YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978 w w w. j a m e s t o w n n e w s . c o m
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aPril 29 - maY 5, 2026 Vol 48 No 18 | 1 Section | 8 Pages
town to begin main street corridor study
The project is funded by the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Work should Planning Director José begin in late May and run Colón said the Town has through August. received approval for qualified engineering services Sewer line repair for the Main Street Corridor Several of the sewer lines Study. and manholes on the Deep “This project includes River outfall need repair. professional and concep- They were installed in 1962. tual planning, transporta- Public Services Director tion analysis, stakeholder Paul Blanchard suggested engagement and preparation the cured-in-place method, of implementation strategies which is a “no dig” method. for the Main Street Corridor The repairs will run from from Dillon Road to Teague the Jamestown Bypass to Drive,” Colón said. Dillon Road and along an Colón asked the Coun- unnamed tributary near cil to approve allowing the Hood Container, Teknor town manager and town Apex and Univar. Some attorney authority to review, lines will be relined, others negotiate and approve the repaired. service contract with StanThe proposed cost is tec. The Council voted unanimous approval. see TOWn, PAGe 2 By CaROL BROOks FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
Paul Blanchard with Mayor susan dickenson
Guilford County sheriff’s Office with Mayor dickenson Photos by Carol Brooks
emily Wagner with Mayor dickenson
Laura Gulledge with Councilmember Pam Burgess
eliminating ivy to save trees By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com There is something beautiful about ivy-covered cottage walls or tree trunks kissed by bright green ivy leaves winding their way from bottom to top. But the truth of the matter is ivy can be as destructive as it is beautiful. It can cause cracks in walls and decrease the production of chlorophyll in trees. Interference of photosynthesis — allowing trees to convert sunlight into energy — can overwhelm the trees leading to their direct death Photo submitted or providing the opportustudents line up behind Tim Brewer waitnity for disease and insect ing for their turn to cut away ivy vines attacks. from the tree. During a routine trip to the grocery store in Jamestown, Councilmember Jim tenance was too busy with other Westmoreland noticed two stately pressing school responsibilities. oak trees across Ragsdale Road that “I am not a certified arborist or were in danger of being enveloped landscaper and I wanted to eliminate by ivy. His personal experience with the ivy the right way so as not to ivy created a concern that the trees damage or kill the trees in the procould be killed by the plant parasite. cess,” Westmoreland said. “I called “I thought it would be unfortunate Taylor Jones with the N.C. Cooperato lose the trees when something tive Extension program of Guilford could be done,” Westmoreland said. County. Since the trees were on “It was the end of winter when the school property, I also wondered if trees did not have foliage and I could the project could be used to educate see the ivy clearly. I think God put students.” me in the right place at the right time Westmoreland met at the trees for this opportunity.” with Jones and Jamestown ElemenWhen Westmoreland realized the tary School Principal Christa DiBotrees were on school property, his naventure to discuss the most viable first instinct was to contact the Guil- solution to the ivy problem. Jones ford County School district to see if recommended the ivy runners be cut someone there could help save the see TRee, PAGe 3 trees. Unfortunately, grounds main-
Tammy salyards with Councilmember Pam Burgess
Public comments from the April 21 Town Council meeting COMPILed By CaROL BROOks FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
Photo by Norma B. Dennis
(above) When councilmember Jim Westmoreland realized english ivy was invading two oak trees facing Ragsdale Road, he initiated a project to eliminate the plant before it destroyed the trees.
Photo submitted
Jim Westmoreland assists kinsley Jones-Brown as she clips one of the vines clinging to the oak tree.
