Pubdate: Sun, 30 Dec 2001 Source: High Point Enterprise (NC) Copyright: 2001 High Point (N.C.) Enterprise Contact: http://www.hpe.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/576 Author: Tom Blount 2001 WAS BUSY LOCALLY The headlines atop today's High Point Enterprise Focus section cover page say it well. "The first year" the banner reads, followed by, "We'll never forget dawning of the 21st century." The report on that page and 2F provides a blow-by-blow account of 2001. Inside the Focus section, the top business-related stories are profiled on the Business pages. When Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue addressed the High Point Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner earlier this month, she noted North Carolina had lost 50,000 jobs in 2001. Today's Business section report indicates that North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region contributed heavily to that number. With a quick review, allow me to point out some major developments in the greater High Point area during the year. A few subjects dominated the news on a year-long basis, with intensity rising and falling but rarely, if ever, dipping below the horizon. They included: lThe Federal Express hub project. lRed-light cameras. lJob losses. lThe Las Vegas developers' foray into the furniture market universe. Other major news developments included: JANUARY lFire destroyed Kepley's Barn, eliminating one of High Point's popular meeting places. lJack Flynn, while serving as chairman of the High Point Housing Authority Board, stepped in as interim executive director when Ken Martin (who died Jan. 11) became too ill to serve. The Housing Authority remained near the top of the news for the remainder of the year. lLoren Hill was hired as president of the High Point Economic Development Corp. FEBRUARY lA new era dawned for the International Home Furnishings Market with beginnings of the High Point International Home Furnishings Market Authority Corp. lA Randolph County drug bust hauled in 26 pounds of cocaine valued at $1 million. lPepper spray and its use by police officers in Guilford County Schools was a hot topic of conversation for several weeks. MARCH lLocal school population reports cited diversity - 87 nationalities, 76 languages. lA partnership convened by United Way of Greater High Point undertook an inclusive community assessment and plan for action process to build on strengths and overcome weaknesses that continues as we enter 2002. lHigh Point became Title City when the High Point Central girls and High Point Andrews boys won state basketball championships during the same weekend. APRIL lHigh Point Housing Authority chose Don Rogers as executive director. lA complaint about a Confederate symbol on the Mississippi state flag, one of three flying above the Center Point furniture showroom complex, spurred quite a flap during the spring International Home Furnishings Market. MAY lAfter months of wrangling, the plug was pulled on the electric deregulation surge. lThe city's budget raised water and sewer fees. JULY lGuilford County Board of Commissioners raised property taxes. lThe effort to rename a High Point street in honor of Martin Luther King resurfaced. lHigh Point Chamber of Commerce President Judy Mendenhall was hired as first president of the High Point International Home Furnishings Market Authority Corp. lLack of a verdict from the U.S. Department of Justice delayed High Point municipal election. lPresident Bush nominated Earl N. "Phil" Phillips Jr. as ambassador to the eastern Caribbean. lHigh Point Mayor Arnold Koonce announced he was against the FedEx hub project. SEPTEMBER lHigh Point's Planning & Zoning Commission rejected bid to rename College Drive in honor of Martin Luther King. lMany local connection stories evolved following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. OCTOBER lLending legend Fred Alexander died. lAttendance at the fall International Home Furnishings Market dropped somewhere between 25 and 40 percent. lMethamphetamine bust by Randolph and Rowan law-enforcement authorities resulted in confiscation of 27 pounds of the drug (valued at $1.3 million) and seven arrests. lHigh Point's 2001 municipal elections were delayed until May 7 (primary) and June 4 (general), 2002, because of the flap over ward redistricting. NOVEMBER lThe FAA approved the design for the FedEx hub. lSusan Mendenhall announced that she would not seek re-election as chairwoman of Guilford County Board of Education. lDrought continued to prevail in the Triad. DECEMBER lDemocrat Mike Barber was chosen chairman of Guilford County Board of Commissioners, and Republican Billy Yow was elected vice chairman. lCalvin Boykin was elected chairman of Guilford County Board of Education. lThree Davidson County deputies and an Archdale police officer were among those arrested on federal drug charges. What a year! No doubt 2002 will be just as exciting locally. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth