enterprise fund were assigned accordingly.  Bruno said a budget meeting was planned for April 16. Also, Stokesdale is featured on 1420 AM on the second Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m.; the show can be accessed at rockinghamcountyradio.com.  Bill Jones thanked those who attended and Hooks said the two clerks were doing a great job.  Flynt assured Thiery again that having the Citizen Comments at the end of the meeting wasn’t meant as a slight. He then suggested that Bunthoff might talk with Ted Southern (owner of Southern Hardware, which closed in January), who was “talking to some people about his hardware store and parking issues” in the downtown area. “But it’s not a project that I wanted to take on … you folks are the ones who got the grant,” Bunthoff said. Following announcements, the meeting was adjourned at 11:17 p.m.

 Eileen Thiery asked if the citizens’ comment period had been permanently relegated to the end of the meeting agenda. “The meetings at times have lasted well into the late hours and this new change is an inconvenience,” Thiery said. “The feeling I get is that perhaps you would like us to leave before this time and you wouldn’t have to listen to us.” Flynt and other council members said they hadn’t noticed the change when the agenda was set. “We’ll correct it,” Flynt assured

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

YMCA offers use of facilities

BITS & PIECES

Community reaches out Many in northwest and northern Guilford County responded quickly to help those impacted by a tornado that destroyed over 300 homes in eastern Greensboro on April 15 and damaged

three schools so severely that they will be closed for the remainder of this school year. Below and at right are just a few of the ways our community reached out to those in need.

Seven YMCA of Greensboro branches, including the Spears YMCA on Horse Pen Creek Road, have invited tornado victims to use their facilities for showers and charging electronics. YMCA of Greensboro locations are also serving as a collection site for

school supplies for Guilford County Schools, through the Guilford Education Alliance. Collection boxes are available at each YMCA. For more info or a list of YMCA of Greensboro locations, visit www.ymcagreensboro.org.

Stokesdale Elementary collects books for tornado victims Michelle Wallace, Stokesdale Elementary librarian, invites the community to join the school in collecting new and/or gently used children’s books during the school’s book fair which runs

through Friday, April 27. Books can be dropped off at Stokesdale Elementary’s office, 8025 U.S.158. All books collected will be donated to teachers from schools that are being relocated.

Photo courtesy of Angie Linn, Northern Elementary PTSA

Northern Elementary PTSA asked families to bring items to its Unplugged Night on April 21 to donate to those impacted by the recent tornado in eastern Greensboro. “We were more than surprised at the response,” said PTSA Marketing Chair Angie Linn. Shown in the photo are some of the items donated, but Linn said that since the event, multiple van loads of items have been donated and the PTSA has decided to continue collecting items through this week. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Parker

Northern Guilford High School’s football team volunteered April 17 to help victims of the tornado in eastern Greensboro by cutting and removing trees and limbs off of two homes in the Hampton Elementary community.

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Todd Rotruck takes his seat at the council table on April 23 beside Summerﬁeld Town Councilwoman Teresa Pegram. The Board of Elections unanimously voted April 17 that Rotruck has not established permanent residency in the Town of Summerﬁeld, therefore he is ineligible to vote in the town and his council seat is declared vacant.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

age buildings, so very little furniture was moved. When asked if his pets moved with the family to the Strawberry Road property, Rotruck said no, they remained at the Lewiston Road home. In his closing statement before the BOE, Rotruck said he and his wife failed to change some addresses, but that didn’t mean they didn’t live in Summerfield. Robinson’s attorney, Marshall Hurley, argued that sufficient evidence had been provided to prove otherwise and that Aimee Rotruck, Todd’s wife, had said at one point during her testimony, “We knew at some point he (Todd) would have to come home (to Lewiston Road).” “Come home to Lewiston Road,” Hurley emphasized. After the closing statements, BOE member Eugene Lester clarified the

issue was whether Rotruck was eligible to vote in Summerfield in the upcoming May 8 primary. Rotruck stated he and his family are living in their Lewiston Road home while extensive renovations are underway on their home in Summerfield. Because of that, they will not be Summerfield residents at least 30 days before the primary, so will not be eligible to vote in Summerfield, Lester said. “While I believe that he intends to move to Summerfield... I believe he lives on Lewiston Road now,” Lester said, adding, “There are places I would like to be, but right now I’m here.” BOE member Kathryn Lindley said Rotruck had never “abandoned” his home on Lewiston Road, and several times during their testimony the Rotrucks had referred to Lewiston Road as “home.”

“They haven’t established a residency on Strawberry Road or any other place in Summerfield,” Lindley said. At the council’s special call meeting on Monday, Hill said he had communicated with the mayor and council members numerous times since the BOE’s decision last Tuesday, and he had confirmed with County Attorney Mark Payne that Rotruck’s seat on the council was declared vacant, effective with the board’s decision. After Hill repeated that the special call meeting could not be brought to order if Rotruck remained at the table, Mayor Pro Tem Dena Barnes asked if he would leave the table so they could proceed. Rotruck agreed, but said he was doing so under protest. After Rotruck’s departure Dunham brought the meeting to order and soon afterward the council went into

closed session to confer with the attorney. Upon returning about 40 minutes later, Barnes, saying she felt citizens in attendance deserved an explanation as to the purpose of the meeting, read a portion of a prepared statement that explained there was a residency challenge and Rotruck was declared ineligible to vote in Summerfield, and the council called the meeting to consult with the town attorney about what steps to take next. When Councilwoman Teresa Pegram offered to read an additional portion of the statement which the council had not agreed on, Dunham complained that the statement had been prepared by Town Manager Scott Whitaker and she wished it had been given to the council earlier. At that, the meeting abruptly ended with Councilman Reece Walker’s motion to adjourn receiving “aye” votes from Barnes, Councilman John O’Day and himself.

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

SUMMERFIELD town council

April 10 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS (continued from our April 19-25 issue) as reported by PATTI STOKES

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

On behalf of Summerfield Fire District, Town Manager Scott Whitaker reported the district responded to 131 incidents in March and installed 14 car seats.

Those who came out for the department’s third annual Stop, Drop and Roll 5K on April 7 were thanked. When engaging in open burning, residents were reminded to keep fires small so they are easier to control and to never use combustible liquids to start fires.

Sheriff’s Office. Master Corp. Brent Douglas of the sheriff’s District 1 Office reported the district responded to 618 calls in March, of which 159 were for Summerfield; only one of those was a Part 1 crime, which involved a breakin at Happy Vapes on U.S. 220. Crime is down 62 percent from the same time period last month.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance Officer Dee Hall said the committee would present a draft

budget for FY 2018-19 on April 16, and it would be available on the town’s website. Linda Southard said the Historical Committee will meet April 26, and Jane Doggett said the Trails & Open Space Committee recently voted to support the Piedmont Legacy Trails’ initiative and the request for a sidewalk connecting the pedestrian tunnel under U.S. 220 to Summerfield Road. Regarding the UDO Review Committee, O’Day said Marlene Sandford, president of TREBIC, spoke to committee members last month about development and lot sizes. The committee has reviewed Policy Area 6, which addresses housing, and has many recommendations, O’Day said. The policy area addressing water and sewer was to be discussed at the committee’s April 12 meeting; afterward the committee will review recommendations from its previous meetings and prepare to explain the process it undertook to the Planning & Zoning Board.

Founders’ Day. Whitaker said the committee’s meeting scheduled for earlier in the day did not take place because there was no quorum. All food trucks and the carnival rides for the May 18-19 event have been secured.

Walker confirmed with Spencer that although the well capacity is known, until the town determines exactly how the property will be used the county can’t confirm the capacity is sufficient for that use.

