Title IX violations in local schools?

A long simmering upset about the worship of Reidsville High School football, empowered by a Facebook group, brought federal investigators to Rockingham County this week.

Members of the Office for Civil Rights with the U.S. Department of Education talked to students and employees at all four high schools during a visit last week even though the complaints originated from Reidsville High, said Superintendent Rodney Shotwell. Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in all education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

Bradshaw would not give further details on the investigation. And neither Reidsville High principal Jonathan Craig nor athletics director Ted Jones would comment.

I also hear that state Department of Commerce investigators were in town looking for a prominent artist this week.

Filed under: Reidsville , Reidsville High School, Title IX

Hanging on by a thread

Good news for a change in the local manufacturing sector:

Unifi, a yarn manufacturer based in Greensboro, reported Thursday net income of $2.5 million in its first quarter of fiscal year 2010. It was the highest quarterly profit since 2002, according to Bill Jasper, the president and chief executive of Unifi.

Filed under: North Carolina, Reidsville

Blues for a good cause

This is a note from PBPS Prez. Casey Hazelman about some goings-on this weekend:

##
Hello Blues Family,

Over this past Summer Max Drake began hanging out at the Backstreet Buzz Coffeehouse in Reidsville. He occasionally picked some songs but mostly drank coffee and befriended David & Susan Glick, Backstreet’s owners.

Fast forward several weeks. Max’s wife Teresa needed surgery and could not wait until her new job’s insurance kicked in. So still repaying the bills from Max’s Heart surgery a couple of years ago, more medical bills were coming.

David Glick decided something must be done to help his new friends. He asked my partner in a Cup of Blues Mike Carter what could be done. The obvious answer was what the Blues Family does for one of our own; hold a benefit.

So with great thanks to Art at the Clubhouse, 435 Dolley Madison Rd., Greensboro the venue was provided. The Teresa Drake Benefit will start at 2PM Sunday and will be excellent.

A $5.00 raffle ticket purchase will get you in the door. More tickets may be purchased of course ($20 will getcha 5) for even better chances in the Raffles. A beautiful Ibanez Artcore guitar, amp & Stand is the BIG prize. Also raffled will be a hand carved bowl along with cash and other possible items.

The lineup is stellar:
Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos,
Tad Walters,
The Fairlanes,
Matt Hill & the Buzzkillz
The Swang Brothers,
Lawyers, Guns & Money and
the Not Dead Yet Blues Band.

Plus Matt Walsh is coming in and will be sitting in with many of these bands.

So come out Sunday, help one of our Blues Family and…

As always, please continue supporting live Music and…
Until next week, keep your mojos workin’.

And have a SAFE and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Blues it or lose it,
Casey
##

Filed under: Music, North Carolina, Reidsville , Piedmont Blues Preservation Society

Death of a cyclist (or Ignorance in Motion)

I’ve commented in the past on how I would like to ride my bike around Reidsville more than I do now, but am fearful because of the busy roads and increasing number of cyclist killed on local roads.

Now comes this:

The Highway Patrol has seized a vehicle that investigators believe was involved in a Saturday hit-and-run that killed a bicyclist in northern Guilford County.

Some of the comments below the story are atrocious.

Related.

Filed under: Reidsville

A note from a voter

I have received lots of messages like this one, which came into my inbox last week. I am still very humbled by the people who chose to support me in the recent election.

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Mr. Sykes,

Congratulations on the city council election.  I know it sounds odd, but I think congratulations are in order considering you garnered some 550 votes in the good ole boy network that is Reidsville.  I also need to thank you for the phone call on Monday.  My wife and I were unsure when the election was until then.

I didn’t find out about your campaign until late, too late to do anything other than know you were worth my vote.  I like the platform you ran on, and hope you intend to run again in the future.  We need more average citizens to run for office.  We cannot hope to retake the Federal and State governments unless we first regain control over our local governments.

As my wife and I arrived at the Courtland precinct last night to cast our votes, I was impressed that you were actually out there thanking people for coming out to vote.  It was refreshing to see someone running for office that acted like a normal person who was friendly, courteous and respectful.

On a final note, I offer my condolences in the recent loss of your mother.  May God grant you peace and comfort as you go through this trying time.

Respectfully,

##

Filed under: Reidsville

RCC staff unable to self-regulate?

