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July 08, 2008

Synthesis with NC A&T moves horse park forward

County Manager Tom Robinson says building regional support for the Rockingham County equestrian center is what made the difference in receiving money this year from the General Assembly.

That and a sharp eye from state Rep. Nelson Cole.

The legislature approved $2.4 million to be spent on the Horse Park of the South, the name for a long sought equestrian center slated to be built near the intersection of U.S. 29 and Barnes Street in Reidsville.

Continue reading "Synthesis with NC A&T moves horse park forward" »

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 11:30 AM | | Comments (0)

July 06, 2008

State budget gives Rockingham County horse park a cash infusion

According to GNR's insightful Raleigh reporter, Mark Binker, the budget deal reached this week includes $2.4 million in borrowing to get Rockingham County's equestrian center moving forward again.

According to the county's business plan for the center, $3.25 million is in hand for construction costs. This new money will put the county about half-way to the $10 million estimated cost of building the center.

The business plan looks very solid and anticipates a net surplus of revenue generated by the center after three years.

County Manager Tom Robinson has listed this project as one of three critical to the local economy. Robinson has told me that if local leaders could get the horse park and the NC 68 connector projects completed, he believed the county could "stand on its own" in terms of other economic development projects.

I personally believe the equestrian center is a vital point in amplifying the culture of creativity many small business owners have kick started in Eden, Reidsville and the county.

Pursuing the NC 68 connector could kick start a large trend in heavy industrial development in the western half of the county, to provide needed political balance in securing local unanimity on the equestrian center.

This looks like good news.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 02:38 PM | | Comments (1)

June 24, 2008

Rockingham County Democratic Party snubs state election law

According to the NC Board of Elections, the Rockingham County Democratic Party failed to file a required campaign finance report by Friday's deadline as demanded in a warning letter dated May 16.

The report was due in April, and after the deadline was missed, the SBOE sent county Chairman Royce Richardson a warning letter demanding that he comply by June 20.

That was not done either, and so now the Rockingham County Democratic Party's active status has been suspended. *See update.

They will also be required to remit a previously waived $500 fine, and will likely be assessed another $500 fine if and when they do file the report that was due April 28.

Why regional and local media have failed to pick up on this story is beyond me. I guess if the local Democratic Party sent them a press release, like the sheriff does, and spoon fed them the information, it would make the paper.

Somehow, I doubt that will happen.

*UPDATED 11:35 a.m.:

I just received a call from Adam Reagan at 11:26 am. He said they received the RockCo Dems report in the mornings mail. He said, thus, they would recall the active status termination letter (since it would have been reactivated when the local party filed the report) but that since the local party already received a fine waiver this election cycle they would be issuing a fine assessment in a week or so. The local party will have to pay both the waived fine and the new fine.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 08:38 AM | | Comments (0)

June 16, 2008

Rockingham County Democrats ignore campaign finance laws

The Reidsville Review will tomorrow be publishing a letter I sent them last week.

It relates to the local Democratic Party's inability to abide by state campaign finance laws over the past 18 months.

Related links can be found here and here.

Interested parties can keep track of the Rockingham County Democratic Party's compliance via this link. 

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 01:37 PM | | Comments (0)

June 08, 2008

Popular Eden doctor, school board member dies suddenly

Dr. Jim Austin, a popular physician in Eden and an at-large member of the Rockingham County
School Board, passed away at his home this morning.

Austin was elected to the board in the 2006 expansion. He garnered the most votes in the
election, which featured 13 candidates running for five positions.

Early reports indicate that Austin was at home by himself this morning and fell ill. He was able
to dial 911 but passed away.

Board member Nell Rose said she was very saddened at the news. Rose said Superintendent Rodney Shotwell relayed the news to board members in the early afternoon.

"(Austin) had a lot to contribute and its hard to believe he is gone. I feel sad for his wife
and his parents and his children," Rose said. She added that Austin's wife is a media specialist
at Morehead High School, where his youngest daughter is a student. Austin has two more college
aged daughters.

"He was caring and I had a lot of respect for him," Rose said. "He had such  high expectations
for himself and others and he wanted to provide opportunities for students in and out of the
classroom."

Board chair Elaine McCollum amplified Rose's statements.

"It's a real personal loss to me. He has been very supportive and given me a lot of advice that
I well received. I am personally going to miss him very much," said McCollum. "As a board
member he thought out of the box a lot and I admired him a great deal."

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 08:28 PM | | Comments (0)

June 03, 2008

The (growing) hole in Rockingham County's budget

If you can't make it to tonight's public hearing on the RockCo budget, here is Tom Robinson's budget message (.pdf link).

What sticks out to me is this whopper on the critical link between the habit local people have of shopping in GSO and Danville (and now Alamance Crossing) and the loss of sales tax revenue to the county budget:


*Additionally, the change in the distribution of the Article 40 sales tax from per capita to point-of-distribution is a huge loss in revenue for the County compared to many other counties.  Many of our citizens travel to Greensboro to shop.  Urban counties, such as Guilford, will see a major gain in sales tax revenue from this change while rural counties like Rockingham will see a major loss in revenue.  The former ½ cent Article 40 per capita sales tax used to bring almost as much revenue as the full 1 cent Article 39 point-of-distribution sales tax.  Now this Article 40 sales tax will be distributed on a point-of-distribution basis and the amount of revenue it will bring in will be substantially reduced.*


I think the onus is on local retailers to improve the quality of experience for the consumer and give them a reason to shop local. Sure we don't have Target and Olive Garden, but there is a market for local dollars if the business owner steps up and provides a similar atmosphere and experience.

We already lose 35 percent of the average sales tax revenue for a county our size. Now with another portion of the sales tax shifting to point-of-distribution who knows how much more we stand to lose.

Government cannot solve this problem. Only the free market can.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:35 AM | | Comments (0)

May 29, 2008

Awesome jazz guitarist to play for free Saturday night

My friend Phil Sparks will be performing his masterful jazz guitar work on Saturday evening  at 7 p.m.