Councilman Reece Walker said volunteers were needed on Founders’ Day and members of the Founders’ Day Committee needed to show up to the planning meetings.

Whitaker noted the town had a new well pump installed on the Gordon building property a few years ago.

BUSINESS FROM MANAGER Town Properties. Town Planning Director Carrie Spencer provided council members with a spreadsheet showing all town-owned properties along with, as requested, a focus on well and septic of N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road intersection properties. As part of a development agreement, some properties shown, including 9.55 acres on Deboe Road and 14.04 acres on Wilson Road, were deeded to the town to use for public trails. It was confirmed that the town purchased the Gordon building, the .31-acre lot it rests on, and 13.39 additional acres bordering U.S. 220 for $399,000. After Mayor Dunham asked if the well on the Gordon building property was sufficient, Councilman Reece

Regarding the Martin House property, Whitaker said that early on it had been determined there wasn’t enough room to drill a well there, so using the well on the Gordon property had been the plan; consequently, one of the contingencies for purchasing the property was changed from the town having to have its own well on the property to the town having to have access to a well. Dunham, referencing the first three pages of a handout that accompanied the spreadsheet, which were marked “Confidential,” asked if those pages could be shared with citizens. Whitaker said no, they were marked “Confidential” because they included notes from closed sessions which haven’t been released. If they were released to the public, many of the statements within them would first have to be redacted by the town attorney, he said.

Piedmont Legacy Trails. Palmer McIntyre, a conservation planner with

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Piedmont Land Conservancy, and David Craft, a Uwharrie Trail volunteer, shared information about Piedmont Legacy Trails, a new initiative to promote trails (including land trails and blueways, or water trails) and greenways across the Piedmont region. PLT is guided by a steering committee comprised of members from 10 area counties, the Piedmont Land Conservancy and the Piedmont Triad Regional Council. The committee is working on developing a trails map and planning annual trail summits. According to a study recently released by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, trails are an accessible resource to citizens and offer environmental, health and economic benefits. Mcintyre cited Elkin as an example of a community that has reinvented itself by developing trails and creating a trail culture with several businesses around them. The town is being asked to adopt a resolution of support for PLT, just as several other county and municipal boards and commissions across our region have approved, Mcintyre said, and she confirmed the support does not come with any financial commitment.

 4  1 (with Pegram opposed)

to approve a resolution in support of Piedmont Legacy Trails.

A&Y Greenway. Todd Delk, a practice manager with the engineering firm Stewart, gave a project update on the A&Y Greenway (south) design. See next issue for more on Delk’s presentation and council discussion.

Intersection Project. Whitaker reminded council that at its Jan. 16 special call meeting, Frances Gallagher, transportation manager with WithersRavenal, and Jay Clapp, regional manager with Ramey Kemp & Associates, had presented the concept of creating a mini roundabout at the N.C. 150 (Oak

Ridge Road) and Summerfield Road intersection. That concept, however, has gotten mixed reviews from council members, said Whitaker, who asked for council direction in moving forward. Gallagher noted the intersection project, intended to improve intersection safety as well as aesthetics, was initially to have been done in conjunction with the renovation of historic properties at the intersection, but it could be a stand-alone project. In considering options for eliminating the large, mast arm traffic signal at the intersection, Gallagher said a fourway or two-way stop wasn’t feasible, nor was using multiple signals because of there being so many overhead utility lines. “That’s what led us to looking at a mini roundabout,” Gallagher said, adding her firm’s task was to sort out the available options and get NCDOT approval. “If you don’t decide to do anything right away, you will have options,” she told the council.

After a lengthy discussion, at 11:17 p.m. Whitaker said, “Big projects like this don’t go very well without very strong support. Is it safe to say you (the council) want them to abandon that concept and look at other options? I want this (intersection) master plan to be useful to us.” After council agreed it did not want to move forward with the mini roundabout concept, Gallagher and Clapp said they would look at options for making the intersection more attractive and would consult with DOT about options to coordinate traffic signals at the N.C. 150/Summerfield Road intersection and the N.C. 150 West/ U.S. 220 intersection.

At 11:21 p.m., Councilman Todd Rotruck made a motion to adjourn and continue all remaining items of business to the May meeting. Councilwoman Teresa Pegram seconded, but the motion failed on a 2-3 vote. In other manager business, Whitaker reported the state performed a storm water audit earlier in the day, the water feasibility study should be available either May or June at the latest and there is a scheduled meeting for the four participating jurisdictions on April 19, and the Parks & Rec staff is off to a busy spring athletic season.

Open House. Council agreed to schedule an open house for the Gordon building and Martin House on Saturday, June 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parliamentary Procedures. Councilman John O’Day encouraged everyone to read “Suggested Rules of Procedure for a City Council,” published by UNC School of Government, and to be prepared to adopt the rules at the next meeting.

“It’s something we could modify,” O’Day said. “Right now we have no adopted rules of procedure.” Closed Session. A closed session to discuss two items was removed from the meeting agenda.

OTHER BUSINESS Sidewalk. Whitaker asked the council for direction on the Trails and Open Space Committee’s request to budget money for a sidewalk to connect the pedestrian tunnel under U.S. 220 to Summerfield Road, estimating design and construction might total around $70,000. By consensus – with Pegram opposed – Whitaker received approval to include funding for this item in the FY 2018-19 draft budget. The meeting was adjourned at 11:41 p.m.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

ROUNDABOUT

...continued from p. 8

signal would indeed improve the intersection’s aesthetics.

help with those issues, Councilman Reece Walker offered.

To Councilman Todd Rotruck’s question about the cost of designing and installing the mini roundabout, Clapp said it could range from $50,000 to as much as $250,000.

“What problem are we trying to solve?” Councilwoman Teresa Pegram asked. “… If you’re trying to preserve history there, let’s keep it an intersection, not a roundabout.”

“Right now, with the way you are designing it, we are static with the future growth,” Rotruck said. “I think we will outgrow the usage of this way too fast. I’m not sold on it.”

Mayor Gail Dunham acknowledged the existing traffic signal at the intersection isn’t attractive, but pointed out it doesn’t cost the town any extra money.

Town Manager Scott Whitaker said his biggest concerns about the existing intersection are slowing drivers down and improving traffic flow. Synchronizing the traffic signal at the intersection with the one at N.C. 150 West and U.S. 220 might

“I’m still overwhelmingly concerned about pedestrians,” Dunham said. “And, I think this is going to be extremely expensive.” Whitaker said the previous council budgeted for this project and WithersRavenal and Ramey & Kemp had gotten it underway.

As the council meeting crept into its fifth hour and a consensus had still not been reached, Whitaker said projects such as this one didn’t go very well without very strong support. “Is it safe to say you want them to abandon that concept and look at other options?” he asked, adding, “I want this master plan to be useful to us.” Although Councilman John O’Day had hoped to take the concept to the next step and get more details, the proposed mini roundabout was ultimately dropped and Gallagher and Clapp were directed to explore synchronizing the two traffic signals at the N.C. 150 West and Summerfield Road and U.S. 220 intersections, to propose

ideas to beautify the mast arm traffic signal pole, and to offer a streetscape design for the existing intersection. When contacted on April 25, Whitaker told the Northwest Observer he has since presented an idea to the Finance Committee and Mayor Dunham for using the $33,000 downtown development grant awarded by the state last fall to make an aesthetic improvement to the intersection. “We have been talking about an idea related to the Martin House corner – a streetscape improvement that will fit in with the final intersection master plan project,” Whitaker said. “We’re not going to get a whole lot done for $33,000 … we’re mainly focusing on an improvement on that southwest corner. We’re looking at concepts relating to a small (knee) wall with ‘The Town of Summerfield’ on it.”

