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Steve Adkins Member 
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On Jan 25, 2007, the first meeting of the Friends for Summerfield was held at Steve & Deborah Adkins house. It was attended by approx 23 persons, another 7 gave regrets they could not attend, but wanted to attend future meetings. The group has decided for the time being to meet on the first & third Tuesdays of each month. Discussion was very positive, the Name was chosen, preliminary Goals were identified, & a code of conduct was agreed upon. We thank all the folks who attended, and look forward to a very progressive Summerfield. Steve & Deborah Adkins |
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Cracker Jax Member 
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I'd like to thank Steve and Deb for taking the time to get this group organized and for so graciously opening their home to everyone. I feel like this group is on the right track with their positive "can do" attitude and will eventually overcome the negativity that has plagued us for so long now. We have some really great people in Summerfield and I look forward to helping them make a difference. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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It's a new day in Summerfield this morning Thanks to the leadership of Steve and Deb for taking the bull by the horns and running with it. And Thanks to the 23 or more civic minded neighbors and friends who gathered with love and concern for Summerfield to move forward in a positive way to enhance the quality of life in Summerfield for all it's citizens. CONGRATULATIONS SUMMERFIELD. THANK-YOU STEVE AND DEBBIE! |
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FatPappy Member 
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Yee Haw! Thanks Steve an' Debbie! Lookin' forward to movin' forward. |
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bama80 Member 
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Congrats on taking this large step and good luck. Ps I was there in disguise. I didnt want anyone to realize a Stokesdalian was recruited to help out SF. Also, i can't have my real identity revealed at this time.  |
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Baseball Buddy Member 
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When It comes to Summerfield, I'm in it for the long haul. Thanks to Steve and Deb Good coffee, food, and great people. |
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Skiddles Member 
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Steve and Deb... You were gracious hosts! Thank you for your efforts in organizing this very positive and forward thinking group of people. |
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Starcatchr Member 
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Thanks Steve and Deb for having us in your home. You deserve a medal for hatching the idea and providing a basis from which to work. Summerfield is lucky to have you both! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Thank you all for the kind comments. We love our town. These are exciting times, to have a United group, ready to look forward. Predicting the future isn't that difficult. All you have to do is......Plan the Work, then Work the Plan |
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summerfieldrd Banned
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Thanks to Steve and Deb! You have my full support. |
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S. Smith Moderator
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For those who weren't at the meeting, just what does this group plan to do? |
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parklover Member
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I was one of those who could not attend the first meeting, but look forward to attending future meetings. Please keep us informed. I am also excited to hear that it looks as though the CC's are falling apart. Mission of Friends of Summerfield is to get the word out and vote! I am willing to help in any way I can! |
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DOGGETTJA Member 
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Sandra- The Friends for Summerfield are still in the developing stage. We worked on Identifying goals for Summerfield which I assume will be an ongoing project. We chose some goals to start working towards such as as a speaker each month at Town Council to report on the projects The Friends are working on or to support projects the council is working on. I sincerely hope that we will work on getting out the vote and one of the ways I hope we can do it is by getting a good representation of Summerfield on this committee and then meeting our neighbors. If we could get people excited about our community then voting would follow I think. I am not sure when the next meeting is although I had better find out. Hey somebody out there when is the next meeting and if somebody wants to come what do they do? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Meeting dates for February are the 6th and the 20th Time: 7-9 PM Location: Steve and Deb Adkins' Home. Email Steve if you want to come. (I'll let Steve post his contact info and address if he wants it posted. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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well you could always send him a private message if you are a member of the forum. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I know what he's gonna say... he's gonna say "CJ, it was in the paper for heaven's sake!!!!!" I'm still lettin' him post that info.... People probably recycled those papers by now anyway.... |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Cracker Jax wrote:
Our address is no secret anymore; 7591 Cassidy Way, Summerfield Battleground North to Scalesville, turn right, go to Strawberry Rd, turn right, about 3/4 mile on right is Sycamore Ridge Sub, Cassidy Road turns off Strawberry, turn right on Cassidy, go to end of cul-de-sac, our house is dead ahead. My contact info is: sba328@triad.rr.com mobile # 336-392-9991 Last edited on Feb 1st, 2007 12:20 am by Steve Adkins |
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Steve Adkins Member
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S. Smith wrote: For those who weren't at the meeting, just what does this group plan to do? In addition to the above comments, the purpose of the Friends For Summerfield is: Show "CAN DO" attitude Be POSITIVE about Summerfield Look to the FUTURE, leave the negative behind Get Out the Vote Encourage attendance of Town Council meetings, show support Visibly show agreement with key issues Respectfully show disagreement with untruthful comments & exaggerations There's more, but I want other excited folks (edited by SMS) to speak up also..........speak up y'all !!!!!!!!!! Last edited on Feb 1st, 2007 02:37 am by Steve Adkins |
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Steve Adkins Member
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As the Friends For Summerfield is a topic very specifically under the Summerfield umbrella, it has appropriately been moved under our town of Summerfields Forum, where it rightfully belongs. We are proud of our town !!! My excitement at the potential of FFS is hard to contain. I am getting phone calls & emails from folks who are excited about participating in future meetings. The pride of our town is showing and, like a saying Deb picked up in New Orleans....................."IT'S ALL GOOD !!!!" |
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macca Member 
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Steve-o! It sounds as though all communities could use a group like this!!! "Friends for Stokesdale" "Friends for Oak Ridge" |
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FatPappy Member
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Pappy weren't at the first meetin', but I shore would like to see one o' the missions this group takes on is to make sure folks gets the straight story on thangs. I think that's got to be one o' the fundamentals. Few thangs rile me more than somebody runnin' around makin' false claims an' stirrin' up thangs to where people don't know who to b'lieve. I'd like to think this here group would take a lead in he'pin' to dig out the straight facts an' makin' sure people know what's what. Pappy also sees the formation o' this group as a oppportunity to set a good example o' how folks can honestly discuss issues an' at the same time respect differences of opinion, realizin' no solution will ever be perfect, no theory o' government will ever be perfect. (Pappy might have to change his ways.) To my way o' thinkin', the simple act o' formin' this group sends a powerful message that there's a committed bunch that's ready an' determined to find ways to move forward. I feel confident this group will not simply be another political spin machine, but somethin' apart from an' beyond tired an' childish politics. Or mebbe it's somethin' that's way before you even get to politics. Mebbe it's somethin' formed from the simple power o' regular people workin' together an' tryin' to make their town an' their children's lives better. That's all. No axes to grind, no scores to settle, no secret hidden agendas, no intimidation, no roadblocks. Just tryin' to make it better. That sounds good to me. |
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Skiddles Member
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It's kind'a funny, I have a four foot long sign in my kitchen that says... "It's all good" |
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Steve Adkins Member
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macca wrote: Steve-o! It sounds as though all communities could use a group like this!!! "Friends for Stokesdale" "Friends for Oak Ridge" Macca.......I very nearly made a comment about hoping parallel organizations would form in our sister cities, but left it out. Thankfully we were on the same wavelength. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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There's more, but I want other excited folks (edited by SMS) to speak up also..........speak up y'all !!!!!!!!!! Pappy, thanks for jumping in. You're right on !! I went back and changed my sentence above.....should not have worded it to just include folks who attended a meeting..........we want to hear from EVERYBODY who is excited !!!! |
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Starcatchr Member
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Yes, the group certainly welcomes participation from everyone. Constructive ideas - the more, the better. Hopefully, this young Friends for Summerfield group will grow and bring about friendship, ideas, and actions. Wouldn't it be great to double or triple the number of people voting, or attending Town Council meetings, or if more of our neighbors just expressed their thoughts on making a great town greater. |
