Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Jim Buice

For the Clemmons Courier

Andrew Meadwell spoke enthusiastically in last Tuesday night’s Bermuda Run Town Council meeting about finishing Phase II of the Blue Heron Trail, with the town manager telling those in attendance that “the end was in sight” for this much anticipated project. 

And after confirming the next day the road striping work for the pathway was completed, Mayor Mike Brannon said that Bermuda Run will be able to move forward with a special ceremony at the I-40 pedestrian bridge.

“As timing would have it, Friday, March 21, is the annual Davie County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting (breakfast) at WinMock,” Brannon said. “Given WinMock is only a few steps away from the pedestrian bridge, and we have lots of town and county leaders plus business leaders attending the breakfast, we have coordinated with the chamber to have the ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. Friday.”

When the I-40 widening project was underway several years ago, the town partnered with the N.C. Department of Transportation to replace the pedestrian bridge that for many years was used as part of the Bahnson family farm.

“The Phase II opening of the bridge allows us to not only continue our commitment to walkable communities but also connects residents to the Truist Sports Park playground and the broader recreational areas of NC Fusion (soccer parks) and RISE Indoor Sports,” Brannon said. “Each additional phase of the Blue Heron Trail, and other new pedestrian pathways, further our commitment to what we heard from residents in our town’s Comprehensive Plan.” 

Although it wasn’t part of the actual council meeting, Brannon said later that the Flags of the Blue Trail project also will have a celebration with work there on the edge of the WinMock property beside the roundabout nearing completion.

“Because this flag plaza has had significant community involvement in residents purchasing engraved pavers but also businesses contributing to this as well, we do plan to have a ribbon-cutting event along with a flag-raising ceremony,” Brannon said. “We are looking forward to inviting members of the community, town and county leadership, and others to participate. While I am hopeful the work gets completed in the next couple weeks, we will likely need to push this event to April to allow enough time for some additional planning for such an important event.”

In a proposed action item, the council approved a resolution to dissolve the Bermuda Run Vision Committee and create a new “Christmas in Bermuda Run” Committee.

Meadwell said that this is the next step in an action plan to bring community events under the umbrella of Bermuda Run where they will be fully funded by the town. He added that committee members will be appointed and another budget amendment will need to be done.

Brannon said he was excited that this will “ultimately transition into one of the signature events” in the town but also applauded the work that has been done by the Bermuda Run Vision Committee over the years.

Also in the meeting, the council approved a budget amendment from a staff request of $10,000 going from the General Fund to be allocated to education and travel expenses for council members.

Meadwell said that it was discussed in last month’s meeting that staff identified that there were no line items for town council training in this year’s fiscal year budget.

In other highlights from last Tuesday night meeting, the council:

Received a presentation from Lori Koethe, campus administrator of Davie Medical Center, and Dr. Matt Cline, chief medical officer of the facility, which opened in Bermuda Run in 2009. They provided an overview of the facility, priorities in serving the community and facts and figures. Several council members offered positive personal reviews upon their own visits, with one stating it was like “being at a five-star luxury resort” after an outpatient visit.

Heard from Brannon in the mayor’s report on speaking at the opening ceremony for the 32nd year of the Davie County Senior Games, which was held at RISE, and praising Carrie Miller for her outstanding leadership.

Also heard from Brannon that Dep. Josh Whitlock had been hired as the new community officer for Bermuda Run and that he would be introduced at next month’s council meeting.