Hearings on April 26, May 3 for rezoning requests

NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 7 The proposed water enterprise budget is $682,768, an almost 42-percent increase over $480,400 for FY 2017-18. Water tank painting accounts for $180,000, which will be covered by shifting $177,668 from the water-sewer fund – a savings account. Water sales is the largest revenue source (an estimated $403,000), with water purchase the largest single expenditure ($223,000).

Requests to rezone a 29-acre tract and 65-acre tract in Oak Ridge and a 95-acre tract in Stokesdale will be considered

STOKESDALE/OAK RIDGE – The Oak Ridge Planning Board will hear two rezoning requests at its meeting on Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road.

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“We just need to tell them if you want them to go forward with the concept, or if not, do something else,” he told the council.

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

The first is a continuation of a request to rezone 29.45 acres on the west side of N.C. 68 N, approximately 800 feet south of the intersection with Fogleman Road, from HB (highway business) and AG (agriculture) to CU-TC-R (conditional use-town core-residential). The applicant proposes allowing up to 48 townhomes and one single-family detached home on the property, which is currently owned by the Israel Family Limited Partnership and Larry J. and Kathy R. Mills.

py Tails Puppies, which is requesting approval for a 5,600-square-foot enclosed kennel structure and a 1,600-square-foot customer service structure at 7881 Alcorn Road in Oak Ridge Township. The property is owned by Cross Gate Church.

A public hearing will also be held at this meeting for a request to rezone 65.32 acres on the east side of Beeson Road, approximately 1,572 feet south of the intersection with Oak Ridge Road. The applicant proposes developing the property to accommodate 47 singlefamily detached homes.

The public hearing will be held Thursday, May 3, at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel-Pardue Road.

The property is owned by Alice Bennett, Theresa Pruitt and Lonnie Mabe and Peggy Jane Cooke. In other business, the Oak Ridge Planning Board will review a site plan for Hap-

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

The Stokesdale Planning Board will hear a request to rezone approximately 95 acres from AG (agriculture) to CZ-RS-30 (conditional zoning for residential single family with minimum lot size 30,000 square feet).

The property, owned by Meredith College, is on the south side of Belews Creek Road across from Mount Carmel Road and north of Colgate Road. The condition being requested is a maximum density of one unit per acre. Typically, the overall gross density of RS-30 is 1.3 units per acre. Oliver Bass, the town planner, said the request is being made on behalf of a potential buyer.

Oak Ridge Lions Club

Tom Brown Memorial Golf Tournament Friday, May 4, 2018

Greensboro National Golf Course 330 Niblick Drive, Summerfield, NC 27358

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CAPTAIN’S CHOICE

This event benefits the sight- and hearing-impaired in our community Cost: $75/player Start time 8:30 am Red “T” option $5 each FREE lunch!

Prizes for 3 teams Photo trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Prizes for longest drive Men’s & Ladies’ Longest putt Men’s & Ladies’

Putting contest!

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Mail entry fee, players’ names, handicaps and phone numbers by April 27, 2018 to: LION Doug Nodine, 1400 NC 68 N, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 For more info, call: LION Danny Yanusz (336) 455-1722 Please make checks payable to: Oak Ridge Lions Club

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APRIL 26, 27 & 28

 Book Sale | St. Francis Episcopal Church,

3506 Lawndale Drive in Greensboro, invites you to its 60th annual book sale on April 26 and April 27, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and April 28 (bag day, $10 per bag of books), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The St. Francis Book Sale is the longest running book sale in the Southeast and this year we will have over 60,000 volumes of fiction and non-fiction! More info: www.stfrancisgreensboro.org.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 27

Get. Be. Stay. Connected

 Blood Drive | Morehead United Methodist Church,

 Flag Collection | The Marine Corps League

Northwest Triad Detachment 1314 will hold a flag collection on April 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Subway in Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center. Any old U.S. flag, military flags or state flags will be accepted. Questions? Call Joe at (336) 389-2136. Brandt Road, Greensboro, will host a free event on April 28, 1-5 p.m. featuring bounce houses, games, music, volleyball, food, live music and more. Fun for family, friends and neighbors of all ages! More info: (336) 423-8091 or carolineraper@gmail.com.

Individual, Corporate, Partnership & Payroll Tax Electronic Tax Filing  Estate Planning Bookkeeping & Compilations Oak Ridge Business Center 8004 Linville Rd, Suite G, Oak Ridge (336) 643-7577 or 1-800-467-8299 info@samanderscpa.com www.samanderscpa.com

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Stokesdale office located at: 8512 US Highway 158 Kernersville office: P.O. Box 2474, Kernersville, NC 27284 Danbury office: 603 Main Street, Danbury, NC 27016

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

On the left side, click community calendar

 Community Block Party | Center UMC, 6142 Lake

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events online

3214 Horse Pen Creek Road in Greensboro, will host a Red Cross blood drive April 27, 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Visit moreheadumc.com or redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment. More info: (336) 213-4691 or djsomers@triad.rr.com.

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 Custom Carz | Stokesdale Christian Church,

8607 Stokesdale St. in Stokesdale, will host its fifth annual Custom Carz at Church Car Show on April 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entry fees $15/vehicle or $10/vehicle plus cans of food. Activities include a 50/50 raffle, cornhole games, a Vehicle Injury Prevention car, food and KLove 94.1 onsite! Pre-register online at www. stokesdalechristianchurch.com or call (336) 669-8108.  Med Toss | Need a safe, easy way to dispose of un-

wanted or expired medication? Join Northern Guilford High School’s PTSA for its 5th annual Med Toss. This event at the school, 7101 Spencer Dixon Road in northern Greensboro, will be held 9 a.m. to noon in partnership with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, DEA, Alcohol & Drug Services and NC Harm Reduction Coalition. New/used syringes also accepted. More info: (336) 202-6729 or corinnamiller20@yahoo.com.

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View the complete, detailed Community Calendar at nwobserver.com, and check the Northwest Observer each week for a selection of upcoming events

mark your

calendar

OPEN HOUSE: Sun., April. 29 • 2- 4pm

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 Walk for Life | Walk for Life, a 2-mile walk through downtown Greensboro to raise

money for the Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center, will take place April 28 beginning in LeBauer Park, 208 N. Davie St., Greensboro. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and walk begins at 10 a.m. All proceeds go to the Care Center, to support individuals before, during and after an unplanned pregnancy. More info: gsocarecenter.org/partner/events/walk.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

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 Ride for Hospice | Summerfield Bicycle Shop, 1015 N.C. 150 in Summerfield,

will host Ride for Hospice on April 29, 10 a.m., with 25-, 35-, or 54-mile bike routes to benefit Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro. Lunch included. More info: (336) 255-5655 or triforhospice@gmail.com.

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 Sea Scouts | An information meeting about Sea Scouts will be held at Crossroads

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Community Church on Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. Sea Scouts is a co-ed branch of Boy Scouts of America, for youth ages 14-21, with an emphasis on aquatic activities. A new group of Sea Scouts in northwest Guilford County will begin this summer, with opportunities for sailing, kayaking, rafting, swimming and SCUBA diving. Interested youth and adults are welcome at this free meeting. More info: David Bailey, (336) 312-1431.

 5K & Carnival | Northern Guilford Middle School and PTSA will host the 10th

annual Health & Fitness Carnival and 5K and 1-mile fun run May 4, 5 to 8 p.m. at the school on 616 Simpson-Calhoun Road in northern Greensboro. The 5K includes a varied terrain run. The carnival offers vendor booths, summer camp info, food, inflatables and entertainment. Register to run/walk at jonesracingcompany.com.