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macca Member
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Maybe years from now, when one of the younger maccas is doing some investigative work, they'll run across this group of civic-minded citizens who made such an impact on the history of this area!!!  ♥♥♥ |
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FatPappy Member
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macca wrote:Maybe years from now, when one of the younger maccas is doing some investigative work, they'll run across this group of civic-minded citizens who made such an impact on the history of this area!!! You mean the forum, right? Hee hee! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Kudos to Sandra for a great article on the Friends for Summerfield organization in the Feb 2 - 8 issue of the NWO. Title "Taking Back Their Town" did a good job of setting the tone. Good Job Sandra, Thank You !!!! |
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rasin Guest
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No fair! Someone has an advance copy of tomorrow's newspaper!!!!! |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Chuckle - mine came US Mail, guess the mail carrier got to my house in "advance" of your house |
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FatPappy Member
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They had plenty o' copies at the Food Dawg in SF, rasin. Pappy was happy to see some good news about Summerfield. That was a excellent article. Thanks, Sandra. Thanks, Steve fer gettin' thangs rollin'. It's good to see folks so excited 'bout somethin' positive. I reckon people have been starvin' fer somethin' positive. Pappy cain't wait to get started! |
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macca Member
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rasin wrote:No fair! Someone has an advance copy of tomorrow's newspaper!!!!! rasin: We almost always get our NW Observer in our Thursday mail in Stokesdale. I don't know how it works elsewhere.... |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Today I sent out mass emails to everyone who attended the first meeting, and those who have contacted me since, with the agenda for this coming Tuesdays meeting, as well as the notes from the first meeting. If there are others reading this who want to be involved, and weren't on the emails, then PM me with your email address & I'll add you. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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If anyone would like to volunteer to call those on the attendee list from first meeting, plus additions since then, to remind them of the Tues meeting, it would be helpful. PM me and I'll send you the attendee list via regular email. Last edited on Feb 4th, 2007 02:15 pm by Steve Adkins |
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SaltyDog Member 
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FatPappy wrote: Pappy weren't at the first meetin', but I shore would like to see one o' the missions this group takes on is to make sure folks gets the straight story on thangs. I think that's got to be one o' the fundamentals. Few thangs rile me more than somebody runnin' around makin' false claims an' stirrin' up thangs to where people don't know who to b'lieve. I'd like to think this here group would take a lead in he'pin' to dig out the straight facts an' makin' sure people know what's what. Pappy as far as I am concerned you are right on the money. I trust that an informed electorate will make the right decisions about who they want to represent them, what issues are important and what positions they support and I can accept those decisions even if they go against my personal preference. Last edited on Feb 6th, 2007 07:35 pm by SaltyDog |
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Cracker Jax Member
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WELCOME FRIENDS FOR SUMMERFIELD! Feel free to jump in on any of the forums! If you need help, just ask! For those seeking more information on the Friends for Summerfield group, check out their new website! http://www.friendsforsummerfield.com
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Starcatchr Member
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I hope everlyone checks in on this beautiful and informative Friends for Summerfield website! |
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Skiddles Member
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The website looks great and says some very positive things! |
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FatPappy Member
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SaltyDog wrote:Pappy as far as I am concerned you are right on the money. I trust that an informed electorate will make the right decisions about who they want to represent them, what issues are important and what positions they support and I can accept those decisions even if they go against my personal preference. Much obliged, Salty. I think you're right on the money too. |
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FatPappy Member
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FFS, that's a purty website! Pappy'll be keepin' a eye on that'n. I might get one o' the young'uns to show me how to bookmark it. I see on yonder there's a place to send in suggestions. Is that some kind o' contest? Does the one with the best suggestion win a new town? Hee hee! FFS, since y'all are movin' ahead, I reckon ol' Pappy might mosey along with you fer a spell. I got me a hankerin' to see the future. Shore feels good on Pappy's neck bone to be a-lookin' up. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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I received a call from a citizen tonight who supported the concept of FFS, and wanted to know if we would raise an idea. The question asked was Why doesn't Summerfield buy or lease the old Food Lion building where Dollar store is, and put the Town Hall there, and Sheriff Substation there? Comments? |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Water, septic capacity or lack of. Are two of many reasons. As you drive by the old Food Lion building after a rain look at the back door. There appears to be several feet of water standing back there. The building is in the critical water shed. It has very limited septic capacity. There are many other problems but those are two pretty insurmountable ones. The Town did consider the some of the buildings one time but it is my understanding also that the current owner will not sell for a reasonable price. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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DOGGETTJA wrote: Water, septic capacity or lack of. Are two of many reasons. As you drive by the old Food Lion building after a rain look at the back door. There appears to be several feet of water standing back there. The building is in the critical water shed. It has very limited septic capacity. Why would usage as a town hall place more pressure on the septic system than the former use as a Food Lion grocery store? It would seem that a town hall would not present as much effluent demand as a grocery store. (The septic system worked well for 20 years when it was a Food Lion). When you say the owner will not sell for a "reasonable price" how do you define reasonable? Replacement cost or Present Market Value? (If this building could be purchased for less than replacement cost it would seem like a bargain) It's a great location with high visibility and the key would be in whether any endemic problems can be offset with a purchase at a bargain price. I do agree with Jane, that it needs to be looked at very carefully, but it certainly deserves a close look as an option. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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As I remember the shopping center was put there before the critical watershed designation. Through the years lots of rumours about septic issues. I agree Jim that it would be a great place and it would be nice if something could be done to improve one of the major routes into Summerfield. The shopping center is an eye sore going North. The other side looks much more kept but the parking lot is a disgrace. |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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Would the property across Summerfield Rd from the old FOOD LION be suitable for off sight septic. This could be a plus to Summerfield to make something positive happen with the "Summerfield eyesore". Just some food for thought. |
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summerfieldrd Banned
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DOGGETTJA wrote: Water, septic capacity or lack of. Are two of many reasons. As you drive by the old Food Lion building after a rain look at the back door. There appears to be several feet of water standing back there. The building is in the critical water shed. It has very limited septic capacity. Water? Is the water table contaminated there? No water? Septic: Wouldn't a town hall and sheriff substation only need a 'limited septic capacity'? Maybe there are some 'green' advances that could be incorporated? Perhaps capturing and reusing rainwater, etc. Much like the new schools are using. |
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macca Member
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Does that Agapion guy still own this shopping center? Seems I read in the NW Observer at one point that he did..... Based on his reputation (and he's proved it with this property) he doesn't do much to maintain or keep up his properties.  |
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StewartM Member 
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I have talked to a health inspector and there is no water contaminated. There is enough room on site to repair the septic. The problem is the owner....He does not want to sell......The property has his trademark look...... |
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summerfieldrd Banned
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StewartM wrote: The problem is the owner....He does not want to sell......The property has his trademark look...... Maybe we could trade him for our 90 acre park in Armfield! |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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A friend of mine from Detroit has looked at this property and the property next to it. He would like to develop or invest into something positive for Summerfield. He has initiated talks through a 3rd party with ARCO Realty (Bill Agapion). I have not heard from him in a couple weeks so I don't know the latest news. He has asked me to keep my ear out for Info on the property. |
