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EditorPS Administrator 
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Over the last year a small group of very vocal citizens has expressed their views on several issues including taxes, the sheriff's substation, growth, ethics and fiscal responsibility. Do you know where they stand on these issues and if so, do you support their views - why or why not? |
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Steve Adkins Member 
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I really do not know what they stand for, other than criticizing the Mayor & Town Council at every turn, mean spirited attacks toward the NWO & toward anybody who doesn't support their radical approach, and "if it means spending a dime, just say no", regardless of how it will help Summerfield. Their own poor ethics have overshadowed anything the incumbent council have done. I don't support their views and am disgusted with their behavior. During the past year, the CC's have sent petitions to my home which I later found to be filled with half truths. They do not have the backbone to admit when they are wrong, or may have been misinformed. The CC's spearheaded the "we should be the ones to elect the Mayor" campaign, then withdrew support at the last minute when the town appointed lawyer's legal wording didn't meet with one person's liking. I actually thought the idea was a good one, but lost all respect with the waffling. The last council meeting, the Mayor invited them to speak on behalf of their candidacy. None had any vision for Summerfield. One is worried about where money will be spent (aren't we all, especially incumbent council). Another took the cake......didn't come forward, said "everybody knows where she stands" (I'm not into mind reading) (I was under the mistaken impression Wendelkyn was part of the CC's, but was corrected by below readers, so I'll admit my mistake and pull the comment) Last edited on Nov 1st, 2005 01:08 pm by Steve Adkins |
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donw Member
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Wendelken is not part of the concerned citizens group! He stands for keeping taxes low- Limited Gov - responsible spending and keeping Summerfied a bed and breakfast family community. He does not want Summerfield to start looking like Greensboro. The current council is taking us in that direction. |
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donw Member
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Do you think the Town of Summerfield should start collecting your garbage? Are you ready for annual tax increases when this and more services are added by the current town council? Last edited on Oct 22nd, 2005 01:10 pm by donw |
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zippitydoodah Member
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I agree with everything you've said about Crawford and Strickland. I think Strickland's comment at the council meeting was ridiculous, but I think everybody does know where she stands -- against everything. Crawford's starting that petition and then withdrawing support at the last minute just shows the kind of leader he will be. This group is also masterful at twisting people's words and meanings, and while they expect everybody else (especially the council) to admit mistakes and wallow in them forever, they do not hold themselves to the same standards. They also absolutely refuse to listen to reason about anything. I disagree with you about Wendelken. He's not part of the Concerned Citizens. I think he does share some of their views on low taxes and limited government, but he seems to be able to ask hard but sensible questions (even though I supported the council on the substation building, they really didn't do their homework on that one). He seems like he wouldn't be afraid to go out on a limb to stand up for what he believes in. |
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EUSON Member
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Hey, Steve, ever think about running for council in the future? You would have my vote. You seem to be well informed and understand the vision for Summerfield. It is nice to know that there are people in our town that are not putting signs in their yards just because someone comes by and asks. You seem to be one of the few regulars that attend the council meetings. Thanks for being there and making a difference. We need more people like us. I agree that the comment "Everybody knows where I stand" made by Becky SUE was arrogant and disrespectful to all. |
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dmauser Member
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I for one wanted the town of Summerfield to contract for Garbage pickup. At least my taxes to the city can be deducted from my taxes; my payment to the garbage people is not. I thought this would be particularly beneficial to our citizens with lower incomes. |
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donw Member
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As soon as the town takes over your trash the annual budget will increase every year and you may get the write off - but in reality there will be other services they will think of and you won't write them off. Once the council thinks that you need garbage service they will add more services. That is just the nature of government. The worst thing you can do is to let the town council decide what services you want. That is why I am running for town council -- these issues have to be thought out far in advance! We need to make our own decisions as citizens and be responsible for our own trash. Want an example--- Look at Greensboro, their tax rates are extremely high! I won't let that happen if elected. Don Wendelken |
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DOGGETTJA Member 
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I think the Town Council has been deliberate and thoughtful in its efforts to provide services from our Town. I do not understand how if the Town decided to provide garbage service, which has several advantages for the Town and it citizens, it would automactically mean that services would suddenly start raining down and automatically mean increases in taxes. Taxes in fact dropped from 10.5 to 4.5 cents from last year to this year. Some of the advantages of garbage service is less than 75% of the people in Summerfield now subscribe for garbage service, where is the rest of it going? In the gulleys behind peoples houses, along the side of the roads, and on the park property are just a few of the places that I know trash is being dumped. With Town wide service that should stop some of the illegal dumping that is now so prevelant in the Town. The other issue is that with garbage provided Town wide then the Town could negotiate cheaper prices and more inclusive services for the citizens. These are just a couple of the positive reasons for garbage service. But what ever the Council proposes will be put before th Town in open hearings advertized well before the meetingswhen discussions for the new budget starts sometime after the first of the year. |
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donw Member
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1. Taxes - Jane is correct in saying that taxes have decresed to 4.5. However they were increased to 10.5 which evidently was too much. I know we had to have some source of revenue for the town to run because the county commissioners changed the formula for Summerfield to recieve any revenue. I agree that we needed to have some property tax but only because of the commissioners. It should not have been 10.5. It was also decreased because the substation was not passed. If it was built our taxes would have gone up every year to maintain it. 2. Trash- On this issue Jane assumes that since less than 75% of the citizens have garbage pick up the other 25% are dumping illegaly or burning it. Lets not assume anything- What about those who are self-employed- Summerfield has quite a few of them and many bring their trash to their businesses for disposal. As far as trash on the sides of the road- there will always be litter bugs. I have never seen household garbage dumped on the side of the road. If there has been such a problem with illegal dumping why hasn't this issue been pursued with more vigor? Percentages are just that percentages. Bottom line-- There will always be illegal dumping and the town needs to stay out of my trash. Lets base issues on facts not percentages. 3. More services- Jane stated that by having garbage service through the town doesn't mean that more services will rain down on us. Anyone with a little government expereince would tell you that when you start mandating new services taxes sky rocket. Want some examples? Greensboro, Guilford County and the State of NC. Have you seen them decrease taxes lately? NO! They continually add more services because they think we need them. What happens then? Yes, your right-- taxes go up-up-up. Lets keep Summerfield a community of lower taxes and let the taxpayers know all the information before anyone votes to pass what is being assumed by the town council. It is time to elect someone who will look at the big picture and ask the hard questions! Have any questions e-mail me at electw4summerfield@hotmail.com Elect Don Wendelken Last edited on Oct 25th, 2005 02:03 am by donw |
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SaltyDog Member 
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Is there a general dissatisfaction with the garbage collection among the citizens of Summerfield? Is the price too high? Is the service poor? Are there significant areas where service is unavailable? If so I am unaware of it. However well intentioned, it seems that the council is looking for a service to provide. I think the town government should be very careful about taking on responsibility for services that are being adequately provided by the private sector. Time and again experience proves that the private sector is more efficient than government. Government bureacracies are easy to start, self-perpetuating, ineffiecient, and almost impossible to kill. |
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donw Member
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In this concerned citizens category or any category I wonder why three specific candidates are not addressing any issues in this forum. Where have these candidates been? Why aren't they addressing any issues on line? I am just wondering, because it would be helpful to hear from them. Don Wendelken If you have any questions for me e-mail me at electw4summerfield@hotmail.com. |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Good question! It's been great seeing where some of the candidates stand on issues and having them answer questions on this forum. I don't think we REALLY know where they stand on anything (despite Becky Strickland's statement at the town council meeting) except they keep quoting that tired old saying "No taxes, no services" and they are against anything the current council tries to do. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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I emailed Mark Brown & asked him to join the NWO forum, so we could chat with him. Hopefully we will hear from him soon. Since this is an open forum, Internet & all, does anybody have Dwayne Crawford's, or Becky Strickland's email addresses? If someone can furnish, I'll contact them and ask them to join also. Just because I don't like what I've heard and been reading, doesn't mean I don't want to understand their viewpoints, especially if there's a chance they might be future council-persons. |
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donw Member
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e-mails jcrawford@triad.rr.com and stricklandbecky@hotmail.com elect Don Wendelken |
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FatPappy Member 
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I think the Concerned Citizens are great! I just got another of their hilarious "newsletters" in the mail. FREE! Maybe you got one, too. Best slapstick comedy act since the Three Stooges! Better fake news than the Daily Show! Or so I thought. Then I found out the ugly truth. It's not political parody! These people actually believe what they're saying! They apparently believe they're saving us from our own ignorance! They believe it's their mission to save us from the Sheriff Barnes/Mayor Barnes/Town Council Axis of Evil that's determined to ruin Summerfield and make us pay for it! And that's giving the Concerned Citizens the benefit of the doubt. It's entirely possible their motives are not so altruistic. It's entirely possible they're nothing more than a bunch of childish, vindictive, narrow-minded, schoolyard bullies trying to take over Summerfield for themselves and their egos. Who knows? I do know one thing. They're nobody I want to be involved with. I don't like their twisted rhetoric or boorish tactics. I don't like their implication that we are fools who don't trip over ourselves in our haste to fall in line behind them. The Concerned Three Stooges don't speak for me! |
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dmauser Member
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I got the newsletter also, and what I think is a shame, is that many people (especially our elderly that don't stay involved) believe everything that they see in print. I am not saying that the stuff was a lie, but certainly their version of the truth is very, very slanted. Now that you mention it, their actions are very childish. Even when they have an important point, the way it is presented discredits both the idea and themselves. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Per my commitment above, I spoke with Dwayne Crawford, and invited him to join this forum. Cannot comment if he will join. Haven't spoken to Becky yet. Dwayne & I had a lengthy & civil conversation, covered many of the above points, particularly the one DMauser brings out above, even on good points, there is so much poison in their delivery the audience is turned off and the message is lost. I was also turned off by the most recent newsletter, our sheriff is a Summerfield citizen & has as much right as anyone of us to voice his opinion. |
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Delane W. Member
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I agree with Debora. I don't understand the Concerned Citizens' ways of communicating "their" issues and half truths. I receive enough junk mail each day and DO NOT appreciate the Concerned Citizens adding to my pile. I like Lori White (Letters you have Written, Friday, October 28 NWO) have witnessed Ms. Strickland, Mr. Crawford. and other members of their group first hand at several town council meetings and honestly was appalled. As a mother of 6th and 7th grade sons, I make it a priority to keep abreast of Guilford County School issues (especially in the Summerfield/NW district), therefore (with Debora) I frequently attend school board meetings. I have never, NEVER witnessed any member of the school board meeting audience being rude, interrupting, or getting anyway out of line. Even during the public comment portion, personal attacks are not allowed. I would never hesitate to allow my children to attend a school board meeting. If the meetings that represent our children can be civil then why can't the meetings that represent where our children live (and attend school) be just as civil. I have lived in Summerfield all of my life and have known most of the current council on a personal basis for years. All of them have lived in Summerfield either all of their life or all of their adult life -- you do the math. I don't understand why a group of folks who have lived in Summerfield only a couple of years, with no children that have lived in our community would think that a council of established community members, with children and grandchildren who have grown up in Summerfield would have a personal agenda and would be out to harm or bankrupt (taxes) any of their fellow citizens. Wake up Summerfield!! The current council loves their hometown and can you imagine where we would be if we hadn't incorporated and was now a part of Greensboro. The Greensboro city limit on 220 is now at Strawberry road. Let's keep the current town council in tact with Mark Brown as mayor. |
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donw Member
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My name is Don Wendelken and a candidate for Summerfield Town Council. I don't believe we need to keep the current council. I definitely don't agree with Strickland and Crawfords methods and if they were to get on the council many people would say -- I went to a Summerfield Town Council meeting and thought it was a Guilford County Commissioners meeting! Our town does not need that kind of problem. I attended the town meeting on 11/01 and I sat and observed the council and citizens. During the meeting it was obvious that the council does not go in to enough detail when an issue is brought up and discussed. After leaving this and other meetings, I realized that the council needs somone on their that will lead in asking the hard questions. Initiate a debate on the issue and seek the pros and cons in great detail and ensure after the debate the citizens understand where each member stands. Our town is at a crossroad-- We need some new leadership. That is why I am asking for your vote. I am decisive, analytical a problem solver and one who uses common sense. Elect Don Wendelken Questions? electw4summerfield@hotmail.com |
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Cracker Jax Member 
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Don - can you be more specific about the questions that you felt the council should have asked at the 11/01 meeting? |
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FatPappy Member
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Mr. Wendelkin, running for office is like interviewing for somebody else's job. The present council has my support and I haven't heard anything to persuade me otherwise. I've heard the hard questions, but the answers I've heard from you seem a little soft. For example, you came out strong for smaller lots as an affordable housing solution, then backed off and later said you'd vote for what the citizens wanted. What the citizens want is good, dependable leaders that make sense. I'm sorry, it just doesn't sound like you've thought things through very thoroughly. |
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donw Member
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Cracker Jax- After Bill Bruce spoke about the subdivision many people spoke in opposition to it. The council listened and failed to mention that Bill forgot to acknowledge that the zoning board voted against the re-zoning because of issues they noticed. This is something the council should have brought up. In the end the request was denied- but- it sure left many people wondering why it wasn't disclosed. I am not saying it was Bill's fault, I am saying it is the councils responsibilty to lead and keep everyone informed. Also, after the council talked about the ABC store they had no idea what to do or what the next step was. As a council man they should be prepared and know what the next step is. Also- When questions are asked by the citizens pertaining to a specific issue (Mr. Flowers asked if any of them knew if the initial water lines were going to go to the town core) they flounderd and did not know how to answer his question- They should have said- That if Summerfield enters in to an agreement that would be one of the issues that would be covered. Mr. Flowers left there saying he was sorry he bothered them. There is a severe lack of leadership. Fat Pappy- You mentioned I came out strong for smaller lots- It was an idea. I still stand by this idea- I would remember I serve the citizens and if they don't want affordable housing then I would not proceed. I would prefer to keep Summerfield a Bed and Breakfast with limited growth. The current council gets ideas and trys to pass them prior to really knowing what the citizens want. Thats not leadership that's dictatorship. My background of 13 years in the Marines = (Experienced leadership) successful business owner = (Strong communication skills)- and good old common sense= (Successful decision making) make me a good candidate for the Summerfield Town Council. If you have any further questions please ask. I would appreciate your votes. Don Wendelken |
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macca Member 
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I notice Mr. Wendelken keeps referring to Summerfield as a "Bed and Breakfast." If he's elected, will everyone be opening one? Don't you mean "bedroom community"? That's what it currently is, with most folks residing there but working elsewhere. Also, sometimes elected officials (not just in Summerfield) choose not to discuss why they vote against an issue because there could be legal issues later. |
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donw Member
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I stand corrected-(technically). My version of a Bed and Breakfast is a family community. A community where we have our homes and our needs are taken care of locally by individuals not larger government. Also, a Bed and Breakfast community has a rural charm to it! Hope that clears it up. Don Wendelken |
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StewartM Member 
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Don, Bill Bruce made a honest mistake. He had done the same this in the case before this one. Council would have ask him during our part of the case, just like we did in the case before this one. The way a rezoning case is heard: 1. Staff reads case and makes a recommendation, then lets us know how the zoning board voted. The council already knows this information because it is in our package we receive days before the meeting. 2. The case is then open for public hearing, anyone for the case goes first and then those against goes next. Council lets everyone talk before we close the open hearing. 3. Then council discuss the case and may ask more questions of staff (this is when we would have ask staff to say to the public what the zoning board recommendations was and why, just like we did in the case before). We may have more questions for the people speaking for or against. Then the council makes a motion and votes. Your council knows before the meeting what happen at the zoning hearing. We have good citizens on this board that keeps us well informed. When I get their reports I take them with me to the site. I have never voted on a case that I have not studied and visited. Don you said it was not disclosed, But it was and council would have brought it up during their part. I like to give all the people a chance to speak before council does. This is something I learned being on the council the last 2 years. As for the ABC store we do know what to do next. The attorneys are still working on the contract. When they are done we will vote yes or no to sign it. As for Mr. Flowers question (Will water be run to the town core?), we did answer it as best we could. The town has not voted for any water. We will have 2 open hearings to listen to our citizens. What comes out of the meetings will direct the council. I will not vote without hearing from the people. We advised Mr Flowers of this. Don I would like to thank you for your service in the Marines. My son who was also in the Marines just lost his friend in Iraq. Please pray for the family of Lance Corporal Andrew Russoli |
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Delane W. Member
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Well we received more "junk mail" yesterday. I guess we finally know where Bill Peterson stands -- with the "Concerned Citizens". I'm sure he has reasons, but he must not be too concerned since he has chosen to move away from Summerfield. Seems to me that we need a mayor who will be dedicated to his town, not move away and is willing to serve his full term. It also seems odd that the concerned citizens, who don't approve of the current council would back a candidate for mayor that has stated he probably will not serve his full term and at that time (whether the current concerned citizens are elected in or not) the "town council" (not the citizens) would have to appoint a mayor to serve until the November 2007 election and if that happens to be a council member then the council would also have to appoint a new council member as well. Well let's think about this. This group wanted the citizens to vote for their own mayor, but they are backing a candidate that has stated that he is moving and then the council would have to appoint a mayor. Sounds like a double standard to me. |
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dmauser Member
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I too received the mailing from Concerned Citizens and glanced to see if there was any new info.. there was not. I have to laugh out loud with Ms Strickland states that the town is growing and we don't have any new ball fields.... I guess she doesn't remember speaking out against buying land last year for just that purpose! The land was located near the current fields, but she was afraid it would be too much noise, traffic,light pollution, etc, etc, etc..near her house. Will it be better near another citizens house? Of course I guess we could buy land in Rockingham County?  |
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FatPappy Member
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Mr Wendelkin--I understand the small lot thing is just an idea. Just like, as you stated elsewhere, your vision for Summerfield is just that-a vision. (Whatever that means.) You're speaking here again of smaller lots as the solution to affordable housing. Smaller lots and affordable housing are two entirely different subjects that you seem to like to try and mix into one. If the citizens don't want smaller lots, it doesn't necessarily follow that they don't want affordable housing. My point was and still is, you seem to hit all around whatever point you're trying to make but usually end up just making a rough estimate of something resembling a point and apparently think that's good enough. Furthermore, the current council are decent, competent folks and are not dictators any more than you have good communication skills. What we really need to be worrying about here is the very real threat of becoming a divided community with a Concerned Citizens-infected council that becomes paralyzed in a divisive atmosphere of mistrust and accusation instead of working together to accomplish something of value! |
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donw Member
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Fat Pappy - Affordable housing in Summerfield is up to the citizens. As you know it is important to bring ideas to the table - from that point all ideas are discussed and which ever one best fits the scenario is the one we use. It is a reasonable idea not the only idea. I stated earlier that I prefer Summerfield to be a bedroom community, but if the citizens insist on affordable housing (which I don't believe a majority of the want) then as a council we move forward. The current council are decent people and I respect each one for who they are. I also believe they are cpmpetent in their areas of expertise (I.E work) . When it comes to decision making, problem solving and being decisive it takes experience to acquire this and my history reflects this. It is evident that you support the current council and I respect your decision. Mike- Thank you for the kind words. Don Wendelken |
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Starcatchr Member 
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re: CC Riders Be wary, Summerfield, of the horse they came in on, lest it spew forth more lies and half truths onto unsuspecting citizens. Beware the promised gifts of NO TAXES, BALL FIELDS pulled out of the sky, plentiful GROUNDWATER supplies, unlimited use of Greensboro's RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, and so on. Look this gift horse in the mouth and slam it shut! Quick! Before the town is plunged into chaos by this rank of naysayers. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Good citizens of Summerfield, the "concerned citizens" are trying to fill your heads with lies and innuendo. Hopefully, you are carefully reading these messages in the town forum and reading the NW Observer to keep abreast of what is really going on in your town. Hopefully you realize that the 3 "concerned citizens" who are running for council seem to be too afraid to make an appearance in this forum to defend their statements... afraid perhaps that they will be asked to provide actual proof for their many false accusations. Jane Doggett, Mike Stewart and Don Wendelken have kindly made themselves available on this forum to answer your questions and Mark Brown can be contacted through his website http://www.markbrownformayor.org No one has heard publicly from the 3 "concerned citizens" on the ballot, other than the printed propaganda sent to our mailboxes on a daily basis. There are so many issues that Strickland, Crawford and Peterson have included in their mailings that are either taken out of context, exaggerated or just plain lies. The truth needs to be told but in the interest of time, trust me when I say that they are taking advantage of you and the fact that you are not coming to the council meetings and seeing for yourself what is really going on in your town. Please VOTE on Tuesday and consider carefully who you are voting for. Last edited on Nov 5th, 2005 01:11 pm by Cracker Jax |
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Edalkarp Member
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Ditto Starcatchr, let's all beware! I have read everything that has been entered regarding the Concerned Citizens and was wondering why no representative of the CC has entered this forum? I also got their letter in the mail and would like to say, it is shameful they feel so compelled to put others down and publish half truths in order to raise themselves up. I would find more respect in a group if they were doing things in a positive and helpful way rather than criticise others for their efforts. |
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FatPappy Member