Flowers Vegetables Indoor plants Fresh produce Tropicals Hanging baskets Potted plant design and installation

 RidgeFest 2018 | Merchants of Oak Ridge, in partnership with the Town of Oak

Ridge, invites the community to RidgeFest 2018 on May 31, June 1-June 2 at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Nonprofits can participate in the Merchant Marketplace on June 2 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. at no cost; businesses can participate for $75. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your business or organization in front of 2,500+ attendees. Register at merchantsofoakridge.com.

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CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

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

April 19 | A resident in the 7500 block of Strawberry Road reported that sometime between 5 p.m. on April 18 and 7 a.m. on April 19 an unknown suspect(s) entered his unlocked vehicle and stole his Ruger pistol; the estimated value of the stolen firearm is $299. April 22 | The manager of the Dollar General store on U.S. 220 in Summerfield reported an unknown offender

driving a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado stole laundry detergent pods and a dog collar, with a total value of $9.25.

ARRESTS

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New Time Same Message 9:30am | Sunday School/Bible Study 10:45am | Traditional/Contemporary

April 20 | A 24-year-old man was arrested in the 7900 block of N.C. 68/U.S. 158 in Stokesdale for nonsupport of a child. April 23 | A 44-year old man was arrested in the 4400 block of U.S. 220 in Summerfield for a probation violation.

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

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of the change, several parents have expressed concerns about the new book (henceforth referred to as True Diary), citing sexually explicit references and vulgar language.

Welcome to

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

New summer reading selection draws mixed responses The following article is reprinted with permission of Northwest Horizons, Northwest High School’s student newspaper.

by NATHAN VESCIO, NWHS sophomore Children are taught to read at a young age in our society. As they mature, so do the works they read. Some parents, however, feel as if there is a limit to what books should be permissible for their children to read. Those parents do not always see eyeto-eye with teachers on what that limit is. Such is the case with Northwest High School’s new summer reading selection for incoming freshmen, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. This change marks a departure from the previous summer reading selection,

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie,, which has been the assignment for four years. However, students and English teachers alike have recently criticized this novel by David Lubar for its lack of diversity and stereotypical content. “I would like students to read a text and see themselves in it,” English department chair Monica Clark said. The decision was made in February during a ninth-grade PLC. The new selection was agreed upon by all the ninth-grade English teachers. However, since the announcement

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One parent wrote in an email, “I have read [True Diary] myself and find that many parts are unacceptable for my son. It was a great story, but the vulgarities found throughout take away from the book.” Guilford County Schools’ policy regarding controversial texts reads: “Literary texts studied in the high school classroom are complex, higher-level texts which may contain mature content and themes. ‘Mature content’ may include, but is not limited to, pervasive strong language, disturbing violence and behavior, sexual acts, drug/alcohol use or references, controversial content, or culturally diverse themes.” Not all parents are against this novel’s selection, however. Holly Stewart, a mother of an incoming freshman, wrote an email supporting the decision to teach this novel at the beginning of next school year. “I was surprised and concerned when a neighbor called me yesterday about her desire to solicit support for re-

moving and replacing Alexie’s book with ‘something more appropriate,’” Stewart said. “Alexie illuminates important aspects of the American experience, and he does so in a way that inspires compassion, hope and resiliency.” Ninth-grade English teacher and mother of a seventh-grader at Northwest Middle School, Katherine Trabert, agrees with Stewart. “In high school, students are introduced to many diverse books, all having important themes,” Trabert said. “This year’s summer readings reflect that diversity within our community and country.” True Diary is no stranger to challenges over its content. Many school districts across the nation have received challenges over teaching the book since its release in 2007. In some cases, the book was allowed to stay and be taught, in others it was removed from the curriculum. One of these challenges was within the state of North Carolina. This came from a 73-year-old woman, Frances Wood, in Brunswick County in 2014. In her complaint about the novel, Wood cited profanity and sexual themes depicted in the book as disturbing and offensive to her religious values, and inappropriate for children to read.

...continued on p. 29

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

NTARY, NORTHERN MIDDLE and ME ELE IR NA MC and RN HE RT NO , LD artwork by SUMMERFIE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL students Northern Guilford High School’s 50-member National Art Honor Society chapter hosted its sixth annual art show on April 12. This year’s show featured 1,000 works of art by Northern, Summerﬁeld and McNair elementary school, Northern Middle

and Northern High School students. NAHS students judge all of the elementary and middle school artwork, and high school art teachers from other schools judge the high school artwork.

 “Positive Space City” collage by Taylor W., grade 3, Summerﬁeld Elementary.  Georgia O’Keeffe painting by Olivia P., grade 5, Summerﬁeld Elementary

 Self Portrait by Mikey Koenig, Art 3 class, Northern High  “Chicken King” by Grace Schneider, Honors Art class, Northern High

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 Self Portrait by Lydia Gilmore, Art 3 class, Northern High

 “Goddess of Spring and Peace” by Ann Margaret Askew, class, Art AP Northern High

 “With Death Comes Resurrection” by Marley Smith, AP Drawing class, Northern High

 “Camel Caravan” by Lila Sabek, Art 4 class, Northern High

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STUDENT PROFILES Thanks to the coaches and teachers at Northern and Northwest High Schools for their student recommendations and input, which make it possible to recognize these talented, dedicated students for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and cultural arts.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Collin Clark, baseball by MARC PRUITT Collin Clark is grateful for having a healthy and pain-free senior season on the mound and at first base for Northwest Guilford’s baseball team. Clark said he never fully got into a rhythm during his junior season after battling back from surgery on his right arm last August. “The ulnar nerve in my right arm

kept popping in and out of place and I had torn some ligaments,” Clark said. “It kept happening during my travel ball season over the summer. I had surgery last August, and it took me about six months to get back to where I was throwing normally again. Last season, I pretty much just played first base and hit.” Four months after his surgery, Clark went through grueling therapy sessions to rebuild the muscles and nerves in his right arm. When practice began last February he was ready, but on a limited basis. “I was probably about 65 or 70 percent last year at the start of practice,” he said. “It wasn’t until about halfway through the season when I was ready to pitch again. This year, I was look-

Jam-packed with valuable info for northwest Guilford County residents it Keep it handy, use 28

often

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

A: “‘42’”

Averett University in Danville, Virginia, saw enough in Clark that it signed him to play baseball in November.

A: “David Ortiz, Jackie Robinson and Clayton Kershaw”

“I’ve been playing baseball since I was 4 years old,” Clark said. “Playing in college was something I really started thinking about once I got to high school. I gave up playing football after my freshman year to focus on baseball. I played just about everything growing up – hockey, basketball, football, baseball. I stopped playing hockey when I was 8 and gave up basketball after eighth grade. I’ve always been more drawn to baseball.”

NORTHERN GUILFORD

Clark, who is 6-4 and 225 pounds, has an arsenal of four pitches – fastball, curve, slider and changeup. When he’s not on the diamond, you might catch him at his favorite fishing spot or helping on the family farm. “We’ve got chickens and cows, and I’m up at 6 a.m. feeding them every morning,” Clark said. “That usually takes about an hour, and then I have to go and get ready for school.”

On a side note, we asked Collin

ITI

ing forward to getting back out there again and competing and showing what I could do.”

tesy of photo courO’Reilly Sandi

Clark these three questions…

Q: Where would you go on your dream vacation? A: “The Bahamas” Q: What’s your favorite sports movie?

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Q: What three people, living or dead, would you invite to dinner?