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bama80 Member
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It seems like this guy understands the demand for the proprety and sees the property values going ^ to $Texas in SF. I am not surprised that he is holding out. He probably stands to make a pretty penny in the future. I dont see any reason for him to settle for less at this time. SF is just beginning to take off and if the water situation ever gets taken care of, it will be even better for his interests. In the meantime, if no one buys, he will rent it out if possible but is only investing what he has to in order to keep the bldg usable. If I were him, I would not sell either. I would hold on to it for at least 5 more years or so when that spot is USDA PRIME Real Estate. If SF wants the eyesore (which I totally agree with) taken care of, someone is going to have to bite the bullet and pony up some cash. |
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bama80 Member
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oops double posted go state go bama Last edited on Feb 8th, 2007 02:11 pm by bama80 |
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macca Member
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So that property isn't in violation of any zoning/building codes in Summerfield? |
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bama80 Member
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From previous questions in the NWO, I am saying no. There may have been new developments since. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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The FFS website is improving on a daily basis, especially the hot topics. Go visit when you have a chance. http://www.friendsforsummerfield.com |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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Thanks to all the Friends For Summerfield for standing to show your support at the Town Council Meeting. Even though Ms Strickland asked for a "POINT of ORDER". I think that was a little extreme. This was not disruptive in any way. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Yep! And Good job speaking SMS! Wonder what Crawford was thinking when he "warned" the FFS and reminded us that he "foolishly" backed that Mayor referendum and then backed out of it? What foolish thing is he thinking that the FFS are gonna do? |
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FatPappy Member
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Good job, Steve an' BB! |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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I am psyched. I think the opening remarks went great. BB you did a great job of presentation. Really good points and I especially liked your comments about the Friddle property. Steve so did you and I thought the paragraph we worked so hard on sounded so professional. You may have missed your calling as a preacher. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Baseball Buddy wrote: Thanks to all the Friends For Summerfield for standing to show your support at the Town Council Meeting. Even though Ms Strickland asked for a "POINT of ORDER". I think that was a little extreme. This was not disruptive in any way. Agreed, and if you noticed, Mayor Brown ignored the request, so there was no harm done by standing. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Cracker Jax wrote:
Maybe Dwayne thinks FFS is going to pursue the same path as CC's? Wrong !! We're not going to write a history book of "documentation", don't need it when you're looking to the future. We appreciate the opportunity to use all the CC's mistakes as lessons learned so FFS can be 10X stronger than CC's ever thought about being. Thank You CC's. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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I know this comment is not going to sit well with some if not many of you, but at least for last night, it seems to me that the two CC's on the Summerfield Town Council were truly the real 'Friends' of Summerfield in joining with Carolyn Collins to vote FOR the future and the citizen interests for Summerfield residents by voting AGAINST Armfield. For those Summerfield voters who believe that the best interests of Summerfield citizens should take a higher priority than the interests of the real estate developers, I'm sure their three votes last night will long be remembered favorably and I doubt that the votes of the two who voted FOR the developers will be forgotten by Summerfield voters either. Let's at least be intellectually honest enough to give proper credit where credit is due. Now take your best shots at me or them. Last edited on Feb 15th, 2007 02:25 am by Jim Flynt |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Jim I think I discussed that on the Armfield thread. I personally stopped by and told Becky, Dwayne and Caroline they had made a good decision after the vote last night. But please be aware besides Mom there were three other people out of possible 50 people at the meeting that stood up against the changes for Armfield. But Summerfield is way past the point where 40 or 50 more houses will make much difference in our town. In ten years we have gone from 2500 to well over 7,000 and maybe over 8,000 residents at this point . The Northwest area is the place to live. We have good ordinances that could be better but there really doesn't seem to be much appetite to change them and every time we do change them the area becomes more elite and more expensive to live in making it harder and harder for our kids to be able to live here. We can't stop development, we can only control it somewhat. I feel like the FFS is to help make our town a community,To improve inefficiencies as we see them and to increase our feeling of community. To include people so that we hopefully can work towards the common goal of improving our Town. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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DOGGETTJA wrote: But please be aware besides Mom there were three other people out of possible 50 people at the meeting that stood up against the changes for Armfield. Jane, since I was not at last night's meeting, out of curiosity, not including the developers and their entourage, how many of the 50 people at the meeting stood up FOR the changes for Armfield? |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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I think 3 spoke for it besides developers. One woman made an excellent talk in favor. I wondered what she did for a living because she was wonderfully articulate. Last edited on Feb 15th, 2007 02:54 am by DOGGETTJA |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Several of the FFS sent emails to Mayor Brown, asking that the subject of Council Manager form of government be discussed. Mayor Brown brought it up last night during Business From the Mayor, which was about 11:45 pm, so it was a short discussion. The council was open to the idea of discussing it in March. They are going to spend the next few weeks getting themselves educated on the subject. One TC member stated "this was the first they had heard of this subject", so one of the Agenda items on our Feb 20 FFS meeting will be if FFS members should send follow up emails to the entire council asking them to support this form of government. Last edited on Feb 15th, 2007 03:02 am by Steve Adkins |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Mr & Mrs Gordon's store at Summerfield Rd across from the Town Hall has a beautiful display in the front window very positive toward Friends for Summerfield.......it's worth the drive by to go look at. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: The council was open to the idea of discussing it in March. They are going to spend the next few weeks getting themselves educated on the subject. Steve, I fully support the concept of a Manager/Council form of government. My question is who and how will the larger community of Summerfield residents be educated to this proposed system and change so that they can come onboard with their support? Don't they deserve to learn more about this proposal beyond simply reading about after it is discussed at a council meeting? |
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Jim Flynt Member
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DOGGETTJA wrote: I think 3 spoke for it besides developers please be aware besides Mom there were three other people out of possible 50 people at the meeting that stood up against the changes for Armfield. So Jane, wasn't that a wash with 3 speaking FOR and 3 speaking AGAINST out of 50? (not including Mom of course) That's a 50/50 equation where I come from......Split right down the middle. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Jim Flynt wrote: Steve Adkins wrote:The council was open to the idea of discussing it in March. They are going to spend the next few weeks getting themselves educated on the subject. Jim, thanks for the great segue into the whole premise for FFS !!!!! FFS made this an Agenda item at our last meeting, Jane gave an outstanding talk on it. So we educated ourselves first. Then we wrote mass emails to Mayor Brown to ask him to bring it before the council, which he did. And council has started the process of educating themselves. AAAANNNNNDDDDD.......Sandra may kill me for letting the cat out of the bag, but she is writing an article in the NWO about this subject to educate the community at large. AAAANNNNNNDDDD.......the FFS website is getting loaded up with info and key websites to go visit and get info, which will be publicized in the near future. AAAANNNNNNNDDDDD.....FFS will discuss at our next meeting whether to blanket the TC with emails asking them to support this form of government. So hopefully we've got our bases covered with taking the educational approach, and respectfully approaching our TC with requests. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Jim Flynt wrote: So Jane, wasn't that a wash with 3 speaking FOR and 3 speaking AGAINST out of 50? (not including Mom of course) Jim.........I would call this subject anything but a wash. The positive did not negate the negative, even though it might have been 50/50. Alot of water went under the bridge in 4 years. In my mind, it took the wisdom of Solomon to work thru this situation. It was a highly charged emotional subject. The Town Council had a hard job. Jane said it best.........it's not the time to be negotiating when a subject is before the Town Council for vote. And with this........I am going to ask that all future comments about Armfield be put in the Armfield topic Last edited on Feb 15th, 2007 03:39 am by Steve Adkins |