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Mr Wendelken--I want to apologize for the tone of my posts. I get a little carried away sometimes. You seem like a decent person (confused, but decent) and at least you have enough courage to get out here and put up with jerks like me. Anyway, I think this forum is a great way to share ideas and see what others are thinking. I hope more people use it as a way to get involved. Yes, I do still support the current council. That ought to give us something to talk about in the future. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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See my Oct 31 & Nov 1 postings one page 1, I spoke with Dwayne Crawford at length on 10/31, invited him to join, no commitment. Emailed Becky Strickland, got back a "thanks, I might join after I finish all my emails" answer. |
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FatPappy Member
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What are we going to do with all the junk mail we've been getting from the Concerned Three Stooges? I thought about saving the ones with their pictures on them to use as emergency toilet paper. Any other ideas? I hope more people are beginning to see the Concerned Stooges for what they are. I hope more people are questioning the accuracy of what they say. Our ignorance is their best weapon and it can be a weapon of mass destruction if we're not careful! I agree with Patti Stokes in the latest Observer when she says concerning them, "Frankly, enough is enough." Amen to that! I hope more people are as fed up with them as we some of us are. It's Summerfield, not Stricklandfield! |
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macca Member
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Unfortunately, the way they send this propaganda might scare people into thinking they need to pay attention to it. Look at the way they mark the envelopes... How are they funding this? Are they registered as some kind of official organization? Do they have a bulk mailing permit? |
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Edalkarp Member
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It is very healthy to have checks and balances in a town. This brings out all sides of an issue and promotes the balance. But when this process becomes ugly, disrespectful and slanted towards one cause, all is lost! Why would anyone this disruptive run for office? Mr. W - Thank you for participating in this forum. It has been a pleasure to read what your views are on our town's issues. Last edited on Nov 5th, 2005 01:15 pm by Edalkarp |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Voting your convictions is how we voice our concerns. I am concerned that the negative people will stir up the less informed and scare them into voting while others who aren't unhappy with the way things are going will stay home. Voting is what will decide this issue. I look forward to being your reporesentative for the next 4 years but it won't happen if we don't vote. |
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Starcatchr Member
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Don W. I, too, want to thank you for running hard in this election. While your views have, perhaps, not shown enough experience in the matters of government, you have at the very least let us know where you stand on issues. Your sincerity is a welcome change and a clean fight goes a long way toward success. |
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donw Member
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Starcatchr I appreciate your kind words - However, My experience as a business owner has given me valuable experience onhow to work in government. Although the procedures may differ on how to get things done. I know what happens when things are ran in a government way and when things are ran in a business like way. The results are always better when a government is run like a business. If any business is ran like the government it would be in a lot of turmoil. Thanks again. Don Wendelken electw4summerfiled@hotmail.com |
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lucy Member
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Great Question Macca The CC group does have a permit. PRSRT STD U.S.Postage Paid Permit #34. This permit appears to be paid for by the "CC, a Public Interest Corp" It states on a recent news letter that the CC of Summerfield Political Action Committee is a separate PAC. The trio sent a mailing using the same permit number, #34 The Strickland flyer said "Paid for by Committee of Becky Strickland." Peterson’s said "Paid for by the Committee to elect Bill Peterson. Crawford did n’t let us know who paid for his, perhaps "one of the fastest growing privately held businesses in Guilford County", maybe he made the copies at work. Is this legal? It is confusing. My question is, are they letting us know who paid for the copies, when they say paid for by their committee? With the exception of Crawford, who is not disclosing that info? It looks like the CC PAC is paying for the mailings. If anyone knows more this would be interesting info. Please don’t tell us that the three are stealing money from an organization. That couldn’t be true after they have accused the current Council of doing so. |
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Starcatchr Member
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Ho Hum, yet another CC mailer. Is anyone else curious as to how these bits of fanaticism are being funded? While the mailers are obviously not professionally produced, the postage does get expensive. |
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Starcatchr Member
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Sorry Lucy. I posted my letter before reading yours. Thanks for asking the questions that need answers |
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Bill Peterson Member
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I have not joined your conversation until now because I just found out about this service this morning. I can see how you might make the assumption that I am a member of the concerned citizens group, but I am not. I did not know they were going to mail my brochure with theirs until it was done. The fellow who supplied the brochures did not know it either. It is not a secret that I do not support the CC groups methods. If you ever attended council meetings when I was mayor you'd know that as a fact. But I do agree with what they are trying to do in that they are asking the council to conform to the open meeting law, be fiscally responsible, and to do their due diligence. They are responsible for the reduction in taxes the council approved this year. I personally like the folk on the council. I know each of them and have worked with them. I think they have Summerfield's best interest in their hearts and minds. They are welcome in my home. Would I hire most of them to run a multi million dollar business I owned? Probably not because it is not their background and they do not have the qualifications I would look for in a board of directors. Unfortunately, as good of folks as they are, because of their lack of business experience they have made some pretty bad mistakes and it has cost you tax money to cover them. Every family of four has paid some $115 to find out a building would not go on a lot. The expense would have not occurred if they had just done their due diligence. Another example is the survey that was funded but the results ignored. The water program was once estimated at a fully funded cost in excess of $20,000,000 or roughly $2,857 for each of us ($11,428 for a four person family) plus hookup fees and the cost of water. We are about to build a multimillion dollar park around an amphitheater in a town that has no performing arts. I have to wonder how many omission mistakes we can afford. I think it a reasonable assumption that folks who support the CC candidates are also looking for a non-incumbent candidate for mayor. You will see some of our signs and brochures in the same places. I have seen my sign beside an incumbent's. Please be careful. Assumptions can be dangerous (and wrong) Bill wepete2@bellsouth.net |
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dmauser Member
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Mr Peterson, If you had no knowledge of your flyer being distributed in the latest mailing, how did they get your flyers? By my count that would be thousands of flyers. If your publisher or printer handed them out without your permission, then I would suggest that there might be a legal issue involved. You should ask them to repay you for those copies-- you might even sue them for damage to your reputation. I can assure you that the inclusion of your flyer groups you with the CC whether that is your intention or not. Could it be that the CC would do something unethical? Are they trying to legitimize their campaigns by associated with you? I see some real issues here! As far as the water issue, I did not realize that any decisions about water had been made. I thought we(Town of Summerfield) were still having discussions with the public. I do think that the current council made some mistakes with the town hall issue, but the town still owns the land and might use it later. As far as the park is concerned, maybe the amphitheather will be used for concerts, and perhaps a drama club will form; at least the opportunity will be there. I would love to see a 'theater in the park' concept. I can invision a Sunday afternoon enjoying music, good food and neighbors. I also agree that I hope our council will ask hard questions, and make informed decisions. Too much of their time is wasted with interuptions from out bursts from the CC group. I have never been to any other public gathering where their behavior would be tolerated. I hope that either you or Mr Brown will make sure that they end their tirads even if it involves have the sheriff escort them out of the meetings. |
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FatPappy Member
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Mr Peterson--Glad to see you in the forum. You said, "I did not know they were going to mail my brochure with theirs until it was done." Uh, oh! That sounds like one of those costly mistakes you were talking about! But seriously, we all know mistakes have been made. Not as costly as some would claim. I also think lessons have been learned. What about the hidden costs of the hateful, divisive and intentionally disruptive discourse from the Concerned Citizens? Have any lessons been learned there? Those costs aren't necessarily measured in almighty dollars but the town still pays a price. That price is more than we can afford! Last edited on Nov 6th, 2005 01:04 pm by FatPappy |
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Bill Peterson Member
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FatPappy and dmauser I wish I knew who I was addressing so I would have the benefit of being able to call you by name and knowing if we know each other or not. I wrote my brochure. Someone else (who is not a member of Concerned Citizens) had them printed. Contributions made directly to me paid for them. Because Donna and were out of town most of Friday and all day yesterday, I do not have all the facts yet as to how they came to be in this mailing. What I know is he gave them to someone and they were mailed together with the other information. I knew he planed to have my brochure mailed but I did not know they would be a in group. He did not know either and called me last night when he returned to town to discuss it. I relied on him and, like him, thought they were going out individually. Yes. I know that might be nick-picked and parsed to say I should have known. But, as you know we don't have control over what other folk do. We can tell them what to do and what not to do but we end up living with what actually happens. Since I signed up to run as mayor, every non-incumbent candidate has either directly, or through a representative, asked me to run a joint campaign of one type or another. I have tried to be as polite as I could while refusing. I am not a member of the CC group. I have tried to run on my own experience, qualifications, and track record. If you came to meetings while I was on the council, I am sure you saw that I am independent and make up my own mind. If you know me, you know I am quick to own up to mistakes (yes, I know I make them too) and to apologize if needed. You also know in my role as mayor or councilmember, I never intentionally lied, made a promise I did not do my best to keep, or withheld public information. I have worked with Summerfield as a way to volunteer and return something to my community. I do not have political aspirations and will probably never run for another office. You can bet the farm that I am not about to sell my integrity for this election. I am reminded of the famous quote by Ursula Le Guin: "It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end." I too, wish the CC message was delivered differently. I have seen the council so frustrated one member took the mayor's gavel and banged it angrily on the table screaming the speakers time was up. In another instance everyone's time was wasted by arguments against an issued closed out long before. It is my sincere wish that we can return to the sprit of co-operation we enjoyed when I was mayor. Somewhere there is a balance. We will find it again! I am willing to work towards that goal and have proposed public meetings with town officials to re-establish the communication lines. In the meantime, I keep reminding myself that King George and the Loyalists probably had many similar things to say about the revolutionary punks messing with the status quo. Bill wepete2@bellsouth.net |
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Cracker Jax Member
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bill - I am sorry that you have missed the past 3 issues of the Northwest Observer in which they have made mention of this forum, twice in the form of very large ads. If you aren't getting the paper in your mailbox, it is available in most area stores. We find it quite useful in keeping informed of what is going on in our area. At the 11/5 town council meeting I noticed your flyer laying on the back table beside Becky Strickland's flyer. I personally have seen you "huddled" with Strickland, Crawford and Flowers on several occasions. Perhaps you do not consider yourself to be a member of the CC group but as your mom probably told you - you are judged by the company you keep - and the fact that you share their philosophies puts you right in the middle of that group in my eyes. Pretty smart getting them to pay for your campaign mailings though.... kudos. It is no secret that you have never supported the Park. You did not want it when you were mayor and you do not want it now. In fact, you do not want anything that was not originally your idea. I am offended when you say that we have no performing arts in this area. We have a multitude of talent in this town. Perhaps because there is no venue for performing arts in Summerfield, you are not aware of the talent available. Perhaps if we had a venue, such as an amphitheater, and all of our local talent was busy elsewhere, we could even draw performing arts from as far away as say, UNC-G to perform for us. Perhaps our schools could use this same venue as a means of holding large gatherings since none of the buildings on the campuses can house all grade levels at once..... Just think outside the box. I was thrilled to read your kind words pertaining to the current council members. Hopefully most also read into those compliments the backhanded slap you also delivered to them. I know you have stated why they support you as mayor... you are not the incumbent. What I want to know is.... Do you support Crawford and Strickland in the current race for Town Council Seats? |
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SaltyDog Member
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Mr. Peterson Welcome to the forum. It is to your credit that you have chosen to explain and defend you positions in a public forum, unlike some other candidates in this election. I take you at your word that you did not know of the existence of this forum until this morning but it does concern me that as a candidate, who is supposed to have your finger on the pulse of the town, that you missed out on this one. Also it concerns me that you seem to be unaware of how your name is being used by and associated with the Concerned Citizens. If you are an astute businessman capable of runnning a multi-million dollar company (or municipality) then why aren't you more in control of the use of your own name? You seem to be on the fence about the concerned citizens - you support their positions but not their methods. OK, but when voters step into the booth to cast their ballots they cannot be on the fence they must take a stand. So Bill, are you endorsing the candidacies of Concerned Citizens Strickland and Crawford or not? How do you feel about the potential of presiding over a council that includes individuals who employ tactics and exhibit the behavior of the Concerned Citizens? Bill, your statements about the water system are misleading. On the one hand you criticize the council for not doing due diligence but then when they did due diligence on building a water system, which they then rejected because of cost, you fail to mention that and hammer them with statistics about a $20,000,000 water system that they do not intend to build. You also conveniently failed to mention that the council is currently doing "due diligence" with a private water system company, Aqua America. As I understand it, the basic thrust of the Aqua proposal is that Aqua will build the municipal water system, at no cost to the town, existing homes and businesses will have the option the hook up to the water system but new development will be required to use the water system. Rates would be controlled by the Utilitilities Commission. The Town of Oak Ridge recently signed an agreement with Aqua to provide water to their community. So please explain what you would do differently in the investigation of options for a municipal water system? I agree that the entire saga of the Town Hall and Sheriff's sub-station was mishandled by the council. Mistakes were made and poor judgement was used, plain and simple. With that being said, I think it is misleading to quote statistics ($115/citizen was wasted) as if the land purchased by the town has zero value. Yes, assumptions can be dangerous and wrong, so please be clear about your endorsement or non-endorsement of Concerned Citizens. Last edited on Nov 6th, 2005 02:56 pm by SaltyDog |
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FatPappy Member
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Mr Peterson--You know very well the way you mentioned the water situation was intentionally meant to mislead. We deserve better! You want to know true identities? The words we speak are who we are. Mine are me and yours are you. dmauser, Cracker, and Salty--Well said! |
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Starcatchr Member
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Mr P Most of us remember when we were young and carefree and were happy to tiptoe through the tulips. Well, time and circumstance changed us - or at least most of us - and we matured out of necessity. Our town is no longer a tiny suburb of Greensboro. We have grown, not only in population, but, in responsibilities. Who in this town would not like to see the same rural community that many of us enjoyed 20 years ago? Sorry, but that's not possible. If we are going to enjoy the adult status of being a town, we cannot sit idly by and wait for someone to pick up our pieces. We need a plan for water services and a plan for cultural and recreational venues. We also need a plan for a municipal building, a permanent place to hold town meetings and to house town administrative offices. This is not to say that all our needs must be met at once, but negativity does not serve our future. |
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Bill Peterson Member
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Cracker Jax says I never supported the park. Wrong! If you think back to the beginning of my second term, the council established a park planning committee at my request. I nominated the first chairperson and asked the committee to look into parks on three different sites.. In my third term, I met with members of the County Commissioners, Roger Cotton, and a few other county representatives to request they donate the land for our large park. They agreed to my request and I help negotiate the terms. While the park was a passive park, I whole heartedly supported it. When it grew into a multimillion dollar project and folk started trying to hide the fully funded cost and the fact it would require a full time maintenance staff and taxes I began to pull back and look for alternatives.. It was when it became a burden to the town and no alternative would even be considered I withdrew my support. Bill wepete2@bellsouth.net |
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Starcatchr Member
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Mr. P. With your business acumen, surely you did not leave loose ends untied on your mailings! Oh, my, a worker in a multi-million dollar business could be pink-slipped for such an error. |
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Bill Peterson Member
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One thing I have learned over the years is no matter how good the intention, or how hard you work to say just what you mean, there are folks who will parse what you say and use it to attack. I've read some bad things here about the CC. If you have failed to notice, the attacks written here are very similar to some of the attacks being complained about. The most noticeable difference is some stand in the open known to all and some do not. I assure you that if I am elected or not I will continue listen to the comments and concerns of everyone in the town... not just the folk I agree with 100%. Yes, you have seen me "huddled" with Bob Flowers. I have known him for a lot of years. I once volunteered with a wildlife conservation group he supported. We have more to talk about than Summerfield politics. You have also seen me "huddled" with Sandra Smith, Michael Brant, Bill Trevorrow, Diane Laughlin, Bill Bruce, Robin Smith, every member of the town council, and lots of other folk., maybe even you I'll not justify talking with anyone but if I am guilty by association of being like all of them.... good for me! Bill Peterson wepete2@bellsouth.net |
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Bill Peterson Member
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Not sure how you missed the reply but it was not my mailing |
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Edalkarp Member
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Mr. Peterson, It is confusing to me why you would continue to run for mayor when you will not be able to fulfill your term. It states in the NWObserver your stay will be determined by the sell of your home, because you are relocating to another town. Summerfield’s next election is schedules for 2007, why would you put this “burden" on the town? Can you please elaborate? Last edited on Nov 6th, 2005 10:58 pm by Edalkarp |
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EditorPS Administrator
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Hi Everyone, This afternoon I was asked if it's true that a candidate for town council is the Moderator for this Topic. I have no idea where that rumor started, but let me quickly set the record straight and assure you that the answer is NO! I have been, am, and will be the only Moderator for this Topic. Had I assigned the job of Moderator for this Topic to someone else, under no circumstances would I have asked a candidate to do so. The Moderator is identified at the top left-hand page of the first page of comments -- see "EditorPS" for this topic, and all other topics thus far on the online forum. It hadn't occurred to me that EditorPS might be confused with a town council candidate (yikes!) but just in case there's any doubt in anyone else's mind, EditorPS is me, Patti Stokes. In no way was I trying to be deceptive when I chose that name -- the "Editor" is my job title, and the "PS" are my initials. My picture is also posted on the forum. Moderators will always be identified by name and photo, by the way. As the moderator, I am on duty throughout the day, seven days a week, and am reading your comments to make sure this forum remains a civil, open, and productive place to exchange dialogue. Thanks to all of you who are participating! As one more point of information - my partner, Sandra Smith, personally e-mailed the candidates for town council on Oct. 23 and invited them to participate in this online forum. As you can see, some have chosen not to. I do want to thank Bill Peterson, the latest candidate to join us, for his participation as of this morning. Thus far in Summerfield, Becky Strickland, Mark Brown and Dwayne Crawford have not visited with us (or at least if they have, they have not identified themselves by name), but we are still hoping that they will consider doing so. Thanks! Patti Stokes, "EditorPS" Last edited on Nov 7th, 2005 01:36 am by EditorPS |
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lucy Member
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Bill P. Not sure that "huddling" with Robert Flowers is a good thing since his most recent mailing used permit #34 Seems like everyone in town is using this permit. Oh and BTW several people have asked, I am not Lucy Smith, but if she were running for council I would certainly vote for her. Last edited on Nov 6th, 2005 09:53 pm by lucy |
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SaltyDog Member
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Bill a common political strategy - If you don't want to answer the question then attack the motives of the questioner. You are running for public office and asking for our votes, not me. Why does it matter if the questions are asked by someone with an anonymous screen name? If the question is legitimate, then answer it. If not, then explain why. Do you or do you not endorse Concerned Citizen's candidates Strickland and Crawford in this election? |
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FatPappy Member
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I think we're beginning to see how much damage the Concerned Citizens have done. Their poison is still in the system. This is part of what I was talking about when I mentioned the hidden costs of their hateful tactics. |
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dmauser Member
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Dear Mr Peterson, My name is Debora Mauser, past PTA president,member of Leadership Team at NWMS, current Legislative Chair of NWMS PTSA, volunteer on North Middle School/High School Project Team, volunteer at middle school weekly, and volunteer (inactive at this time) on Town CoreCommittee, active in Boy Scouts Troop 103. As you can see from my signature, I am not hiding. I think everyone should be involved,and put their actions behind their voices. I think an open debate is good for our community. I was not actively involved with politics in Summerfield until about 4 years ago and now try to stay informed.  I am a local that went to our schools, moved for college, ended back here to raise my family. I am proud to be a citizen of Summerfield. I can see where you mailing could have been mishandled without your consent. I think this was wrong and hope that the people that donated money to your campaign will be understanding that their canidate was 'lumped into' the CC group without your consent. dmauser |
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Steve Adkins Member
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I think Mr Peterson is wise not to state his position pro or con on other candidates. He's running his own campaign, not campaigning on behalf of others. And my name is just like it appears to the left. |
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donw Member
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Well folks- the election is just 2 days away and I am looking forward to becoming your new town councilman. There sure is a lot of uncertainty in many candidates, however; if you want someone who is honest, asks the hard questions, believes more communication is needed between the town and its citizens, wants Summerfield to be a bedroom community, believes in low taxes and less government --THAN VOTE FOR ME - DON WENDELKEN This town needs a change or we will be going through this same scenario at every meeting brought on by the CC. Thank you to the citizens I spoke to at Food Lion, the Fall Festival, those whose doors were knocked on and the corners I stood at for reserving your vote for me! I ask that you encourage your neighbors to vote for me. The hard work put in to this campaign has been worth it and I will do the same for the Town of Summerfield. Thanks again, Don Wendelken |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Hi peeps! I was out of town today and obviously have a lot to catch up on! Missed you all terribly while I was gone! Mr. Adkins - Thank you for acting as the voice of reason. While I may not agree that Bill does not need to tell us whether or not he supports the CC candidates, I do respect his right not to do so. Besides, what a pickle he would be in if he did answer.... So we will move on.... Don - I did speak to you very briefly on Fall Festival Day and I must say that after reading your posts and realizing that you do have good intentions (experience will follow) and lots of heart, I can honestly say that if you are elected I will not think the world has ended (as it would if Crawford or Strickland were elected) and I will support you as a town councilman. Thank you for running a clean campaign and for donating so much time to our town. bill - As for the park issue.... I stand corrected. You did want a passive park. Doesn't that just consist of grass and trees? Keep in mind that we have something like that now in front of Summerfield School. We can walk the track and sit under a tree on any given Sunday. What we want is a place to go and picnic, a place to go and hear music, a place to tinkle if we want to, a place to gather as a community and possibly playgrounds and ball parks....To sum it up, a place our community can be proud of. If that comes with a parking lot and part time guy to change toilet paper, well, so be it. I am very sorry that our postings bring to mind the endless hammering of the concerned citizens, but we have been silent too long. These people are making a mockery of our town and our government and I find it embarrassing. Luckily, we have some "upbringing" and don't scream out at council meetings at these people, however much we may want to. We have no other means, other than this forum to voice our views and opinions. So when a Concerned Citizen (whether or not it is a perceived association) finally came out of hiding and joined the forum, We just went crazy....I am sorry you were the one to bear the brunt of it. You say you care what the people want, well listen to us. Oh, and drop the gavel issue already. It's the second time I've seen it referred to in print and that council member is not even up for election this go round so it is a moot point. If you had attended many of the meetings after you left the town council and previous to the one you keep mentioning, (I understand you were ill) you too would have been prepared to take up a mallet and fling it toward Ms. Dunham. I know I was wishing I had one. EVERYONE is sick and tired of Dunham's frenzied rhetoric. Now she just sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher... bwaa bwaa bwaa....The true shame of it is, she seems to be the brightest one of the concerned citizens and had her brains and energy been used for the good of our community, the possibilities would be endless. I truly tried to post this without exuding "attitude," but I found it very difficult. You see bill, I do see through all of your "backdoor" jabs at the current council members whether or not they are running for seats in this election. We know you are smart bill. We don't need fancy quotes or backhanded slaps to prove it. Yes, you may be well versed in parliamentary procedure and you probably helped pen Robert's Rules, but we are decent people and it makes us angry when you are constantly criticizing our friends and neighbors. Last edited on Nov 7th, 2005 03:23 am by Cracker Jax |