Jake Meyer, lacrosse by MARC PRUITT Jake Meyer learned several years ago that following in the footsteps of his older brother wasn’t such a bad thing. And for doing so, the lacrosse team at Northern Guilford has benefitted from having a steady force at goal for the better part of the last four seasons. Meyer, a senior, got the lacrosse bug when he was 10 years old and a spectator at his older brother David’s games. “I was playing baseball at the time and I’d go to my brother’s games and decided that lacrosse looked like more fun,” Meyer said. “So, I stopped playing baseball and started playing lacrosse. I started as a midfielder, but in my second year playing recreation (lacrosse), our coaches were looking for a goalie because we didn’t have

one. I volunteered to do it because that’s the position my brother played. I told my coaches that if my brother could do it, then so could I.” Meyer has been entrenched as Northern’s goalie since late in his freshman season, when he experienced something similar to a Lou Gehrig-Wally Pipp moment. “There were about four games left in the season, and our regular goalie went to a concert one night and missed the game,” Meyer said. “I started that night and played pretty well. When the next game came around, I got to start again because the coach wanted to send a message to the regular goalie, who was a senior. I thought I was only going to play the first half, but at halftime, Coach told me that I was playing great and to keep it up. I’ve been back there ever since.” Meyer, who is also in Beta Club, has signed with Mercer University and relishes the thrill that playing goalie

SUMMER READING

brings on a regular basis. “It’s a lot of fun, but also brings with it a lot of pressure,” Meyer said. “If the balls aren’t going in the net, you’re doing your job. But, you can also have that one ball that gets through and you end up losing the game. Then, you’re the scapegoat. But that’s what makes playing the position so interesting. You’ve got to be a little messed up in the mind to play between the pipes.”

On a side note, we asked Jake Meyer these three questions…

Q: Where would you go on your dream vacation? A: “Jackson Hole, Wyoming” Q: What’s your favorite sports movie? A: “‘Miracle’” Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions? A: “I hit the crossbar and the pipes with my stick to make a certain pattern before every game.”

...continued from p. 25

“It’s very undesirable for our children to be reading, much less taught in a classroom,” Wood said in an interview with Star News. “We don’t use these words in Christian homes. I object to these words. I object to the masturbation.” Wood’s challenge ultimately proved fruitless, as the book remained on shelves in the district. Wood would go on to issue another challenge over the book a year later with similar results. Those opposed to banning the book cite the value of students’ ability to relate to the narrator through his authenticity. Proponents of keeping the book also criticize the arguments against it as decontextualized and failing to appreciate the literary merit the book holds in spite of its vulgarity. “[Those protesting this novel] lost the entirety of the book in a few pages

of objectionable [content],” Clark said. “I kind of feel like they’re missing the point.” As of now, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian remains the primary novel for incoming freshmen at Northwest, both in CP and Honors classes. However, for those parents who object, students are allowed to read the previous summer reading novel, Sleeping Freshmen. “Parents and guardians are given an alternate title for their students, should they wish,” Trabert said.

•••••

Let us hear from you

Parents, have you read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and if so, what do you think of its selection for incoming freshmen next year? Send your thoughts to editor@nwobserver.com.

High School students can earn free college credits right here in NW Guilford! Northwest Guilford High School juniors and seniors can take dual enrollment courses and earn free college credit hours this fall right across the road at GTCC’s Donald W. Cameron campus!

> Learn in state-of-the-art facilities > Pay no tuition – classes are free for high school students > Credits transfer to any of the 16 schools in the UNC system > Class times scheduled to work with high school classes

Dual enrollment general education college courses available at our Cameron campus for Fall 2018 include: English • Geology • History • Psychology Spanish • Math • Communications • And More Students should see their guidance counselor for enrollment information. For more information, call 336-334-4822 ext. 50562.

gtcc.edu GTC-9.88x4.5_print_NWobserver_update.indd 1

4/20/18 9:04 AM

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

Northwest Middle School’s | April 21

3rd annual Viking Nation Color Run Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

102 people of all ages participated in Northwest Middle School’s Color Run 5K on April 21. Some walked, some ran, some rode in wagons and – as you can see in one of the photos at right – some even jumped hurdles along the way. See more photos from this event at Facebook.com/NorthwestObserver.

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Northern Elementary unplugs

Photos and information provided by Angie Linn, NESPTA Marketingg

Northern Elementary’s PTSA sponsored Unplugged Night on April 20, when students and their families were invited to enjoy a free meal followed by a presentation for parents by Dr. Mary Ann Garcia, a licensed psychologist, about what parents should be aware of with computer and phone screens. Fifth-graders put on skits about appropriate screen use and breakout sessions with screen-free activities were offered by community businesses and nonprofits, including Cherry Pit Café, Bella Ballerina and the Haw River Public Library.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

GRINS and GRIPES Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in online: nwobserver.com

40 words or less

e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com

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

GRINS to...

next door.

 My Bagels and More on Inman Road in Greensboro. We have been so impressed by the food quality and selection, and are always welcomed like friends. A great, healthier alternative to the McDonald’s

 Summerfield resident Janelle Robinson for having the courage to stand up for what is right and challenging Councilman Todd Rotruck’s voter registration.  The new reality comedy show airing monthly called the Summerfield Town

Welcome. Grow. Love. Join us!

Sunday services:

8:15am | Worship in Sanctuary 9am | Contemporary Worship in Family Life Center 10 am | Discipleship classes for all ages 11:15 am | Worship in Sanctuary

Council meeting! I laughed, I cried, Rotten Anchovies gives it 5 stars! Tune in next month! Will he go, will he stay? Pass the popcorn!

 Janelle Robinson, for researching Rotruck’s voting status and his eligibility to even serve on Summerfield’s Town Council. It took courage and confidence to pursue this with the Board of Elections. I’m proud to call you my local hero!

 Juliet’s House for rescuing my best friend from the animal shelter and fixing her up real pretty for adoption. Both of our lives are so much more wonderful since you introduced us and we couldn’t be more grateful!

 To the people who adopt dogs. We don’t need more dogs bred. There are thousands euthanized every day that need and deserve homes. Always adopt, never buy from a breeder.

 Scott Whitaker. You took on a lightning-rod position as Summerfield’s town manager and unfortunately, partisan politics tries to make you the whipping boy. Rest assured, good citizens see the politics at play, we appreciate you, and we wish you well.

 Patti Stokes and Northwest Observer staff for your excellent reporting and dedication to our communities all these 21 years of publishing. It isn’t easy, but you’ve been a class act and we’re lucky you took on the task!

 Summerfield Charter Academy family for showing so much compassion and love to Braxton the Brave and the Gate City Charter Academy.

 BJ Barnes for creating and maintaining one of the finest sheriff’s departments in the nation for almost 24 years. It’s hard to believe it is time to vote again – thank you, Sheriff Barnes.

 Dr. Matt Devaney for providing a wonderful lunch on Wednesday to the teachers and staff at Oak Ridge Elementary! It was so delicious and greatly appreciated.

 Summerfield Charter Academy for consistently teaching our kids to serve and reach out to others in need. So proud of our school!

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

SUSAN P. GREESON, P.L.L.C.

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Susan P. Greeson p.l.l.c.

GRIPES to...