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Jim Flynt Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: Jim.........I would call this subject anything but a wash. The positive did not negate the negative, even though it might have been 50/50. Alot of water went under the bridge in 4 years. Steve, I'm sorry that I was not more clear. I did not mean that the subject was a wash. I was suggesting that support for or against was a wash based on 3 people speaking for and 3 speaking against. My comment about wash was in response to Jane's earlier post about only 3 people speaking against the rezoning, my follow-up question, and then her pointing out that only 3 people (not including the developers) spoke for the rezoning. I was simply making the point that it would seem that the audience of people and perhaps even the larger community might be split fairly evenly in either support for or against the rezoning, which I thus called a wash. I do agree that it was a highly charged subject with passionate feelings on all sides and that a lot of water went under the bridge in 4 years. I am quite sure that many lessons were learned by parties on all sides of the issue. And I most especially concur with you with regard to Jane's comment about "it's not the time to be negotiating when a subject is before the Town Council for vote". No truer words were ever spoken. Last edited on Feb 15th, 2007 03:48 am by Jim Flynt |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Note to all The http://www.friendsforsummerfield.com website is improving day by day. I just took a cruise thru it, and.............wow.......the minutes from last meeting are already posted, got a "contact us" section to it, and just so professional looking !! Kudos to the website team of Jan McLean, Beth Kaplan, & Kim Jackson !! |
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FatPappy Member
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The FFS came along just in time, in my opinion. We need some positive responses to all the Good Ol' Boys with their secret back room investigations an' their taunts of "I know something I won't tell." I'm a little tired of all the insinuations. Let's get some facts going! Good job FFS. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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http://www.friendsforsummerfield.com/ Reminder, Meeting Tuesday 20 Feb 7 - 9 pm at Steve & Deb Adkins House Check out the improvement to the website above, the Agenda for next meeting, as well as "contact us", and a photo album section. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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Steve, I applaud your lovely new website. I also noted that your agenda calls for a discussion of officers to be elected for FFS and one of the officers noted is Treasurer for the group. So, my question is this: if you're going to have a treasurer then it is fairly likely that you anticipate a 'treasury', so are you accepting donations to FFS? If so, how do we go about making a donation? Thanks for all of your and the group's hard work in such a marvelous positive endeavour to make Summerfield a better place. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Doesn't the FFS have to form a PAC or something else official if money starts changing hands? |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Let's just say we're trying to do things in the right order. First is to establish a leadership group to double as a steering committee Then the group must agree on what type of organization we should be incorporated. It would appear from preliminary investigation that registration as a 501.c.3 organization is appropriate. Registration as a PAC under NC guidelines will probably be appropriate as time goes on also. None of this is free, so it's appropriate to first get an accounting structure in place with proper controls & documentation. Jim, to answer your question, it's preliminary for FFS to receiving any kind of donations just yet, but that will probably change in the near future. Last edited on Feb 19th, 2007 12:50 am by Steve Adkins |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Reminder, meeting tonight 7 - 9 at Adkins house 7591 Cassidy Way Summerfield |
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Steve Adkins Member
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I'm pleased to note that in our 3 meetings of FFS, we've experienced steady growth, to the point we've about outgrown the Adkins house. 28 people last night !! As much as Deb & I enjoy having everyone come to our place, it appears in the near future we'll need to find somewhere local to meet where we can keep growing. GREAT problem to have !!!! Thanks to all for the great discussions last night. This is what open communication & good healthy discussion is all about. Folks have questions, want clarifications, this was an outstanding way to get things out in the open and talk about them. Nobody was shy about asking questions or contributing to the discussion, total utopia !!! Mike Stewart did an outstanding job explaining "point of order" in TC meetings, folks had great questions, and we all came away with a clear understanding what behaviors are expected & appropriate in TC meetings. Jane Doggett did an awesome job fielding questions on the potential of changing our government structure to a Manager - Council form of government. It's apparent folks are interested in understanding what the pros and cons to this potential change are. We're all in a learning mode on this one, myself included. I frankly think it's a good change and the right thing to do, but still want to understand it thoroughly. The website appearance is awesome, the ideas bubbling out of the group to improve it are so exciting, I am confident it will be a benchmark site for positive community action. This is the exciting part of living in Summerfield, being a close knit community, looking to the future !!! Thanks Steve |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Hey we got a good plug in today's Guilford Record from Gary Ajemian. I think he made several good points about democracy and winning and losing giving the Friends for Summerfield as a good example. Maybe we need to print out the column and use it at meetings to remind ourselves that we are educating, building concensus and that if our ideas don't come to fruition we just didn't have enough people who agree with us not that we lost. Good article. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Wow, what a nice article !! Friends for Summerfield is being noticed for exactly the right reasons. I especially like Gary's comment about "raising the debate level instead of the decibel level" http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070225/NEWSREC0112/702250306/1058/NEWSREC0112 |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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Good article and well written. Hey look at the great pics on the FFS website. Who's that fellow cooking hot dogs with former Mayor John Wray. I got to go on a diet or was that the camera angle? Patti my left side is better. Ha Ha |
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Steve Adkins Member
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March 2 - 8 edition of NWO Good Job Sandra on "Q & A on a New Form of Government" Laid the facts out very clearly & impartially. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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March 2 - 8 issue of NWO Good Job on Letters From Readers Council Member Responds from Becky Strickland - attacking SRA & Jay Copeland for condition of Athletic Fields Next letter - Fact Based Positive Response from Jay Copeland Good Job BaseBall Buddy !!!!!!!!! |
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FatPappy Member
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Good job, Jay! There's nuthin' wrong with a councilmember askin' questions, but this has nuthin' to do with gettin' the truth out. If she really wanted the people to have answers, she could have gone to the mayor, the town administrator, other council members, and Jay himself and say I have a question about this. Instead she sticks her answerless questions out there, like some cheap UFO/Bigfoot exposé, to linger like a bad smell. I hope the people get a good whiff o' her tired an' stinkin' tactics. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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I wonder if she has ever even been to the ball fields to see what is being talked about? Has she ever been to a SRA meeting to see what the concerns are? Thank you Jay for not spending the money on property that first of all does not belong to the Town and does belong to the school system especially if you have things fairly in shape. The issue here is not the current facility we have: it is the facilities we need for our burgeoning population of children. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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FatPappy wrote: I hope the people get a good whiff The way to do this is to immediately counter with facts, just the way Jay did. Perfect response, perfect timing. FFS will enjoy many successes with this exact approach, looking forward to it !!! We look forward to working with our friends in all organizations, ie SRA, SYC, etc, working to the communities benefit. Last edited on Mar 3rd, 2007 03:47 pm by Steve Adkins |
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FatPappy Member
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I think you're exactly right, Steve. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Don't forget Tuesday night &PM at Steve and Debbie's house is our next meeting. We continue to try to get our organization organized. Come and help create a more positive agenda for Summerfield. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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Steve Adkins wrote:
