These editorials reflect the opinions of their authors and don't necessarily reflect my personal opinions. Feel free to express your opinion with a letter to the editor to: editor(@)pikecountytimes.com. [Remove the () after you cut and paste.]
Letter writing guidelines are as follows: I do not have a word limit. However, I do have 3 rules that must be followed or the editorial will not be printed.
1) All editorials must be respectful even when hard points are made about any topic including local, state, or national politics.
2) If I have a problem with an editorial, I will let you know by email. It can either be resolved or not printed because I will proof letters for grammatical errors, but I do not edit letters based on content.
3) And last but not least, your editorial must be accompanied by your name and a county or city of residence. NO exceptions.
8.6.25
I am writing to you concerning a rezoning change that is happening within the city limits of Zebulon. The location is on Ga Hwy 18E right across from the old train depot (now the Lions Club). The two vacant lots are facing Hwy 18E and lead into the Wrightsburg subdivision. These two lots were zoned commercial but I believe the city council may have already made the zoning change without proper notification to accept a multi family development. All of a sudden a development company out of Fayetteville is requesting to build a complex of 17 multi family units (previously approved if the number was reduced from 28 units) on these two lots. I don’t know the exact figures but one side is less than one acre and the other side is a tad more than one acre. I feel there are so many negative concerns about this that I had to write to let the people know that this is a real concern not only for our neighborhood and the city but for the county as well.
It was my understanding that the Wrightsburg subdivision was originally planned as an older citizens neighborhood. The homes are smaller and situated on small lots. I lived in my home 19 years. Because they were affordable and the location was convenient, they quickly sold to young couples starting out and some with small children. Every home in Wrightsburg is either sold or bought as a rental home— and there are no vacancies. Also, in the original development plan there was a large playground to be built which never happened. There were three vacant lots in Wrightsburg but these lots have recently been purchased by the same developer that wants to build the apartments (they’re calling them townhouses) on the two commercial lots. These townhouses will sell for $250,000-$300,000 and any unsold units will be turn into rental units.
The developer has planned the units so that they will physically and totally cover these two lots providing no yards for children to play and no green space. There are a number issues to building additional housing in Wrightsburg. Wrightsburg has one street and it is a circle. Several years ago the school buses gave up driving thru the neighborhood because of parking issues making the street impassable. So they pick up small children on the highway. Parents fill up the street with cars waiting on the buses and then turning around on the street to go back home. Folks going to work say it’s a nightmare early in the morning. I know personally cause I get out early and go to breakfast. There are other major issues, there was a fire recently in one of the homes and the fire department could not get close enough to help. The garbage collectors are having the same problem getting thru the neighborhood as well. The original ordinances stated no street parking but it has never been enforced. There are existing water pressure issues in the homes. There is no place for children to play but in the street. There are 30 odd number of homes in Wrightsburg on small lots and three more homes coming soon that have already been approved— no green space. Note: It’s expected the more people that are squeezed into a small area— trouble… so expect the law enforcement budget to be increased.
Neither the City Council or the Planning and Zoning Board have shown any interest in studying our neighborhood issues. That is unless their plan is to “allow over crowdedness” within our small city limits. Maybe we need more curbing and flower gardens around the square or around the school auditorium so there is less parking for our growth. Oh, and while we are at it— let’s buy three more of those Christmas trees with blinking (non-working) lights— we’ll have one on every corner. Pike County and the City of Zebulon (which is the county seat) need a plan of our own and not a plan borrowed from a neighboring county/city… Look at what’s happening in the neighboring cities and counties. Pike is starting to grow like an out of control wild fire! Perhaps what “we” need (I’m being facetious again) is more elected officials and appointed committees that somehow after they are elected (or appointed) get a disease called “closed mindedness” and thus follow their own agenda and do whatever the heck they believe is best. Or maybe they are seeing $ signs… You think?!
Seriously, please help us (Wrightsburg citizens) spread the word. This change to Wrightsburg cannot be allowed. If the city wants to change these lots facing Hwy 18E, we suggest they “invest in the city” and build a more visible family park and playground with some parking in this noticeable area of the city.
Thank you,
Margaret Woodall
A concerned citizen of Zebulon and Pike County
[Note from the Editor: https://cityofzebulonga.us/events/category/meetings has upcoming meeting dates and times in one easy place to keep up with what is going on. Kudos to Administrative Assistant Cami Hoopes for her work on the City of Zebulon website!"]
11.16.20
Pike County Residents,
I am an emergency medical services worker whose service includes all of Pike County. I am concerned about our ambulances and the rescue vehicles struggling to locate residences that are not clearly marked by a numerical address.
When a resident is having a heart attack, stroke, or serious bleeding issue, seconds may mean the difference in a resident’s survival or demise. If our vehicles lose cell and radio signals in a rural area, we could arrive at the scene much later than desired. A simple numerical placard near the roadway would be the perfect solution to aid the police, fire, and emergency services in completing their roles successfully.
This has been done in many rural counties for the same reasons and has been a success for the first responders and delivery vehicles, mail carriers, and passers-by. A second suggestion would be to keep the trees and bushes surrounding street signs that are already in place to ensure that their visibility is 100% from the roadway.
Tonie P. Biles
Pike County
[Note from the Editor: The Pike County Emergency Service Auxillary is selling reflective address signs to Pike County citizens. Proceeds benefit all emergency services personnel with disaster assistance in the form of gatorade, water, and other necessary items. Green signs are 6 inches by 18 inches with 4 inch reflective numbers on each side. To order, call 770-468-8633 for more information. All orders for reflective address signs must be made in writing.
I am leaving this up in the interest of safety because these signs are still being made and sold to citizens as indicated above.]