 News & Record for not keeping their paper machines stocked every day. You’d think after four phone calls and the paper not being changed out for over two weeks they would do something.  Todd Rotruck. Summerfield voters, this is one of the many lies intended to deceive you as voters. There are so many more. The house of cards is falling and the hypocrisy is being exposed.  Youth recreational leagues that allow baseball teams to be stacked with All Star players instead of being more fairly distributed.  The ABC store in Oak Ridge, for not letting me exchange a bottle with a hairline crack that leaks because I didn’t notice it until after I got home.  Employees of the company off U.S. 220, between Summerfield Road and Strawberry Road, for driving over the new concrete divider to go north instead of going south and making a U-turn like everyone else. I saw two trucks do it back-to-back.  The owner(s) of two cats in the Vineyards neighborhood that roam free and try to kill the birds I feed and have houses for in my yard. Be a responsible pet owner! I have put up with this for two years.  The neighbor on Long Valley Road in Greensboro who yelled at me and insisted I take down a political sign in support of BJ Barnes – which I did – when I had permission from the prop-

erty owner to place it there.  Todd Rotruck. The Board of Elections isn’t fooled by spin jobs. Rotruck said his “family was in flux,” yet election laws are clear. A primary residence is one lived in more than six months yearly, not just owned. Ask the IRS!  The folks at Elmhurst Estates for complaining about their ugly noise barrier wall that should have never been installed in the first place. Wait till one of them tries to sell their house. Knock down the wall.  The local restaurant that thinks it’s OK to deliver cold food in addition to taking an hour and a half after being quoted 30 to 40 minutes. And when I called to complain, no one even apologized. Not acceptable!  Guilford County Board of Elections for not having stricter verification of residency requirements, even having candidates sign an affidavit. There can be no ambiguity if the law is spelled out at candidate registration. Rechecks of tax listings, newer addresses help.  The unknown driver of a Honda who was speeding and almost hit two children walking on Kingsbranch Drive. Although you insulted my intelligence about what you had done, I hope this was a wake-up call for you.  Todd Rotruck for not knowing you are supposed to physically live in the town you are representing on the council. Summerfield was just fine before the last election. #BringbacktheSummerfieldwelove!

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

4/17/18 10:12 AM

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

LETTERS/OPINIONS Submit your editorials (maximum 350 words) online: nwobserver.com

e-mail : editor@nwobserver.com

mail: Opinions, PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 Include your name, a daytime phone number where you can be reached and name of community in which you live. Letters from the same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

Councilman demanded, but failed to provide transparency Paeans to Janelle Robinson for her courage and perseverance in challenging the “primary residence” charade of Todd Rotruck. At the April 10 town council meeting Councilman Rotruck stated that the council should “...hold people accountable, insist on transparency and enforce policies evenly.” (Northwest Observer April 19-25, 2018, page 10). Talk is cheap. Political pronouncements should be mirrored by personal commitments. The people of Summerfield should expect nothing less from Rotruck, himself. The Guilford County Board of Elections unanimously agrees. To date, Rotruck’s short tenure on

the council has often been combative, ineffectual and even destructive, as for example when he made the motion (at the April 10 council meeting) “that the town manager be advised his contract is not being renewed.” Fortunately, cooler heads and wisdom prevailed, for this motion against Scott Whitaker was defeated. Rotruck’s leadership performance has been as murky as his residency claims. Perhaps the town council should fill his vacant seat with Janelle Robinson. She demanded clarity. Rotruck delivered fog. Wain White, SUMMERFIELD

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IN THIS ISSUE

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

We are more than just a few in number Recently, in several council meetings and letters to the NWO, citizens of Summerfield who disagree with the status quo have been referred to as few in number but loud in opinion. For those who feel that way, I have a simple word for you: Half. Half of the voting population in Summerfield voted for candidates who campaigned for transparency from town officials, low density housing, better communication from Town Hall, and accountability for town employees. This is not a small number of people. Many of us, like me, are newer to Summerfield and are not familiar with all of the old gripes. I myself found the editorial from former mayor Mark Brown, supporting the current town manager, as particularly ironic. Mr. Brown’s emails pandering to developers and land owners during the PD debates were exactly what prompted me to vote for candidates advocating transparency. When I first saw the election results, I was very pleased. I thought that two even-matched groups would be able to moderate and reach compromises better than large-versus-small groups, easily shouted down and ignored.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Instead we are being dismissed as small groups of malcontents, and the motions we asked the council members we elected to bring to the table are being voted down, seemingly without even a moment’s hesitation or consideration. To the old council members, I ask you to pay attention to the concerns and motions brought by the newly elected. They represent more than just a few oddball members of our community, and they are the voice for those who aren’t comfortable speaking to you established representatives. To the newly elected, I ask that you proceed with decorum and courtesy, and please continue to be open to suggestions and conversations with those of us who put you in office. And to those who would write off the concerns brought to the council, remember: Half. We are your neighbors. We deserve a voice and consideration. We deserve courtesy, and we give as we find. Let us solve concerns together, to the benefit of the town we love and care for. Thank you.

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AUTO SALES & SERVICE

LOST & FOUND

SUMMER CAMP

EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE & REPAIR We specialize in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Mini, Porsche, and Lexus. 32 years experience. Knight Import Specialty Service, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669.

LADIES' DIAMOND RING lost on Friday, April 20, at Summerfield Food Lion. REWARD! Please call (336) 643-0443.

SUNSHINE ART STUDIO in Stokesdale is hosting our first-annual summer camp, ARTSKOOL. Visit www.sunshineart.studio or call (336) 708-3227 to register.

EMPLOYMENT

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NEED HELP? Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -2pm

INDEX Auto Sales & Service .................. 35 Employment ............................... 35 Lost & Found............................... 35 Public Notice .............................. 35 Save the Date ............................. 35 Summer Camp ........................... 35 Yard Sales .................................. 35 Home Services ....................... 36-37 Misc. Services.............................. 37 Misc. Wanted .............................. 37 Pets & Animal Services ................ 37 Real Estate.................................. 38

KENNEL ASSISTANT, Northwest Animal Hospital. Duties include animal care, hospital cleaning and restocking. Must be reliable and have own transportation. Please drop resume off at 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, Oak Ridge. PART-TIME CLEANING ASSISTANTS needed. Flexible daytime hours, excellent pay. Must have excellent customer service skills, and pass criminal background check. Please send resume to Sunrise.cleaning@ yahoo.com, visit SunrisecleaningSVS.com, or call (336) 312-0961. STAFF POSITION available Monday-Friday in local childcare center. Experience preferred but not required. (336) 643-5930. Wanted: PIANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR for $125 per week. Browns Summit UMC, 4426 Hwy. 150 East, Browns Summit, NC. Inquire: huneycuttdavid@att.net. OPERATION XCEL Summer Science Teacher. Implement Apex curriculum. Certified elementary teacher; experience teaching in a school/youth program. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-1pm; June 25-August 10, 2018. Salary commensurate with experience. Email resume to: jobs@operationxcel.org. Spring and summer help needed! CarsonDellosa Publishing Company is hiring SEASONAL WAREHOUSE EMPLOYEES. Must be 18 years old, willing to work in a fast-paced warehouse environment. Competitive pay and flexible hours. Perfect job for students! Contact Human Resources, (336) 632-0084 or (336) 8083225. 657-A Brigham Road, Greensboro (near Pleasant Ridge Road).

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARINGS The Town Council of the Town of Oak Ridge will hold two public hearings to consider the fiscal year 2018-19 budget ordinance. The hearings will be held on May 3 and June 7, 2018, at 7pm at Oak Ridge Town Hall. Copies of the budget will be made available at Town Hall and on the Town website at www. oakridgenc.com. Spencer Sullivan, Mayor

SAVE THE DATE 6th annual CANINE CAPERS, Saturday, April 28, Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Bring your canine friend and enjoy demonstrations, the dog maze, raffle, canine contests, people food and much more! See display ad on page 3 for more info.