The way to do this is to immediately counter with facts, Facts? Really? Well let's see...... I picked up a copy of last week's Northwest Observer on Friday and took it with me to lunch, where I read both the Strickland letter and then Copeland response, while waiting on my lunch to arrive. After reading both letters, I wondered if Copeland was indeed responding to the same letter written by Becky Strickland which I had just read. It certainly didn't seem so to me then, nor does it now. The Copeland response headline read: "Athletic Fields Not "Dilapidated". I immediately thought to myself, Ms. Strickland NEVER said that. Copeland then goes on to assert: "The current balls fields are not in a dilapidated state as Ms. Strickland reports". Instantly, I thought again to myself, Strickland NEVER said that nor made 'that' statement either. I immediately went back to reread the Strickland letter and found that my recollections and instinct were indeed correct. She never made either statement attributed to her by the respondent. Where were the honest among the NWO readers or NWO Forum posters in not correcting this mistake or bringing it to light I wondered? What Strickland said was this: "What Mr. Copeland omitted is that SRA has been given a firm opportunity by this town and current council to rectify the dilapidated SITUATION with a reimbursement from the town." With all due respects to those who write, speak and understand the Good King's English, there is a world of difference between a dilapidated situation versus dilapidated athletic fields. Now personally, I might have chosen the word deplorable rather than dilapidated to describe a situation, but it is clear to most readers that what Copeland purports to be FACT, is in fact a false fabrication. One word can ignite a war or bring peace. One word can mean the difference in success or failure. One word can discern between victory or defeat. And one word can change the meaning of a poem, a lecture, a sermon or a sentence. Clearly, there would be a vast chasm of difference in understanding in the minds of most who would read of a dilapidated situation as compared to a dilapidated field. Copeland's further statement: "I spend town funds.......and now I believe I am being criticized for spending them wisely" seems to me to be without any objective foundation or support from a simple reading of the Strickland letter. I did not read nor could I find contained within the Strickland letter ANY criticism of Copeland for misspending town funds. If any of you can direct us to such criticism of misspending, please share that language from the Strickland letter here for the world to see. I simply cannot find it. Again, there appears to be an incorrect (albeit probably intended) characterization or misinterpretation of the Strickland comments or else an attempt to spin the situation to his own audience or purpose by the mischaracterization of the words of the proponent. Since my first exposure to this whole episode on Friday, I have waited and wondered when those who would argue for honesty and intellectual honesty would post their own critiques or clarification pointing out what is obvious propaganda, but not surprisingly, silence has been the mainstay. Not surprisingly, it was business as usual with no interest in facts nor truth. When Copeland decided to recklessly drive the vehicle of statement over the cliff, the rest of the passengers here simply jumped on board and cheered the ride unmindful of the danger ahead and the impending crash without ever questioning the roadmap or direction. I suppose the thinking being that the spin is mightier than the words. I do think personally, and from the responses I hear "out there" that the real winner in this public relations debacle, has been Becky Strickland, with Copeland the loser in the larger court of public opinion. What I as only one reader thinks about each of the two letters is not all that important in the grand scheme of things. What is important is how and what the other 25,000 or more readers of The Northwest Observer think or thought as they read the exact same words, statements and accusations that I did as they were published in the NWO. I recognize that is not what most of you want to hear, but hearing the truth means we have to sometimes abandon our own innate prejudices and see past our own bias in order to separate fact from fiction and fabrication from truth. Last edited on Mar 5th, 2007 07:52 pm by Jim Flynt |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Jim, the NWO did not share the Strickland letter. Last edited on Mar 5th, 2007 04:55 pm by Steve Adkins |
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Jim Flynt Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: Jim, the NWO did not share the Strickland letter. The larger issue is the blatant and intentional mischaracterization of what Strickland said. Which, by the way, no one here to my knowledge, ever tried to point out or correct. Which makes a statement in and of itself. As I suggested earlier, the public relations victory in the instant situation clearly belongs to Strickland. If you don't believe me, go out and talk to and poll the folks 'out there.' I do know a little bit about trees and one of the things I have learned, is that when some folks get too close to the trees, they lose sight of the forest. That happens from time to time with the best of us. Which I think is most particularly applicable here in the instant situation. At best, it is a difficult balancing act for most to see clearly both forest and trees, but it is a principle we would all be the wiser not to lose sight of in our search for both fact and truth. Last edited on Mar 5th, 2007 07:41 pm by Jim Flynt |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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This is a typical play with words just as Mrs Stickland did in say I implied something I never said. She did say a state of disrepair and spoke of a dilapidated situation. That is not what I spoke of during my 5 min. Jim she was responding to what I said in front of the Town council and I never spoke of any disrepair only that the fields were outdated and inadequate. Plus if she had any questions on monies spent all she had to do was ask myself or the Town administrator. Mrs Strickland said I implied something I never did or said. That was the problem. I asked the Town to move forward with the purchase of the "Friddle property" for athletic fields not anything Else! THAT'S THE FACTS!!! |
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bama80 Member
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I don't get it. I also thought the two letters were in conjunction. i didnt read them really except for the beginnings of each one. I thought the second one was sayig that it was in response to "the one above that was sent in email earlier" -or something like that. Just an FYI of what I perceived. |
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Jim Flynt Member
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Baseball Buddy wrote: This is a typical play with words I beg to disagree. My earlier post quoted verbatim that which was said in the Strickland letter AND what was published by The Northwest Observer and attributed to you. My quotes were verbatim extracted from each of the two letters published and I have not tried to interpret the words of either. My purpose and intent was merely to show the discrepancy between what was actually SAID in the Strickland letter with what YOU stated that Ms. Stickland said, which differs greatly with the facts from a simple reading of both letters as published. With a note, that I did and do make the assumption that both letters were printed and published exactly, precisely and verbatim as they were written and posted in actual copies of The Northwest Observer. The only play on words or attempts to play on words or parse words here, belong to you and not I. Assuming as well, that your letter in The Northwest Observer said what you meant and meant what you said. I trust that most readers would make that same assumption in their reading of each. |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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Jim Flynt worte this is his opinion I do think personally, and from the responses I hear "out there" that the real winner in this public relations debacle, has been Strickland with Copeland the loser in the larger court of public opinion. I know that is not what most of you want to hear, but hearing the truth sometimes means we have to abandon our own set of innate prejudices. This is the problem today there is too many us verses them and it gets nowhere. Why can't we just agree to disagree and move along for something positive. I was not looking for a winner or looser here JIM. The real looser will be Summerfield in the long run if this sort of thing keeps happening without people speaking up. Mrs. Strickland and the CC's group have not done 1 positive thing for Summerfield's youth. I do! And that's a fact. |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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The larger issue is the blatant and intentional mischaracterization of what Strickland said Jim my whole issue with Mrs. Strickland was for this reason. I think you got it backwards. If you would take the time and listen to what I said in front of the Town Council I never said what she said I did and I implied nothing. That's the facts!! GET IT !!?? Last edited on Mar 5th, 2007 06:13 pm by Baseball Buddy |
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FatPappy Member
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The outrage here should be over why Strickland didn't do her "due dilligence" and find out answers to her questions before she chose to "speak for" the mayor, the town administrator, and the rest of the council. Jay we appreciate all you do to he'p our young'uns. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Jim Flynt wrote: The larger issue is the blatant and intentional mischaracterization of what Strickland said. Your games with semantics are growing tiresome to say the least, Jim. They mirror the same "games" that we must suffer through at town council meetings. Strickland threw the first punch and bandied the word "dilapidated" about. I don't know why. It was seemingly a random attack on the SRA when in fact, there are some "tree huggers" in this little "forest" who feel that Mrs. Strickland was trying to create a smokescreen in order to stop the purchase of the Friddle property. Ever think about that??? She was "hot" to buy the tainted land on 220, to gain ballfields for Summerfield's children, but ONLY if it isn't in HER backyard. Your dialogue about it seems to be and extension of that smokescreen. A Crawford tactic if ever I've seen one. Perhaps if you had attended the council meeting and heard Jay's speech you would instead be saying to yourself, "Copeland never said that!" If you had been at the council meeting, you would have heard Mr. Copeland ask the council to move forward with the purchase of ballfields due to the number of children that the SRA services. He never mentioned money or lack thereof. Why would Ms. Strickland choose to attack him in about money? How can you NOT ask yourself this? Just like Strickland, you missed the point. Strickland's letter states: Mr. Copeland stated that, “[t]he ball fields SRA uses at Summerfield Elementary are inadequate and outdated” implying that Council has turned a blind eye to the plight but moreover safety of the children at play. What Mr. Copeland omitted is that SRA has been given a firm opportunity by this Town and current Council to rectify the dilapidated situation with reimbursement from the Town. IMPLYING??? What gives her the right to put words in Copeland's mouth??? Why do you fail to mention this? Jim Flynt wrote: Clearly, there would a vast chasm of difference in understanding in the minds of most who would read of a dilapidated situation as compared to a dilapidated field. Clear to whom? You threw up a lot of words in your post Jim but you failed to tell us the actual difference. What IS a "dilapidated situation" when one's referring to ballfields?