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Bill Peterson Member
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Cracker Jax Thanks for the good comments. I understand the frustration far more than you know and probably more than I'll ever tell you. You might think that after four terms my skin would be thick enough to take all the abuse heaped out but it just isn't so. (Please don't parse that... I am trying to be nice) As to the park... you are wrong again. The park we originally discussed, and the one I supported and got the land to build, was far more than just trees and grass. It included pic-nic areas with shelters, trails, exercise areas along the trails, a lake, and even a playground. We discussed tying it to the school with trails so the kids could walk to the park without using the roads. We discussed putting up signs identifying trees and other vegetation to aid teachers in using it as a learning tool. Yes, it would have had parking and bathrooms. There was even a set of plans floating around proving the smaller area that the Community Center, Inc owns and occupies could be converted into 4 ball fields with additional bathrooms, walking trails and maybe even a concession stand. We even had a volunteer who had previously told the Summerfield Rec folk he'd do the grading needed to build the ball fields free of charge. Of course the plans kept the community center building in place. The rest of the park, could have been built for comparatively little cash. But, it did not include an amphitheater. The only one I know of in the area is at Greensboro's Lindely Elementary School. The last time I visited it was many years ago but it was a very high maintenance item that saw little if any use. Of course there are performing artists in Summerfield....what I meant was there are no organized performing arts currently in need of an outdoor theater.(did I really need to explain that??) I enjoy outdoor events and I am sure that you are right. Build it and they might come. In August of 2002 the cost of the amphitheater construction alone was estimated to be $117,800. That included grading, walls, walks, stage, and electrical. It did not include clearing, seeding, plantings, erosion control, site furnishings, storm drainage, bonds, engineering, professional fees and administration, water connections, maintenance, etc. It would accommodate 500 folk if they also sat on stone walls built to retain each terrace level. The main parking area had places for 75 cars to be shared by the center and the park. The plan called for temporary toilets to be provided for events The only permanent facilities would be attached to the community center building which is pretty good hoof from the other parts of the park.. To understand the estimated costs consider the small open shelter (20x20) was estimated to cost $38,125 in 2002. I just completed construction at post Katrina lumber prices of a 24x32 (1.92 times the size) fully enclosed building built much stronger than residential code for less than 1/2 that cost. It was, and still is, my opinion we would serve more citizens more frequently by using limited funds to build ball fields AND the park we originally envisioned instead of building an expensive (basically) single use item or going off site to work on a school we pay county taxes to support. Further, with ball fields and bleacher seating, we can provide a place to listen to music with both seats and flat ground for blankets for much less cost until such time as the need for a dedicated outdoor facility is proven. As to which candidates I support, I am afraid you will have to guess. If I am elected mayor I will serve with two of the five folks running. I think it best to keep my opinion to myself. Obviously I know you. Unfortunately, I don't know who you are. It is also obvious that you might have an ax to grind. Are you running for mayor? Did I vote against a zoning request you wanted? I'd like to talk with you about it and any other problem you may have with me. Why don't you send me a private email and lets see if we might talk like adults. Bill wepete2@bellsouth.net |
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EUSON Member
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Bill thank you for joining the forum. It is enlightening to hear from the candidates. Yo Don, caught you on the corner this weekend, thanks for putting so much positive effort into your campaign. Last edited on Nov 7th, 2005 03:51 pm by EUSON |
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Skiddles Member 
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Bill, What I remember about the plan to build ball fields on the site of the Community parkland is this plan could have never happened. First of all the plan was not drawn up by professionals in this field, just guys with an idea. I know great things can start with good ideas, but this was not a good idea. I understand the volunteer you were speaking of was going to use the lake as a STUMP DUMP. Fill the lake with DEBRIS, cover it with dirt, dust his hands off and abracadabra instantly flat land. NO, it is not as simple as that! This all sounds like dragging nails across a chalkboard to me. This STUMP DUMP idea does not cover a major item in this equation - fresh water springs, several of them. Impacting water and wetlands is not a simple issue; it is a major issue to consider. However, the volunteers did have good intentions and wanted to meet the needs of our community, which still exists today. The idea of a few having no experience in building parks and the thought that our natural resources could have been compromise in this way is a very scary thought. I applaud the town council for taking the necessary time, energy and money to come up with a professionally written plan that works with the character of the land and hire professionals to build it. We do not want a park that is a do nothing, low quality park - why build it at all? Let us be proud of our park! I like it as many of my friends do. We are looking forward to using our Community Park and all of its facilities one day. This is a good thing! This is a benefit to our community. I do not understand the thought of having a problem in maintaining an investment that we have spent time and money on. I know I paint my house to preserve its wood. Most people take care of things and maintain them to protect them and because they care. I care and many in the town care. I have visited the Parks and Recreation tent on Founder’s Day for many years and there is always someone excited about our park there. I know you had a part in this process and I thank you for that. I believe you have stated earlier you did not support this issue when it became a burden on the town. I keep reading about how much we have in the bank and now we have a tax; I cannot believe the maintenance of this park will be as momentous as you make out. As I see it, the first part of the plan is just getting off the ground and the amphitheater is not even being built yet. Additionally, the county and the state are paying for many of the costs. It sounds to me the town is trying to be responsible reguarding the park. In my opinion, our park offers a wonderful place for: our friends and family to enjoy, a place to meet our neighbors, become healthy, lower stress, listen to wholesome music in the park, art in the park, theater, storytelling for the children, festivals, boy and girl scouts around a council ring, educational experiences in the outdoor classroom and much more. This is like going against hot dogs and apple pie. I just wish we could not fuss about the good things in life and support them. Yes, we need to be smart about how we go about things, but Bill, everything comes with a cost, that’s life. Last edited on Nov 7th, 2005 04:26 pm by Skiddles |
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bama80 Member 
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Donw, too bad you don't live on the Stokesdale/Summerfield line somewhere and are able to run for both towns. I know more about you than anyone running in Stokesdale and would write you in for all positions on the ballot. Good Luck. Roll Tide Roll! |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Hey Folks there is a meeting tonight 11/07 at the Community Center at 7 PM to discuss future park needs in Summerfield. My understanding it is being led by the Proffessor from UNCG who is doing the questionaire you should have received. This is follow up. Hope to see lots of people there so that we will have some ideas as to how to proceed in this area. |
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dmauser Member
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unfortunately I will be undable to attend the meeting tonight, since I have commitments with the scout troop, but wanted to say that I thought the survey was a good idea and have mine ready to mail back in. I think we will find out what people are really wanting in their park. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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bill ~ Can you just imagine Mark Brown using the word "peeps"? I assure you that I do not have an ax to grind with you personally. I simply feel like our council members, town volunteers and Sheriff Barnes have been barraged with unrelenting personal, unnecessary attacks and need us to stand up for them instead of against them. It is fine to disagree with them, but do so with respect and do not condone or participate in the mud slinging that is going on in the CC crowd. You have been here longer than most of the CC group and you know as well as I do that none of the decisions made by our council have been made for personal gain. You know these people and you know they do not have hidden agendas. In an earlier posting you referred to King George (who I can only assume meant Mayor Barnes) and the "punk" Revolutionaries (Concerned Citizens) who spoke out against tyranny in spite of the odds. Are you forgetting that the Revolutionaries won? That's a sickening thought. I have a much better metaphor for ya. There was another Revolution a little later on in France which was also begun for good reasons. But they went a little too far. Eventually Robespierre and a CITIZEN'S COMMITTEE assumed power and instituted what was known as the Reign of Terror. They basically killed everybody they could get their hands on who opposed them or was perceived to be in opposition by introducing them to madame le guillotine, who very efficiently removed their heads. The only problem with the metaphor is there are simply too many people who fit the role of madame le guillotine! Last edited on Nov 7th, 2005 04:59 pm by Cracker Jax |
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StewartM Member
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Skiddles I do remember the plan for the stump dump at the community center. I was on the community center board back when they made the presentation for ballfields where the lake is now. They did have good intentions, but it would do to much harm to wetlands and our natural resources. They did the right thing and did not move on with the project. The Community Park has been in the works a long time. I'm glad to see the site work has started. The park committee and our professional staff has worked very hard on a good plan for our citizens and environment. We have now voted to do a professional survey for our other park needs. Please everyone complete your survey and send it back. Your town council wants to hear from you. Remember to vote tomorrow....Its your Town....Mike Stewart |
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Bill Peterson Member
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Cracker Jax: Not to worry about telling me who you are. I know. And, I also know why you have been busting my chops about the park and the actions of one council member. I had enjoyed our conversation Tuesday night. Did you feel out of place "huddled" with me? Which one of us should be deemed guilty by association? A few closing thoughts to maybe clear up remaining issues: For the folks who proudly stood up and gave their names, I appreciate that you brought some logic and civility to the blog. It is sad but almost comic to hear some folks complain so loudly about the actions of others and then have to endure them hiding in the shadows doing exactly what they complained about.. Yes... if we buy it we need to maintain it. On going costs are part of asset ownership. It is also a real consideration when making an informed buying decision. Failure to look at the fully allocated cost is a failure of due diligence. Folk have the constitutional right to address the government. The council is only the council when it is session so the public meeting time is the only time any of us have to address our government.. We should not limit the right to only those with who we agree. I'm not sure its even legal. To threaten assault or to even indicate a desire to commit a physical assault because someone speaks for more than five minutes or says something that we do not agree with is not a joke. The plans I saw for the ball fields looked pretty professional, but I only saw them for a few moments, on the hood of a car in the twilight. I believe I was told they were fully engineered but its been several years. When the council denied a request to buy lights for the school ball fields but arranged for the schools pay for them, the Summerfield rec fellow who had the plans got mad and went home. I have never seen the plans again. I recall there was some talk of a stump dump and moving the lake to another part of the land but that it was not required to build the fields. My memory is Mr. Doggett agreed to do the grading for free if he was allowed to make a stump dump first. I understood we could keep the lake where it was and pay for the grading without the dump. This was never presented to the town council. If it was presented to any group, it would have been Community Center Inc. Becky, Don, Dwayne, Jane, Mark, Mike (alphabetical order) Good luck tomorrow. Win loose or draw I look forward to working with you. Debbie... Lets talk soon. Bill wepete2@bellsouth.net |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Mike, Jane, Don & Bill, where do you plan to be Tuesday, ie what voting location? It would be nice to shake your hands when I go vote. Last edited on Nov 7th, 2005 10:49 pm by Steve Adkins |
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lucy Member
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Mr. Stewart how do we go about getting a survey if we did not have one mailed to our home address? When do the surveys have to be turned in? |
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FatPappy Member
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Hey, does anybody have Robert Novak's phone number? Tomorrow's the day! Good Night, and Good Luck. |
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Skiddles Member
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To all the candidates: May good luck come your way tomorrow. I know we will all benefit from your efforts, honesty and respect towards others. Thank you to all that have participated in this forum, I feel even more informed. Have a great night! |
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Starcatchr Member
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Well said, Skiddles. Good questions, good answers and plenty of good humor! Let's get back to the business of building our town. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I too would like to wish all of the candidates good luck tomorrow. Hopefully everyone will turn out to vote and we can begin working together on the future of our wonderful town. Cracker is signing off before she is further eviscerated by the poison pen. In closing I would like to quote a writer I once read. "Please be careful. Assumptions can be dangerous (and wrong)" (Page 3 of this forum - 5th posting - last paragraph.) Last edited on Nov 8th, 2005 02:11 am by Cracker Jax |
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donw Member
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Steve-- I will be at both locations and on a couple corners to remind people to vote! If I am not at either polling place I will be at the corner of Summerfield Road and Pleasant Ridge or at the corner of 220 and Scalesville. In the last two days I have had quite a few calls from citizens asking if I was part of the Concerned Citizens--- I am not! Please vote for Don Wendelken. It is time for a change!!!!! Thank You in advance to all who vote for me. Don Wendelken |
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SaltyDog Member
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Thanks to all of you, candidates and just plain citizens, who participated in this forum. Democracy and good government depend on the free flow of information and ideas. To the candidates who were confident enough to actually answer questions from citizens, thanks for adding to the informaton a voter needs to make an intelligent decision. To the candidates who could only wonder who asked a question rather than answer it, thank you for adding to the information a voter needs to make an inteligent decision. To the candidates who were not part of this forum, you missed an excellent opportunity to discuss your positions with fellow citizens. To whomever is elected tomorrow, I expect honesty, integrity and competence but not perfection. Dedication to what is best for the citizens of Summerfield and a willingness to listen when competing ideas are respectfully delivered is all I ask. Last edited on Nov 8th, 2005 02:54 am by SaltyDog |
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StewartM Member
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Steve I will be at the school all day willing to answer any more questions. Thank-you for your time. Mike Stewart |
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StewartM Member
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Lucy, You can call the town hall and they will mail you one. I will have to check on when they need to be returned. We are using a professional service and not doing it in house. It will get us more points for a grant and get a complete picture of what are needs are. I will at the school all day Tuesday if you want to come by and give me your address. I will make sure you get a survey. Thanks Mike Stewart |
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StewartM Member
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Bill, Don and Jane thank-you for using the northwest observer forum. Good luck. Remember we are in this together for our town.....Mike |
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FatPappy Member
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One candidate revealed more about his true identity than he revealed about his intended victim's. |
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SaltyDog Member
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For the folks who proudly stood up and embraced their affiliation with Concerned Citizens, I appreciate that you brought some logic and civility to the blog. Oh wait - there were none! Last edited on Nov 8th, 2005 01:35 pm by SaltyDog |
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FatPappy Member
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If anyone on this forum went to the Park meeting last night, could you give those of us who weren't able to attend some highlights? Or if there's a better place to find out, point us toward it? Thanks. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Salty Dawg, you are the bomb! I wish I wish I wish I wish I knew your true identity!!! <sigh> The Crackah luvs ya! |
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SaltyDog Member
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Thanks for the luv Crackah.... I have been bustin Bill because I just want some straight talk. I think he is a good man with good intentions for our town if he will just ditch the swagger. A man with such intellect should use it try to win us over with the power of his ideas rather than use it to manipulate, intimidate and evade legitimate questions from those of us with lower IQs. In keeping with the theme expressed by so many in this forum: I, SaltyDog, swear that I am not and have never been a member of the Concerned Citizens of Summerfield, but that does not mean I am an Unconcerned Citizen of Summerfield. Hope to see ya in future forums... |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I agree with you 100% Salty. and I, Cracker Jax do solemnly swear that I am not and have never been a member of the Concerned Citizens of Summerfield, nor will I ever be a member of the CC of Summerfield and I too am a very concerned citizen of Summerfield. Bill, I enjoyed sparring with you but frankly my brain is plum tuckered out trying to keep up with you! Win or lose I know you'll work hard to do what you think is best for all of us. I hereby admit that Bill's IQ is way higher than mine and I am formally bowing down to the master................. |
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lucy Member
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oh please Crackah, you know you are in a battle of wits with an unarmed man |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Well, for all the discussion about the downside of the Concerned Citizens, take a look at who our newest Town Council member is with the most votes. Apparently not everyone disagreed with the CC's. Becky with the most, Dwayne with the least, not a lot of spread between the two. http://www.wfmynews2.com/nrsolutions/elections.html Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 01:11 am by Steve Adkins |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Steve...Channel 13 is reporting Dwayne as 2nd place... and your link shows him with the second highest number of votes yet still shows Jane as the 2nd place winner... any idea why? Lucy... we are being nice now. Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 01:18 am by Cracker Jax |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Nevermind Steve. I see they corrected it on your link. <Sick feeling in pit of stomach> It is a sad sad day for Summerfield, people. Cracker Jax is gonna have to get one of those mail permits.... Must be something to it. Cracker Jax is now searching for a new home. I will be moving to the Stokesdale boards. Seems they have some juicy drama going on over there and you know the crackah luvs drama! Don't worry... I'll be back to visit! Salty and Pappy.... I told this "Rev" fella that I would ask you if you know where in the tri-town area this Anthony Vaughn fella lives......Told him you might want to move to Stokesdale(Forum) with me.  Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 02:52 am by Cracker Jax |
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EditorPS Administrator
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Well folks, I'm feeling like a failure right now. For all of the meetings we've covered, all of the articles we've written, all of the grief we've taken from the CCs and all of the footnotes we've added to their dialogue, in the end, the citizens supported what the Concerned Citizens offered. Give nothing, get nothing, and maintain the highest level of intolerance for anyone who stands in your way. I still support democracy, even when it lets me down. We'll be back tomorrow with a more gracious concession, but for now I'm evaluating if what I spend most of my time focusing on really makes a difference after all. Congratulations CCs! I wish I could feel better knowing that your message appeals to the masses. |
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dmauser Member
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Patty, I too am in shock. I fear that the iunder-informed went and voted, and those happy stayed at home. Congratulations to the winners, I hope Summerfield will not become a laughing stock. The voters have spoken and shame on those that didn't take the time to vote! |
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Revpast Member
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Last edited on Nov 16th, 2005 02:26 am by Revpast |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Patti, Believe me, I am feelin' your pain. You did everything you could to report the truth about those people while maintaining the integrity and philosophy of your paper. I adore you, your paper and the unity you strive to create in our towns. I don't know the answer. I don't think it would work if we went all "Rhino Times" on them, either. Perhaps if we put out a gossip rag like the Summerfield Enquirer.... It might level the playing field a bit because we could lie and make stuff up and it might even lessen the work for you and your staff because you wouldn't have to verify any facts! The citizens of Summerfield seem to enjoy reading crap. We have 4 years to work toward a change and in the meantime I will be saving up for my mailing permit...permit #35. To my peeps on the boards who could actually SLEEP tonight you have a lot of catching up to do! So, in the words of the very best writer in the whole wide world besides Patti Stokes - Scott Yost (Whom I have never met and has turned me on to the joys of penguin loving and who I will adore til my dying day) Aloha! |
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donw Member
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Thanks to all voted for me on Tuesday. The interesting thing about an election is that there are winners and those who get right back in there the next election. Everybody can't win. Now it is time for those who argued and blamed to step up to the plate and produce positive results. In politics it is easy to point fingers at those who serve and not have your own solution. As the new council members get comfortable and help plan the future of Summerfield they will be required to answer citizens questions and explain how and why they vote on issues. They will have to start listening and responding instead of just responding. They will be required to have ideas and relate those ideas to all the citizens. I hope they are prepared to take the heat and be professional in all they do and say. Most importantly-- the position is not about having power, it is about serving the community. Thanks again! Don Wendelken |
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Starcatchr Member
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Patti, PLEASE don't be too discouraged. You and your staff have done a super job of keeping us informed. We are proud of the NWO and the effot that goes into each issue. Keep on adding a voice of sanity and fairness and maybe, soon, more citizens will hear. I am chewing the grapes today. Maybe tomorrow will be sweeter. Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 11:02 am by Starcatchr |
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Starcatchr Member
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Go, go, Don! What a gracious after-election statement. Your honesty has been a pleasure to behold during the last few weeks. I hope you will stay in there and work for the town until your chance comes up again. |
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dmauser Member
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Don, Very well said. I hope that the direction that Summerfield takes will be a positive one. It will be interesting to see if our newly elected officials can take the heat as well as dish it out. |
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EditorPS Administrator
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It is indeed a new day, and I plan to do the right thing and offer congratulations to those who will be our new representatives. Before I do, though, I want to thank Don Wendelken for even wanting to run for town council in the first place, and then for working so hard to be elected. In the last nine years since I've been covering local news, I've never seen anyone work as hard for their community's vote as he has. For all of the days and evenings he stood on street corners with his signs, for all of the people he walked up and introduced himself to, for all of the phone conversations he had with people who wanted to know more about him, for all of the time he took to e-mail people, for being the first candidate to participate in this online forum, and for everything else he did to get his name and his message out in front of the voters, I thank him. Don, please don't become a stranger - I'm afraid you got lost in the battle between the old guard and the new, and despite your best efforts, there just weren't enough people paying attention to you this time around. We need people like you representing us and there will be another election in 2 years. It's amazing how quickly that time can go by. Patti Stokes Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 04:01 pm by EditorPS |
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scoutnc Member