Word on the street is that faculty at Rockingham Community College has been informed that they will return to teaching five days a week in the next semester.

The college had moved to a four day a week schedule of instruction, with Fridays reserved for professional development and planning.

Not satisfied with the level of participation, a recently hired administrator began checking up on staff schedules and “meetings” and found numerous instances of ghost meetings in addition to poor attendance.

This administrator reportedly informed staff that they would be returning to a five-day a week schedule of instruction.

I say kudos to this new administrator for rooting our bureaucratic malaise and state-employee clock watching.

With an increasing number of our high-school students coming to community college and university unable to read and write at an appropriate level, it is about time somebody began cracking the whip among educators.

Filed under: Reidsville

Precinct data on Reidsville’s split vote

Reidsville is a split town, with two-thirds going 2-1 for Gorham and one-third goind more than 2-1 for Festerman.

Data from Rockingham County Board of Elections on precinct breakdown of vote on
10-06-09.

Numbers reflect Vote/Percent of vote

Courtland

Registered: 3348
Votes cast: 704
Turnout: 21.03

Mayor:

Faint 38/5.42
Festerman 236/33.67
Gorham 426/60.77

Council:

Balsley 233/19.43
Hayes 126/10.51
Hobbs 114/9.51
Johnson 338/28.19
Scoble 155/12.93
Sykes 229/19.10

McCoy

Registered: 3534
Votes cast: 1075
Turnout: 30.42

Mayor:

Faint 62/5.81
Festerman 711/66.57
Gorham 293/27.43

Council:

Balsley 658/35.30
Hayes 119/6.38
Hobbs 237/12.71
Johnson 249/13.36
Scoble 365/19.58
Sykes 229/12.29

Vance

Registered: 1827
Votes cast: 386
Turnout: 21.13

Mayor:

Faint 18/4.76
Festerman 91/24.07
Gorham 269/71.16

Council:

Balsley 113/18.37
Hayes 54/8.78
Hobbs 41/6.67
Johnson 235/38.21
Scoble 77/12.52
Sykes 94/15.28

Filed under: Reidsville , Reidsville City Council

An observation on campaign finance law and the Mayor of Reidsville

For the record, I want to state the following:

As of today the Mayor of Reidsville, James Festerman, has not filed a certification with the Board of Elections stating that he will raise and spend more than the $3,000 threshold.

I know from direct comment the following:

The mayor himself told me he bought 250 signs at $4 each.

The mayor spent $500 for advertising on local television.

The mayor ran an ad in the Greensboro paper that cost a couple of hundred dollars.

The signs and the tv ads equal $1,500 so he would cross the threshold with any other expenditure. The newspaper ad had to cost more than $1 because it was a quarter-page ad.

Therefore, I believe the Mayor of Reidsville, James Festerman, is in violation of election law.

I will leave it to the professional media to look into this matter. The mayor told me today that he did not intend to take steps to correct this matter.

Filed under: Reidsville

On coming in fourth

I want to thank all of my supporters and the volunteers who helped my campaign. My intention in running was to bring attention to the concerns I felt needed to be addressed and to prove to myself that I could run a clean, positive campaign that resonated with voters.

It looks like I finished out of the money, but still took home 550-some votes, which is 15 percent of the vote.

Having the myriad of failures in my 20’s plaguing me, combined with my outsider status, really put me behind the eight ball but I feel good about my efforts.

It’s setting in now that I lost my mother two days ago and I won’t lie to you, I was expecting a miracle today.

It didn’t happen and I am exhausted with many things to do in the coming days.

When that is over sometime next week I intend to Monday morning quarterback my campaign.

Filed under: Reidsville

Reidsville City Council candidates to debate Tuesday night

There will be a televised forum on local WGSR-TV at 8pm Tuesday night between the six candidates vying for the two open seats on the Reidsville City Council.

This candidates forum will include Jeffrey Sykes, who is running for an at-large seat on the council.

“I am happy to participate in the forum held by WGSR,” said Sykes. “The public deserves a chance to hear directly from the candidates and I look forward to a healthy debate.”

The forum should be available online here.

There is also a public forum set for 7pm on Thursday night at the Reidsville Chamber of Commerce building at Main and Harrison streets. The event is open to the public.

Reidsville’s election is held on October 6 and polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Polling places are Moss Street School, Reidsville Middle School and the Reidsville YMCA.