Strickland writes: Mr. Copeland and the SRA have only themselves to blame for the state of disrepair of the Summerfield Elementary school ball fields. Not the Town of Summerfield. The Town did its job; the SRA has not. That in effect is what the Town Mayor and Town Administrator should have said in response to his comments at the last regular Summerfield Town Council meeting. What gives her the right to speak for the Mayor and Town Administrator?? It is the policy of the Summerfield Town Council NOT to answer speakers from the floor. EVERYONE who attends council meetings know this. Ms. Strickland should have known this. Perhaps it was just ANOTHER "attempt to spin the situation to her own audience or purpose." It's one thing to have a differing opinion Jim, but it's another thing entirely to attack us and then turn around and call us friends. I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time keeping up with your mood swings. You're probably not reading this anyway since Cracker's not my "given" name. Last edited on Mar 5th, 2007 08:43 pm by Cracker Jax |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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"Mr. Copeland and the SRA have only themselves to blame for the state of disrepair of the Summerfield Elementary school ball fields. Not the Town of Summerfield. " I never heard Jay mention the school ball fields being in a state of disrepair. What I heard Jay say was they were "inadequate and outdated" some thing entirely different from "state of disrepair." Ballfields are something that has been of great concern for several years in the community. Why is Ms Strickland an elected official of Summerfield not aware of what the issues are in this concern? |
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EditorPS Administrator 
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Since the audio of Jay's presentation to the council is on the Friends For Summerfield Web site, I would suggest that everyone who is involved in this debate go there and listen to it -- the beauty of the audio is that it transforms the "What I heard or "What I thought I heard" to "What was said." Now, before I do this, I want to say that the purpose of this forum is not to promote the Friends for Summerfield Web site, the Concerned Citizens Web site, or anyone else's Web site. However, since the audio is stored on this site, here you go -- http://www.friendsforsummerfield.com. To listen to the audio of Jay's presentation, click on Scrapbook once there, then audio recordings of the 2-13-07 town council meeting. |
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macca Member
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I just listened to those two speeches... BTW: Nice job to both Steve and Jay! I didn't hear what Strickland said Jay said... I heard that the ballfields, which are property of Guilford County Schools, are indadequate and outdated -- nothing about "dilapidated." I heard an eloquent plea for Town Council members to take action now to make Summerfield a place that provides for its children, and thus, its future. |
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macca Member
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Just remembered something I meant to include in prior post... At the very end of the taped segment (Jay's), it sounds as though someone (female voice) said "Point of order" after he asked that those who supported him to please stand. What was that about? Oh, and regarding public officials not responding to speakers during their time set aside to address issues, I've been to meetings where speakers implore the officials to respond and have heard the officials say that under the law they are not allowed to do so. In the few instances when they have, I've seen them consult with legal counsel first. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Ms Strickland called a "Point Of Order" on the audience?, Jay? for standing up in support of the need for ball fields. NWO had a good article on it week before last I believe. The 5 minute "speaker from the floor" time at the beginning of the meeting I always thought was a time for the council to find out what's on the public's mind. It is not a public forum. Nobody is sworn in. It is a time for us the public to hopefully get our council's attention about what we think is important. I think having people stand up in support of a speaker is probably much better use of time as everybody didn't have to speak but if it is a problem I guess everybody who supports a subject could get up and take their 5 minutes too so as to not get a "point of order" thrown at them. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Basically Macca, Strickland saying "point of order" means nothing other than it's a little signal to us that we've gotten under her skin. Now if Mayor Brown says "point of order" for some reason, then we need to pay attention... And it was notable that Strickland didn't call "point of order" on Citizen Dunham when she refused to listen to the mayor when he told her that her 5 minutes were up. Last edited on Mar 6th, 2007 11:53 am by Cracker Jax |
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Skiddles Member
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Ms. Strickland wrote:"Mr. Copeland and the SRA have only themselves to blame for the state of disrepair of the Summerfield Elementary School ball fields – not the Town of Summerfield. The town did its job; the SRA has not." My response to Ms. Strickland is, my children have now played for 12 years on the Summerfield Elementary School ball fields and I have never witnessed any disrepair of ball fields. To the contrary, I have witnessed nothing but hard working volunteers that have put many, many hours of their time and effort making these facilities well kept, clean and safe for our children. I take issue with Ms. Strickland's letter and find it offesive. Thank you SRA for offering a fine program for our children. Last edited on Mar 6th, 2007 02:15 pm by Skiddles |
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SaltyDog Member
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On soapbox: Once you get past the personal styles of various members of the advisarial groups in Summerfield isn't the real disagreement about public versus private funding of community projects? I think it is possible for reasonable persons to be in favor of community ballfields, parks and amphitheaters but against public funding of some or all of those projects. I also think it is possible for reasonable persons to be in favor of public funding of such projects. We see large city, state and national governments wrestle with these same issues on a larger scale. Should the City of Greensboro fund renovations of the coliseum? - I think it did. Should the city fund building a new baseball stadium - I think it was mostly private funds. These are issues of legitimate debate where reasonable people can disagree but the battles should be fought with the power of persuasive and factual arguments. Disagreeing with your advisaries because you are not convinced by their arguments is legitimate. Disagreeing with your advisaries simply because they are your advisaries or simply because you want to win is counterproductive. I would hope that the "win at any cost" attitudes we see so much of in politics does not take root here in Summerfield. Off soapbox. Last edited on Mar 6th, 2007 02:28 pm by SaltyDog |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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Well said Salty |
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Skiddles Member
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SaltyDog wrote: I would hope that the "win at any cost" attitudes we see so much of in politics does not take root here in Summerfield. I agree! |
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Jim Flynt Member
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SaltyDog wrote:
Amen Salty. You give voice to the truth. From the words of a sermon from Dr. Martin Luther King: I would like to use as a subject from which to preach this morning: "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution." The text for the morning is found in the book of Revelation. There are two passages there that I would like to quote, in the sixteenth chapter of that book: "Behold I make all things new; former things are passed away." I am sure that most of you have read that arresting little story from the pen of Washington Irving entitled "Rip Van Winkle." The one thing that we usually remember about the story is that Rip Van Winkle slept twenty years. But there is another point in that little story that is almost completely overlooked. It was the sign in the end, from which Rip went up in the mountain for his long sleep. When Rip Van Winkle went up into the mountain, the sign had a picture of King George the Third of England. When he came down twenty years later the sign had a picture of George Washington, the first president of the United States. When Rip Van Winkle looked up at the picture of George Washington—and looking at the picture he was amazed—he was completely lost. He knew not who he was. And this reveals to us that the most striking thing about the story of Rip Van Winkle is not merely that Rip slept twenty years, but that he slept through a revolution. While he was peacefully snoring up in the mountain a revolution was taking place that at points would change the course of history—and Rip knew nothing about it. He was asleep. Yes, he slept through a revolution. And one of the great liabilities of life is that all too many people find themselves living amid a great period of social change, and yet they fail to develop the new attitudes, the new mental responses, that the new situation demands. They end up sleeping through a revolution. |
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PaulS Member