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Patty, It was the way you covered the meetings, the articles you wrote, the way you handled the criticism, AND especially all of the footnotes that you added that is exactly the reason we started to seeing things from their point of view. You are supposed to be unbiased and not take sides. Well, the last few issues of the NWO have been anything but unbiased. The comments at the end of Cindy Reise's peice were especially prejudiced and uncalled for in an informational newspaper. We thought that Becky Sue (as many of you so vehemently call her) had one of the best written, well articulated messages of all the candidates, both in her flyer and in her answers in the last NWO. This coming from, I think at least, semi-intelligent, well informed persons. I personally held off voting for her because of her methods, but now that she has won, it will be interesting to see how she can manage to actually serve the people that voted for her. Don, I'm sorry you didn't get more support. We thought you had a strong message and seemed like a reasonable person to support along with Mike and/or Becky. Please do come back and run again next time. For those of you that seem to think that anyone outside of Summerfield cares one bit about Summerfield, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I for one, never read any of the articles about Stokesdale or OakRidge because they don't affect me. We won't be a laughing stock, except to ourselves. In fact, it is quite entertaining to listen to and hear how people can get so polarized over so many (mostly) insignificant issues. Chill out everyone. It's not the end of the world as we know it. Summerfield will survive, because of the many good people that live here. It is truly a great place to live! scoutnc P.S. This is the first (and probably last) time that I have ever posted anything in a forum. I just really wanted to provide some constructive criticism to Patty and her staff. I do really enjoy reading the NWO, when they are unbiased and don't try to take sides on an issue. Oh yeah, and it has been especially entertaining to read this forum. Keep it up! |
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Revpast Member
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Last edited on Nov 16th, 2005 02:24 am by Revpast |
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bama80 Member
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From page 4 of this thread. haha its fun to quote yourself sometimes. bama80 wrote: Donw, too bad you don't live on the Stokesdale/Summerfield line somewhere and are able to run for both towns. I know more about you than anyone running in Stokesdale and would write you in for all positions on the ballot. Good Luck. Roll Tide Roll! |
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FatPappy Member
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After regaining consciousness, FatPappy is planning to keep an open mind, even if that mind right now is in a deep blue funk, throbbing with pain and bewilderment. Patti, I thought you did your usual excellent job of maintaining fairness and accuracy. We're going to need a reliable source to turn to more than ever in the coming years. Crackah and Salty, don't wander off too far. |
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EditorPS Administrator
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To Scoutnc: Constructive criticism is always appreciated - I wish I would have heard from you before now, but glad that you finally stepped forward. I will ponder what you've said and promise to keep an open mind to your feedback. Hope you won't make this your last posting -- it was not by design that this forum became a place for people with similar viewpoints to speak out; we wanted people from all perspectives to participate in it and the gates were, and are open to anyone. In fact, we personally invited Becky, Dwayne, and all the other town council candidates to participate just after we got the forum online. I hope in the future they, along with Mark Brown, will change their mind and participate so that we can have some productive dialogue. We'll need to hear from them as to what their thoughts are, and I hope they in turn will be receptive to listening to our viewpoints. Thanks for reading our paper, and sharing your comments -- Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 01:09 pm by EditorPS |
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StewartM Member
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Don I agree with what you wrote. I want to thank you for the time you put in to help our town. You ran a respectable campaign. I enjoy talking to you on election day and hope to see you at all the council meeting. We can still let council and citizens know where we stand at the meetings......Thanks Mike |
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Steve Adkins Member
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If you do some rough math, there were total 1,621 folks that voted if you add the two mayoral votes together. According to the NWO in the election edition, there are 6,033 voters in Summerfield. That means only around 27% of the voters in Summerfield felt this issue was important enough to vote. Roughly 1 out of 4 people. Dwayne & Becky gathered 1,426 out of 3,181 votes, or 44%. 0.44 x 0.27 = 12% of the voting population were enough to cause this outcome. Clearly, an effective minority can effect an outcome. To the other 73% who didn't bother to vote.....it will be interesting to see if the events of the next 4 years get your interest level up. Patti - HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH !!!!!!!!!!! If anybody believes figures lie and liars figure, I figure your comments represent about 88% of the population (less that other 12% above) Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 02:45 pm by Steve Adkins |
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donw Member
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Mike Thanks for the kind words and I did enjoy conversing with you and your dad on election day--he is very entertaining- my kind of people. Humor is the essence of life. I will see you at the meetings. take care. Thanks to all who made comments pertaining to my campaign. The campaign is not about winning it is about letting people know where you stand and who you REALLY are. Don |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Scout... WELCOME to the boards! We embrace you. <hugs> Please do not make this your last post. We consider you to be a courageous pioneer who is speaking out for the other side, (and we didn't even know there was another side until yesterday) and hopefully others who share thoughts such as yours will feel comfortable enough to jump on in and chat with us! For those who are afraid.... Nobody (Other than the NW Observer staff, who can see your email address when you sign up- Right Patti?) knows who you are if you don't use your real name... If you don't believe me, just ask my friend bill! If we can entice others such as you Scout to join this forum, it will be much more effective and informative. That is the vision I think Patti had when she created it. As for the NW Observer vs. CC Mailings....Unfortunately, It's like I told Patti last night.... it's the sensationalism that sells in this reality tv based world (with a little help sometimes from Glamour Shots) and nobody seems to care about the truth anymore. I'll admit that Cracker Jax was a little nasty to bill before the election, but hey...It was campaign season! I am a good sport and have kissed and made up with bill and the crackah promises to be nicer to all (and especially bill) in the future. OK... I'm going home to Stokesdale to see if they found that Vaughn fella. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Mike, Don, Jane and Bill... THANK YOU SO MUCH for stepping up to the plate and offering your time and service to our community. We the citizens of Summerfield (and 1 from Stokesdale) appreciate you more than you will ever know! cj |
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EditorPS Administrator
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lucy wrote: "...The CC group does have a permit. PRSRT STD U.S.Postage Paid Permit #34. This permit appears to be paid for by the "CC, a Public Interest Corp" ... The trio sent a mailing using the same permit number, #34." It's been brought to my attention that Permit #34 is owned by Piedmont Direct Mailing Services, which was legitimately hired to handle the mailings for the Concerned Citizens. I cannot answer the questions posed in Lucy's additional comments below, but hope that a member of Concerned Citizens, or a member of the Concernced Citizens of Summerfield Political Action Committee will perhaps shed some light. - Patti Stokes Lucy continued, "The Strickland flyer said "Paid for by Committee of Becky Strickland." Peterson’s said "Paid for by the Committee to elect Bill Peterson. Crawford did n’t let us know who paid for his, perhaps "one of the fastest growing privately held businesses in Guilford County", maybe he made the copies at work. Is this legal? It is confusing. Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 05:31 pm by EditorPS |
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Bill Peterson Member
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This is part of a letter to the editor I have been writing. Patti... I'll send you the whole thing later. But I really felt like I needed to get this part to the blog (appropriate name) sooner than waiting for it to get in the paper if it did. ----------------------------------- The voters have chosen who they want to help lead the town. Now, Summerfield must choose between two doors. Behind one is the same path we have traveled for far to long in dark suspicion constantly tripping over poisonous words and even hate. Behind the other is an opportunity for each of us to help the town begin again by pledging to work together as mature adults with a fresh commitment to allow alternative ideas, mature discussions, and consensus building. Mark Brown has told me on more than one occasion that he considers me the farther of Summerfield. The truth is there were a lot of folk who worked very hard to insure our child grew into a community we would be proud to call home. It is up to all of us to work together to insure we are as proud of Summerfield ten years from now as we were ten years ago. The council will have to work hard to insure they follow the proper path. I sincerely believe we all have what we consider the best for our community in our hearts and minds. I hope the new council, the town folk, and the local press will prove it by the way we treat each other and that all of us will not just watch past attitudes continue as we standby idly by but will step up to say to all we will not tolerate it, from any source, any longer. bill peterson |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I agree bill. It is a new day and we have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off and are ready to start anew. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Been having computer problems today so just wanted to jump in and thank everybody who voted and expecially those who voted and had confidence in me to continue to do the job of council member. Now having said that it is time to take stock of the town and the town needs and move on. there are lots of things that need to be done and lots of jobs for all of us if we choose to do them. i know for certain that the council can't do these jobs by themself and that they need us to offer them guidance so lets all joinl together to get our goals met. |
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Skiddles Member
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Hey Everyone ~ I have been gone all day wandering about in a confused state...hum, what happened? Oh well, the sun still came up this morning and the birds continued to chirp. I do hope this new council will put away their anger, differences and personal agendas and work together with each other and with the public to help heal and grow our town into a great and thriving place for us now and for our future. I hope they strive to be forward thinking and do their best to listen to as many as possible with an open mind. (My two cents with a little prayer) Bill, What's a farther? Have a great evening! Last edited on Nov 9th, 2005 08:46 pm by Skiddles |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Bill Peterson, well chosen words in your letter above, look forward to reading the entire letter in the NWO. I'm up in South Bend IN, it's nice to have an online forum to keep up with the chatter at home. Thanks Patti & Sandra, this forum is a winner !! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Wow Steve... so far away?... I only moved to Stokesdale! Very wise words on the Stokesdale forum by the way. Have a safe trip home! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Today I drove thru the Mishawaka / South Bend IN areas, where I moved away from 25 years ago, basically a generation has passed since I left. At the time, Mishawaka was on the verge of very fast growth, and a very beautiful area to live & work. I am sitting here tonight a bit depressed at what I saw, and mentally comparing it to Summerfield. The "fast growth" didn't last, the result is lot of empty buildings, run-down housing, and infrastructure decay left behind. Too much, too fast...Too little, too late. We've all got to take better care of Summerfield, than was taken care of this area. I plan to retire in Summerfield, and want to see this area more beautiful in 25 years than today, and it's certainly beautiful today. My wife & I love this area, it feels "right". And everytime I take a trip up north in the winter, feel the wind bite thru to the bone, just remember Summerfield where "You don't have to shovel sunshine". Last edited on Nov 10th, 2005 02:24 am by Steve Adkins |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Dwayne Crawford & Becky Strickland, even though you're not talking with us in this forum, I know you're monitoring it. So best of luck to you folks, it's time for the rubber to hit the road. Dwayne, even though I didn't agree with CC tactics (and still don't), I do admire & respect you took the time to call me direct to discuss them, and handled all my questions in civil manner. Becky, I'm hearing you're already beating the bushes asking local businesses their needs from the town council, will be interesting to see what you do with the info. |
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EditorPS Administrator
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Hi Everyone, Some of us in Summerfield were smiling this morning when we got up, some of us weren't, but the same sun rose and set for all of us, and the world didn't come to an end as a result of yesterday's election. Personally, I'm ready to move on and professionally, I've got to. It's time to focus less on the events of recent months and more on what we're willing to give to our community and how our contributions will shape its future. I have two teenagers and I want to be involved in positive efforts to make this town one they'd like to live in when they're adults. I don't want our town to be torn apart nor do I want our elected representatives to be openly hostile toward each other and distracted from doing the job they were elected to do. We have some work to do if we're going to improve relationships, and the Northwest Observer has to do its part by focusing more than ever on being open-minded and objective. It's not always easy when you live in the towns that you cover, you have history and insight that the general public doesn't, and the issues and events are so personal. However, we'll renew our commitment to be fair in our coverage and disengage ourselves personally from people and issues when we think our views might become slanted otherwise. One of the things our paper has been criticized for in recent months is not taking the council to task more when they make bad judgements. We've given a lot of thought to that, and though it's not our style to aggressively take anyone to task, we've vowed today to challenge our town council members more (all of them, and in all 3 towns) when they make poor decisions and publicly misbehave. I hope you all will continue to participate in this forum, and that many more of diverse opinions will join you so that your viewpoints and mine can not only be expressed, but challenged in an open and respectful environment. Thanks for all of the pioneers who quickly became participants in our online forum. We've had over 15,000 page views in just the last few weeks and new people join us every day! Drop me a line to let me know how you think we're doing as we go through the sometimes painful process of maturing as a newspaper that covers 3 towns who are also maturing. There will be more conflict, but we will do our best to stay on the sidelines as observers and not in the heat of the battle as participants. I've posted a few new topics this evening, so be sure to check them out and post some of your own as well. It's time to get back to work now -- with one issue just back from the printer, we've got to start on another. And one thing's for sure - there's never any shortage of things to write about! Patti Stokes Last edited on Nov 10th, 2005 04:47 am by EditorPS |
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Skiddles Member
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To take a quote from Bill's letter and then move on.. (Bill you said it well. I am looking forward to the complete read soon), this is ..."an opportunity for each of us to help the town begin again by pledging to work together as mature adults with a fresh commitment to allow alternative ideas, mature discussions, and consensus building." Here - Here! Patty, thank you for the opportunity to participate in this forum and for your fairness. I know it has been difficult to stay neutral and wear a smile while being shot at. You have shown tremendous character! The NWO is a vital part of our town. I would like to say thank you, thank you for ALL that you do to keep everyone in our area informed. You are great! It's a beautiful day ... enjoy it! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Geez, this forum just kinda died after the election. Have the CC's dissolved now that they control 2/5 of the Town Council? Dwayne? Becky? Where are y'all holding your CC meetings these days? Can anybody attend? |
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EUSON Member
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Steve, I guess the Concerned Citizens left town. Perhaps they moved over to Stokesdale to find out if Cracker Jax is doing anything interesting over there. Did C. Jax ever come back home? The Concerned Citizens must not be too concerned. They did not attend the Christmas Tree Lighting on November 19th that took place at Summerfield Town Hall. It was an event for the public and everyone thought they would be there. They were invited by the children at the Town Council meeting that took place in November. Patti also advertized the event in the NWO in plenty of time for plans to be made to attend. Thanks Patti! I am sure the children and the town appreciated the attendence of Mayor Barnes, Jane Doggett, Carolyn Collins, Bob Williams and Mark Brown. The kids missed you, Mike! They heard you would be out of town and would not be able to attend. It really shows the children and the citizens that Council cares about the town and the future of the town when they attend events. C Jax where are you and Fat Pappy? OMG did Bill, oh I mean bill as you call him, find out your true identity and........ |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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I don't think that Becky or Dwayne have posted on any of these forums or any other person who admits to belonging to the CC's. They do have a website although it hasn't been updated in several months last time I looked and does not include meeting dates. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Euson... I am here. I am watching. Thank you for noticing my absence! How sweet! I've been taking time off to read literature such as "The History of Door Hinges" (Thanks to Lori White for turning me on to that one! That was Soooo funny!). I did see all the folks gathered for the SYC tree lighting in Summerfield. Looked like the kids had a pretty good turnout. I heard that they even got RSVP phone calls from President Bush and VP Cheney's offices. That was pretty cool. Never fear.....The Crackah has not moved to Stokesdale. I was just helping them out til they found that Vaughn fella, and then some kind of drama went on with Rev... oh well, you had to be there. Besides, I've been a SF resident since the early sixties and there is no way I'm leaving my hometown unprotected!! I was just having a manic moment on the 8th. I am over it. Perhaps one day Crackah and Crackah's new friends (Salty and Pappy) will create a blog of their own where we can chit chat about important stuff like door hinges.... Hmmmm what should we call it? Pappy's Playground? Salty Crackahs w/ a dash of Pappy? I "CRACK" myself up!! Everyone says we must be nice now..... You know..... give the new electees a chance get their feet wet and to enjoy their perches on top of the world for a while. Hopefully they will put their money where their mouths have been and will work TOGETHER and RESPECTFULLY with the remaining council members. ("Big Brother" Steve and Patti are watching and making me behave! ).As for the apparent death of the CC blog.....you know what your mama said....If you can't say something nice...... |
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Skiddles Member
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OMGosh Crackah, you are crack'n me up too!! Salty Crackahs w/ a dash of Pappy... too funny. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Thank you skiddles.... I do my best to keep things lively around here. Since you actually understood my little jest I am now seriously considering a name change for my new blog. What do you think of Salty Crackahs w/ a dash of Pappy and a side of Skiddles! tee hee! BTW.... has anyone seen that ol' Salty Dog lately??? Where oh where has my little dog gone? |
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Skiddles Member
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You've gotta quit! My sides are kill'n me. |
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bama80 Member
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It's good to see some life in here after the long Thanksgiving break. I think I saw a tumbleweed blow by the other day while I was lurking around the boards.  |
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Cracker Jax Member
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~ ~ Bama~ ~ You are hereby cordially invited to join our new "talk about anything we want to" blog as soon as I decide on the perfect name for it. (Steve, please skip this one paragraph... ok? The Crackah does not want you to see any body misbehaving ) You see, the naming of something is very important. (Steve..are you cheating? Are you reading this paragraph?) Take the name "Concerned Citizens" for example. That is quite the ambiguous name if you asked me.... It could imply that someone is actually concerned about doing the right thing rather than being concerned that personal agenda goals won't be met. (Steve, if you read that, shame on you. Ok. I apologize and I deserve any lecture you might want to dish out to me.)If you don't consider the naming of something very carefully, you might end up with some stupid name like "BLOG" Wouldn't you just be so embarrassed to be the one who came up with that name?? I'd rather be rundown by an errant tumbleweed than admit to coming up with that one!! So now I am considering naming the new blog: Salty Crackahs w/ a dash of Pappy and a side of Skiddles dipped in Bama Jelly! or we could go the Emeril Lagasse route and name it: Salty Crackahs w/ a dash of Pappy and a side of Skiddles! BAM! I think I like that one better! I am glad that you cruise by the SF boards occasionally. You know, we were almost neighbors last month when I moved over to the SD boards, but I just couldn't bring myself to desert my homies! Feel free to pop in anytime! Watch out for your own tumbleweeds over there in SD on the Vaughn fella's blog. Ever since Rev pulled out, things are pretty quiet there too! Oh the drama! Last edited on Dec 1st, 2005 11:39 pm by Cracker Jax |
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bama80 Member
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Well I am flattered to be included in the naming portion of your blog. I look forward to the idle chit chat that will ensue. All this politics and such can be tiresome. I just want to talk about important things like: what those sirens were the other day or what happened on saturday with college football!. Also hockey is up there too. Let's get this thing started. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Ah......the beauty of technology.....when it works !!! I'm down in Monterrey Mexico on business, hadn't looked at the ole Forum in a few days, so it's interesting to catch up on the above. Reading blogs in between tacos & tamales. Cracker Jax.........I do like the naming convention and all the pretty colors. Where did I get the reputation of taking bloggers to the electronic wood shed? Other than Revpast getting excited during a full moon, everyone has been pretty reasonable. Actually I'm a little crushed you left me off your blog naming thing.  Jane......just because TCM's (Town Council Members) Crawford & Strickland aren't posting, doesn't mean they aren't watching & reading. Hi Dwayne, Hi Becky !!! Wish y'all would join us some day, in the meantime enjoy reading !! Keep 'em rolling folks Last edited on Dec 2nd, 2005 05:15 pm by Steve Adkins |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Bama and Steve.... Want to play hide and seek??? I have replied to both of you, but posted it on another topic..... EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PLAY! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Ms. Dunham In the future, please refrain from speaking for the citizens of Summerfield. It is perfectly fine to state your opinion, but you must keep in mind that you are speaking for yourself and your pocket book and most importantly, you have not been chosen to speak for us. When you spoke out last night at council (in the middle of the meeting) stating that more than one ABC store was not what the citizens of Summerfield wanted when they voted for an ABC store, you did not have the right to do so. I think that when a community votes to have the benefits of an ABC store, they do not usually consider the number of stores, and would even logically expect that enough stores to supply the needs of each individual town would eventually be built. I am not speaking for the citizens however... I wouldn't presume to do that. That is not what Gail was voting for perhaps, but the fact is, the majority of citizens want the ABC store, and maybe even ABC Stores in the future. I do hope you heard that there were several comments from the peanut gallery disputing your statement. In the meantime......CALM DOWN......RELAX....TAKE A DEEP BREATH....COUNT TO 10 IF YOU NEED TO........and let's see if we can't work together for the betterment of our community shall we? The Crackah |
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EUSON Member
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Well said Crackah. Don't you think it is a little like  tho. |
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donw Member
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Crackah-- I tried to counter what she was saying with some common sense. From now on we need to take turns after Gail speaks and help people understand she does not represent the town she is only one citizen who looks out for herself. (in a respectfull way) Maybe then she will start thinking about what she says to people. Don Last edited on Dec 7th, 2005 07:19 pm by donw |
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EUSON Member
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Yes you did, Don. Nice Job. |
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FatPappy Member
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Don! We agree on something! You're gettin' some mana, buddy! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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What a guy that donw is! You are right of course don. Sorry I didn't mention that earlier. I was just seeing red at the time of my posting. I am ready for the new council to move on and put all the old accusations behind them (as difficult as that may be). I want her to let them do their jobs. I guess I am just sick of her rantings. I did try to be respectful though. I didn't fling a gavel or anything...  |
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EUSON Member
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Just wondering if anyone noticed: Did you guys hear last night when "Becky Sue Strickland" said that she got the most votes in "History of Summerfield"? Well I thought that was incorrect infomation, so you know me I had to check it out. Election 2003 D Barnes 889 M Brown 848 C Collins 845 J Doggett 830 M Stewart 804 B Williams 861 Election 2005 M Brown 814 B Peterson 807 D Crawford 659 J Doggett 647 M Stewart 547 B Strickland 767 D Wendelken 561 Ok Well I didn't do that great in Algebra II, but I did OK in basic math. It looks like ALL of the candidates in the year 2003 surpassed her numbers. Isn't 2003 History? Folks this is a fine example of the way that the CC makes things look like something they are not. That was very inaccurate information given to the public while she was campaigning for Mayor Pro Tem. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Hmmm. I notice that both Jane and Mike surpassed Becky's all time vote getting record as well. Point well made Euson. |
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Thunder Member
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You can tell that someone did there "History of Summerfield" homework before the town council meeting. |
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FatPappy Member
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You might be a cc if... ...you think the Christmas story is about all the world getting taxed. ...you call the voices in your head the "voice of the people." ...you argue with the voices in your head and lose, but tell them they lost. |
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Thunder Member
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mana for you this Christmas Fat Pappy |
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Cracker Jax Member
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BRAVO PAPPY!
And Howdy Thunder! |
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Thunder Member
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you want mana too don't you |
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Thunder Member
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thank you for the welcome and more mana for you |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Thank you for the thought Thunder, but it won't matter. You see, it was recently discovered that my mana bar is broken.
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onthecorner Member 
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I know I am slow on my responce on this topic but I have been adding up the number of locations I would like to purchase my vodka ........ I would like to Thank Cracker on her note to Ms. Dunham, I have attended several Council meetings and had to leave due to motion sickness. Her jumping around, butting in and general rudeness is hard to swallow, and I can not think of a time when she express a view I shared. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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You are very welcome corner! Perhaps Ms. Dunham will read this and tone things down just a tad. She really is quite intelligent. Just hard to see past the antics. Oh, and are you saying you'd buy vodka no matter how many stores they erect? Are you saying you'd buy Vodka on the corner ( *LOL - On the corner!* ) at any and every intersection if it was sold there? |
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Steve Adkins Member
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 I wasn't at the meeting to see Ms Dunham's shenanigans, but looks like we're going to have to send Monty to see her, the afternoon of each meeting !!!! For those of you not acquainted with Monty, go over to the "Much Ado about Nothing" forum, you'll understand all about Monty. Crackah, you now have more mana than me, and I'm gettin' jealous !! Last edited on Dec 8th, 2005 12:36 pm by Steve Adkins |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Nope... she don't wanna mess wit ol' Monty!
As for missing the meeting Steve, If you've seen the show once, you've seen it all!
(that would be a dead horse she's beating....) |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Unfortunately, as you're starting to notice, with my travel schedule, I don't get to attend the TC meetings, usually on the road. My lofty goals right now are to delay any January trips until after the January meeting, so I can witness at least 1. I'll bring Monty, turn him loose during the meeting. |
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Thunder Member
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Even if there are more ABC stores it won't cost the town of Summerfield a dime.To my understanding it will cost the city of Greensboro. |
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Bubba Guest
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Thank God the ABC passed. I wonder if that's why the election went they way it did. Because I know they will be getting alot of MY BUSINESS in the next four years!! Cheers everybody! And depending on what gets done in the next few years, we might need more than one store! Last edited on Dec 8th, 2005 04:55 pm by |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I know this is gonna be difficult to believe, but the Crackah does not partake in the consumption of alcoholic beverages. The Crackah did however vote for the referendum and does see the financial advantages to our town....(Not to mention the fact that all you "partakers" won't have to drive so far to get your booze!) |
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FatPappy Member
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 It's been a while since this section had any posts. So, lest we forget... Pappy got one of the younguns to read him the latest NWO and noticed some town council votin' action bein' reported on. The other youngun who knows how to cipher helped Pappy make a town council vote tally, just for fun. (Pappy, you devil...) The council voted 11 (leb'm) times without bloodshed. • Of those 11 votes, 6 were unanimous votes! (Get that big youngun in here to steady me! Mammy, where's my snakebite med'cine!?) • Three votes were 4-1, with Strickland against. (It's the Prophecy! She is the ONE!) • A 3-2 vote for Mayor Pro Tem, with Collins, Williams, Barnes vs. Strickland, crawford. (TOP VOTE GETTER AGAIN! Lookout! She'll run you down with that juggernaut! Oh, wait, Pappy got carried away...she didn't win, she lost. Dang! Now I can't do my "Lord Vader, RISE!" routine.) • Another 3-2 vote concerning a right of way waiver, with Strickland, Williams, crawford vs. Barnes, Collins. (Pappy could have gone either way on that one.) All in all, no stunning surprises, no unexpected trends. Pappy's hair on the back of his neck did stand up a little when she-haw wanted to be on the Board of Adjustments. (How do you spell "Power?" Any way you can!) It's a shame she didn't get Mayor Pro Tem, 'specially now that MPT has the power to sign checks. (I hear tell she can count beyond 10 with her shoes on! So can Mister Ed.) Oh, well, I reckon if you want to change tradition on how the Mayor's selected, you gotta expect it to change on selectin' Mayor Pro Tem too. Oh, the unfairness of fairness! The situation bears watchin'... as much as anybody can bear to watch it. My buddy Abraham Lincoln once said, "Force is all-conquering, but its victories are short-lived." That sort of applies to a lot of situations all over the place these days. Last edited on Dec 27th, 2005 10:48 am by FatPappy |
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Lacka Member 
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Waiting for Jane. |
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Lacka Member
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HO HUM, she said she would be here, so I know it is true. I can wait for a while longer, I know you are busy Jane. |
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FatPappy Member
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Pappy swept the place out and dusted a little bit. I can't do much right now, so I'm waitin' for Jane too. |
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zippitydoodah Member
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So Pappy ... What did you think about the meeting? Was this your first experience of being there "in the flesh"? Didn't you find it strangely titillating (FYI Steve, that is not a bad word, so don't censor me!)? It's kind of like watching a train wreck when you know it's going to happen -- you just sit there and wait but are still oddly fascinated by the carnage. |
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Skiddles Member
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Hey I'll wait with you |
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Skiddles Member
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Lacka the place looks great Last edited on Jan 4th, 2006 06:52 pm by Skiddles |
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zippitydoodah Member
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While you are waiting, here are a few of the dead horses that continued to be beaten at last night's meeting. They'll wait with you too. |
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Lacka Member
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Zippity, Skiddles, and Paps, thanks for waiting with me, she will be here. Ya know all of the "when we grow up were gonna be a scuba divin instructor" kinda people have to stick together. She will be here really. Boy wait till Crackah gets here...... |
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Lacka Member
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Zip were there only 4 left over from last night????? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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WHEW What a day!!! I shall entertain you til Jane arrives. Ok.... In reference to Jane's pen throwing comment over on M.A.A.N, I am glad someone else noticed it. Skiddles also noted over there (On M.A.A.N) about Councilman Crawford (CC...another good set of initials) stating that he did not want business names affiliated w/ the town... eyes rolling.... My favorite however was when Ms. Welborne was presenting the OTHER sign proposal... the "Welcome to Summerfield" signs... Now, understand that this has come up at another council meeting, the idea brought to council by Mr. George Holub. These signs had been donated to our town (oops... by a business willing to spend $3000.00 on the town) but B.S. evidently thought the signs were too ugly..... So, long story short... the business withdrew the offer and now Ms. Welborne has taken over the task of getting new signs approved.... She will also seek "sponsors" for the sign, however the sponsors names won't be on the sign... Evidently sponsors will be asked to pose with the sign and their picture hung up in town hall.... Not really seeing the advantage there, but just my opinion... Anyway, the signs she proposed, looked nice. B.S. did not want to approve signs last night, she wanted to "Mull it over"....... Translation: she needs time to find something wrong with the idea. My favorite part about this sign issue was that CC (Councilman Crawford) stated that he was concerned that the signs might look too pretty and would then invite vandalism... |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Okay, Lacka, here are a few more. (I was trying to be nice....) Last edited on Jan 4th, 2006 07:23 pm by zippitydoodah |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Some of them have been dead so long they are starting to smell like the Belco (where do you think they keep them all month and then drag them out in time for the meeting?) |
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Lacka Member
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OH yeah, Crackah, I forgot that he said they would be too pretty. When he said that last night, I thought {OK every neighborhood in Summerfield, has a sign that announces their name, some of these signs are hugh, most are beaitiful, they are trying to attract the new homeowner} I know it can happen, but how many of these signs have you seen vandalized? Not in my area, aren't most of these signs going to be in major areas, well lit, on busy roads. I would think it would be more likely for a neighborhood sign that is more out of the way to be vandalized than one on the side of the hwy. Don't get me started on the Sub Station to watch these vandals. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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TOWN PLANNER BILL BRUCE HAS RESIGNED! UGGGGHHHH!!! Oh Woe is the Crackah!!! BILL! I was working so hard to get you a picnic table too!!! But seriously folks... We are losing a lot of wonderful people... committee members, who are volunteers and are treated like criminals, and now our staff... who are all sick to death of having to "babysit" the concerned citizens and working double time to provide them with their constant requests for information... (pursuant to the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT...bwaaa bwaaa bwaaa) Bill Bruce was an asset to our town and has more smarts in his big toe than any of the ... let's see, what did Jane call them?? Oh yea, than any of the negative nabobs in our town. The Crackah and other good citizens in our town will miss you Bill Bruce! (But we don't BLAME you one little bit!)
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FatPappy Member
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Zippity, Pappy didn't get to stay for the whole show so I'm waitin' to hear from others. In general I feel like the town is being held hostage. The ransom note says "Give us nothing! NOW!" |
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Lacka Member
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LOL ZIP, I think you have discovered what the smell is. Think they keep them around back and the smell just seeps through the microwave and the slushy machine? OOOHHH No more slushies for me. Hey Zip we do not have to be nice over here, we are on the CC page not the playground, bring out all the horses that you like....... |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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You all need to go out side and play I am busy saving people from getting eaten by sharks. Besides I need time to compose myself so my language which can be awful won't offend Pappy's tender ears. See yo soon |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Lacka, I have heard the dead horses are also kept out behind the Food Lion and occasionally they are moved to the shopping center in Oak Ridge. They might even be in the bat guana building in Stokesdale once in a while. They are moved around from place to place so that only those "in the group" know where they are at any particular time. (They could tell you, but then they'd have to kill you....) Last edited on Jan 4th, 2006 08:22 pm by zippitydoodah |
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macca Member
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Zippy, I MUST disagree about bad smells in downtown Stokesdale. Because of Sadie's, we are actually treated to a most pleasant scent as we walk downtown, despite the bat guano. Although that one ad said there's no odor (odour) with bat guano, right? I must admit, though, now that you mention it, during December I recall an unpleasant odor in Town Hall....Wonder who "they" is/are? Not that I'm dying to find out or anything... |
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EUSON Member
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Zip, I forgot about the smell at Food Dog. OH MY, man you are in for a real treat if you park on that left hand side. I came out of there one time when I parked on that side by mistake and when I got home my asparagus had curled up onthe end. OH YEAH that is bad. Macca why don't you ask Sadies to expand and open a shop over here, perhaps beside F Dog, or Belco. OK I am going to go play outside as Jane requested. I will be tossing ink pens if anyone needs me. |
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Lacka Member
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Oh I forgot who I was, going outside now. |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Macca, Please excuse me. I did not mean to offend you or any of the other good citizens of Stokesdale. I just remember Cracker educating us on the unpleasant odour of guano. You are quite fortunate to have an establishment such as Sadie's. Maybe she would consider opening up satellite offices at the Oak Ridge shopping center, in the Food Lion shopping center, and perhaps that would be a good use for the Hillsdale Brick Store now that it is vacant. That might kill two birds, I mean horses, with one stone, er, bat. (Not to be confused with the kind of bat that guano comes from.) |
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macca Member
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Oh, no! Is multiple personality contagious? Have you been hanging out with Fat Pappy/Blonde24? I saw that "Euson" was logged on and thought maybe you'd done that on purpose in order to comment on the CC's! |
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zippitydoodah Member
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I see EUSON/Lacka stole my idea for Satellite Sadie's! At least I'm not having an identity crisis and forget who I am. I am glad that you (and others) simply throw pens and not lawn darts. |
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macca Member
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Yeah, you guys come on over and hang out in Stokesdale any time any of those other places get too smelly! I'm sure Sadie would love to see you. You could just tell her you came to check out the sweet aroma emanating from her locale.... I guess you could also try to convince her to open up satellite operations, but don't you dare try to get her to leave us! That's just another one of the secrets that makes Stokesdale so special! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Here's a quick recap of what the ONLY Speaker from the Floor, Ms. Gail Dunham said.... (For those who weren't there and those who don't frequent M.A.A.N...) Someone else who was there, please correct me if I got any of my facts skewed... Her speech definitely appeared to have been scripted...perhaps even penned by the pen thrower herself??? (The following is not written in her exact words, verbatim, quoted, etc.) She stated that the time for name calling was over and that there had been instances where she and others had been "called names" and had been accused of disruptive behavior, i.e. yelling, at various town council meetings. (imagine that....) She stated that she had evidence of this "name calling" in writing, (threat?..so?) however, she did not present this evidence to the council...top secret I guess. She asked for a review of the tapes from previous council meetings to SEE if indeed any "yelling" had taken place. Now, I am ASSUMING that these tapes will be provided to her (by some staff member that we are paying) and she and "who ever" will be allowed to review the tapes. PURSUANT of course to the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT..bwaa bwaa bwaa Side questions>>> Jane or Mike, how does that work? Will the taxpayers have to foot the bill for copies of these tapes for her to review so she can prove to herself that she is disruptive (mild terminology used here so as not to offend) at council meetings? Does one of OUR employees have to forgo other town business to dig out the copies, make copies of these tapes, or papers therefore doing this on OUR payroll? If not, is she allowed to remove the tapes/documents requested from the town premises? Are we paying someone to oversee her while she reviews these tapes/documents?? When she requests the bajillion copies pursuant to the noted F-O-I-Act, does the town foot the bill for those too?