YARD SALES YARD SALE, Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28, 8am-2pm, 6906 Aplington Road in Oak Ridge. Exercise equipment, furniture and much, much more. MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE, Saturday, April 28, 7am-12n in popular Belews Landing, 164 Keel Court, Stokesdale. GARAGE SALE, Sat., April 28, 8am-4pm; and Sunday, April 29, 1am-4pm, 8599 Blackthorne Road, Stokesdale. Moving – lots of furniture!

It's that time of year! Place your Yard Sale ad online at www.nwobserver.com.

COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY, Saturday, April 28, 1-5pm, Center United Methodist Church, 6142 Lake Brandt Road. Live music, bounce houses, games, prizes, food and fun for all ages! Free! Free!

MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE/YARD SALE, Sat., April 28, 6:30am, 4310 Windlestraw Lane, Greensboro. Designer bags, shoes, clothes, paintings, appliances & household items. Cheap prices. Early Birds welcome!

SOMETHING GOING ON?

MOVING SALE, Sat., April 28, 8am-2pm, 4608 US 220N, Summerfield. Everything must go!

Place your Save the Date classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com, or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10.

RECEPTION for Rep. Jon Hardister and Sheriff BJ Barnes, Sunday, April 29, 2-4pm, Polo Farms Clubhouse, 7160 Strawberry Road, Summerfield. Refreshments provided. Please RSVP at (336) 392-6157. SPRING MARKET at Palestine United Methodist Church, Sat., May 5, 8am-2pm, 2954 Ellisboro Road, Stokesdale. Yard sale, bake sale, vendors, sausage biscuits and coffee, and more! Sponsored by United Methodist Women – proceeds benefit mission projects. Rent a table for $10. Call (336) 643-3788 for more info.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE, Saturday, April 28, 7am-12noon, 6909 Maynard Road, Summerfield. COMMUNITY YARD SALE (2 homes), Saturday, April 28, 8am, Brandt Meadows, 7995 Witty Road in Summerfield. ESTATE SALE, Sat., May 5, 8am-2pm. (NO Early Birds), 202 Old Mill Drive in Summerfield. Furniture, tools, housewares, lawn items, NASCAR, household collectibles. CHURCH YARD SALE, Saturday, May 5, 7am-1pm, Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, 2614 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge. Tons of great items!

... continued on p. 36

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

HOME SERVICES

CLEANING

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN INC. The pollen is out, windows are open. Let the Cleaning Technician do a detailed clean! Licensed, bonded & insured. Call Lisa (336) 207-0770.

GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales &

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

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic./Ins. 30 yrs. exp. Bucket truck & chipper, total cleanup. Selective thinning & lot clearing. 24-hr. ER. (336) 643-1119.

MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years exp. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223. HOME CLEANING. Afford. rates, ref. avail., 10 years exp. Elizabeth, (336) 453-8592. CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873. MAIDS OF HONOR HOME CLEANING $25 off! Locally owned, bonded staff. 40 years in service. BBB A+ rating. (336) 708-2407.

Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale. (336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844. L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE “We get you mowing!” Commercial & residential, all models. 2103 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge. (336) 298-4314. APPLIANCE REPAIR - Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707. Affordable HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate, call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350. LAWN MOWER REPAIR and service. Call Rick, (336) 501-8681.

OLD SCHOOL

CastleWorks WINDOW CLEANING Includes gutters, pressure washing, chandeliers and other high ladder work. Fully insured and bonded, free estimates. (336) 609-0677. www.castleworkswindowcleaning.com.

HOME REPAIR /IMPROVEMENTS “No Job Too Small”

Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Painting • Decks and much more! • Insured

(336) 669-7252

DECORATING

ELECTRICAL BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192. Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call (336) 209-1486. Rodney A. Coble, licensed electrician.

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.

GRADING / HAULING GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150. BRAD’S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, drive-

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING

IT’S A CARPET THING! Repairs, restretch, replace. (336) 643-6500.

36 36

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

ways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647.

FLOORING

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875. ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981. GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE. Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490. AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor. We service all systems. Free estimates. (336) 644-1174. STUMP GRINDING up to 24 inch diameter. Call or text Morris, (336) 880-7498.

NIDIA’S CLEANING SERVICE. 10 years experience. Call Nidia (336) 362-4173.

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.

PEARMAN QUARRY HAULING Fill dirt, gravel, sand rock, mulch & more. Joel Richardson, (336) 803-2195.

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

APRIL - MAY 2, 2, 2018 APRIL2626 - MAY 2018

FAY’S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Spring prep & tree work. Complete landscape maint. & hardscaping Reasonable and honest. Call Taylor, (336) 458-6491. AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPING, specializing in mowing, flower bed design and restoration, irrigation installation and repair. Please call Joe at J. Gibson Landscaping, (336) 419-7236. American owned and operated. In God We Trust. WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maint, landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764. CUTTING EDGE LAWNCARE – Affordable. Dependable. Mowing, aeration, leaf removal, and more! Please call anytime for free estimate, (336) 706-0103. EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES, LLC. Lawn maintenance service (336) 682-1456.

The The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 1996 Northwest Observer • Totally local since

CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com. ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. Call Joe at 643-9157. AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPING for all your landscape needs, including irrigation, installation and repair. Please call Joe at J. Gibson Landscaping, (336) 419-7236. American owned & operated. In God We Trust. CLEAN CUT LAWNCARE, Have no mowworries. Our name says it all. Call Donnie, (336) 671-9940. Free estimates. COLFAX LAWNCARE Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming, pine needles. Complete lawn care maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the Triad for 28 years. (336) 362-5860. AREA STUMP DUMP. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Fill dirt avail. (336) 602-5820.

MASONRY MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone concrete & repairs. Free est. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com. SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes. How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.

MISC. SERVICES & PRODUCTS COX POOL SERVICE. Openings/closings, weekly maintenance, chemicals included, free estimates. Damion, (336) 327-5122.

HOME SERVICES

MISC. SERVICES

GAS LOGS, WOOD STOVES & INSERTS Fireplaces, sold, serviced and repaired. Call Don Hill, (336) 643-7183.

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

COMPUTER REPAIRS – ITBASICS.COM

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, siding, dock work, windows, roof roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 38 years exp. (336) 362-6343.

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.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION

ROOFING

PAINTING & DRYWALL PAINTING – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186. CARLOS & SON PAINTING, interior & exterior. Free est., lic/ins. (336) 669-5210. STILL PERFECTION PAINTING Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com. CINDY’S PAINTING Interior painting, wallpaper removal. References & free estimates available. (336) 708-9155.

BEK Paint Co. Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com • References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed

PLUMBING WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded. 24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info. BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic. & insured. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

PRESSURE WASHING CUTTING EDGE PRESSURE WASHING Affordable. Dependable. Please call anytime for free estimate, (336) 706-0103. PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873.

30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, vinyl siding and windows, painting, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and linoleum floors, and remodeling of all kinds. No job too small. Free est. Call (336) 362-7469.

www.nwobserver.com HAMMERSMITH WOODWORKING LLC. Carpentry, custom cabinetry, built-ins, exterior repairs. ASP – Helping Hand. Over 30 years exp. Call Carlton, (336) 404-3002. ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981. AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350. DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING, LLC. Custom Builder, sunrooms, garages, additions, kitchens baths. Licensed & Insured, BBB A+ accredited. Free est.. Visit www.douglascr.com or call (336) 413-5050. JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured. NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

Construction Services, INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Roof and window replacement

(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797

RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of roof roofing. BBB accredited A and listed with Angie’s List. Call (336) 944-6118, or visit redrhinoroofing.com. KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Residential shingle & metal roofing. Free est. (336) 362-7469

Inside Mailboxes & More, Oak Ridge Commons. (336) 643-0068.