Filed under: Reidsville , jeff sykes reidsville, jeffrey sykes, Reidsville City Council

Sykes for City Council audio spot

I’ve been involved in a couple of grassroots political efforts in the last few years. I’ve learned a few things about politics and about myself.

I hope to run my campaign for city council in a respectful manner, and in a way that shows others that it’s not impossible to chase your dreams.

I’m having to transfer my domain name so I can get my campaign website up and running. I hope to do that by Labor Day. We will then have one month to build a successful campaign.

I made this 30-second audio clip today stating my three reasons for running.

Click this link and then push the play button on the left.

Filed under: Reidsville , jeff sykes reidsville, jeffrey sykes, jeffrey sykes reidsville, Reidsville City Council

Jeffrey Sykes for Reidsville City Council

Today I filed to run for city council in Reidsville. My intention is to build a municipal pool, oversee a comprehensive overhaul of parks and recreation facilities and bring increased openness and transparency to local government.

Please pray for wisdom and my family.

Jeff

Filed under: 1, Reidsville , jeffrey sykes, jeffrey sykes reidsville, Reidsville City Council

Art fair in Reidsville on Sept. 12

Ba de ya – say do you remember:

##

“Arts on the Square” will be held Sept.12th, 2:00pm-8:00pm at the new “Market Square” in downtown Reidsville. The city is currently looking for artists and fine craftsmen for this one day show. There is no booth fee for this first time event. There is no commission on sales.

Here is the music lined-up for the day:

2:30-4:00   The Not Dead Yet Blues Band  (make-you-cry’ blues)

4:15-5:45   Treated & Released  (‘Django Reinhart’ style Gypsy Jazz)

6:00-8:00   Veronica’s Secret Blues Band  (velvety smooth & slinky blues and jazz)

Also…

“Artifair” – a hands on art experience for kids of all ages!!

Two local wineries will be there for wine tastings;also offering wine for sale by the glass or bottle.

If you are interested, please fill out and return the application attached and return to tspencer@ci.reidsville.nc.us or mail to the address on the application.

##

Filed under: Reidsville , Market Square, Reidsville, The Not Dead Yet Blues Band, Veronica's Secret

At the wheel

I mentioned yesterday that Mike Ross is coming close to hero status in my book. Speaking up for that common sense tradition that has served the country so well over the centuries.

In re-reading a piece from the WSJ I noticed this sentence:

Health Care for America Now, a coalition of groups supporting the Democrats’ health-care push, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees announced last week they are starting an $800,000 television-advertising campaign aimed at all seven of the Blue Dogs in Mr. Ross’s group, as well as lawmakers in two other states.

I believe everyone is entitled to participate in the political process. But conservatives need to be well aware that the rising status of government employees in shaping policy at all levels of government is a spectre on the horizon.

I’ve seen it locally. Rockingham County’s top two employers are the school system and the county government. Just think about that. For any community to have government largess as the primary economic driver is outrageous.

Each budget year they come and cry the sky is falling on illiterate homeless mentally ill elderly people and say that students will be forced into child labor at country clubs if budgets are cut. There is never discussion about how to find efficiencies and cut costs.

To have the federation of local employees driving the attack on common sense Democrats ought to be a huge warning to anyone who believes in smaller government.

Filed under: National, North Carolina, Reidsville , American Federation of State, big labor, County and Municipal Employees, Democratic Party, Health Care for America Now, health care reform, Mike Ross

“Candy and Ronnie have you seen them yet?”

Being the sentimental fool that I am, I might just try to pull off an acoustic version of this favorite song from my childhood this Friday when I play live at the Backstreet Buzz in Reidsville.

Filed under: Music, Reidsville , bennie and the jets, elton john, jeff sykes reidsville, jeffrey sykes reidsville

Sykes to perform live July 24

Sykes Live

Get you some.

Filed under: Music, Reidsville , jeff sykes reidsville, jeffrey sykes, jeffrey sykes reidsville

108

Reidsville’s Dorothy Hairston turns 108.

Wow.

Filed under: Reidsville

Typo

I wonder how long ’till they fix this headline:

“Tea Party tanks”

A reader comments:

“To the editorial staff:

I’m just curious why you chose to title this letter “Tea Party Tanks” which implies that the reader thought the tea party was a bust and had no intrinsic value, when just the opposite appears to be the case.  I hope that was merely a mistake and not your overt liberalism coming out again.”