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Cracker Jax Member
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The Crackah asks that Ms. Dunham please save us a dime and quit wasting the TIME of our paid staff! In other words.... GET OVER IT!!!! If you can't take the HEAT get out from behind the podium baby!!!! The concerned citizens have been the ring leaders in any name calling that has gone on in this town. Here's a little time saving hint for Ms. Dunham, and possibly the town employee assigned to assist her in her quest for information... Begin your review with the meeting where the cc's all wore their silly yellow (and by the way, VERY UGLY) "don't tread on me T-Shirts" Hello? Fashion Police?? |
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member 
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Well, Cracker Jax! Whew! Is her "proof" on the pages of the NWO forum? Re: Freedom of Info Act and what must be provided her (or anyone): I have reviewed the Open Meetings Laws on several occasions, but am by no means an expert. It is my understanding that information must be made available during regular business hours and that citizens may come and review it on premises. In terms of (paper) copies of materials, I think the person making the request can be charged for the printing costs but ONLY printing costs. I guess that would hold true for copies of audiotapes as well. I don't know what the law requires in terms of how quickly staff would have to provide copies if that was what was requested. It would be easier for Ms. Dunham or anyone else to just schedule a time to review the materials at town hall during regular business hours. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are they required to allow her to remove official materials from the premises. Hope this helps! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Thank you Vicki for that information... Now I just need to find out if they are indeed being charged for the endless copies and how much time our paid town employees are devoting to their rabble rousing. I wondered that myself, if her evidence was found on these pages, however, to my knowledge Ms. Dunham has not been called any names on here... and our OPINIONS as to her behavior. I do try to report factual information that others might have missed at a council meeting, however, sometimes those Cracker editorials just slip right in! Furthermore, according to the ACLU letter presented at council last night and in accordance with the United States Constitution, Our ability to speak our minds about matters of public concern is protected, even if it is not what the government wants to hear. |
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FatPappy Member
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Hey, Jane! It's dark outside, so Mammy made me an' Monty quite playin' an' come inside. Will you tell us a story now?  |
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member
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Cracker Jax, I just wanted to make sure you understood that I wasn't saying there was anything wrong with what's been posted here.... I was just speculating that maybe some of what has been posted here might have bothered the CC's and their supporters.... I wasn't there last night and only know what I've read here, so I don't know anything. Just speculating! |
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Skiddles Member
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The town is under no obligation to answer questions from every citizen. The documents are at Town Hall for whoever wants to see them. I feel Ms. Dunham and anyone else should do their own research. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Crackah- The Town charges for the paper copies. At one meeting the cc's requested the Town not charge them but to no avail. the don't pay for the time of the employees that is spent finding the information that is requested. You and I and all the other tax payers pay for thatYou left our a very entertaining part of the message from the speaker last night when she suggested the we drive around in our cars listening to the tapes of the meetings. That we would fid it a leraning experience. Personally I would just as sooon listen to finger nails being drug down a chalk board as rehash the endless meetings. That is what I have elected officials and staff for. Also if i had that kind of time on my hands I would volunteer to make a positive difference in my community and get that park built. Which brings up another thought. Did we rename the park? I thought it was the Summerfield park not the 911 park. That's in New York isn't it? |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Another thought about the meeting last night. what up with the cc who is offering to upgrade the speaker system for the meetings. The current system is just a couple of years old and i just can't imagine that a cc would spend the "illegally" gotten tax money on something as frivolous as that. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Jane? Are you telling me that they want to SPEND Money on a new sound system??? Let's tell them that we'll explore that option when our new Amphitheater is built. k? We'll need it then anyway. BTW.. I think with the new seating arrangement at the meeting last night, everyone could hear better.... Even the kitchen "huddlers"! Oh, and Thanks Vicki for the clarification! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Jane? are you telling me that all those references to the 911 tower park are referencing OUR OWN Summerfield park?? I just figured they were planning to buy another park for us or something. Ok.. yea, right... OK everybody... let's do this.. whenever they refer to OUR park as the "911 tower park" let's just keep saying, "WHAT?" they'll repeat themselves and we'll say "What?" again, they'll repeat themselves and we'll say "I have no idea what you are referring to." Perhaps if they repeat it to themselves often enough, it will begin to sound stupid to them as well. ALSO, more importantly, any of those silly official sounding letters council and staff recieve requesting info and endless copies pertaining to the 911 tower park (pursuant to the FOIACT) should from this point forward be ignored since no such park exists! According to their UNOFFICIAL "renaming" of OUR park, it would appear that the CC's are anti Summerfield. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Oh and Thanks Jane for sharing that comment made about us listening to the tapes in the car... Hello? I don't know about you, but ONCE was more than enough for me! I missed that somehow... perhaps my eardrums were stretched while my bottom jaw lay on my lap.... |
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FatPappy Member
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As to the offer of installing a new sound system by this person, Pappy would look that Trojan gift horse in the mouth. |
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Skiddles Member
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Crackah you caught my ear as it was laying on the floor.. What I read about the renaming was that the Guilford County Commissioners had to vote to approved the park's name of Summerfield Community Park. This was covered in both the NWO and the GSO paper for all to read. Maybe they don't get the paper... you think?? Last edited on Jan 4th, 2006 11:47 pm by Skiddles |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Well, no Skiddles... Perhaps I don't have my facts straight... Did they or did they not take it upon themselves to rename the park the 911 Tower park? All of their correspondence refers to our park as the 911 tower park does it not? Maybe there is another park?? I thought our park was called by some other name.... I have no clue what the park is OFFICIALLY called. John Dent, Summerfield, 911 Tower park... Please clarify... I just hope I can tinkle there. |
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Skiddles Member
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I corrected what I said... take a look .. go back one. |
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macca Member
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Crackah, Your suggestion that you keep saying "What?" and making them repeat themselves in the hopes it would help them realize how ridiculous they sound reminded me of something from the movie "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Willa Wonka (aka JOHNNY DEPP -- There's another whole topic altogether! Sigh!) keeps saying to the annoying little boy who keeps asking questions he doesn't want to answer, "You know, you really shouldn't mumble. I can't understand you when you mumble..." |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Thank you Skiddle dee dee! Whew! Thought I made a big blunder there! That was nice of those commissioners wasn't it? So why do you think they (The nabobs) continually refer to it as the 911 tower park? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Great Plan Macca! (Did not see that movie... was it good? Loved him in Pirates, but that movie looked a little too "Edward Scissorhands" for my taste) Ok ya'll... either one will please me greatly. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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OK folks, all these are good comments, and should all be stated. I was at the meeting last night, and have spent the last 24 hours reflecting on what I saw & heard, so not to speak as strongly as I'm thinking. We're all on the same wavelength. A moderators job is to keep a discussion on topic. This forum has gotten pretty muddy, as it's supposed to be focused on Concerned Citizens, and has evolved into City Council. Obviously not all the TC are CC's, and not all the CC's are TC's. Therefore, I have created a new Forum called Summerfield Town Council, please take the continuation of this discussion over there.......don't stop posting (as if I have to tell this group to keep posting !!!). Your comments will stand out more prominently as TC members browse there. Feel free to copy your comments & paste them over there Thanks folks. |
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Skiddles Member
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THEY ARE BEING RUDE...PERIOD! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Gosh Steve... You don't ask much... You got a gallon or so of Elmer's Glue so I can copy and paste all this??? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: A moderators job is to keep a discussion on topic. This forum has gotten pretty muddy, as it's supposed to be focused on Concerned Citizens, and has evolved into City Council. Steve, I know it was purely accidental, but you said "City" council and that particular verbage bothers Councilman Crawford as he stated at the meeting last night in reference to the Summerfield "City" Limits Signage provided by the DOT. Just wanted to warn ya! Ok... I'll move over there to the TC forum, but I am afraid the waters will get muddied over there too!!! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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OK The City / Town / Village / Council Better CJ?? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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"City" never bothered me. I know where I live! Don't need a sign to tell me! |
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FatPappy Member
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Pappy's gonna try and do a serious post here. (Oh, no! The other Pappys are tryin' to hold me back. Down! Back, you good-lookin' savages!) Anyway, I shall begin with a quote from Mark Twain: "Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand." I think people tend to confuse humor with frivolity; anything that makes us laugh is somehow not as important or noteworthy as some self-important tome built with trendy imported words bought in a tony uptown boutique. (I actually bought a couple of these words on sale locally.) I tend to, in many cases, think the opposite. I think humor is actually a higher form of discourse capable of taking more plentiful but less refined thought, running it through the folderol processor and compressing it into a shining gem of great appeal and value. (Also makes a dandy slingshot projectile, uh, metaphorically speaking.) For that reason, I shall continue to fling a few home-distilled barbs of folderol at suitable targets on the FolderolScope(TM), with the aim of penetrating their armor and deflating their egos. (By "their" I mean "of or belonging to them.") But in so doing I will try not to abuse the privilege we have been given here and will endeavor to match the tone and content of my posts to the intent of the particular forum I post on. Summerfield is my home and I will continue to express my opinion about what's going on here. As somebody once said in a NWO letter to the editor, "I believe the people should know the truth-Hogwash is happening in Summerfield." That's the truth! Hey, people! Are you listening? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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FAT PAPPY IS MY HERO! Oops! Wrong Forum! |
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macca Member
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Pappy, We knew we could count on you! Well-said! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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FatPappy wrote: Pappy's gonna try and do a serious post here. I am listening........I agree..........BLOG ONWARD !!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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FatPappy Member
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Much obliged you all. |
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FatPappy Member
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Steve, when you say you agree, do you also mean you agree that me and the other Pappys are good-looking savages? FabioPappy was wondering and I told him I'd ask. He's a little insecure about it. Do you think we also need a Summerfield Park topic set up? Or just keep that stuff in the TC forum? I noticed some Park stuff in the Water topic, too. FabioPappy wants a tanning area in the park. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Cracker Jax wrote:
LATE BREAKING NEWS FLASH EVERYONE!!! At the town council meeting tonight, it was announced that Bill Trevarrow has resigned his position as the Town Attorney. This comes on the heels of Tuesday night's Town council meeting where Councilwoman Becky Strickland succeeded in her attempt to humiliate Mr. Trevarrow publicly. Obviously having never held a position of power before and not having attended any classes on the Essentials of Municipal Government, B.S. is not aware that an employee-employer relationship is not a topic that should be discussed in public. In this writer's opinion, it was just plain NASTY for her to do that to a fellow human being. Mr. Trevarrow offering a gesture of goodwill, has offered to continue legal service for the town until new counsel can be hired. He will of course be charging his normal fees for this service. This advice will only cost the taxpayers $250.00 - $300.00 per hour!!!! Once again B.S. our hats are off to you for "saving" us all that money you promised to save(offered forth with all the sarcasm I can muster) and for alienating yet another Town employee... Bravo! |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Well at least now I understand why cc's were against the Town building a Town Hall. They don't plan on the Town having any employees so what is the need? Bill Trevarrow has probably 30+ years of municipal law and has been the attorney for Summerfield since the beginning. At some point he would leave us but isn't it a shame that he is leaving under these circumstances. He has been a great employee of the Town and will be sorely missed. |
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Bubba Guest
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Well, I knew the town was going to h... in hand basket Nov. 8, but they did it faster than I thought. WAKE UP PEOPLE!! only a month in office-Planner resigns, Attotney resigns, they want a new sound system, scartch the least 5 years and start over, and a trip what will happen in 3, 6, 12 months from now! |
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bama80 Member
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So who in the World voted for these people. Kinda makes you wonder. Mr. Trevarrow may be missed, but I'm sure he wont miss the BS. ->interpret that any way you want. |
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Skiddles Member
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This is too much! It looks like they don't want the town to spend any money on the citizens, they just want to spend it on themselves. It's seems it's okay to spend money if they say it's okay. Just all sounds hypocritical to me. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Mornin' Skiddles and Bama! I can tell you one person who didn't vote for them!! and bama... I interpreted that just fine... thank you. |
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Skiddles Member
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Good Morning Crackah, Here's another that didn't vote for them! |
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Skiddles Member
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You woke me up with a stir Crackah with BS flying all over the place. Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 01:06 pm by Skiddles |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Sorry Skiddles, but I didn't want you to have to sleep on that information... It's just sickening... BS is chasing away all of the good people who volunteer their time on town projects, and has now gone after the employees! And I just wish she'd push those glasses up on her nose... or maybe consider contacts.... Just a suggestion BS.. |
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bama80 Member
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So let me get this straight. How much was Trevarrow charging before? I dont think it makes a difference but I am just curious. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Scarey isn't it?? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I don't know... Do you know Jane? I think Oak Ridge pays theirs about 20k a year for approximately 10 hours a month. You're right bama....It's not really the point, I am just so ticked that BS would humiliate anyone in that manner.... |
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bama80 Member
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Oh I thought maybe he was doing it for either free or a very nominal amount. therefore berating him in public when he is doing summerfield a favor would be even worse. Of course it still was a favor that he has done it for so long, therefore it was uncalled for. Sounds like he had enough class to not make a scene also and waited for the appropriate time to respond. |
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bama80 Member
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I wonder if BS is going back to her CC buddies and saying "ok pals, another job opening, who wants this one?" |
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Skiddles Member
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I have written 3 things now and deleted them. I'm so upset about everything! |
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bama80 Member
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now you know its not healthy to repress your emotions! Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 01:32 pm by bama80 |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Just made a phone call and my friend thinks we were paying Trevarrow around $190.00 per hour.... If anyone knows, I'd appreciate an update. Skiddles... go back to the playground. You'll feel better! |
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macca Member
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I was just going to make the observation that at least Skitty is getting some of shem's frustrations out...Shem's always running! Don't let shem get too close to any CC's! |
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bama80 Member
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Or Jane with her flippers on. haha. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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I think Trevarro hasd a negotiated fee around 100 to 120 and hour but I am not absolutely sure of that. |
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Skiddles Member
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Thanks I'm feeling better now. I just had to take a run with Skitty to get my willys out before I...I... got go, I need run again! I guess that's why they call me Skiddles. Here Skitty kitty. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Whoa! from 120.00 to 250.00.... let's see... that's uh (calculate, calculate, calculate) THAT'S $130.00 an hour of Taxpayer money that BS is spending!!!!!!! That along with her little paid for by the taxpayers "vacation" to Rocky Mount is making me think that I might just need to start keeping a list... You know, for when I get my own mailing permit #. Way to go BS..... |
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FatPappy Member
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 That's all I have to say right now. |
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bama80 Member
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Still the fact that he was doing the town a favor by working at a discounted rate. and she shows her appreciation how? |
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Skiddles Member
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Add this to the mix, DC & BS wanted to wait to order the playground equipment which would have cost the Town an additional % more. Thank goodness this didn't happen because of a 3-2 vote or we could be adding this extra cost to the list if they got their way. Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 04:21 pm by Skiddles |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 03:50 pm by Steve Adkins |
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Skiddles Member
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The increase was 5 to 8% for the playground equipment if ordered after Jan.1st. That's an additional $2,000. Thanks NWO |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Skiddles - I think the point on the playground equipment is they are trying to derail the whole park. This money is in the bank designated for the park. There has been no tax levied for the park, there have been dozens and dozens of meetings held with volunteers and experts from all over the state with dozens of people involved over the past 8 years but these two new council members who have been involved in this town for no more then 2 years know what is best for us. They have hoodwinked the poputation in this town and are systimactically humiliating and degrading the very people who are responsible for the Town being the desitination that it is. Now they have started in on the Lighting ordinance last night which to my way of thinking is just one more indication of their lack of respect or care for the enviornment. |
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Lacka Member
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You said it Fat Pap. Crackah, please do keep a list of all the unneccisary spending, at the rate they are going, there may be no more money left for the things that citizens want. Wonder if BS ever considered how the rest of council would feel about her actions as one of the towns representatives. It will reflect on all of the council when word gets out on what happened with Trevarrow. |
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Bubba Guest
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Jane, I guess it's a good thing the town saved that 2000 dollars, they're gonna need in it to pay the new lawyer fees. Skittles, I look like Rocky today out running......... I think I need a few more hours on the bag though! I'm afriad I am going to break my keyboard..... sorry keys I will try to not slam my fingers down so hard. Arghhhhhh were that bag!....... |
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Bubba Guest
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Pappy YOU GOT IT!!!! well said! |
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Skiddles Member
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Thanks for your clear eyes Jane. This sounds so radical to me and most unbelievable! If this is the case, it would seem that they (THE CONCERN CITIZENS) really don't care or give a darn about the town or the efforts and time of many, many hard working people. In my option, this would be a blatant disrespect for others! It would be self-absorbed and destructive. To derail the Summerfield Community Park at this time... ...after surveys created, written and then mailed to the public X2 (I got them in my mailbox), years of public meetings after public meetings, Founder's Day exhibits and again more public input (I visited their display for at least 3 years in a row now), volunteers speaking with clubs & organizations about the park (A member of the park committee came to my club and spoke), master plan development by many experienced people of our town & county and paid licenced architect, grant writers, the state of North Carolina - their time & efforts, Guilford County's time & efforts, on and on and on. I can't think of all that would have gone into this project! To derail the park for the betterment of our town???? Hogwash!! To do this at this time would be way WRONG! My Gosh...The large moving equipment is on the property as we speak moving the dirt. To derail the park now would be extremely irresponsible and a waste of a lot of money. This is hard for me to believe that someone would be doing something so crazy as this!! Ok, I may have to take another run after all of this... here we go Skitty, yes again! Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 06:06 pm by Skiddles |
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Bubba Guest
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You know guys I feel like it's Nov.9 all over again. |
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Skiddles Member
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Bubba can we go back in time? I believe we would be better for it. |
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Skiddles Member
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Ok, I see nothing in the NWO about the amphitheater or the council ring in the Summerfield park. I know I have seen articles and the P&R map at Founder's Day with these facilities. What is the status on these? Please put your masks on and use your clear eyes... thanks Jane you are extremely knowledgeable and a valuable to us (the citizens) with all of your Council experiences. Thank you! Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 07:02 pm by Skiddles |
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Cracker Jax Member
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You know what I did see in the NWO? I haven't read it fully yet cause I just got it, but I did notice that Strickland and Crawford stated their reason for voting against the purchase of new playground equipment was because there was not enough public support for a park. What are they basing this supposition on? Skiddles, if me, you, Lacka, Bubba, Fat Pappy and Jane all support the park, then we already outnumber their party of 3. |
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StewartM Member
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I SUPPORT THE SUMMERFIELD COMMUNITY PARK !!!!!! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Oh goodness. Sorry Mike! My mistake! adding you to the list... I am keeping lots of new lists now-a-days! Keeps my shorthand skills fresh you know. You should have been at the top of that list Mr. Town Council Emeritus (see M.A.A.N forum) amending that statement: Skiddles, if Mike,me, you, Lacka, Bubba, Fat Pappy and Jane all support the park, then we already outnumber their party of 3. Thank you Mike!! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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oh yea... Crackah gives you an A+ on the use of colors and font sizing Mike! (see M.A.A.N forum for explanation of that too.) |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Skiddles, if Mike,me, you, Lacka, Bubba, Fat Pappy and Jane all..... (Sniff, Tear........) |
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macca Member
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Psssst.... Crackah! Do a quick edit! Steve-O got his feelings hurt...... |
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macca Member
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...and he already wasn't feeling so well.... |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Skiddles, if VIP Steve Adkins,Mike,me, you, Lacka, Bubba, Fat Pappy and Jane all support the park, then we already outnumber their party of 3.
oh I am so embarrassed. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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  Thanks.......that's better |
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macca Member
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Now, Steve, you and Monty take it easy.... Remember the shot in the back today.... |
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macca Member
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Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 10:28 pm by macca |
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Hairbrush Member
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I usually just lurk on forums but I couldn't stay away from this any longer. I think I am going to have to start emailing the concerned citizens about the way their council members are spending my money. I think I will email them everyday with insane comments about things just to make me feel better. My first will be this: I can’t believe that 2 council members that ran on no taxes and responsible spending are choosing to spend my tax money by attending a training that is offered in Rocky Mount instead of in Greensboro. When I have family members in a different town I usually take personal time to visit them, but then that is just me. One of these council members even asked to have her tax money refunded but yet she is okay spending my money. Now how responsible is that? I do commend them on wanting the training, since it seemed every time I turned around they were reminding me of how much better a job they could do for the town. I am surprised they even thought they needed the training. I guess being true politicians they say one thing to get elected and then do what ever they dang well please. What do you think of that? Should I send it to all the council members and to the steering committee of CC? |
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macca Member
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Woo-woo, Hairbrush! Go for it! Oh, and welcome! (Come to the playground, aka "Much Ado About Nothing," and you'll get a REAL welcome. We have to tone it down here...) |
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Skiddles Member
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Hey Hairbrush glad to see you on ... Welcome! I feel the same way, nice letter and well done. I can't wait for your next one. I believe our new council members may give you enough to write about for the next four years. Keep your pencil sharpened! Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 10:37 pm by Skiddles |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Hairbrush The CC steering committee are the two TC members who we're talking about, so if you hit the whole TC, you'll cover the CC steering committee too. Welcome.......trying to bring in more "lurkers". We want more participation. Have at it !!!! |
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Bubba Guest
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For all those people that voted for BS and DC. Thanks for nothing!!! We tried to tell you-next time Stay home, Don't vote! |
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Bubba Guest
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Last edited on Jan 6th, 2006 10:50 pm by |
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Lacka Member
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You said it Bubba, If you are not educated in your choice, don't vote jsut because you see a pretty purple and yellow sign on the side of the road. Welcome Hairbrush, I like the way you think!!! Maybe the information that BS and CC got on the community not wanting the park came from those same people who voted for the pretty signs. That is like picking a ballteam because their uniform is pretty, we know better don't we Bama. Braves rule!!! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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WELCOME HAIRBRUSH!