Locally owned & operated

Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance 6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale • (336) 643-9963 (affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)

MISC. WANTED $$$ - WILL PAY CASH up to $200 for your

A.L. CORMAN ROOFING INC. Res. roofing specialist serving Guilford Cty. area since 1983. BBB 25+ years w/ A+ rating. cormanroofinginc.com, (336) 621-6962.

junk or wrecked vehicle. (336) 552-0328.

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience. Now accepting all major credit cards. Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 580-3245.

washers, chain saws. (336) 689-4167.

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, any and all gas items, tillers, gocarts & golf carts, ATVs, generators, power

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS. PET SITTING / BOARDING KPS – KELLY’S PET SERVICES Professional in-your-home pet sitting. Insured & bonded. Member Pet Sitters Interrnational. Openings currently available for Oak Ridge only. Call (336) 706-6706, email

21 years of delivering homegrown

kpsforyourpets@gmail.com, www.facebook.

news to northwest Guilford County

com/kpspets, or @kpspets on Instagram.

MISC. SERVICES OAK RIDGE POWER YOGA All levels. Life Changing. Yoga. Please visit oakridgepoweryoga.com. DEXMAR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Shuttle service, non-emergency transpor transportation, wheel chair accessible. Holidays & weekends. www.dexmartransportation.com. (336) 298-4225. SAM’S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Ready for a NEW family member? Visit adoptshelterpets.org to see animals at the Guilford County Animal Shelter in need of a loving home.

...continued on p. 38

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

REAL ESTATE

HOME FOR RENT

HOMES FOR SALE

HOUSE FOR RENT. Peaceful Pine Hall Cottage, 2BR, 1BA, a/c, big rooms, storage, yard, all appl., pet OK, sec. dep. & ref. req. $525/mo. (336) 554-1184.

MINUTES TO GREENSBORO!

A NEW ENGLAND CHARMER!

10.6-acre farmette. Updated 3 bed/2 bath ranch with vaulted ceilings, woodburning fireplaces, separate guest house, 8-stall barn, fully fenced pastures, 3-car detached garage and paved circular drive. Pleasant Garden. Offered at $379,900

Nearly new home in Nantucket Village, a sidewalk neighborhood. Great floor plan, excellent function, generous storage. 2-car garage and fenced-in yard. Close to Lake Brandt Marina, Watershed Trail System and just outside city limits for lower taxes! Northern school district. Offered at $429,900

LAND FOR SALE 44 ACRES, great development potential, adjoins HorsePower on Leabourne Road, Colfax. Tons of road frontage. (336) 708-0625. 22 ACRES in Summerfield. Two 11-acre tracts, $120,000 each, or $240,000 for both. (336) 692-8615.

3905 Eagle Downs Way, Summerfield New quality construction on approximately 1-ac. lot in popular Eagle Ridge! 3,979 sq. ft., 4 BR, 4.5 BA, covered front porch, 2-story foyer, formal dining room, large great room with fireplace, kitchen with gas range, custom cabinets & granite countertops. $680,000

23+ ACRES, STONEVILLE, NC. Calling all hunters / sportsmen. Perfect 23+ acre retreat includes; hunting stands, 1,500 sq. ft. Morton bldg., cleared paths, stream, pond and privacy! A short hop from the Triad for weekends or build a custom retreat. Only $189,000. Call Realtor Dede Cunningham of Keller Williams. (336) 509-1923.

Jake Letterman (336) 338-0136

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

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REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Are you thinking of doing a FSBO?

Let’s talk! Gil Vaughan

Great floor plan offering flexibility in design and living space with ability to have a guest room, office or playroom or gym on any of 3 levels. 4 BR/4.5 BA. Spacious deck overlooking the fencedin yard is fantastic for outdoor living and entertainment. Northern school district. $500,000

Kelly O’Day

REALTOR ®/Broker

(336) 337-4780

kelly.oday@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 541-2011

Each office is independently owned and operated

JustCallGil.com

is a standard in our homes ... not an upgrade

Visit our Spring Parade homes April 28-29 & May 5-6

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6620 Linville Ridge Drive, Oak Ridge Linville Ridge • $670,000 (above left photo)

Selling or renting in northwest Guilford County?

SELLERS & BUYERS

7817 Front Nine Drive, Stokesdale Dawn Acres • $491,500 7708 Briardenn Drive, Summerfield Birkhaven • $849,000 (finished basement)

The Northwest Observer reaches every mailbox with an Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale zip code,

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plus we provide an extra 1,900 copies

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APRIL - MAY 2, 2, 2018 APRIL2626 - MAY 2018

for free pickup at about 70 local business locations.

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LEGAL SERVICES

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC..... 22

Barbour & Williams Law ...................... 7

ART / DANCE / KARATE Northern Arts / Mike Carr Karate ....... 2

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION Don Mills Builders ............................. 38 Greensboro Builders Association ........ 5 TM Construction ............................... 37

CHURCHES

Ingle Law........................................... 22 The Law Office of Susan Greeson .... 32

MEDICAL CARE

Novant Health .................................. 15 Novant NW Family Medicine ............. 25

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Northwest High Baseball Boosters .... 24

“How do I contact my town’s council members?”

“Are there any local animal rescue groups?”

Find the answer to these questions and more in the FINDER. It’s jam-packed with valuable information for northwest Guilford County residents. In print every year • Online year-round at nwobserver.com

Mitchell, Bartlett & Bell Ortho. .....26-27

EVENT

Olmsted Orthodontics ....................... 28

Canine Capers .................................... 3 Summerfield Movie in the Park ......... 16 Tom Brown Memorial Golf Tourney ... 19

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

ITIO

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital .............. 22 King’s Crossing Animal Hospital ......... 4

rtesy of photo cou eilly Sandi O’R

Northwest Animal Hospital ............... 12

CPR & Me ........................................ 18 YMCA of Greensboro ..................10, 31

Westergaard Kennels ........................ 33

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

A New Dawn Realty .......................... 38

BEK Paint Company .......................... 37 Budget Blinds ................................... 33 Carpets by Direct .............................. 14 Carpet Super Mart ....................... 20-21 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery..... 7 New Garden Select ...........................11 Old School Home Repair .................. 36 Plymouth Nursery & Landscaping .... 23 Prostone Inc. .................................... 12 Rymack Storage ............................... 37 Southern States ............................ 6, 33 Stokesdale Heating & Air .................... 9

“What are the DMV’s hours of operation?”

Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surg. ... 17

NORTHWEST HIGH

HEALTH / FITNESS / SAFETY

“Where can I donate unused items I no longer need?”

LeBauer Healthcare ......................... 13

Central Baptist Church ...................... 23 Oak Ridge United Methodist Church ... 32

GTCC ............................................... 29

“How do I register to vote?”

REAL ESTATE Gil Vaughan, Keller Williams .............. 38 Jake Letterman, BHHS Yost & Little ... 38 Kelly O’Day, BHHS Yost & Little ....... 38 Nancy Hess, BHHS Yost & Little ....... 38 Ramilya Siegel, Allen Tate ................ 23

RESTAURANT Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant ......... 2

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Guardian Ad Litem Program ............. 25

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

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APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

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Postal Patron PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 â&#x20AC;˘ (336) 644-7035

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Email your photo to photos@ om nwobserver.c

q Merchants of Oak Ridge members took in a dose of local news by reading the Northwest Observer before getting their April 12 meeting underway.

PAID

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

u Kaitlyn Quaglia shared a moment with the Northwest Observer and her dad, Mike Quaglia, of Oak Ridge. Kaitlyn was competing at the USA Roller Sports in Odenton, Maryland, on March 17.