Moore County’s newly-constituted Board of Commissioner seem no more inclined than the previous board to raise property tax rates.

When the Commissioners opened their annual planning retreat on Monday, January 5 with a discussion of their personal goals for the year, the common thread was keeping property taxes at current levels.

All Moore County property will be revalued for tax purposes this year, and a key question is whether the total value of real estate in the county — the tax base — will rise, fall, or stay the same.

Whatever happens to the overall tax base, the commissioners appear determined to minimize the impact on individual taxpayers.

“My number one goal is, in our tax revaluation, that Moore County taxpayers will not see any increase whatsoever in what they are going to pay,” Chairman Nick Picerno said.

County Manager Wayne Vest “and the staff have done an excellent job in controlling costs while providing service to our citizens and getting good value for our tax dollars,” he added.

“These folks out here in the audience hired me,” Commissioner Otis Ritter said, “and I am going to try to work with them to keep their taxes at that current level.”

“Like the rest of our board members, I also want to keep our taxes at the current rate,” Commissioner Catherine Graham said. “Bottom line — no increase. If you’re paying $100 a year now, then I hope you will pay $100 a year next year.”

“With Wayne’s leadership, the staff has done a great job of keeping spending under wraps, Commissioner Randy Saunders said.

“I can’t imagine that we won’t be able to stay revenue neutral” — in other words, based on the new overall valuation, set a tax rate that will produce the same amount of revenue for the county.”

While supporting the idea of a "concept" high school designed to provide graduating high school seniors with marketable career skills, some members of the Board of Education appear anxious to nail down exactly what skills should be included in the new school's course offerings — and to make sure the course offerings reflect the needs of Moore County employers.

Members of the MCS administrative staff presented the results of a web-based survey that solicited public opinion about the new school during the January 5 meeting. Over ten days, the poll attracted responses from 1,069 citizens, including 518 students and 350 parents.

Associate Superintendent Kathy Kennedy said 59 percent of the responses came from the area served by Pinecrest High School, 30 percent from the Union Pines area, and 11 percent from North Moore.

Board member Charles Lambert urged that staff make an extra effort to alert North Moore residents to opportunities for input, since many residents in that area do not regularly peruse media based in Southern Moore County.

Survey respondents were presented with a list of potential course offerings, grouped within four "academies," which included Life & Health Sciences, Agriculture, Design & Production, and Hospitality & Culinary Arts.

Most proposed course offerings received at least some votes. Among the most popular were Animal Science (including Veterinary Assisting), Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Horticulture (including Golf Course & Turf Management), and Life & Health Science (including Physical Therapy, Anesthesiologist, & Nursing).

There results "tell us we were on the right track as far as the pathways were concerned," Kennedy said.

Associate Superintendent Eric Porter told the Board that community forums aimed at gathering additional information are planned for February 12 at North Moore, February 16 at Union Pines, and February 23 at Pinecrest. They will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

Seven Lakes Country Club has a new owner -- almost.

The club informed members on Wednesday, November 12, via email that the Board of Directors has identified a new owner for the club. But negotiations are apparently still underway, so details are scarce.

An email sent to members Wednesday morning, November 12, broke the news, but provided few details.

Here's the text of the notice to members:

"The BOD wishes to inform the membership that a decision has been made on who will be the new owner of SLCC. Due to the sensitive nature of negotiations we cannot reveal their name at this time. We will inform you once the negotiations are complete. The BOD is very excited for the future of Seven Lakes Country Club under the new owner."

"Member dues and annual payment options will remain the same. Information regarding this will be available within the week."

The Board had listed the award-winning course, designed by Peter Tufts, with Hilda Allen Real Estate Inc. in Adel, Georgia.

The broker then conducted a sealed bid auction with a November 6 deadline.

Sunday, November 9

• Rosary at Our Lady of the Americas Church – 8:00 am, 298 Market Rd. Biscoe, 974-3051.

• St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church – 9:30 am, Holy Communion. 1145 Seven Lakes Drive. 673-3838.

• "Patriotic Pops Concert" - 5p m, at the Robert E. Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School. Back by popular demand is #1 hit recording artist Todd Allen Herendeen, and the "Follow that Dream" Band. General admission tickets are $15, Reserved Seating is $20. Proceeds of ticket sales go toward assisting Moore County Veterans. To order your tickets, go to www.sandhilsmoaa.com and follow the prompts.