He will be playing for free at Backstreet Buzz Coffee House, 234 SW Market St., Reidsville. 348-2899.

I am here to tell you that if you like jazz or the guitar, Phil is the man for you.

I met him two years ago at the local music shop. I saw this guy working the fretboard in a way I had never seen in person and had to let him know how impressed I was. Phil is as humble and friendly as he is talented.

Backstreet Buzz is Reidsville's new coffee house and is a great place to get that big city feel in this little old town.

For my 15 or so readers in Greensboro, this event is well worth the 25 minute drive up US 29.

If you need directions, just leave me a comment.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 07:11 AM | | Comments (0)

March 25, 2008

What the majority of RockCo commissioners fail to grasp

Last night I attended a county commissioners meeting in which they discussed spending public money to produce a pamphlet intended to convince the public to vote in favor of a quarter-cent sales tax increase in RockCo.

At the end of a spirited debate, the county manager, Tom Robinson, whom I admire and respect, stated that the staff's recommended pamphlet went beyond the statutory intent of "education" of citizens into the realm of "advocacy."

For the county manager to admit to this in a public meeting, to me, was incredulous.

But Tom Robinson is an honorable man and I am sure the dynamic duo of Robinson and Eugene Russell, county attorney, will come back to the board next week with a pamphlet that is more in line with the legislature's intent.

However, Robinson's admission paled in comparison to the abdication of fiscal responsibility by the majority of the board.

It's not just that there is more than $20 million in discretionary spending in the county's current budget.

It's not just that the county several years ago added a staff position aimed at creating budget efficiency and moving the county toward budgeting for outcomes, yet later decided not to pursue such a disciplined policy, yet decided to keep the staff member and ignore his recommendations.

No, it goes far beyond that.

I just think it boils down to two sides. On one side are the fiscal conservatives who believe in less government and less spending. This side also believes in individual responsibility to self, family and community.

The other side is, in the end, collectivist. There is no other way to state it plainly. They believe it takes a village and that government should provide stop gaps for the collapse of the family.

No government band aid can make up for the collapse of the family as the basic giver of self-identity. One-hundred DARE officers in local schools will not make up for absent parents who can't take the time to imbue in their offspring the discipline needed to stay focused on success.

A dozen bright shiny schools in this county will not make our students better, nor help them do their homework. Abraham Lincoln and countless other American icons went to school in one room shacks.

Bobby Stanley said over and over last night that "it takes buildings folks."

No, Bobby, it takes self-reliance and gumption. That's what is lacking in Rockingham County.

No amount of money spent by the government can make up for that. Forty years of The Great Society has proven that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 06:32 AM | | Comments (0)

February 26, 2008

The hole in Rockingham County's budget

I secured a set of budget documents from Rockingham County administrators last week. My thanks to Tom Robinson, Ginger Waynick, Mike Apple and Adam Lindsay.

The stack is thick and contains too much data for my little head.

But one thing, among many, sticks out.

Continue reading "The hole in Rockingham County's budget" »

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:21 PM | | Comments (0)

February 25, 2008

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad

It's all about the people.

Word is that Media General has completed their staff consolidations between the three papers in Rockingham County and the mothership in Danville, Va.

A well placed source states that the news operation will leave four staffers in RockCo to cover the county for the Reidsville, Eden and Madison papers. Another friend tells me that the news operation has two reporters, one each for Eden and Reidsville, with no plans to make new hires.

"They're not telling us anything."

In recent years, MG has gutted the local production staff, the press operation, circulation and composition and molded their functions with the staff in Danville. Some staff moved to Danville, only to be subsequently laid off.

So now MG is faced with owning three newspaper buildings in prominent locations in the above cities, each with one news reporter and a lone editor in county to oversee the staff. Sports has an editor in Reidsville and a staffer in Danville. I think the photographer remains, as does the news clerk who, when the reporter and photog are out gathering news, will sit alone in the Reidsville newsroom that used to be home to 12 people.

I'm not sure what the ad sales staffing situation is, but common sense tells me that a retreat of functions across state lines can't be good for the local marketability of the product.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:30 AM | | Comments (0)

Reality

Come on and celebrate.

$497 billion and counting.

Tradeoffs 2007: 

142,451,458 Homes with Renewable Electricity

 

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 07:21 AM | | Comments (0)

February 23, 2008

Trent charged with "continuous criminal enterprise"

GNR's Mark Binker pulls together the deep threads surrounding George "Butch" Trent's arrest this week in Reidsville on charges of running a "continuous criminal enterprise" involving illegal video poker machines.

I wonder which local news outlet will be first to get the search warrant and let us know why Trent, a well heeled, well connected Reidsville icon, was charged with felony criminal enterprise in addition to the simple misdemeanor of possession of video poker machines.

The affidavit of the search warrant normally lays out the investigators case in plain language, and that should be easy for any of the area's professional journalists to get their hands on.

It's unfortunate for Trent, a close friend of Reidsville City Councilman and former Mayor Clark Turner, to get caught up in this sweep. But his documented history of being a proponent of video poker puts him behind the eight ball off the bat in the eyes of public opinion.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 08:22 PM | | Comments (0)

February 13, 2008

Rockingham County commissioners should "lead or leave"

I attended a county budget workshop on Friday and came away pretty disgusted. I have plans to write several items about the budget process, but I am not certain there is any real point.

And I hate giving up.

But when I heard one commissioner say off the bat that he was "comfortable" with the budget numbers recommended by the county manager, I was dumbfounded.

County Manager Tom Robinson presented some preliminary numbers that project a budget shortfall that would require a 1.7 cent tax rate increase this year.

The commissioner, Harold Bass, spent the next hour dodging and weaving away from any effort by Chairman Bert Jones to push the board toward a process of examining the budget for areas to examine for savings.

Even Amelia Dallas recommended a process of examining the budget for duplication and savings.

But Bass made no effort to support that intent, nor did he show any sign of concern for even working toward a more efficient budget.

I'm not trying to be hard on Harold Bass. I like him a lot. I was just disappointed at what I saw and heard on Friday.

