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Troy's Perspective: Let's not lose hope

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Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Written by Troy Williams

In today's political climate, separating local politics from events in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh is nearly impossible. We find ourselves drawn into the larger political agenda even when we make genuine efforts to avoid it.
When a sitting U.S. President addresses the nation, it is customary for all television networks to broadcast the speech. Recognizing that media choices influence public perception and understanding can empower citizens to seek unfiltered information, making them feel responsible for their role in democracy.
It would be an understatement to say that some news networks have a strong dislike for the President. However, when two major television networks chose not to broadcast President Trump’s speech, they made a decision not just for their networks, but also for millions of citizens. Citizens deserve unfiltered access to information and denying the public the opportunity to decide whether to listen to the President undermines this fundamental right, which is essential for a healthy democracy.
In a free society, it is not the role of news gatekeepers to determine what information the public should have access to. Journalists have a responsibility to fact-check the individuals they report on, but trying to silence public officials runs counter to the principles of democracy and the public's right to unfiltered political speech.
President Trump's speech focused on election integrity, a contentious issue among his opponents. His critics argue that American elections are secure and maintain that there is little evidence to suggest that the political process in the United States is compromised. However, in his speech, Trump asserts that there is evidence to the contrary and backs his claims with declassified documents that are accessible not only to the media but also to ordinary citizens. This can help citizens feel empowered to seek and evaluate information themselves.
Time will reveal the truth about this matter, and the American public deserves to hear this speech, regardless of whether he is liked or not. Ensuring access to all viewpoints helps citizens feel respected and fosters trust in the democratic process.
Democrats and Republicans have historically found themselves on opposing sides, but the state of political discourse in our country has recently deteriorated to a concerning level. Those who doubt this decline need only look at our local Board of Elections in Cumberland County for evidence of the chaos. Democratic board members, who are in the minority, continually bring charges against their Republican board chair. Still, these allegations are repeatedly dismissed by the State Board of Elections, which has a Republican majority.
Many Americans are increasingly disenchanted with both political parties, as evidenced by unaffiliated voters becoming the largest voting bloc in several states, including North Carolina. I wish there were easy answers to solve this quandary, but realistically, we all know the problem is not in politics; the problem is in the people.
No matter how you feel, let’s not lose hope. The political season is just around the corner, and I hope you’re ready for all that comes with it. Most importantly, I encourage you to fulfill your civic duty by voting for the candidate of your choice. That is your right.

The Devil with Three Golden Hairs

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Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Written by Pitt Dickey

Trigger warning:  the Postal Service recently raised the cost of stamps from 78 cents to 82 cents.  The increase will surely result in better delivery of the mail.  If you believe that, want to buy a timeshare in the Gaza  Strip  Golden Shores Condos, Phase One? Ponder what Grimm’s Fairy Tales teach about the mail.     

Once upon a time, there was a poor woman who had a baby boy.   The village fortune teller opined that when he was 14, he would marry the King’s daughter. The King did not like this prophecy.   He offered the woman gold coins if she would give him her son.    

She made the deal.  

The King put the baby in a box, tossing him into a river.   Fortunately, the box floated away until a Miller and his wife found the baby.  They raised him as their own.   

Time passed. He grew into a polite 14-year-old.  

The King discovered that the Miller’s son was the boy prophesied to marry his daughter.  He promised the boy two pieces of gold to take a letter to the Queen.  The King sealed the letter, not telling the boy that it told the Queen to execute the bearer of the letter.   The boy traveled into the forest, got tuckered out, and found a cottage in a dark glen. 

He went inside, finding an old woman.  She told him he was in a robbers’ hideout and they would kill him when they got home.   He was so tired, he went to sleep anyway.  When the robbers came home, they opened the King’s letter. They learned the boy was on his way to be killed.  

They felt sorry for him and pulled the old switcheroo by sticking a different letter into the envelope for the Queen.  The replacement letter told the Queen to marry their daughter to the boy as soon as he delivered the letter. 

The boy gave the letter to the Queen and married their daughter the same day. When the King arrived, he was royally angry.  He learned about the switcheroo, but now it was too late.  He had a new son-in-law.  

 He told the boy that he would have to go to Hell and bring back 3 golden hairs from the Devil.   The boy set out on his quest, passing through two villages where he was asked a question in each: 1.  Why did the fountain in the town that used to gush wine go dry?  2. Why did the tree in the park that used to bear golden apples become bare?  3.  

A Ferry man asked him, “Why do I keep having to cross the river and no one comes to relieve me?”   The boy promised to find the answer to each question on his way back from the Devil.

The boy found the doorway to Hell and the Devil’s house.  The Devil was away doing deviltry, but Satan’s MeeMaw was home.  She welcomed him in.  He told her he had to get 3 golden hairs from the Devil to keep his Princess Bride.  Satan’s MeeMaw took pity on him, warning the Devil would eat him if he found him.  

She transmogrified the boy into an ant, putting him in her apron.  She promised to get the 3 golden hairs and answer the three questions for the boy. 

When the Devil got home, he was pooped.   He plopped his head in MeeMaw’s lap and told her to pluck the lice from his hair.   

He went to sleep.    

MeeMaw plucked out 3 golden hairs one at a time.  Each time the Devil woke up.    