Filed under: Reidsville

Paid to play

This is Third Moment playing a cover of  “The Wind Cries Mary” this afternoon for the Reidsville Chamber of Commerce ice cream social at the Penn House. John Waller on drums and Ron Edmunds on bass.

We later shredded a version of “Power of Soul”

We played only five cover in two hours so our repitoire of originals is growing.

Filed under: Music, Reidsville , The Wind Cries Mary, Third Moment

Liberty Rally set for July 25

Rockingham County Liberty Rally July 25

More details to come.

Filed under: Reidsville

Bruce Piephoff at Chinqua Penn

The acclaimed singer-songwriter will perform at Chinqua Penn on Thursday. The concert is free to the public, with the estate’s vineyard wine and other beverages sold on site.

If you’ve not seen Bruce or been to the estate since it reopened, this is a great combo.

Filed under: Reidsville , Bruce Piephoff, Chinqua Penn

Only in Rockingham County

A real press release:

April 29, 2009
Rooster caught on scooter
Incident date: April 28th at 9:33 a.m.
Incident location: 118 Roach Creek Road, Eden

Reporting officer: Deputy W. Perdue

Deputy Perdue was in the area of Riverside Drive attempting to locate Ronald “Rooster” Derrick Smith to make service of domestic 50-B warrant. He observed the suspect traveling on a red scooter and without a helmet, and attempted to stop him by activating his patrol vehicle’s blue lights.

The suspect did not stop and attempted to elude by driving his scooter to the rear of area residences. The suspect then came to an abrupt stop near a residence on Roach Creek Road. The deputy was unable to stop his patrol vehicle as quickly and actually hit the rear of the scooter causing the suspect and his cooler of beer to be ejected. The patrol vehicle suffered about $500 in damages and Smith was arrested.

The N.C. Highway Patrol responded and issued citations for Driving While Intoxicated, Open Container Alcohol Violation and No Helmet.

Smith was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for a check-up.

Filed under: Reidsville , Reidsville

How to run for office in Rockingham County

An astute Rockingham County resident has devised a training class for would be county commissioners:

While the steps listed below may seem easy, they are, in fact, so detailed and complicated that the average Rockingham County citizen cannot even begin to understand them, thus necessitating the need for this class. Therefore, only the elite should register for the class; everyone else should just allow themselves and their property to be jacked around as we see fit.

Filed under: Reidsville , Amelia Dallas, Rockingham County property revaluation

What planet does Amelia Dallas live on?

More than 800 people show up to a public meeting to express their displeasure at the way Rockginham County has handled its recent property revaluation, but the Democratic Chairwoman, Amelia Dallas (employee of the Wright Company and political pawn of big donor Homer Wright) says she doesn’t think those assembled represent the will of the people:

As board chair, Dallas was pleased with the way the evening went.

“This is obviously a very emotional issue and that was obvious tonight,“ she said. “But we didn’t hear from the other side of this issue. There are a great many people that are pleased with their revaluations.“

Dallas does not think the people at Monday’s meeting represented the majority of property owners in Rockingham County and thinks the revaluation process should continue.

“I still think we should move forward,“ she said. “We made the decision to do this now and want to make sure things are done right.”

Filed under: Reidsville , Amelia Dallas, Homer Wright, Rockingham County, Rockingham County property revaluation, The Wright Company Inc.

Living with Richard Moore

Recall that I shared my thoughts concerning Gov. Easley deciding not to grant me a pardon the other day. During those thoughts, I mentioned Reidsville’s Richard Moore and his fixation on my personal failure some 12 plus years ago.

Today, Moore has this posted across his website:

FORMER REVIEW EDITOR THROWS PITY PARTY, BUT
DOESN’T SAY WHERE HE THREW THAT MOLOTOV COCKTAIL?
Disturbed felon pegs those responsible for pardon denial, but leaves out key details, like the
crime, his violent temper, and his eternal quest for vengeance on those who outed him

So for anyone wondering what its like to endure psychological double jeapordy in the connected age, here is an example.

It’s also a good example of what happens when a person has a great career as a mid-level analyst at a manufacturing facility and refuses to take that Dale Carnegie course at his employer’s direction.

Filed under: Reidsville , Reidsville, Richard Moore