I could only stay for an hour at the session while on my lunch break, so I missed the second half of the meeting.

As has been reported, the board did vote to have a sales tax referendum put on the ballot. That has small chance of passing the scrutiny of voters.

I have a request in with the county for several budget related items, but I have yet to receive them.

One projection mentioned at the meeting was the tax rate elevating into the mid-70 cent range in coming years, despite a revaluation, which usually entails a rate decrease.

Tom Robinson stated he did not recommend the budget remain "revenue neutral" in those years and he and Bert Jones had brief discussion about the merits of revenue neutral budgets in years of revaluation.

I was able to receive a copy of a detailed excel spread sheet from Adam Lindsay, the county's performance budgeting manager.

The spread sheet is full of areas voters need to examine in order to give their elected representatives feedback of what spending priorities we have as a county.

There is a detailed explanation of the chart in tab 1 of the document, and tabs 2-4 break down the budget by category. Also included is a brief summary of the methodology behind the charts.

View the detailed list of county services here.

Bottom line is that there is some $22 million in discretionary spending in the county budget.

Real leaders should be able to find at least $1 million in savings in that large of a haystack.

If we get to June 30 and the board is unable to give Tom Robinson a clear consensus on the county's spending priorities then that can only be seen as a significant failure on the part of our elected leaders in Rockingham County. It is not the paid staff's job to make the tough decisions. It is the job of those elected by the people to reflect the will of the people.

I say lead or leave.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:36 AM | | Comments (2)

February 06, 2008

"Things they carried"

Of interest from the Rockingham County Sheriff:

*Since January 8th of this year, Mid State Security has been in place at the Rockingham County Courthouse. 

Sheriff Page, requested information about this new security process. 

Sheriff Page stated, “I am pleased with our working relationship with Mid State Security, and I believe the addition has been most effective. I appreciate the commissioner’s efforts in addressing security concerns for the courthouse.”

    * Since January 8th, there have been 12,750 visitors.
    * Response has been made to 2 medical emergencies.
    * Mid State Security has recovered 23 chemical sprays (mace/pepper spray)
    * 1 stun gun
    * 9 box cutters
    * 450 knives (36 recovered on 2-4-08)
    * 24 other instruments denied (scissors, screw drivers, etc.)*

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 12:59 PM | | Comments (0)

February 04, 2008

House Republican Leader Paul Stam visits Reidsville

I had the opportunity to meet Rep. Paul Stam, Republican leader in the state house, this weekend. Stam was very energetic about the state GOP's 50/50 chances of taking the majority this year.

The main problem, according to Stam, is a lack of candidates for the GOP.

I think the party is still reeling from unnecessary internal division. The state GOP must do a better job of defining itself and making its positions known to middle-class and blue collar voters.

Being in the same room with Stam and state Sen. Phil Berger made me realize that the GOP has admirable leaders to rally around.

The NC Republican Party must build grassroots networks to sustain itself and grow future leaders, or it will continue to be marginalized, even in spite of Democratic corruption.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 10:17 AM | | Comments (0)

January 14, 2008

Strength

In case you glossed over this story, GNR's Jonnelle Davis writes a moving piece about Jasper Nicholson's struggle following a tragic wreck in which his friend and mine was killed and Jasper critically injured.

The incident continues to weigh heavy on many hearts.

It wasn't until late last year that I realized I knew Jasper's father, Earl, through his work as a referee in local YMCA basketball leagues.

Earl is a fine man, and his son's path to recovery a symbol of the family's strength.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 07:27 AM | | Comments (0)

January 09, 2008

Media General revamps the bell curve

Media General stock has lost about half its value since November 2007, that is after losing the first half of its value in the two years prior.

MG employees with huge IRA and 401k holdings of MG stock are beginning to revolt.

With the stock tanking below 20 just after Christmas, J. Stewart Bryan III exercised an option on more than 20,000 shares at a price of $31.44. That's $638,000 if you are keeping score.

*With Media General management slamming the door to the board for any large shareholder it makes it impossible for the retail investor to buy MEG. The funds and money managers are dumping this stock every day. Anyone that buys in get their head handed back to them on a silver platter. I can't understand the reason behind the 2 tier system. They will keep their 2 tier system with the class A shares selling for about 5 bucks. These assholes don't give a @#$% about anyone or anything. I'm selling all my MEG that I have bought MEG in my IRA for over 20 years and I paid much higher prices. Management can stick them up their ass. @#$% them all. 7-Jan-08 05:13 pm harley_riding_dude*

*I can put it into other funds. I paid a much higher price for the MEG I bought. I’ve paid over $37.00 for the entire period for the stock. It's half that now. I hate to sell MEG and go into a fund just when the market is starting to tank because of recession worries. I've known for some while that the internet was hurting MEG but this last 3 months have been brutal. I just haven't had a good opportunity to make the move. A small bounce. Management has not responded in any way. Sell the TV stations and pay down debt for Christ’s sake. Get rid of the 2 tier system so the large holder can participate in the decisions of the company. Get off your fat asses before MEG trades in the single digits. Maybe that is what they want so they can take the company private. 8-Jan-08 09:38 am harley_riding_dude*

No matter how bad the employees future looks, you can always rest in the comfort of knowing that J Stew's MG stock is down to a value of about $9 million, from $17 million in November 2007 and about $40 million in 2005.

That's some fancy bell curve you got going on there Stew.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:22 AM | | Comments (0)

January 03, 2008

MEG stock continues to tank

As Media General stock falls below 1992 levels, closing today at 17.15, as opposed to a 52-week high of 43 and more than 70 in 2005, this comment was seen and heard on the MEG message board at Yahoo finance concerning who was driving the sell off:

*It could be Harbert Management Corp, Gabelli, who knows. One thing is for sure. Media General Management has really upset someone. They have denied everyone that is not on the inside a board seat. These funds own the biggest majority of MEG class A shares. The little bit of class B the management owns holds all the voting rights for the board.

