ELECTION 2010: The Herald analyzes the District 4 commish race • Page 4A
The Sanford Herald SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2010
LEE COUNTY
SANFORDHERALD.COM • 50 CENTS
LEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING
Sluggish economy hurts tax revenues County’s tax intake 3 percent behind this time last year By BILLY BALL bball@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — Lee County tax revenues are filtering in slowly this year, but county officials say it’s only a sign of the times. County finance chief Lisa Minter told commissioners this week that tax collections are running nearly 3 percent behind this time last year. Minter pointed to the lagging revenues as a sign of the continuingly sluggish economy in Lee County. Finance leaders across the state have weathered dribbling revenue streams throughout the recession, drastically cutting into county budget books. Meanwhile, unemployment remains in the double-digits in Lee County, although recent numbers have indicated an improving job market. Lee Tax Administrator Dwayne Brinson said the slow cash flow is the result of efforts by his office this year to allow cashstrapped locals to stretch out their tax payments over time. “There’s really no reason to be alarmed at this point,” Brinson said. Minter said the slowed payments have not become a cash flow issue for the county yet. She added that the local sales tax revenues are meeting expectations, while revenues drawn from area permitting fees are up on an upward slope. “That’s a good sign for us,” Minter said. Increased permitting indicates improving construction activity, a sign of an accelerating economy, economists say.
Lexie Anne Stephens, smiles to the crowd after being crowned Homecoming Queen on Friday night at Lee County High School. WESLEY BEESON / The Sanford Herald
SLHS 50 UPH 36
Cary 7 LCHS 0
CAVS OFFENSE EXPLODES FOR 50 IN WIN
LEE COUNTY DROPS DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE
It was a fitting end to for a senior class who has been through so much in their four years at Southern Lee. The Cavaliers celebrated Senior Night with a 50-point outburst and, more importantly, a win against Union Pines
In a tough defensive battle, the Cary Imps held on to shut out the Yellow Jackets 7-0 on Friday night at Paul Gay Stadium in Sanford. STORIES, PAGE 1B
NO SCARE FAIR • OCT. 30
Take with
Heather Little
CIS of Lee County
CIS joining others for national ‘Make a Difference Day’
QUICKREAD
T
JUBI-LEE TODAY WESLEY BEESON/The Sanford Herald
Megan Bowers (left) and fellow art students Guadalupe Norato and Ramon Najera-Suazo help paint doors Thursday morning at Southern Lee High School for the upcoming No Scare Fair. Bowers was named winner of the annual No Scare Fair’s door contest for 2010.
JUBI-LEE KICKS OFF WEEK OF ART APPRECIATION For art enthusiasts, children and anyone in the mood to welcome fall, downtown Sanford is the place to be this weekend. Todaymarks the return of Jubi-LEE—the unofficial kickoff to Sanford’s art season. The festival in Depot Park, which was previously called Artoberfest, is Downtown Sanford Inc.’s signature autumn event. TO INFORM, CHALLENGE AND CELEBRATE
Vol. 80, No. 247 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
5
Art student wins ‘door prize’ Special to The Herald
SANFORD — Megan Bowers, a senior at Southern Lee High School, is no stranger to receiving awards for her art. Already recognized by for her work at the Lee Regional Fair and the Lee County Arts Fair, now she’s been named winner of the annual No
HAPPENING TODAY The Spirits of Sanford Ghost Walk will take place at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. at the Railroad House Museum, 110 Charlotte Ave., Sanford. Jimmy “Gravedigger” Haire will narrate the tour. Bring an umbrella as the tour will happen rain or shine. Bring cameras for documentation of hauntings. No refunds can be given. CALENDAR, PAGE 2A
Scare Fair’s door contest for 2010. She credits Southern Lee art teachers Ron Noles and Laura Newman for guidance. “Art was always a hobby of mine, but to be honest, my creations weren’t outstanding,” Bowers said. “However,
See No Scare, Page 7A
WANT TO GO? This year’s No Scare Fair — trick-or-treating for young children without the “fright” associated with Halloween — will be held on Oct. 30 at the Steven’s Center in Sanford. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $3 per person, and guests have six time slots to choose from.
High: 74 Low: 51
his week, we Take 5 with Heather Little, the executive director of Communities In Schools of Lee County, about today’s “Make A Difference Day” in Sanford. Little joined CIS in May after serving as a volunteer with the organization for more than two years. Prior to joining CIS, Little Little worked in retail management. She and her husband, Aaron — an employee with The Pantry — have two children, Alexandria and Gabriel, and are members of St. Luke United Methodist Church. They moved to Lee County from Moore County in 2000.
See Take 5, Page 7A
INDEX
More Weather, Page 12A
OBITUARIES
D.G. MARTIN
Sanford: Mickey Antlitz, 44; Pearl Richmond, 97; Jimmy Roberts, 70 Bear Creek: Eva Beck, 82 Broadway: Mary Lemons, 60
Sharing a great book: ‘The Literary Trails of North Carolina Piedmont”
Page 4A
Abby, Graham, Bridge, Sudoku............................. 6B Classifieds ....................... 9B Comics, Crosswords.......... 7B Community calendar .......... 2A Horoscope ........................ 6B Obituaries......................... 5A Opinion ............................ 4A Scoreboard ....................... 4B