I'm Crackah and I am soooo Happy I would definitely send that wonderful letter on to the council members. They all need to know we are aware of what's going on! You might want to copy Ms. Gail Dunham and Mr. Robert Flowers on your email. They are prominent figures in the CC organization as well. I believe their email addresses can be obtained on their website CC4Summerfield.org You must visit us on the Much Ado About Nothing Forum... With that awesome name, you and Fabio Pappy... uh I mean Fat Pappy will get along quite well! Lacka?? You thought those signs were "PRETTY???" |
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Lacka Member
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What signs, Crachkah? Steve has got us posting on so many different pages, I cannot keep up. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Lacka wrote: You said it Bubba, If you are not educated in your choice, don't vote jsut because you see a pretty purple and yellow sign on the side of the road. Two posts back Lacka..... @@ |
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Lacka Member
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OH well I thought the were contrasting colors Yellow and Purple, check the color wheel. Contrasting, hum....lets think about that for a while |
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Skiddles Member
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Lacka you artist you... yellow and purple are contrasting |
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S. Smith Moderator
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Hey everybody, I started a topic some time ago, but nobody responded. I was asking how people thought the town's property on Summerfield Road should be used. I just got my first response. Why don't you go over there and give some input? |
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Lacka Member
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Sandra Sandra Sandra. OH MY. Ok it takes me a day or two to get the paper, cause I can't seem to get off the forum long enough to read it. I did take the time this morning. I know that the paper has deadlines and that sometimes it is too late to make corrections, but perhaps we should think of a retraction. You stated in your Finish the Park article "Crawford and Strickland, both members of the Concerned Citizens for Summerfield, ran for council based on a platform of lower taxes and less spending." Blah Blah "And while they are sticking to their promises," Blah Blah yada yada In a joint effort on this forum, we have uncovered unnecessary spending of the two CC council members that said they would not spend. I believe that Crackah has compiled a list of the concerns that we have had. Please check with Crackah for a complete list and perhaps we can read about this next week. Last edited on Jan 7th, 2006 08:22 pm by Lacka |
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S. Smith Moderator
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I understand what you are saying, and will contact Crackah to make sure I have all your concerns. I hope you understand that the "Finish the Park" article was actually an editorial. Even though I don't live in Summerfield, it's my opinion that the town should finish what it's started. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Edited by me! Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 01:38 am by Cracker Jax |
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macca Member
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Cracker, I am so impressed with your posting! I saw that letter in the other paper but had no way to know that it wasn't on the level. I hope LOTS of people read this post....or you can figure out another way to get the word out to more people. It is just incredible how some people twist the facts and then repeat their version -- and some people will believe it regardless, while others will believe it because they keep hearing it so much.... I hope you're always on my side... you'd make a formidable opponent! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Was thinking about looking up that rebel who wrote about the history of door hinges in the NWO to see if shem would send this info in somewhere and use their name... Anybody remember that lady's name? Don't think they'd let me sign it Crackah.... Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 01:42 am by Cracker Jax |
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Starcatchr Member
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Cracker, thanks for educating us all! You know, some CCs haven't lived here long enough to know even the short term history of the town, haven't cared enough to find out...and it shows. |
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macca Member
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Crackah, I tried to look back thru our postings to find her name. Was it Lori White? I don't know her, but I saw her name mentioned early on as someone who had sent a letter to the NWO about the CC shenanigans. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I think it was macca...I'm gonna look her up... |
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macca Member
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WHAT?? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Sorry I wasn't clear... I think it was Lori White. She's the one I am gonna look up. |
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macca Member
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Thanks for clearing that up... You know how easy it is to confuse me! Remember, I'm the one you keep having to explain everything to.... |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Easy to do with all that forum jumping we've been doing! Didn't realize we'd started a new page. Hope everyone backs up a page and reads the very long post I wrote! |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Cracker - Can you shorten it and send your answer to the other paper and send the longer version to the NWO. I agree with Macca this information needs a larger audience. Of course not sure how a signature of cracker jax will go over.lol I have long maintained if we are going to be incorporated then we needed to act like a town. I think to say no services is very misleading when the minute the town was incorporated then a certain level of services was mandated by state and federal government. We can't incorporate and then say we don't want services we will let Greensboro and Guilford county provide everything. It just doesn't work that way. We can't depend on Guilford county for our parks, recreation, water quality, air quality, safety all the things that make an area attractive to live in and I might add keep property prices up. We are a Town and we need to take responsibility for ourselves. |
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acook Member 
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Starcatchr wrote:Cracker, thanks for educating us all! You know, some CCs haven't lived here long enough to know even the short term history of the town, haven't cared enough to find out...and it shows. Starcatchr I haven't lived in Summerfield very long either (going on three years now) and don't know much about the history of the town, but unlike the CCs I do care enough to find out. Any pointers on how to find out more...other than attending Town Council meetings and getting involved with committees, etc? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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DOGGETTJA wrote: I have long maintained if we are going to be incorporated then we needed to act like a town. I think to say no services is very misleading when the minute the town was incorporated then a certain level of services was mandated by state and federal government. We can't incorporate and then say we don't want services we will let Greensboro and Guilford county provide everything. It just doesn't work that way. We can't depend on Guilford county for our parks, recreation, water quality, air quality, safety all the things that make an area attractive to live in and I might add keep property prices up. We are a Town and we need to take responsibility for ourselves. SCUBA JANE! WHERE YOU BEEN! Uh, I mean Jane, so nice to see you again! Thanks for adding that info. So many people aren't aware that "the powers that be are governed by other powers that be!" acook~~ I think Starcatchr might be gone, so I'll butt in (I'm pretty good at that) I think if you are willing to attend town council meetings and serve on committees, you will begin to meet the people who are truly passionate about our town, our park, and the other positive aspects of our area. I think Linda Southard is the chair of the Historical committee and I am sure she would be happy to talk with you anytime. Her contact info is probably available at town hall. 643-8655. I have long maintained that if people would just come to the TC meetings the actions and the antics of the concerned citizens will speak for themselves. They do talk a good game, but you must remember that what they say could have a spin and you might want to ask other residents their opinion and decide for yourself. We have a lot of longtime residents and a ton of new residents who are working together to make Summerfield a place we can be proud of. Unfortunately, we have a small number who are an embarrassment. Last edited on Jan 12th, 2006 11:49 am by Cracker Jax |
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Starcatchr Member
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acook, sorry if I seemed to cast shadows on those of us who are newcomers to Summerfield. Just by your interest in this forum you have shown that you care! |
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Hairbrush Member
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I am with Scuba Jane. Why incorporate if we aren’t going to act like a town and have some control over our future. If we weren’t going to act like a town then we should have let Greensboro annex us and then lets see how much control we have over how we want this area developed. |
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Bubba Guest
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BRAVO!! Haibrush and SCUB JANE |
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Bubba Guest
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acook I check out the town website or go to TC meeting that I have attended. The NWO is on it - reporting the minutes from those. Don't have time for anymore committes- Have meet alot of the people on them and think goodness Summerfield has this great citizens. Don't need another meeting, but they are good about letting you know when they need extra hands. ( but all the drama/ anticks you just have to see for yourself) And something I just call town hall and ask. They have always anwser any question I had. They are very helpful and friendly- give them a call. |
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FatPappy Member
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Pappy was here in the early days when dirt was still new and didn't cost as much. Pappy don't recollect anybody sayin' the town would never levy any taxes. I have to wonder about anybody naive enough to believe such a thing would be possible. Pappy does remember a bunch o' good folks working' hard to make a town out of us. I remember signin' a petition or two 'cause I didn't want Greensboro or anybody else comin' in and takin' over our town. I remember I signed because I thought the people who have lived here for years have surely earned the right to have their voices respected and listened to in their own town. Well, we've come a long way since them early days! People don't need to work at makin' a town out of us. (Uh, Pappy, I think they still work purty hard at that...) Well, at least we stopped Greensboro and anybody else from taking over our town. (Uh, Pappy, we did stop Greensboro, but there might be others trying to take over, ya know...) OK, but at least the people who have lived here since back when animals could talk are respected and have a voice, right? (Uh, Pappy, I hate to tell you, but the voices of many people who have lived here for years are apparently being ignored and sometimes worse than ignored...) Hmmm..Pappy suspects there might be a Miss Leader, uh, I mean a misleader in our midst. Might even be a PAC, uh, I mean, pack o' misleaders roamin' around. They might even be treatin' us as if we are too blind to see, too deaf to hear, too dumb to speak and too olfactorally challenged to detect the overpowering stench of B.S. Now you may ask, "Pappy, is olfactorally a word?" Apparently it don't matter. Just say it often and loud enough and it becomes legit. |
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FatPappy Member
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Pappy seconds that Bravo to Hairbrush and Scuba Jane. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Amazing Pappy! <cue THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE!>
Bravo to you! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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FatPappy wrote:
Mr. Flowers, That's how you write a closing statement. CJ |
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Skiddles Member
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Extra mana for Pappy!! |
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Bubba Guest
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Might be trouble in paradise Communication problems in the CC ? Someone didn't get the memo about the "special" TC mtg. Thursday night. oops!  |
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macca Member
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Bubba, What do you mean? Did we miss something? |
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Lacka Member
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Bubba and Macca, I heard the same thing, but don't really know the details. Heard it third hand. Do tell...... |
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Lacka Member
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Macca I think we missed something BIG. |
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Skiddles Member
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HUMMMM |
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Bubba Guest
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I wish I knew all the details, all I heard was I should have been there. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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I think what you are referring to is: The TC meeting was at 6:30 pm at the Municipal Building where the TC meetings are normally held. It was adjourned by around 7:05 pm The Parks meeting was at the Town Hall upstairs at 7:00 pm. I arrived around 7:15 pm. G.D. walked into the room at 7:30, made a bunch of noise getting herself a chair by the door. As soon as she sat down, she realized none of the TC members were present. She asked the person next to her if this was the TC meeting, and was told no, this was the Parks meeting. She got a real surprised look on her face, and left. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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THANK YOU STEVE! My curiosity was KILLING me! Hmmm.... she must have missed the memo. <snorting... trying not to laugh... trying REAL hard> Can we start moving them around every month??? Ok... I'll be a kind and helpful southerner cause I had some good home trainin': G.D. ~~ I got my info about the meeting times and places for BOTH meetings off of the town website. http://www.summerfield-nc.com/ AND off of this forum.... You see, we are proving to be a very good source of info... If you'd only thought to check the web on ASH Wednesday........ |
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S. Smith Moderator
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I received the statement below in an e-mail from Becky Strickland, who said I could post it in its entirety. I will also post it on the Town Council thread. "I have a job I was elected by the citizens to do on November 8 and have had no formal training for it. It is now January 12 and I have already sat at 2 regular council meetings and at least 2 special meetings. The first Tuesday of each month I am asked to vote on crucial Town matters including re-zonings and land use involving many legal Ordinances. In order to serve the citizens properly, it is critical that not another meeting go by before I am formally trained as a Council member. An ethical issue arose this week, which I will make public at next meeting, which I did not know how to handle because I have not had the benefit of training. If training had been held at all anywhere in the State in December, I would have gone then. It is a necessity--not a luxury. This month the 3-day training is in Wrightsville Beach and Rocky Mount, respectively. I chose Rocky Mount for taxpayer reasons. The costs for lodging at Wrightsville Beach are astronomical compared to Rocky Mount. I do have family near Rocky Mount and will be combining this trip with a family visit. Therefore, I will not be asking the taxpayers for mileage reimbursement, which would be significant. Nor will I ask for meal reimbursement as I would have to eat anyway regardless of where I am. I do not think 3-nights lodging and seminar registration fees are an unreasonable Town expense under the circumstances. The Town Administrator or Clerk can give the nay-sayers the exact dollar figures. Taxes do and will continue to factor into all my decisions while a Summerfield Town Council member, as they did in this one. I simply must be formally trained to do my job as soon as possible, and Rocky Mount is the quickest and most frugal site." |
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Bubba Guest
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I thought she and her bubbies were the nay-sayers. Tell it to them, they believe that hogwash. Or is it they can dish it out, but can't take it. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Quote from a book I am reading titled "Don't Pee on My Leg & Tell Me It's Raining" Political & Racial Racketeers: Where is your constituency? One of the depressing realities of our society is that a few ideologues with loud voices seem to have a disproportionate influence over our lives. They accomplish this with intimidation. If you have the audacity to disagree with them publicly, there is no reasoned debate. They give you a label and you are supposed to capitaulate, or tuck your tail between your legs & fade away. Being a bully is one of the oldest - and most effective - scams around. You can rob people blind, until they realize that you are full of baloney. Gee - who does THIS sound like ????????? |
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Lacka Member
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Steve you are a moderator! Behave!! |
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Lacka Member
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You know she is in training right now, away at school, she will come back from school and tell the current council all the things that they are doing wrong....can't wait for that..geeeezzzzz |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I think that book sounds pretty good. Might see if bama will check it out of the Library for me.... |
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macca Member
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Lacka wrote:Steve you are a moderator! Behave!! You know, Lacka, I think he IS behaving... And if he's not, I think that is okay anyway...Part of the problem with folks like these is just what he pointed out... They count on people backing down (being nice/behaving). |
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Skiddles Member
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BINGO Macca!! Thanks Steve for sharing. Last edited on Jan 19th, 2006 02:22 pm by Skiddles |
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FatPappy Member
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Thanks, Steve and ever'body! I'd say that's a bullseye on the b.s. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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One more quote from "Don't Pee on My Leg & Tell Me It's Raining" As citizens, we have the right to demand responsible behavior from each other, and from our government. If individuals among us live irresponsibly, the rest of us should not be penalized. When it comes to victims, the people screaming the loudest are usually the culprits. The real victims, the majority of decent people, suffer in silence. This is a peculiarly American sickness. This book is 238 pages long.......I have probably re-read this comment, and the one I posed above Jan 18th, 20 times. I personally do not want to suffer in silence, I want to make it known publicly to our TC that they are permitting one member in particular to not behave responsibly. It's great to express ourselves in this forum, but that ain't gettin' the word out to the public, at least not enough of the public. Folks, we need to get vocal in TC meetings. We don't want to act like BS, GD, or DC, but want to calmly let it be known this self righteous behavior is hitting taxpayers in the pocketbook, and we don't like it. Last edited on Jan 20th, 2006 02:48 am by Steve Adkins |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Steve, does that author live in Summerfield?? It's like those passages were written for us.... In my opinion however, Barnes, Collins, Williams, Doggett, Brown and Stewart have always done their utmost to behave and act responsibly, even when pushed to the brink. They are all class acts in my book! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Cracker, after reading your comment, I realized I had not worded the above comment properly, so I went back and cleaned it up. I agree totally that Barnes, Collins, Williams, Doggett, Brown and Stewart are class acts. Unfortunately it's the misbehaving child that gets the disproportionate share of the "attention". The author of the book is Judy Scheindlin.....otherwise known as Judge Judy. She doesn't mince words in the courtroom, or in this book either. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I LOVE JUDGE JUDY!!! She's a piece of work... Ironic how these quotes fit us to a tee! Now I really want to read that book! I thought I knew what you meant about the other council members Steve, but I had to clarify it. Thanks for sharing your new Judge Judy knowledge!
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Steve I agree. This citizens in this Town need to take part in their government. It is so hard for the council to stand up against the naysayers when there is no one else there. I began to doubt what I knew in my heart the people really supported because there were only the nattering nabobs there month after month hammering the council on ever single decision that was made. If this Town wants to put itself back on course then we have to take the time and support the people you agree with on council, write letters to the papers and try to get the truth out in front of the people. The Town needs volunteers on committees and involvement to make this town all it can be. So much of the enthusiasm and vision has been scrapped because of these few people. Lets get it back!! Ok Cracker where is the soap box. I need it. |
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StewartM Member
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Thanks Cracker and Steve for your comment...We can be just as vocal as they are, but in a more positive and respectable way. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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There you go Jane. I keep it in my pocket. Be careful climbing up there with your flippers on! You're welcome Mike. Anytime. |
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Bubba Guest
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Great Mike! I really miss you and Jane on the TC, the minds of reason. As far as the newbies.....like the scrarecrow would say "If I only had a brain"  Last edited on Jan 20th, 2006 12:08 pm by |
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Bubba Guest
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You know their pill might have been hard to swallow, but it might have been easier if I had ever seen any of them or the people that agree with them volunteering or involved in this town. |
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Skiddles Member
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Thanks Steve, I am going to pick up a copy today! You are correct in saying, not enough of information is going out to the public and to support our Council. The childhood antic of the CC is wearing and unproductive. It is up to the silent to speak up and let our Council know that bad behavior and poor judgment should not be the rulers of our town/city/village. Letters to the Council, letters to the paper, speaking at a Town meeting, good volunteers stepping up to the plate, talking to our neighbors, etc should carry our voices. |
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Skiddles Member
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Thanks Jane for your clarity again! It was telling to hear that what you heard over and over again, negative rhetoric and personal slams towards the council, can put doubt into ones heart and mind. I guess this is what happened to some of our voting citizens... the doubt... Great tactic ay... but not respectable in my book. Thank goodness we still have people (Jane & Mike) that listened to their sense of right and wrong... you did a great job... don't doubt that! |
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Skiddles Member
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My hope is that our two new council members will learn at this workshop that they need to change their hats from Concerned Citizens to Summerfield Town Council members. In my opinion a good leader / councilman will look at all issues with an open mind and weigh them thoughtfully, listen to all the facts, base their decisions on truth and for the good of our growing town. They need to respond to the citizens with respect and lead with dignity and good character. Being an optomist... I'm hoping that our new council at the next Town meeting will not allow past experiences to change what they need to do today for our community and that new and learned skills will have been obtained. Let's build a wonderful town and not put hobbles around our feet during the process. Working together is the only way we can build Summerfield into a healthy community...I guess time will tell. Remember that our constitution was built through compromise. Last edited on Jan 20th, 2006 06:22 pm by Skiddles |
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dmauser Member
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I don't understand how the newest members of council would plan to spend any money since they don't want taxes. Where do they think the money will come from for anything, even classes to do your job properly. Maybe they will find out that the past council members WERE doing their jobs correctly even if you don't agree with their votes. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Comments 1) The book I have quoted is more geared toward people abusing government handouts in the big cities, ie Judy was a judge in Manhattan. The book is more about abuses of Welfare, Foster Homes, lack of attention from Human Services case workers, stuff she had to deal with in the courtroom, etc. I've quoted a couple of the paragraphs that applied to our situation in Summerfield, but wouldn't necessarily advise folks to run out and get a copy. Good reading, Judy is a hoot, but the rest of the book is "big city / big gov't" 2) I'm starting to wonder to what extent the CC's still exist as any kind of focused group. Not getting any more mailings, the key noisemakers are now TC members..........hmmmmm, got me wondering 3) I think those of us who are willing to do so, should WRITE our comments & feelings down, plan to deliver them to the TC during open discussion time at the next meeting in a calm manner, and give a copy to Sandra to use as she deems appropriate. Frankly, I don't even mind publishing my comments in this forum for all to see in advance, and solicit input............I'm not quite as good as Crackah at keeping quiet. |
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donw Member
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Steve, You are exactly right. At the next meeting there needs to be many people expressing their opinion of the current council. When the meeting starts there should be citizens lined up to speak. When it is done it has to be done in a professional way and speak about what their concern is. No name calling and have the council be put on notice that the citizens are not going to sit back and watch two council members treat other people the way they do. It needs to be verbalized. I warned everybody before the election that neither one of them have the demeanor or the negtiating skills to be in public office!!!!! Don Last edited on Jan 20th, 2006 05:56 pm by donw |
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bama80 Member
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haha well put. I love a good "I told you so". Even though these are not your words Donw, it is obvious that the voters were erroneous in their voting (in my opinion). Too bad I am not a SF voter. Maybe the ballots were misleading or confusing. (see Bush/Gore 2000) hahah. |
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StewartM Member
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the ballots was not misleading ....the CC was |
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Skiddles Member
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BINGO Mike |
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StewartM Member
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The town council will start interviewing prospects for the new town attorney next Wednesday 25 at the Summerfield School Multi purpose room from 6:30 to 9:30 and again on Monday 30. It is open to the public. Could be interesting...... |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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I think that we need to let our council members know also we are not interested in the Town being represented by an attorney who has ties to any one council member regarless of who. |
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StewartM Member
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amen Jane |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: Comments Yea Steve. Bin Laden was pretty quiet for a while too. Let's see what the next TC meeting and the attorney interviews bring shall we? Never let your guard down. SMU98... DID YOU HEAR???? THEY'RE HIRING!!! Just make sure you don't have any ties...you know be sure you didn't run over a council member's cat or something before you apply.... They'll make a federal case out of it. |
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Lacka Member
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Jane I know that Becky suggested more than one law firm, and that she explained what ties she had to each firm. Do you or Mike or anyone that was at the meeting know the details of who it was that she suggested, and what exactlly her ties are to them. Another question is, and this may be something that everyone else knows but me. I heard that she suggested firms from High Point. Why do we want representation from outside our area? I know we would not want representation from an attorney that would lean towards an answer that would benefit them personally, but I would think that this was why we were interviewing. Is there a reason that is not obvious to me that we would not want a local. OK I do have one more. It makes me nervous that she suggested, correct me if I am wrong, a firm that represented other towns. Could that not be a conflict if interest, and a poor choice on our part? |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Ok let me see if I can tell Lacka what I know. Becky said she had worked several years for one suggestion and she had roomed in college with one suggestion I think was the connections. If anybody heard differently correct this. What we need is an attorney with municipal experience. Bill Trevarro for instance was attorney for 5 towns I think or at least 4 so no it shouldn't really be a conflict. The law should be the same across the towns or the attorney's interpretation should be the same across the towns. I am not sure where BS moved here from. Maybe she is from High Point originally and that is the reason for the High Point suggestions. I am hoping for a neutral attorney with no ties to anybody on the council so there won't be any questions about favortism. |
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Lacka Member
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I guess them the thing to do would be to write our council members, becky included, and tell them that we want representation from a firm that has no ties. If enough of us do this becky will vote our way, because as we all know she does as her public asks. Last edited on Jan 21st, 2006 01:25 am by Lacka |
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Lacka Member
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OK yes I have adopted Crackah's lowercase "b" |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Lacka, quite all right if you adopt my lower case b. Quite useful when it is deserved. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Cracker Jax wrote: Steve Adkins wrote:Comments Good Point........guess we shouldn't forget about the "lull before the storm" theory. |
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Lacka Member
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Cracker Jax wrote: Crackah, you mean the glamour shot is not real? |
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FatPappy Member
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Lacka, the glamour shot is deceptive? I'm shattered! Pappy wouldn't underestimate that bunch. I got the feelin' a lot of the ones they counted as members were not really card carryin' members, they just went along with the leaders because it sounded good. If the leaders make a good enough sounding case they'll do it again. It's kind of like having a zombie army at your command. Just say the magic words and they do your bidding. We just need to make a little noise ourselves and reach a larger audience: letters to the editor (NWO and mumbled name), letters to council, continue on the forum. The forum is getting there. People are reading. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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You've heard of false advertising? |
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EditorPS Administrator
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Lacka wrote: ... It makes me nervous that she suggested, correct me if I am wrong, a firm that represented other towns. Could that not be a conflict if interest, and a poor choice on our part? Lacka, I think that we do actually want an attorney who has municipal experience. Just as with the numerous varieties of doctors we have now (internists, oncologists, gynecologists, dermatologists, etc.), the laws are so expansive and complex that having someone who specializes in municipal law (versus real estate, wills, business incorporations, divorce settlements, etc.) is exactly what we need. The very first town attorney that Oak Ridge had was a real estate attorney. He was a nice guy, but made me very nervous because he just didn't know the ins and outs of public hearing protocol, rezonings versus subdivision and site plan approvals, rights of citizens, etc. A municipal attorney that does not represent another town close by might be the ideal candidate, though at one time Bill Trevorrow represented Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale simultaneously. There were advantages to that at times -- issues that came up in one town were often similar to issues that came up in another town, since all three have many of the same trials and tribulations. However, some thought that this presented at least a potential for a conflict of interest, if not a proven conflict. I hope that prior to making a decision, council members will stipulate what is needed in a town attorney and put it in writing to use as a guideline when interviewing applicants: i.e. someone who has past experience with, or at least has proven to be very knowledgeable in the field of municipal law specifically; someone who has no ties to a particular council member; someone who understands the unique personality and challenges that the town of Summerfield is currently facing (threatened lawsuits, ACLU warnings, etc.) and is fully prepared to deal with them from day one; someone who is diplomatic (not just brilliant because they know the law, but also citizen-friendly), clearly understands their responsibility to the town's officials and to the citizens of the town; someone who is capable of educating when needed (i.e. explaining legalities in laymen's terms). Oh, and a personal request of mine -- someone who would actually explain legalities as they relate to the town to those of us in the media and not avoid us like the plague. What do you all think about these attributes, and do you have more you would add to the list? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Vicki White-Lawrence Member
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Good morning, Patti! I agree with your list and only thought of one more criteria: That the attorney explain, not just to the media but to anyone needing to know, in terms we can understand.... I think sometimes council members are reluctant to ask questions even if they don't totally understand what is meant. I'm not saying the attorney needs to address specific questions by citizens, but that s/he does need to make sure council members understand. It is council's responsibility to address citizen concerns, and they can forward those questions on to the attorney as they deem necessary. The attorney, as I understand it, represents the town and answers to the town council. |
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EditorPS Administrator
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Yes, Vicki, that's exactly what I meant when I said, "someone who is capable of educating when needed (can explain legalities in laymen's terms)." I think this is where a good municipal attorney is like a teacher - they don't sit back and wait until the class is ready to take a test to determine if they understand the subject matter, but they're constantly gauging expressions, depth of questions, etc. to ensure that the information, issues, and potential ramifications of decisions are being processed and understoond. My comment regarding the media was just that, because we're in a unique position, attorneys are often so cautious in what they say to us that they won't give us any valuable information, even when we're not asking about anything that's controversial or involves protected information. For example, a couple of months ago I asked a municipal attorney a question that had to do with something that one of our readers had asked and was not about anything contentious(really); he just danced all around it without adding anything of value (sorry to those of you who are attorneys, or married to one, or are friends with one, but I think attorneys must take a course in how to say a lot without saying anything -- the same course that politicians take). We ended up having to go to the state-level to get the question answered. |
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Billyboy Member
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What needs to be determined are what criteria are considered important to the people doing the interviewing and hiring. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Cracker Jax wrote:
I ditto the above ditto with regard to Patti's and Vicki's comments |
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S. Smith Moderator
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Just thought I'd throw in a little info here. I believe all the attorneys/firms being considered for this position have municipal law experience. John Wolfe represents Kernersville. Another name mentioned was Marshall Hurley, as was Kevin Berger, son of Sen. Phil Berger. Guilford County is evidently offering some kind of early retirement, and Jonathan Maxwell (the county's attorney) was mentioned, as was Susan Moore (deputy attorney for the county and I believe also attorney for the sheriff's department). I do not think anyone had contacted either of them personally to see if they were interested. The firm Becky recommended was Roberson Haworth & Reese in HP. I believe they also have an office in Greensboro. This firm represents Jamestown, Archdale, Sedgefield Sanitary District, the Jamestown ABC Board, etc. This firm was hired by the town to represent them at the next zoning board meeting. I believe their hourly rate is $190. Carolyn Collins pointed out that this was $65 more per hour than Trevorrow had been charging the town. I understood Becky to say she used to work for someone who was the college roommate of the firm she was recommending, but I cannot swear to that because sometimes it is difficult to hear in that room. |
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bama80 Member
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So, (uninformed me wants to ask) what exactly was trevarrow doing wrong that put SF in this need for hiring another attorney. I understand he resigned, but it still seems even more ridiculous that you should even be in this situation. Just my $.02. Ignorance is bliss, and sometimes I just like to roll all in it. |
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wepete Member
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Cracker Jax wrote: In this letter he states: "Remember, Summerfield's Leadership also enticingly promised us "no services, no taxes" If we would only vote to incorporate." You are just so wrong..... AGAIN Once upon a time there were Beesons, Deckers, Friddles, Lyngles, Petersons, and many others who formed a committee to incorporate Summerfield. There were as many as 30 or 40 of us altogether. We did our homework, put out flyers, held public meetings, attended group meetings like home owner associations and neighborhood groups, and did what ever we could to get the word out. We told folk what we knew and by a show of hands received overwhelming community support to proceed. We even sought Greensboro's assistance. They lied to us with promises of support then worked against us in Raleigh. The bill failed to get out of committee. Several years later the Beesons, Petersons, Lyngles, Friddles, and others got back together when the republicans gained control over the NC legislature. We redrew the bill and submitted it for approval. We held a few public meetings. At one of those meetings, the folks from Hillsdale Lake, Polo Farms and Alley Road did their best to be a pain in the rear. They wanted to be included but the bill had already gone part of the way and we did not want to withdraw and resubmit. They did not want to accept an offer of annexation. They argued and brow beat us so much I nearly quit. They threatened us that either we would add them to the bill or they would work against the incorporation. Joan and I offered to resign and let anyone else take over. No one wanted the job. The bill we submitted continued its way through the legislature and we were rewarded with the right to hold a vote. The votes flooded the polls and approved the incorporation by some 90% (its been a while, so don't hold me to that.) The folk you mention who took petitions door to door did so long after the fact, Folks sighed up for annexation not incorporation. Mr. Flowers was right. Our flyers did say things like "Keep Summerfield Summerfield" "Local Control for Local Issues" "No New Taxes" I know that for a fact. They were put together by me on my computer. Greensboro knew what we were doing but we had blindsidded the the second time. They were powerless to stop us. We played our cards just right. You were right about that... I'm real proud of pulling that off. You were wrong and should say so to Mr. Flowers. |
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wepete Member
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DOGGETTJA wrote: I have long maintained if we are going to be incorporated then we needed to act like a town. I think to say no services is very misleading when the minute the town was incorporated then a certain level of services was mandated by state and federal government. Jane... Would you please enlighten me as to what services we were REQUIRED to provide by state and federal law. I know there was a state law enacted after we incorporated that required new towns to provide a minimum number of services from a list. Greensboro got it passed so new towns would have to collect taxes. It did not apply to us. I do not remember you ever bringing this up in the years we served together |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Actually Bill I hadn't thought of those services that were passed by law after Summerfield was incorporated although I did get lectured by Howard Coble one Founders Day about why Summerfield wasn't providing water and street lights. I think I may have been on the council when that law went into effect. I am not sure what you meant by you never heard me discuss that. I think you probably heard me say many times if Summerfield was not going to act like a town then it should unincorporate and give the money back to Guilford County who would certainly put it to good use. The services that come to mind that we have to provide are planning, zoning, inspections also we escaped the storm water regulation this past year but it is just a matter of a little while before the incorporated Town of Summerfield will have to manage its waste water. I think the Town once is incorporated is required to keep its citizens safe and while that is taken care of by Guilford County as budgets get tighter it could certainly change. Those are the services that I was thinking about as we had to provide. |
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FatPappy Member
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Pappy's just gotta say, "We really appreciate you, Jane!" |
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FatPappy Member
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Air traffic control to Pappy. We got 14 users online. They're stackin' up out there. Looks like we're in a holdin' pattern. Over. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Why Pappy thank you! that is just plumb sweet. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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bill… so glad you are back on the forum! We've missed your valuable input.