When will Media General management wake up??????????????
Do they even care that their long time employees and shareholders are losing everything? I don't think so.
They are hell bent to do whatever they damn well please. They don't appear to care if the stock hits $1.00 as long as they have absolute control of the board.

These assholes own it to the employees to do something to stop this freefall.

EARTH TO MEG MANAGEMENT. IS ANYONE THERE? harley_riding_dude*

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:16 PM | | Comments (0)

December 21, 2007

GSO's thirst pays for new Reidsville Market Park

Artist's rendering of new Market Park in Reidsville.
Via Reidsville Downtown Corp.:

*On Thursday, Nov. 29th, the Reidsville City Council, by a 6-0 vote, approved a budget ordinance amendment to appropriate the balance needed [to] begin construction of the new Market Park in downtown Reidsville. This funding will come from the city’s Water Reserve Fund based on higher than budgeted revenues, primarily from the sale of water to GSO, for last year and the current fiscal year. Architect Tom Moreau says he could have the plans “bid ready” by late January ‘08. Construction could begin as early as mid March.*

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 03:34 PM | | Comments (0)

December 07, 2007

*Reidsville Gangsta' Riders*

Here is just one of the myriad of reasons my child would never go to Reidsville High School.

The football team is good, but y'all got some serious problems around here.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 11:44 AM | | Comments (5)

December 05, 2007

Trying to do my part (or conservation at the Sykes house)

We've been trying to heed the governor's call to cut our water consumption here in the Sykes household. Despite the fact that we have Lake Reidsville here, my wife is big on stewardship and I guess I began to feel bad watering my lawn and washing my car all the time when I knew Atlanta and Raleigh were about to dry up.

Anyway, we cut our water usage to six units last month. I know in the past we've used 9-12 depending on how much I watered the grass and trees I've planted in the yard in the last two years.

In Reidsille, one unit of water equals 750 gallons. So, if we have averaged about 10 units and cut it down to six, that's doing all right, in my view.

At the same time, we have been trying to conserve energy. We are lucky with southern exposure and big windows to get daylight across the entire front to the house. In the spring we began switching out to 13 watt fluorescent bulbs. We've changed 12 so far.

I calculated our power bill for last month and we averaged about 19 kwh per day as opposed to 21 kwh per day for the same month last year. So a reduction of about 60 kwh for the month. That's not a whole lot, but a step in the right direction.

We also figured that replacing 12 60-watt bulbs (720 watts) with 12 13-watt bulbs (156 watts) is a 79 percent reduction in usage just for lighting.

That's nothing to sneeze at. Now multiply that by all the light bulbs in homes across America and you see how we can begin to make a dent.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 10:39 AM | | Comments (0)

December 04, 2007

Tayon Graves, touchdown maker

When Tayon Graves scored seven touchdowns Friday night in the state semi-finals, I knew I was watching a world class performance.

The boys at Reidsville Football pointed out the many school records Graves broke in that game, but I got to thinking when I noticed he has scored 43 touchdown in 15 games this year.

A lot of hoopla was made when LaDanian Tomlinson scored 28 touchdowns in 16 games last year in the NFL. Tayon has 43. Now he's not in the NFL, but I think that's an amazing feat in any league.

Oh yeah, only one person has ever scored more than five rushing td's in an NFL game, and that was Ernie Nevers, who scored six for the Chicago Cardinals against the Monsters of the Midway in Nov. of 1929.

Tayon has been a joy to watch for the past three seasons. He's one of the best running backs I have ever watched at any level.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 07:08 AM | | Comments (0)

December 03, 2007

Smoking kills. Period.

A few weeks ago there was this story on smoking in city halls across the triad. Reidsville's was deemed the smokiest.

Via We101 and JazzyTina I saw this op-ed by William F. Buckley:

*Stick me in a confessional and ask the question: Sir, if you had the authority, would you forbid smoking in America? You'd get a solemn and contrite, Yes. Solemn because I would be violating my secular commitment to the free marketplace. Contrite, because my relative indifference to tobacco poison for so many years puts me in something of the position of the Zyklon B defendants after World War II. These folk manufactured the special gas used in the death camps to genocidal ends. They pleaded, of course, that as far as they were concerned, they were simply technicians, putting together chemicals needed in wartime for fumigation. Some got away with that defense; others, not.

Those who fail to protest the free passage of tobacco smoke in the air come close to the Zyklon defendants in pleading ignorance.*

Yeah. Can't argue with that. Or William F. Buckley.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 05:24 PM | | Comments (0)

Reidsville, Shelby to replay 2005 title game

Tayon Graves rocks


Go Rams!

Tayon Graves, record breaker:

*Graves has rushed for a record 2,079 yards to date and has 43 rushing touchdowns and 262 points scored this season alone. His 40 carries, 285 yards, and seven touchdowns against Southern Vance are all single game school records. Even more amazing is the fact he has only eight yards in losses from scrimmage all season.

The senior also holds school standards with 732 career rushes, 5,377 yards, and 92 touchdowns. He needs just 11 carries to eclipse his own record of 251 rushing attempts in a season.*

 

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:51 AM | | Comments (0)

November 30, 2007

They need some competition

Proposed realignment of NCHSAA conferences would only help Reidsville's powerful football program.

GNR reports:

Reidsville would find itself in a potentially tougher 2-A football conference with Andrews and Carver.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 04:17 PM | | Comments (1)

November 29, 2007

Price of eggs?

A restaurateur in Reidsville reports that his cost for a case of eggs went from $27 last week to $54 this week.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 01:39 PM | | Comments (1)

November 17, 2007

Smokin'

Gerald Witt *lights up* Reidsville city officials for not addressing the issue of smoking in city hall. City manager Kelly Almond says he's never had a complaint about it, but I can assure you that lots of people can't stand it.

It's disgusting.

I smoked from about age 16 to 30, but even as a young smoker I was aware of when my smoke bothered others.

Reidsville is full of small minded people. I'm not saying Almond is one of them. In fact, I consider Almond a personal friend. But I'm sure he wouldn't want to hear the vitriol from every Tom, Dick and Sally who would crawl out from their shotgun shack in Reidsville and accuse the city manager of not caring or knowing about they city's tobacco legacy.