Martha wolfe asked the Council to adopt a revenueneutral tax rate. “Now is the optimal time to adopt a revenue-neutral tax rate after the Guilford County reassessment,” she said. “The county appraisals were extremely high.” Wolfe also thanked the Council and Town staff for their hard work and recognized Town Clerk Katie Weiner prior to Professional Municipal Clerk’s Week, May 3-9. Karen Lisenby also requested a revenue-neutral tax rate. “With tax values going up the way they did, we should be able to hold the line. I hope so. We also have additional people coming in from [the D.R. Horton development] which will increase our base.” Lisenby also thanked Mayor Susan Dickenson and Town Manager Matthew Johnson for attending the March meeting of the Historic Jamestown Society, which went over the plans for Mendenhall Homeplace and HJS. “It’s going to be a big difference. What we’re plan-
Golf course sees revenue increase
Parks and Recreation Supervisor Scott Coakley reported a revenue increase at Jamestown Park Golf Course. “The golf course experienced a strong start to 2026, with notable increases in revenue compared to the same period in 2025. While expenditures also rose-primarily due to capital investments, the department demonstrated improved overall financial performance and reduced net losses year-over-year.
“The golf course was closed for a total of 29 days during January and February due to seasonal conditions. This reduced early-quarter revenue opportunities and makes the March performance increase particularly significant.” The course was closed for 17 days in January but still saw 794 rounds played. It was closed in February for 12 days with 530 rounds. March, however, saw over 3,100 rounds played. “[In] quarter 1 2026, the net loss was $224,030.14 compared to Q1 2025 net loss of $389,976.02,” Coak-
ley continued.” This reflects a 43 percent improvement in net position, indicating that increased revenues and controlled spending are helping to narrow the operational deficit. “Strategic investments in capital improvements may be contributing to increased usage and revenue. While personnel and operating costs remain high, overall expenditure control has improved compared to 2025. The department is trending in a positive financial direction, with a significantly reduced net loss. “If current trends continue,
the department is well-positioned for a strong spring and summer season. Continued focus on revenue generation, cost management and maximizing facility usage will be critical to further improving financial performance. “Soccer has started and baseball is going on.” A new shelter is being constructed near the basketball court. The delay has been due to receipt of permits. It should be completed now, followed by a new shelter in the dog park. “Once the dog park is done we’ll put in the equipment,” Coakley said. “We
have the equipment ready to go. It will be done in-house. The next phase is the volleyball court.” Several councilmembers noted that the new adaptive playground is well-used. Coakley remarked that with all the fields in use along with the golf course, playground and fields at Jamestown Elementary have been packed with people in recent weeks. “Everything has really picked up and the golf course has been crazy busy this month.” Councilmember Jim Westmoreland suggested
Everyone likes GOOD NeWS and the Jamestown News wants to print a column focused on sharing good things seen happening in the community. To make the column work, you need to participate. email ndworddesign@gmail.com with your observations of a person or group being helpful to others. norma dennis will print them on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
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By CaROL BROOks FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
ning to do will add quite an attraction. I hope all of you will support it. It will be very good for the town.” Charles Hinsley asked the Council to respond at the May Town Council to three questions: “What new strategies have you implemented to change the direction of the leadership from the previous Council? What practices or policies have you changed or plan to change and why? What is the most significant issue that you are working on to correct or to improve? Jesse Lopez and James Ortiz proposed a Fourth Amendment resolution change to the immigration policy. “We are students who came here with the purpose of making change of local policy about immigration. Recently, there has been strong federal pushback regarding immigration enforcement. Some may say it is lawless. Some of it is warrantless. This has created strong risk of danger in our communities, including Jamestown. This resolution is not only for the immigrant community but also for ensuring the safety of these communities and ensuring the immigrants see COMMenTs, PAGe 3
looking into funding for an information kiosk at the park to advertise things going on in the town. Coakley noted there are a couple of QR codes in the playground for visitors to tell what they like in a survey and other suggestions. “It helps [the Town] see what visitors want to see. What’s working. What’s not working. After every 50 scans, we get a report.” Councilmember Jim Gibson said there is a need to get those people who come to the golf course and park to come to downtown to eat and shop.