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ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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I am very disappointed by the negative report in the News and record this morning on the land aquisition several years ago by Bob Williams. I wonder does Mr. Crawford feel that the town would be better served by people who didn't live here or maybe people who don't want Summerfield to progress. Lots of people own property in the core of Summerfield should they be ban from being on the council because they might have a vested interest in the growth and development of the down town area? There was absolutely no thought of ball fields on that end of Summerfield road when Mr. Williams bought his property. Oh and I know 4 other left handed people who have bought property in the last few years in the core area of Summerfield. Wonder if they are in on the conspiracy that Mr. Crawford feels is be foisted on the citizens of Summerfield? To carry this logic? a bit further should we maybe have an ordinance forbidding left handed people from running for office in Summerfield? Thank you Bob for your hard work and unselfish volunteering of your time to make summerfield a better place for all of us. |
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FatPappy Member
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DOGGETTJA wrote:Thank you Bob for your hard work and unselfish volunteering of your time to make summerfield a better place for all of us. Pappy'll second that, Jane. We do appreciate you, Bob! ***NEWS FLASH*** The results Crawford has obtained from his "ethics smell test" may be skewed by his own stink. Last edited on Mar 7th, 2007 06:45 pm by FatPappy |
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bama80 Member
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I just read the story online and my reaction as a non-involved party would be "so what?". If I didnt know any better, I would not react to the story at all. Crawford showed his side and Williams showed his. At the end of the article, I really wasnt convinced williams did anything wrong. I didnt think the article was particularly negative- just pointless to air the SFTC's laundry (dirty or not- has yet to be decided). In other words, News and Record, don't waste my time and your paper space with this trash until there's a real outcome or issue going on. They don't report when someone calls and says "so and so has a gun in their house so I bet they have committed a crime". They wait until theres obvious evidence of the crime and then they report the crime. (bad analogy I know but i wasn't going to sit here all day to think of one) anyway, don't waste my time until there's somethign worth reporting. --puuuhhhleasse. -oh wait. this is the news and record. useless garbage anyway- I think I'd use pine cones and poison ivy before I would use the N&R if I was stuck in a bind. haha. Last edited on Mar 7th, 2007 06:09 pm by bama80 |
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Steve Adkins Member
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DOGGETTJA wrote: Thank you Bob for your hard work and unselfish volunteering of your time to make summerfield a better place for all of us. Ditto Jane & Pappy I posted a comment under the GRR article to let folks know Councilman Crawford is just proud of Councilman Williams, and wants to ensure he gets appropriate recognition. It's all I can figure out from the article???? |
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FatPappy Member
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Pappy was happy to see a response from the mayor in support o' "well-respected community volunteers" Jay Copeland an' Tom Valent. That letter was in the latest NWO, by the way. Last edited on Mar 8th, 2007 11:24 pm by FatPappy |
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Hairbrush Member
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Good to the mayor. I know that took a lot of guts but it was the right thing to do. I hate that a citizen of this town has to write a letter defending himself for doing nothing wrong. I thought Tom did a great job with his letter also. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Just saw Jane on TV!!!!! She was on Channel 14 talkin' about the Manager/Council form of government. They also interviewed a man at the barber shop who said that he was in support of the change. He said that he didn't like the way things were moving so s-l-o-w-l-y in our town. Woo Hoo Jane! Good Job! |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Thanks Cracker- Did I sound fairly knowledgeable? He actually asked some very good questions so I could explain our position. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I think you sounded great! Made lots of sense to me! I actually saw it three or four times... it was on in the background all afternoon. They had some nice shots of Summerfield (Park sign, Gordon's store, Brittan Bldg. etc) and they informed everyone that it would be on the council's agenda on Tuesday. You're a star!!!!! |
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FatPappy Member
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Woo Hoo! Pappy'll hafta check it out. Let's see...14, that's ten fingers an' four toes, right? |
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Skiddles Member
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DOGGETTJA wrote: Thanks Cracker- Did I sound fairly knowledgeable? He actually asked some very good questions so I could explain our position. Scuba Jane is now our own local TV star. You did a great job! |
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macca Member
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Is she on the Public Access Channel? The one that runs the Board of Ed meetings, etc? |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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Macca I think so. I have Direct TV so I can't see it. I gave him the history on some of the buildings and advised him to go and see the park but I guess you can't get everything in. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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No on the public access channel thing... I think you're talkin' about channel13 the government access channel. Public access is channel 8, and TV 14 is called NC14 Carolina... It's a time warner news channel that runs all day like a local CNN. |
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FatPappy Member
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Scuba Jane's mass communicatin'! Lookin' good, SJ, an' lookin' good Summerfield! It's on the FFS website. http://friendsforsummerfield.com/scrapbook-p1.html#anchornews14jane Last edited on Mar 11th, 2007 12:09 am by FatPappy |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Dear Friends Late this week, it was made known that Becky Strickland and Gail Dunham had written letters to Ms Kathy White at the Recreational Resource Services asking the PARTF grant funds for the park Phase II be denied. Copies of the letters are available. (Note: if anybody wants a copy, send me a PM with your email address) While this news is disappointing, let's keep in mind Friends For Summerfield is a POSITIVE organization dedicated to fact based responses of negative or incorrect information. We support the park, and want to take appropriate action to see the grant approved. We do not support or recommend a "positive letter writing campaign" to RRS at this time. FFS leadership team will be following the developments over the next few days, and after more information is available, will assess what positive actions we may take as FFS, and will certainly keep you informed. Yours for a better Summerfield Steve Adkins Last edited on Mar 11th, 2007 05:37 pm by Steve Adkins |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Reminder..........Outing at Summerfield Fire Station #9 Thursday night 7 pm. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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I had the best time tonight at the Summerfield Fire department. Troy, Chris, Chief Boykin, just to name a few that were there, showed the FFS a great time. The new trucks are phenomenal. The guys answered a lot of my concerns about the burn building and it proximity to the school. We should feel much safer about our community with these dedicated people watching out for us. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I enjoyed that field trip too Jane! Woo Hoo!!! What a nice bunch of fellas! That Brian is a HOOT! Shane, Enson and the young man who told me what a "class A" fire was I learned a lot about the burn building too. I had mixed feelings on it before going to the presentation. On one hand I was concerned about the smoke and the proximity to the school, but on the other hand I wanted our firefighters to have the best possible training. After seeing examples of burn buildings and how they work, I feel a lot better about it now. I'm gonna make it a point to start droppin' in from time to time to see what new gadgets they have and what improvements they've made. I'm real proud of all of our fire fighters! I think the message they most wanted to get out to the public by inviting us to visit was that they are here for us and they encourage visitors. They really want the community members to stop in and see all that they have to offer, so drop in and see them! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Just went hunting and found the website for the Summerfield Fire Department. I've never been there before I don't think..... http://www.summerfieldfire.com/index.php REALLY nice site! Lots of info! Be sure to check out the FAQ page!!! |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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Coming from a military family as I have makes me think of things differently. When listening to people talk of the Burning building training center I can only think of one thing. This is a training facility for our soldiers to have the best training possible to make it back home alive when the real thing hits. If this saves or helps to save only 1 life no amount of money is too much! Period. I support the Firemen for this reason. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Very well said Baseball Buddy!!! |
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FatPappy Member