I'm a product of RJ Reynolds tobacco company, on both sides of the family. But that doesn't mean I'm too damn stupid to realize that smoking kills. Actually, I've watched my grandfather and my uncle on their lung-cancer death beds, so I know first hand the good and bad of tobacco.

People shouldn't be allowed to smoke in public buildings. Period.

But this is Reidsville and most citizens don't care about the public good.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:35 AM | | Comments (1)

Focusing on your strengths

When you have a good photographer at your newspaper, it's a good idea to challenge him and showcase the best of his work. That's one thing the Reidsville Review has going for it. When you combine Review photog Robert Ross with a can't miss subject like Reidsville High School football the results are pretty good.

Robert is a work horse. When I first got to the Review in 2002, the poor guy had to use a point and shoot to do his thing. It took us more than a year to get him hi-end gear, but once we did he took off and hasn't stopped since.

I give the Review a lot of crap because, well, I can. But showcasing Robert's work on a separate blog dedicated to Reidsville High football is a great idea.

Check it out.

The football team is pretty darn good this year. In fact, I've stopped going because they are killing people in the first half and then play the scrubs and I'm just not that into it to sit on those metal bleachers and watch a 50-0 high school football game.

With a handful of games left, it look like the Rams control their own destiny to a third state title under Jimmy Teague.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:29 AM | | Comments (0)

November 16, 2007

Mental health reform *failing* in Rockingham County

Now that the Reidsville Review online has caught up with the calendar, I can tell you about this seemingly important story.

Rockingham County Mental Health Director Robert Middleton calls the state's mental health reform "a failure" and says the crises and a lack of funding has caused turmoil.

*The turmoil at the department has led to 16 resignations in the past year, three in past month alone. Hardest hit are supervisory and experienced, licensed positions, Middleton said.
"It has been a steady flow out the door," he said.*

That's not good news for the state. It's also not a good reflection on the governor or the legislature, given that this reform was supposed to fix a broken system.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 06:48 PM | | Comments (1)

More art space coming to Reidsville?

From the latest version of The Downtown Connection :

*The Reidsville Downtown Corporation, the Fine Arts Festival Association of Rockingham County and the NC Arts Council have joined forces to help bring a cultural arts and community learning center to Rockingham County. A grant provided by the NC Arts Council will fund a study to determine the feasibility of rehabbing the old McCrory’s Department Store for that purpose. This historic building is located at 225 S. Scales St. in downtown Reidsville. The Facility Feasibility Study will consist of the two-day workshop that will be schedule sometime in early 2008. The workshop and study will be conducted by Henry Sanoff, Professor of Architecture for the College of Design, NCSU.
Broad based community support for this project will be imperative - turnout for the workshops, vital. A favorable report from the feasibility study could result in additional grant dollars to make this dream a reality. A Feasibility Study Team met on Wednesday, Nov. 14th, to begin the process of assessing the art needs of our community. The conversation turned immediately to the need for art education and programs for our children and adults.
We will continue to meet to shape and focus our vision. If you are interested in becoming a part of this team, then we need you. Please contact Tammy Spencer at 336-347-2307 or tspencer@ci.reidsville.nc.us

To learn more about the Facility Design Program of the NC Arts Council, click here.

This is a link to the Pasquotank Arts Council in Elizabeth City – a similar project. They were successful in moving through this program and will be moving into their renovated facility soon. *

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 02:28 PM | | Comments (0)

Time stands still at The Reidsville Review

The Reidsville Review continues its march into the 21st Century by maintaining its website with 48-hour old stories.

As of 11:16 a.m. here on Friday Nov. 16 their website homepage displays stories dated Wednesday Nov. 14.

Not much happening under Local News either. 

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 11:15 AM | | Comments (0)

November 15, 2007

Prevention pays

Deputies wear vests at all times? Check.

Armed man in home. Call him on phone or shoot the place up?

Call him on the phone. Case closed.

I like pragmatism. Sam Page is a pragmatist and a mighty fine sheriff.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 08:10 AM | | Comments (0)

November 13, 2007

Rural ISP, Netpath, shutting down Nov. 30

Netpath is one of the few providers of Internet service in rural parts of Rockingham and Alamance County. The company announced recently that is would cease operations on Nov. 30. That leaves thousands of homes in the area searching for a new provider.

"...economic changes in our market have made our business no longer economically sustainable.  Netpath will cease to offer all Internet connectivity services after Friday, November 30, 2007.  This means that you will need to find and put in place a new source for your email, your web browsing, your web site hosting, your DSL broadband connectivity, and your dialup connection…but we want to help you during this transition."


The company offers transition services here.

One of the company's cofounders passed away on Oct. 30.

A list of equipment for sale.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:21 AM | | Comments (0)

November 12, 2007

Eden sucks

After reading these two items in the Reidsville Review, I think Reidsville ought to secede from Rockingham County.

Note to Edenites: You're pitiful.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 11:23 PM | | Comments (2)

November 09, 2007

County attorney's response to my request for access to e-mail record

The following (below in italics) is Eugene Russell's response to my request for a copy of a racist email which may or may not have been sent/received by county employees or elected officials. I sent the request a couple of weeks ago. Background here, here and here.

Jeff,

I am writing to follow up on our telephone conversation in regard to your request for a copy of an email entitled “New York Blackout” received by the County system from an outside party on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 21:55 EDT.  No record was found that this email was forwarded after receipt.  The County has blocked emails received from the sender’s address and blocked any future e-mails entitled "New York Blackout.”

The County has declined to make a copy of this email available to you.

North Carolina General Statute § 132‑1 (a) defines "Public records" as follows:

"Public record" or "public records" shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data‑processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions.

To be Included in the definition of “Public Record” a document must be “made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business.”  An email of a personal nature received from an outside party such as the one you have requested has not been “made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business” and is not therefore a public record.   