I did not reside in the area perceived as the "town core" during the time period you mentioned, and have only recently heard that the folks who lived in that area received a mailbox ballot of some type. Since these ballots, or whatever they were, went only to the citizens who resided in this area, there must certainly be many who have no knowledge of the ballot or your flyers.
As a gesture of goodwill, since I am thrilled that you are back on the forum, I have opted to remove the posting that so offended you. I do stand by my statement however, that Summerfield's mantra is not and never has been "No services, no taxes." |
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wepete Member
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Jane ok Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 07:31 pm by wepete |
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wepete Member
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Cracker Jax wrote:
I was not offended, (Edited by SA) Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 06:55 pm by wepete |
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macca Member
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wepete wrote: Supermoderator Steve! Do we have any kind of sexual harassment policy here? Or at least some special "Off Topic" for sleazy comments???? (Edited by SA) Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 04:37 pm by Steve Adkins |
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FatPappy Member
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 Fabio Pappy has offered to check his nightstand if you still can't find your sunglasses, Petey. But you'll have to wait until our eyes stop watering from laughing after reading that childlike attempt at biting witticism. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Who couldn't "keep the promise" and save a "goob" of money (whatever that is) back when we were getting our cut? This is a different town, a different situation. Word of wisdom and insight from our former leader. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 01:14 pm by FatPappy |
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Lacka Member
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bill I have your sunglasses Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 02:46 pm by Lacka |
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Lacka Member
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little bill you don't hold a grudge cause crackah lost you those 8 votes, now do you? |
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Lacka Member
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little b we all know that you are the, I believe you said  farther of Summerfield, (and I don't quote often). Perhaps we can implement some currency with your picture on it.  Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 02:47 pm by Lacka |
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FatPappy Member
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Bill Peterson wrote:Now, Summerfield must choose between two doors. Behind one is the same path we have traveled for far to long in dark suspicion constantly tripping over poisonous words and even hate. Behind the other is an opportunity for each of us to help the town begin again by pledging to work together as mature adults with a fresh commitment to allow alternative ideas, mature discussions, and consensus building. OOPS! Wrong door again! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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macca wrote: wepete wrote: The comments have been edited, they were inappropriate. Bloggers take note.........keep the sexual innuendo off these forums !! |
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Lacka Member
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Super Mod Steve thanks for coming to the rescue, it is a shame that Crackah didn't get to read it. I hear himer hasn't been here all day. I would love to see himer blast little b.... Crackah is too high class to even respond to nonsense of that nature. Thanks again for looking out for what is best for the forum |
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wepete Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: The comments have been edited, they were inappropriate. Wow... absolutely 100% appoligetic... no offense was intended. Sorry I wrote anything that was deemed inappropriate. Steve, I don't know how to do it but please feel free to delete anything I have posted you feel needs to go Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 07:43 pm by wepete |
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wepete Member
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To any and all I may have offended, I am sorry. Obviously I did not think it was that bad. Guess I was just not thinking right. But I would not want to offend even one person so I used the the edit button |
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wepete Member
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Lacka wrote: little bill you don't hold a grudge cause crackah lost you those 8 votes, now do you?no |
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Steve Adkins Member
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wepete wrote: To any and all I may have offended,Thank You Bill. I hope & think everyone on this forum accepts your apology, so let's blog on......we are glad you're back with us !!! |
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Waytago Member 
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Last edited on Jan 27th, 2006 11:52 pm by Waytago |
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Bubba Guest
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Yea thanks-remember young eyes are on here too. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I am continuing this from another forum topic..... Library in Summerfield. This has come up several times in the past and every time, the CC's, most recently Ms. Luckhardt (sp?) suggest that we instead make use of the Guilford County School Libraries. There are several problems that I see with this suggestion. ~~First of all, I can proudly say that I have surpassed the 5th grade reading level that would be offered at Summerfield School. ~~Secondly, I would assume the GC School system might balk at paying an employee to service the townfolk. ~~When would we use these libraries (assuming that we wanted to re-read Harry Potter)? During the day when the kids attending the schools barely have enough library time as it stands now? ~~Are they even considering the safety factor.... Do we really want strangers in and out of the school libraries during the day?? Parents aren't even allowed on the grounds without signing in at the office which is already congested. Now perhaps the CC's have some plausible way of making this scenario work. If someone can shed some light on the CC thinking on this subject, I'd like to be enlightened. |
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FatPappy Member
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Cracker Jax wrote:This has come up several times in the past and every time, the CC's, most recently Ms. Luckhardt (sp?) suggest that we instead make use of the Guilford County School Libraries. The GC School Libraries? That's their solution? That's just a teeny bit laughable. I'm all for combinin' resources when it makes sense, but... |
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Skiddles Member
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Sharing school libraries with the community? I know that I would not want just anyone walking the halls of my children's school. This thought scares me. We have to have an assured system of security in order to protect our children. Today, a check-in system at the office is in place. Not even parents are permitted to walk the halls freely… as it should be. Using school facilities for community use would without doubt place our children at a higher risk. In addition, I believe this topic has been brought up, discussed and died a natural death, because it is not a good solution. Fulfilling library services for our community with school libraries is not the answer…take this option off the list. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Tuesday night at the SF TC meeting, Councilman Crawford made a lame attempt at a rebuttal of the speech that Steve delivered at the last TC meeting. He started out by saying that he needed to make 5 points but other than stating that he paid his expenses for the Rocky Mount trip (Which we already knew and gave him kudos for), his other points were not made. In fact, the only thing he really did accomplish was to reiterate what Steve said in his original speech, by reading the end of it to us again. (BTW, great speech Steve!) When he was unable to verbalize his thoughts adequately, BS jumped in and stated that she wasn't against the park and wanted that to be PERFECTLY CLEAR. The VENOM in her voice was unmistakable. It seemed to me that Crawford's heart was just not in his rebuttal, which makes me wonder if he was not "put up to it" by BS. I have noticed that since BS obtained her seat on council, she has been very quiet at council meetings, other than an occasional outburst, instead letting Crawford and Dunham do most of her talking. This is not characteristic of BS behavior and I feel it is just her "public demeanor" and it makes one wonder what she is stirring up behind the scenes. As a friend pointed out to me, something's rotten in Denmark!! NOTICE her body language. She has switched seats with Dwayne and now sits at the end of the table. Throughout the entire meeting, her lawn chair was turned with her back to the council and her side toward the audience. This woman is NOT a "team player". |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Skiddles wrote: Sharing school libraries with the community? I know that I would not want just anyone walking the halls of my children's school. This thought scares me. We have to have an assured system of security in order to protect our children. Today, a check-in system at the office is in place. Not even parents are permitted to walk the halls freely… as it should be. Using school facilities for community use would without doubt place our children at a higher risk. In addition, I believe this topic has been brought up, discussed and died a natural death, because it is not a good solution.I thought it was interesting to read the results of the OR and SF park surveys in the NWO this week. It was also interesting to see how many people out here are interested in a library. Maybe somebody should start a new topic about this for OR and SF people to discuss. |
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macca Member
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'Scuse me, Zippy, but just 'cause the folks in Stokesdale haven't done a survey about it don't mean we wouldn't be interested in a library too.... Why not post a topic so folks from all three towns could talk about it? ♥♥♥ |
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Steve Adkins Member
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macca wrote: 'Scuse me, Zippy, but just 'cause the folks in Stokesdale haven't done a survey about it don't mean we wouldn't be interested in a library too.... Why not post a topic so folks from all three towns could talk about it? ♥♥♥good idea Macca.....see comment I posed in the "community survey" forum. Add your comment also please. Thanks |
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zippitydoodah Member
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macca wrote: 'Scuse me, Zippy, but just 'cause the folks in Stokesdale haven't done a survey about it don't mean we wouldn't be interested in a library too.... Why not post a topic so folks from all three towns could talk about it? ♥♥♥ Of course you are correct, macca. I just meant that Oak Ridge and Summerfield people have spoken on the subject. No offence meant to Stokesdalians out there. |
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Skiddles Member
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I agree with all of you. This seems to be a topic of great interest. Zippy ... start her up. I know that I would love to see a library in Summerfield. I bet others would like to see this happen in their community also. It's a long way to travel to GSO for many. Last edited on Mar 13th, 2006 01:14 pm by Skiddles |
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Waytago Member
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FatPappy wrote: Then there's the other Trio. Dwayne. Rebel without a clue. Or is it rebel with too many causes? Whatever the cause, he sure has an effect on people. Mostly bad. Becky Strickland, well, ever'body knows where she stands. Then there's Mom. Not really on the council, but she hasn't figgered that out yet. As a benevolent superior being, she's here to guide us pitiful humans in all matters of government an' moral behavior. Fortunately, this whole sorry trio has turned the reputation of "Concerned Citizens" into "Keystone Cops". Their reputation has gone from that of secrecy, not understood (for anything positive anyway) and quasi-feared, to total laughingstock worthy of nothing more than disgust. It's really a shame they fooled enough voters to get into office, thank heavens the decks are still stacked 3 - 2 in favor of some folks with some common sense. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Baseball Buddy Member 
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These 2 got into office by playing on people's emotions of "no or low taxes" . Remember you get what you pay for. You pay nothing you get nothing. You ask something for nothing you look cheap and stupid. These 2 look cheap and stupid. SRA is a good, all volunteer organization. SRA does not have the funds as a non-profit to purchase land and develop baseball fields. They do have the means of maintaining fields and running organized activities. So in closing the Town has the money SRA has the people, What's the problem ? Are we going to let these 2 narrow minded people stop our Town from having new baseball fields? Not if I am still breathing!!!  |
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Waytago Member
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Baseball Buddy wrote: These 2 got into office by playing on people's emotions of "no or low taxes" . Remember you get what you pay for. You pay nothing you get nothing. You ask something for nothing you look cheap and stupid. These 2 look cheap and stupid. Yep It's OK to waste taxpayer money if BS says so And BS doesn't want to spend taxpayer money to fund taxpayer activities that teach our youth teambuilding lessons and keep them busy/off the street. And BS doesn't want to spend taxpayer money to maintain the new park the taxpayers clearly want. Well, I don't want BS OR DC as Town Councilpersons (never did), I want some persons who are committed to their community. |
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FatPappy Member
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Pappy thought school was 'bout out, but I reckon we might need some remedial lessons so a couple o' folks can catch up. Lesson 1 Question: Summerfield's young'uns needs parks an' ballfields, but Duncan, Sue an' their Mom wonder, "Why should we spend our money on your kids?" Answer: Well, because it's not your money and they're not somebody else's kids. They're Summerfield's kids. (All right, y'all, I know it sounds like a simple concept, but some people have a harder time than others. Let's be patient. We don't want 'em to repeat another 4-year semester do we?) |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Pappy that was just so profound! You are my hero! |
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zippitydoodah Member
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I'm back...... I heard something about during the town council meeting, one of the CCs was laughling like a maniac during the budget talk by Michael Brant and had to be quited down by the town lawyer. Does anybody find that strange???? |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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Duncan,Sue,and Mom need a reality check. I am willing to wright that check for the amount that personally affects them just to shut them up. How much if somebody out there knows does it affect them? |
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Skiddles Member
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Pappy you are so right: They are not just my children or your children .. they are Summerfield's children. Last edited on Jun 8th, 2006 10:12 pm by Skiddles |
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Cracker Jax Member
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zippitydoodah wrote: I'm back...... Yea Zippy... I also heard that Luckhardt and Dunham were up to their usual rudeness during the budget discussion. Shameful that adults would act like that in public. I've asked a friend of mine to sit near them at the budget meeting and remind them to be quiet. Once my friend was forced to give Dunham and Strickland a rules of conduct flyer in the middle of a meeting because their MOMS didn't teach them any better...... Perhaps those two could learn some manners from SUMMERFIELD'S kids.....
Last edited on Jun 8th, 2006 07:09 pm by Cracker Jax |
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Lacka Member
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I heard that your friend was told by Strickland to mind her own _____ business when she was handed the flyer. Dunham said she didn't need one. Boy was she mistaken. |
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SaltyDog Member
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Reasonable people can disagree about how much tax should be collected and how that tax money should be used. The CCs take their no taxes, no services, stance very seriously. I have no problem with them advocating their views, just wish they could tone down the attitude that everybody who disagrees with them is a flaming tax & spender who is stupid and/or corrupt. The CCs have apparently been successful in convincing a majority of the voting public in Summerfield that this is true. If you don't want to think too hard their sales pitch is very appealing: "throw out the bums" and "no taxes, no services - we never had services before why do we need them now?" We who think proposals for use of our tax monies should be considered carefully and judged individually on their own merits need to do a better job of explaining ourselves in the court of public opinion. Any council member who robotically accepts or rejects tax spending proposals because of some political litmus test will not get my vote. In the last election the CCs controlled the debate. The CCs brought up legitimate concerns for public discussion, but their shrill, rude and slanted rhetoric was met with timid responses from their opponents and the segment of voters who were motivated to actually go to the polls were the CC supporters. One can hope that in the next election, opposition to the CCs "platform" will be articulate and forceful and that those who did not bother to vote last time will realize what's at stake. |
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zippitydoodah Member
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Hello Salty, old friend. The Dawg is back!! That was a very well-stated and articulate argument. I don't have a problem with people whose opinions differ from mine. I think debate is healthy. If the CCs did a better job calmly explaining things and giving their views (without being so doggone nasty), I think they'd have a bigger following. I'm not sure how many people who originally called themselves Concerned Citizens still do, but I've heard several people who jumped on the bandwaggon and voted for them say they made a mistake. I'm not trying to bash the CCs here -- I'm really trying to be open minded here. Every issue should be debated and discussed on its own merits -- not just whether or not it is going to cost money. After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch and everything has a cost associated with it, even if it's not monitary. |
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FatPappy Member
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I wonder if the CC have paid coaches? I know they have a team mom and a water boy. The score's still 3-2, by the way. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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FatPappy wrote: I wonder if the CC have paid coaches? Home Run Pappy!
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Lacka Member
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You have to give the CC credit, that was a good "at bat" But the "D" had it going on and played a good "three up three down." Although they played a good inning at the end of the day they heard the crowd yell....
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Starcatchr Member
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Gee. In reading the Greensboro N&R this morning, I noticed that there is yet another bond issue up for vote. This one is for $115,000,000 in improvements to 10 city facilities. Drat, we could be helping to pay for this! However, ten years ago, Summerfield happened to have a few strong leaders who could look to the future, and enough forward thinking citizens, looking past their back door, who voted to incorporate and become a town. Ladies, gents, and kidlings, you can bet the farm that we would, by now, be citizens of the city of Greensboro. We could look forward to a healthy raise in already high taxes. Thanks should go out to the leaders and citizens who are committed to planning ahead for the future of Summerfield - despite the negative attitudes of a few. |
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FatPappy Member
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Yer Pappy done heered there's a unelected citizen tryin' to run the town! Really? I wonder if they're talkin' 'bout one o' that troop o' thespians called the Comic Citizens of Summerfield. Hee hee! Pappy gets a kick outta them! If it's the unelected Citizen I'm thinkin' about, y'all can catch her act at most ever' SF town council meetin'. She has a real funny comedy routine. Sometimes she jumps up outta the audience an' does stand up at the microphone. But she's also a prop comic with all these hillarious mailin's an' decorated handouts, an' sometimes she takes facts an' twists 'em into funny shapes. Hee hee! She practices behind the scenes all the time so she's real good at it. 'Course, some o' her material is a little old, so you've prob'ly heard it before. I thought she was just bein' funny, though. I didn't know she was tryin' to run the town. I wonder if somebody just misspoke. Maybe they meant to say "RUIN" the town. Yeah, now that makes more sense. |
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that you decided to join in!