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That's great bunch o' people at the fire department. Summerfield's luckier than most folks know. Pappy has larned a thang er two 'bout burn buildin's. I'm a-thinkin' the pros o' havin' one where they been talkin' 'bout puttin' it outweigh the cons by a wide margin. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Good Job to Beth Kaplan in this weeks NWO with the fact based positive response to the recent mailing by Gail Dunham. Well written !!! |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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Great turn out at the Town Council meeting. A lot of FFS came out for support. Let's keep on keep'n on. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Reminder Friends For Summerfield meeting tonight (5 June) at Adkins home 7 pm. Agenda is on the website http://www.friendsforsummerfield.com. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Reminder Summerfield Town Council Meeting tonight 6:30 pm During Public Meeting on Change of Government, we'd like as many as possible to stand up and ask the council "I would respectfully ask the Town Council to vote to put this item to referendum in the November elections, so I may exercise my democratic right to vote on it" This is deliberately worded to simply ask the TC to put it to referendum, so the people may decide if they want it or not. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: During Public Meeting on Change of Government, we'd like as many as possible to stand up and ask the council Congratulations to Summerfield, we asked our Town Council for this action, and they voted to put the issue to referendum. Now Friends For Summerfield, time to shift gears and educate the voters why the change to a Manager Council government is the right thing for Summerfield. |
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S. Smith Moderator
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Steve Adkins wrote: Steve Adkins wrote:During Public Meeting on Change of Government, we'd like as many as possible to stand up and ask the council I could be wrong, but it seems to me this is basically going to end up being a Concerned Citizens vs. Friends for Summerfield issue (I think the council elections could end up being the same thing). As I see it, the Concerned Citizens or those who generally think like them will believe it is not a good idea because it adds another layer of bureaucracy to town govenment, gives less power to the council, etc. The Friends for Summerfield will argue that it is a good idea because it will streamline government, give the manager more decisionmaking power on day-to-day things, and force the council to look at the "big picture" rather than the minutia. What do you guys think? |
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FatPappy Member
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I vote fer streamlined an' lettin' the expert manager an' staff deal with the minutia. As long as people hear both sides in a unbiased way an' reach a informed decision before they vote an' don't get swayed by the personalities involved rather than the facts, than that's all anybody can ask fer. One thing I've heard Strickland say is that under the manager-council form, the council members could be personally liable in some instances if a bad decision is made by the manager. What I'm wonderin' is, under the present system, is there no similar possibility of personal liability? |
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Steve Adkins Member
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S. Smith wrote: I could be wrong, but it seems to me this is basically going to end up being a Concerned Citizens vs. Friends for Summerfield issue (I think the council elections could end up being the same thing). Those arguments in your 2nd paragraph have already been made, and will continue to be made, so that part of your statement is probably correct. Friends for Summerfield will educate based on the facts, encourage voters to vote, and let the people decide. FFS will NOT send mailings around with half truths and skewed facts to confuse people (which the CC's are known for). |
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Jim Flynt Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: S. Smith wrote:I could be wrong, but it seems to me this is basically going to end up being a Concerned Citizens vs. Friends for Summerfield issue (I think the council elections could end up being the same thing). Sandra, with this first shot from one side, looks like the next political campaign between the CC's and FFS that you imagined has just started. They're off and running! Yee Haw. We knew it would happen! Last edited on Jun 16th, 2007 09:00 pm by Jim Flynt |
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FatPappy Member
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Steve Adkins wrote:Friends for Summerfield will educate based on the facts, encourage voters to vote, and let the people decide. FFS will NOT send mailings around with half truths and skewed facts to confuse people (which the CC's are known for). Music to Pappy's ears, Steve! |
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Baseball Buddy Member
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FFS is a positive, fact based, no half truths, educate the people on the subject group. The CC's are not. Just view the mailers you get from them and research what is printed. Half the story or some type of conspiracy. The CC's send out mailers just days before a vote containing lies and skewed figures on budget items. Not to mention always putting fear into people of raising TAXES. When in fact taxes have been lowered. Now what we have before us is NOT another layer of bureaucracy but just a change of roles from administrator to manager. The council will still have the power but will not have to micro manage all the functions of the Town. This will free up some time for council to work on more important issues. Maybe some of the council members will have some free time for a hobby such as baseball. |
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FatPappy Member
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FatPappy wrote:One thing I've heard Strickland say is that under the manager-council form, the council members could be personally liable in some instances if a bad decision is made by the manager. What I'm wonderin' is, under the present system, is there no similar possibility of personal liability? Well, Pappy, as near as I can figger, the personal liability of council members seems to be about the same under both systems. It doesn't seem to be a significant factor against the council-manager system. |
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S. Smith Moderator
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FatPappy wrote: FatPappy wrote: Pappy, Are you talking to yourself??? I honestly don't know if the personal liability issue is a valid argument against the council-manager system or if it is the same under either system of government. Is there a lawyer in the house? |
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FatPappy Member
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Not only talkin' to myse'f, but answerin', too. I'm not a expert on this stuff by any means, so if anybody else has better intel, I'll be more than happy to look at it. Yeah, me too. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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There will be a Friends For Summerfield meeting at Steve & Deb Adkins house Tuesday 7 August @ 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Address 7591 Cassidy Way, Summerfield. Patti Stokes of the NWO will be attending the meeting, to discuss the particulars of how to hold a Summerfield candidates forum, ie at the Summerfield Park, as has been discussed in other topics here. All who would be interested in helping in such a public forum are invited to attend. Your anonymous forum identities will not be discussed, unless you choose to do so. Jane Doggett will be chairing the meeting in my absence, as I will be in the air headed to Mexico on business at that hour. My wife will be here, our home is still available. |
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FatPappy Member
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That sounds good, Steve. I hope there's a lot o' interest in comin' out to hear the candidates. |
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Steve Adkins Member
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Agreed Pappy I should also say.......we want ALL who are interested in participating to attend. Even if aren't even interested in participating with FFS, you are still welcome to attend if you'd like to help out with the candidates forum. I am looking forward to this event, and also hope we have good participation from all the candidates. |
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DOGGETTJA Member
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The FFS had a good meeting last night. A good turn out for the middle of summer. We have approached the NWO and offered to help with the meet the candidates. Patty Stokes came last night and we brain stormed a plan for the event. It is a pretty ambitious plan to hold it in the park. Because of the number of candidates involved this year the timing is going to be tight. Hope anybody who is interesting in helping will notfiy either the FFS website or Patty Stokes. Hopefully we will have a good turn out so all the candidates get spotlighted and people get to meet them. FFS will continue to pursue the grant for the money to support the Manager/candidate referendum on the ballot in November. The TC will officially vote to have it put on the ballot on Tuesday night. There will be another public hearing. It is a timing issue and the public hearing can not be more than 90 days before the election. Having another public hearing this month and voting to put it on the ballot means the vote will be held in November along with the vote for Town Council seats. Come Tuesday night and stand up and ask the council to put it on the ballot for people to vote on. |
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