[For reference to the proposition that email of a personal nature is not a public record, please see a publication of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources entitled "Email as a Public Record in North Carolina" (August 2002)  which includes the statutory interpretation that email is a public record only if it is used to transact public business.  This publication may be found at  http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/records/e_records/Email_8_02.pdf  and the discussion on page 3.]

I will be glad to review any legal reference or citation which you may have which reaches a different conclusion.

With best regards, I am respectfully yours,

W. Eugene Russell,

Rockingham County Attorney

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 04:23 PM | | Comments (0)

Rockingham County refuses to release racist email

Below in italics is Rockingham County's response to my request for a copy of any emails containing the words "New York Blackout" and "Harlem" sent or received between October 7 and October 22 of this year. This request was made in response to this situation. More here.

The county attorney informs me they will not release the email record received by the county employee on their county email account because "it does not pertain to county business."

I respect Eugene Russell and respectfully disagree with his decision. I am awaiting a written response from him and will post that when I receive it.

Responses from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Rockingham County Schools and the City of Reidsville have also been received. So far they have turned up one other existence of this email, but this one was received in February of this year and deleted.

I will decide over the weekend if this is worth pursuing further.

RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM ROCKINGHAM COUNTY IN REGARDS TO PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST:

Our IT Director examined the computer email accounts in question and
found the following:*/__/*

· One e-mail titled “New York Blackout” was received by our system from
an outside party on Saturday, [October] 20, 2007 at 21:55 EDT. It was
directed to one employee and appeared to be from a private individual
who had also addressed it to five other addresses not in our domain. The
sender of the e-mail previously received it (along with 15 other
recipients) from yet another individual. None of those addresses were in
our domain.

· There was no record found on the receiving employee’s PC that the
e-mail was forwarded.

· I have blocked any future e-mails originating from the senders address.

· I have blocked any future e-mails titled “New York Blackout”.

I'm sorry for the delay in getting this info to you, but we wanted to be
thorough in checking it out before responding.
I hope this provides the answer you were looking for...

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 03:10 PM | | Comments (0)

November 01, 2007

Investors pushing Media General to split up its business units

Via The Street: 

With its stock down by more than 50% over the past three years and its industry in turmoil, Media General announced this week that it's considering the sale of five broadcast TV stations from its portfolio.

It's going to take more than that to generate any enthusiasm from Wall Street.

Investors want Media General to follow the example set by Belo Corp. and E.W. Scripps and separate its broadcasting business from its sluggish newspapers operations. 

The company has built its future around "convergence" of newspapers and tv stations in markets such as Bristol, Va., Tampa and the Roanoke/Lynchburg area. But hold up:

Ethan McAfee, director of research with former Media General shareholder Ramsey Asset Management, says he doesn't believe that substantial synergies between broadcast and newspapers really exist at Media General.

 "They can't come up with a number to quantify the synergies, which tells me they really haven't thought about it and this is just their excuse to not do something creative or outside the box," says McAfee.

"Any smart management team would do exactly what Belo did and realize the market is not paying at all for the hybrid strategy of owning both TV and newspapers and seriously consider breaking up the two," he adds. Media General's management team "has been around for ever, and they're not particularly savvy Wall Street people. It's a family-owned business and there was never much pushing for them to actually change anything."

Ouch.

Noch einmal.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 03:34 PM | | Comments (0)

October 31, 2007

Songwriter series to begin in Reidsville

Here is something interesting I came across via the Downtown Reidsville website:

Second Saturday Songwriter’s Soiree
Nov. 10th, 7:00-9:00
The Gallery, 217 SW Market St.
Featuring Jonny Colley
Admission $5
The Fine Arts Festival Association’s (FAFA) mission is a simple one – to celebrate and promote all of the arts:
visual, performing, written and spoken. The first Songwriter’s Soiree will feature Jonny Colley who composes and performs his own music. The FAFA
hopes to host more cultural events at The Gallery, showcasing the arts and enriching our lives.
Offer your support for the arts; call Tara at 336-349-2060

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 08:46 AM | | Comments (0)

October 26, 2007

Looking for "heelsrus2@yahoo.com"

If you know who belongs to the email address "heelsrus2@yahoo.com" please email me or leave the information in the comments section below. My email is jeffreyhsykes@gmail.com

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 02:52 PM | | Comments (1)

October 24, 2007

Local man claims government officials sending racial emails

Reidsville's Richard Moore is claiming on his web site that he has received copies of a racially offensive email (update 10-30-07: In true fashion, Moore has changed the link.) sent from one Rockingham County official to another. Moore has redacted the email header so as to leave the receiver and sender anonymous. (Here one can view some of the other places where this particular internet joke has reared its head.)

I'm not sure Moore's motivation, but it seems to me curious that he would publish the offensive material, yet hide the identity of the offenders. After all this is a man who takes freedom of speech very seriously and has challenged local governments time and again for abridging free speech.

I guess he has his reasons.

The emails were sent and received sometime between Oct. 7, Oct. 17 and Oct. 22, according to information contained in the footer of each email published on his site. I believe I first saw it on his site Monday.

In the past, Moore has had no problem printing privileged information secreted to him. In fact, he was so zealous to print a copy of my 11-year-old police arrest record, that he forgot to redact the NCIC user id and terminal id when he printed it in his newspaper, thus causing the sheriff's office much consternation when they discovered one of their deputies illegally searched and printed my criminal record on an internal departmental computer and sent it to Mr. Moore in violation of state law. That deputy lost their job because of Mr. Moore's rush to judgment.

I guess that was important to him.

Racism and bigotry are quite prevalent in Reidsville and Rockingham County. Some folks are opposing it by dedicating themselves to ministry, education and building relationships across racial lines. I applaud all of those efforts.

I am only one person. I only have one voice. I chose to use that voice to say enough with the secret institutional bigotry in this rural community. Enough with the winks and nudges.

If a government official in this county, or a government employee in this county, whether it be city, county or state affiliated, is disseminating that content, they need to be exposed and questioned as to their intentions.

Let's not forget about Judge William Daisy in Guilford County.

If the local media, regional media and the local and state NAACP think this is irrelevant then that is on them.