• West End United Methodist Church Explorers – 5 pm – 6:30 pm, for children grades K-5. A time of learning, crafts and activities before eating dinner with the youth from 6 – 6:30 pm. Children’s ministry, explore God’s Word through scripture, crafts, games. West End United Methodist Church, 4015 NC Highway 73, West End, 673-1371.

• West End United Methodist Church Youth Group – 6 – 7:30 pm in the Youth Room at the church. Youth Ministry led by Mandy Allen, open to all youth in 6th – 12th grades. Enjoy fellowship, study and a meal. West End United Methodist Church, 4015 NC Highway 73, West End, 673-1371.

• The Rooster’s Wife – 6:45 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm, in the gallery of Poplar Knight Spot. Music guest: Matuto. Buy tickets on line, cash at the door. Rooster's Wife. 114 Knight St., Aberdeen, www.theroosterswife.org (910) 944-7502.

Monday, November 10

• Seven Lakes Landowners Association – 9 am, work session. Seven Lakes North Clubhouse Game Room. Review agenda.

• Weight Watchers Meeting – 5 pm to 6 pm, at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 1145 Seven Lakes Drive, Seven Lakes. Group leader Armecia Medlock.

• Pearls 4 Paws Presents “Susie’s Hope” – The movie premiere of “Susie’s Hope” is the true story of how the strength and compassion of one woman and one dog can change the law of the land and the future of animals throughout the state. Together they seek justice and protection for all animals. Sunrise Theater, Southern Pines. Meet the real life heroes of the movie Donna Lawrence and her dog Susie. Doors open at 6:30 with a Red Carpet, doors close at 7:30 pm and 7:45 the movie begins. Buy tickets $15, at The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines; Wine Cellar & Tasting Room, Southern Pines; or The Given Memorial Library, Pinehurst. Proceeds will benefit the Fix’M Fund and assist in preventing unwanted litters of puppies and kittens in Moore County. Questions: mcprc.org/Pearls_4_Paws or email Pamela Partis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at 910-315-0333.

• Sandhills Photography Club – 7 pm, Photo Presentation: “From Robbins to Russia and Other Places” Presenters: Travel photos from members of the Sandhills Photography Club. Guests always welcome. Hannah Center Theatre Center at the O'Neal School, 3300 Airport  Road, Southern Pines. www.sandhillsphotoclub.org

The November 14 edition of The Seven Lakes Times is now available for download in pdf format. You can download a high-quality PDF here, or, if you have a slower internet connection, download a smaller PDF here.

Highlights of this 32-page edition include:

- Director Bill Hirsch has resigned from the SLLA Board of Directors. It's a bit of a complicated story. You can read about it in detail here. And you can read Hirsch's take on the situation in this week's edition of The Times.

- The unpleasantness that led to Hirsch's resignation arose in a disagreement about the best approach to replacing or repairing the SLLA pasture fence, which has lately been falling down and letting horses escape. You can read about the options in this week's edition.

- A proposed SLLA volunteer policy sparked considerable debate during the Board's November 10 Work Session.

- The Board has delayed any decision on renewing the lake management contract with Foster Lakes until other options can be explored.

– After long study by the Planning and Zoning Committee, a new ordinance permitting the development of commercial solar generation facilities in Foxfire Village's ETJ has been approved.

- The Village Council continues to discuss whether and how it can restrict non-resident use of the Village swimming pool.

- The Moore County Board of Education will sell the former Academy Heights school to Taylortown for $300,000.

- Board members praised the service of Enola Lineberger and Dale Frye, who attended their last Board meeting on Monday.

- Members of the public and the County Manager pushed back against animal activists who have been forceful in their criticism of the County's Animal Center and Animal Operations Director Brenda Sears. One member of the Animal Operations Advisory Committee suggested that panel's ability to do its work has been damaged by "open hostility" and "unjustified and inflammatory charges."

- Seven Lakes Stables hosted the SLLA's annual Halloween Party, and even the horses had costumes.

- The Moore County Veterans Memorial Committee hosted a tribute to veterans on Saturday, November 8.

- Greg is planning to take advantage of the free memory screening offered next week at St. Joseph of the Pines (and catch the Glen Campbell documentary).

- Chris thinks we all might need to relax, Alan Shaw has some thoughts for the SLLA Board and Manager, and there's plenty of thanks in our letters section.

Download the high-quality PDF edition (or, if you have a slower internet connection download a lower-quality pdf edition) and read it all this morning, pick up a copy at locations all over Seven Lakes this afternoon, or check your mailbox tomorrow.