I've used my voice. Where is yours?

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 08:05 PM | | Comments (15)

October 23, 2007

Rockingham County rivers flirt with record lows

Streamflows in Rockingham County are flirting with near record lows according to the US Geological Survey:

For the Mayo River near Price (West of Eden) the lowest recorded stream flow is 82 cubic feet per second (cfs) in 1932. The most recent rate recorded today was 91. The median is 179.

The Dan River near Wentworth is recording a current flow of 242 cfs. The record low is 226 set in 2002. The mean is 576.

More from the AP on the state's water crises.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 03:20 PM | | Comments (0)

What is Almond?

The Reidsville Review quotes an entity called "Almond" in this story about Reidsville's water sales to Greensboro in time of drought.

This Almond thing has a lot to say and seems to have intimate knowledge of the situation, but one is left not knowing who or what this Almond is.

I've heard, in the past, that Almond Joy has nuts, but Mounds don't. I'm not sure if this is related to the Almond in the Review's story or not.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 10:09 AM | | Comments (0)

October 11, 2007

Burglars set Reidsville business on fire

I haven't seen this in the local media, so I did some asking and came up with this:

Two men broke into Williams Trull Co. on Scales Street in Reidsville on Oct. 4. For reasons not known, they set the building on fire.

According to police, a patron at nearby Turks Sports Bar saw a commotion at Williams Trull about 11:30 pm and called police. Police responded and saw two men leaving the scene. After a brief foot chase, police apprehended two men.

Meanwhile, the fire department responded and found heavy smoke upon arrival. After putting out the flames, firefighters had to do extensive overhaul to the building to look for hotspots. That means tearing out walls and peeling back the roof.

The business is currently closed. Calls to the owner have not been returned.

Police arrested two men from Greensboro at the scene and charged them with felony breaking and entering and willfully burning a store.

Arrested were Lelon David Williamson, 27, of 703 Sykes Ave in Greensboro and Kenneth Eugene Sports Jr., 23, of 58 Garibaldi Place in Greensboro. Sports was also charged with possession of cocaine.

This incident is bad on several levels, but one that stands out to me is that Williams Trull owner Billy Puckett has worked very hard and spent a lot of money to make that business look attractive and remain a vibrant part of the city's economy. The company has been in business for decades selling heavy farm equipment. Let's hope he stays in business for decades to come.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 11:41 AM | | Comments (0)

October 09, 2007

Zdanski, Turner reelected to Reidsville council

Reidsville's incumbent city council members were reelected in an incredibly sparse election. Popular councilwoman Joan Zdanski again led vote getters with 420 votes, followed by fellow Councilmember Clark Turner with 392, according to unofficial results. Those are very similar numbers to the 2003 election.

King, who I consider a personal friend, was brash until the end. I've been painting my house for a week, so I was standing in the window when Turner came by to get his sign out of my yard just after the polls closed. I went out to speak with him, and as we were talking about whether my grass seed would germinate or not, King drove by on his way to his nearby house. He saw me and waved, and then recognized Turner and yelled "I'm gonna take your seat Clark."

Guess not.

I still say something is seriously wrong with the city when only 10 percent of registered voters bother to vote in a municipal election.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 08:09 PM | | Comments (1)

Eden plant should survive Miller-Coors merger

Milwuakee Journal-Sentinel: 

None of Miller's six breweries, or the two breweries operated by Coors, will be closed as the result of this morning's surprise announcement, said Pete Marino, Miller spokesman.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 03:35 PM | | Comments (0)

October 02, 2007

Are they moving the road or renaming it or what?

Former state Sen. Bill Goldston is leading the proposal, which he introduced Monday night during the monthly meeting of the Rockingham County commissioners. Goldston proposes changing a portion of the N.C. 87 Bypass to a section of road including U.S. 29 and N.C. 14.

Can anyone out there explain to me what that means?

Also, it's day two for this non-story, and I've heard from once city council member who says that the Reidsville Review's reputation for accuracy and credibility is at an all time low.

"It's just incompetence," the council member said.

Another elected official up for reelection relates a "horror" story of how they purchased an advert in the Reidsville Review, which was fouled up. When the candidate/customer went to discuss the matter, the sales rep apparently tried to pretend like she had never seen the customer/candidate before.

The official I mentioned earlier asked me how far up the Media General ladder they had to go to get somebody competent to air their grievances with. I suggested the publisher in Danville, Steve Kaylor. The official asked "Does he care about accuracy?" I said that he did, because my recollection of Kaylor is that of a well-trained newsman with a sense of the journalistic tradition.

Good luck, Reidsville. I wish you well on your quest. That is unless Eden flips the world upside down just to make it easier to find.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 10:23 PM | | Comments (0)

“Found Object Art Show” opens Saturday

Via RDC:

Looking for something out of the ordinary, wow, do we have something for you! “Found Object Art” is the featured show this month at The Gallery of the Fine Arts Festival Association of Rockingham County located at 217 SW Market St. The community was challenged to create something extraordinary out of ordinary objects. The community rose to the challenge with over 40 entries made from objects such as glass, fabric, shells, rocks, old chairs, coins, buttons, pipes, wood, hardware, metal, screws, nails, bolts, gears, you name it! The opening reception for the October “Found Object Art Show” will be held on Saturday, Oct 6th, from 5:00pm-9:00pm as to not conflict with “An Evening at Chinqua Penn Plantation”.  With music provided by Bret Hart, this opening is not to be missed. Come enjoy the art, the music, the wine, the food and the fun. Proceeds from all sales at The Gallery support both the artists and the gallery. You can offer your support by becoming a member or sponsor.  Stop by and talk with curator, Tara Thullner, or call 349-2060. The Gallery is open Thursday, 10:00am – 7:00pm and Friday & Saturday, 10:00am – 2:00pm.

“An Evening at Chinqua Penn Plantation”, Friday, October 5, 2007, 6:00-10:00pm, is the regional kick-off celebration of the Piedmont Triad arts, artists and cultural resources in anticipation of the Nov.1- 4, Bricolage Arts Festival. The lawn party begins with a guided tour of the mansion offered between 6-7:30 p.m. After the tour, beverages and light dinner fare will be served in the formal gardens with live music by King Mackerel. Gala tickets are $35 each and can be purchased at www.bricolageartsfestival.org or by calling Anne Wilson at (336) 908-3242.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 10:54 AM | | Comments (1)

October 01, 2007

Can't get there from here

Well if the good people in Eden don't have enough to worry about, they try to make something up. It's bad enough the little town is in the middle of nowhere, near nothing, and has little of interest to outsiders. But instead of making their town a vibrant little place, they want to change the whole big world to fit their whim.

In another in a long line of battles against the layout of roads in North Carolina, Eden officials want to rename highways in Reidsville so people looking for Eden have an easier time finding it.

Never mind you that there are signs galore in Reidsville telling you how to get to Eden, or that of all the many ways you can get their, each one is clearly marked. Never mind that Eden officials a few years ago convinced NCDOT officials to change all their signs on US 29 to channel people to Eden via the NC 14 exit north of Reidsville so that the trickle of travellers to that hopping destination dare not spend a buck or two in Reidsville before arriving in the Land of Two Rivers.

No, now they want to rename part of NC 14 in Reidsville as NC 87 bypass. At least that's what I gleam from this story in the Reidsville Review.

Note to Edenites: If you build it they will come. If its worth finding they will find it.

Note to travellers: Getting to Eden is a cinch, but once you get there, look out. It's about as easy to navigate as the Cape Horn.

Side note of interest: The story mentions how wary travellers are led astray by online map tools and GPS systems. I did a quick search of Map Quest, Yahoo and Google services asking for directions from Raleigh to Eden.

Google is the clear winner, with a nice route off I-40 through Gibsonville, onto US29 and off at NC 14, straight shot to Eden.

Yahoo takes you through Burlington, into Reidsville proper, across town in a confusing route, and out into Wentworth to bring you into the far side of Eden on NC 87.

MapQuest takes you out of your way to Greensboro, backtracks northeast to Reidsville on US29, before leading you to the NC 14 exit for the straight shot to Eden.

I think a good state map and travelling as the crow flies is still the best way to get around in the Tar Heel state.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 10:00 PM | | Comments (0)

September 27, 2007

Reidsville to begin work on new Farmer's Market on Nov. 1

Reidsville Farmer's Market

Here is a picture of what the new Farmer's Market Park in Reidsville might look like. Construction is set to being Nov. 1.

More.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 01:45 PM | | Comments (0)

Top 10 Things I Worry About More than Illegal Immigrants Overrunning the Country

(drum roll, please)

10. Wormwood
9.  Polar ice caps melting
8.  Carolina might lose to AppState in basketball
7.  Vanna White might eventually look her age
6.  How to pay for my son's education.
5.  How I will pay my doctor bill if I twist my ankle playing basketball during lunch at the YMCA
4.  Once saved, always saved?
3.  Getting rear ended by one of those speeding compact cars that race down 29 in Greensboro between Hicone and Market streets
2.  Being exposed to gay porn strewn about the floor of the men's room at the Barnes and Nobles at Friendly Center

and number one......

1.  Vernon Robinson moving to Reidsville and running for city council.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 01:18 PM | | Comments (1)

September 23, 2007

Close family rocked by teen's tragic death

A friend of mine lost his son this morning in a vehicle accident. The young man was a senior in high school, a standout in his sport of choice, and, like his father, an all around good person.

I’ve known the young man for a few years, mostly through playing basketball at church and seeing him in the hallways on Sunday.

The accident is a tragic loss. I believe another young man is in extreme critical condition and does not have a positive prognosis.

I’ve cried a few times today. I’ve spent much time just looking at my boy, taking in every ounce of his energy and burning it to my soul.

I can’t imagine the pain my friend and his wife are enduring. I am grieving intensely.

The young man made a great impression on me in general, but two instances stand out.

Continue reading "Close family rocked by teen's tragic death" »

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 07:49 PM | | Comments (0)

September 21, 2007

Matt Kendrick to perform at Gatsby Jazz Party

Matt Kendrick will perform at Chinqua Penn as part of their Gatsby Jazz Party on Sept. 29. I like Matt Kendrick a lot. I saw him play often in Winston-Salem in the 1990s. I met him once in the post office and he seemed like one of the nicest people I've ever met.

This event sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

Check out the plans Calvin Phelps has for Chinqua Penn.

Almost like a rebirth of the cool.

Continue reading "Matt Kendrick to perform at Gatsby Jazz Party" »

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 01:12 PM | | Comments (0)

September 20, 2007

post removed by author becuase it was stupid.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 02:10 PM | | Comments (0)

September 07, 2007

Find a better opponent

Combined score of every Reidsville-Rockingham County football game since 2000:

Reidsville 403
Rockingham Co. 55

That averages out to 50 to 7 over the last eight games.

Reidsville beats the hapless Cougars 61-7 in this year's version. The poor Rockingham quarterback threw four interceptions in about six pass attempts during one stretch of the first half. I think I'd find a better opponent.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 10:22 PM | | Comments (0)

New art gallery in Reidsville hosts “First Friday at Five”

The Gallery’s “First Friday at Five” Tonight

The Gallery, 217 SW Market St., Downtown Reidsville

“First Friday at Five” opening reception Friday, Sept. 7th, 5:00pm-9:00pm

Featured artist and woodmaster, James “Red” Saunders.

Red’s bowls, vases and vessels are made from all varieties of wood that has been turned, sanded and polished into stunning works of art. Come by, meet the artist and enjoy the art, the music, the wine and the hors d’oeuvres.

The October show is a community challenge to create something extraordinary out of the ordinary...Found Object Art. Create sculpture, collage, jewelry, etc. out of found objects such as glass, fabric, shells, rocks, coins, wood, hardware, metal, screws, nails, etc. Bring your creations by The Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 29th, 2:00-5:00pm for the October Found Object Art Show.

Posted by Jeffrey Sykes at 09:50 AM |