MeeMaw told him she had a dream, yanking his hair by mistake.   She asked him the three questions, which he answered. The Devil said the fountain went dry because there was a toad under it. Kill the toad, and the fountain will flow.  The tree that no longer produced golden apples was due to a mouse eating the roots.  

Kill the mouse and apples will return. Finally, all the Ferry Man had to do to be relieved of duty was hand his pole to the next person who crossed the river and he would get to leave.

MeeMaw turned the ant back into the boy, giving him the hairs and the answers.  He skedaddled, telling the mayors of the two towns how to fix the fountain and the apple tree.  Each mayor then gave the boy two donkeys laden with gold.  He told the Ferry Man what to do.  

When he got back to the castle with 4 donkey loads of gold, the King was tickled pink.  The King asked where he got the gold.  The boy told him to go to the Ferry Man that on the other side of the river was sand made of gold. 

The King went to the ferry and paid to go across.  On the other side, the Ferry Man asked the King to hold the pole for a moment.  The Ferry Man jumped out, laughing, running away.  The King remains to this very day stuck poling people across the river.

Moral:   As Postal Employee Newman once said, “Who controls the mail, controls information.” 

Don’t complain about the cost of forever stamps; you could be stuck for eternity ferrying people across a river.

("Let Sleeping Devils Lie" Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

Bryan Moore: Why I’m Running for Cumberland County Board of Education

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Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Written by Bryan Moore

The better informed our readers are about the candidates seeking seats on the Cumberland County Board of Education, the better positioned we are as a community to secure the future of the next generation. Nothing is more important than the education, development, and well being of our young children.
Up & Coming Weekly and Kidsville News! remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting literacy, nutrition, character education, and sound educational practices in every Cumberland County School classroom.
This November’s ballot will feature five candidates vying for three At Large seats on the Cumberland County School Board. As of this writing, the field includes:
• Jacquelyn Brown – Vice Chair and the only incumbent
• Tom Hatch – Former Cumberland County high school principal
• Bryan Moore – Local real estate agent
•Broxie P. Pone – Retired teacher and real estate agent
• Demetrius Stokes – Warehouse operations manager
• Bradley Williams – Occupation unknown
Of these candidates, Bryan Moore is the only one with children currently attending Cumberland County public schools.
We continue to stand firmly on the belief that the Cumberland County School Board must be led by individuals who are 100% focused on the education and welfare of our children—not on petty grandstanding, personal agendas, or political posturing. The responsibility is too great, and the stakes are too high.
Below is Bryan Moore’s position statement and platform outlining why he is seeking election. Our readers are voters, and we have invited all school board candidates to speak directly to this community about how and why they wish to serve on this distinguished board.
This is the second submission we have received, and we sincerely hope every candidate takes advantage of this opportunity. These are their visions—in their own words. It is up to us, as residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, to make informed decisions.
You can count on Up & Coming Weekly to keep you informed, engaged, and equipped with honest, first person information that will help guide these important choices. As always,
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
—Bill Bowman,
Publisher, 910-391-3859

Why I’m Running for the Cumberland County Board of Education
I’m proud to announce my candidacy for the Cumberland County Board of Education At Large seat. This decision comes after more than twenty years of business experience, years of community involvement, and a lifelong commitment to the children and families of Cumberland County.
As a father of two sons who have attended Cumberland County Schools, a local Realtor, and President of the Terry Sanford Athletic Booster Club, I’ve spent countless hours listening to parents, teachers, coaches, and students. Their concerns, hopes, and frustrations have shaped my understanding of what our schools need—and what our children deserve. I’m running because I believe Cumberland County schools can do better, and together, we can build an educational system our entire community can be proud of.
My campaign is centered on restoring confidence in local public education and ensuring every student has a clear path to success—whether that path leads to college, military service, or a skilled trade.
My Priorities for Cumberland County Schools are as follows:
Safe Schools
Every student and teacher deserves to feel secure. I support strengthening school safety through improved campus security, stronger partnerships with law enforcement, and proactive strategies that create safe learning environments.
Academic Excellence
Our classrooms must return their focus to strong reading, writing, mathematics, science, and critical thinking. I will work to ensure teachers have the resources they need and students graduate prepared for life beyond high school.
Career & Technical Education
Not every student is headed to a four year university. I want to expand career and technical education, apprenticeships, skilled trades, and workforce partnerships that lead directly to high paying careers.
Parent Partnership
Parents should be respected as essential partners in their children’s education. Transparency, open communication, and meaningful parental involvement strengthen schools and improve student outcomes.
Supporting Teachers
Teachers deserve respect, support, and the tools necessary to succeed. I will advocate for policies that improve teacher retention, strengthen classroom resources, and allow educators to focus on teaching—not bureaucracy.
Athletics & Student Activities
Athletics, arts, music, and extracurricular activities build leadership, discipline, teamwork, and school pride. I support investing in programs that help students grow both inside and outside the classroom.
Fiscal Responsibility
Taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely. I am committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring funding goes directly toward classrooms, student success, and school safety.
Protecting Property Values
Strong public schools strengthen neighborhoods, attract businesses, and protect home values. Improving Cumberland County Schools benefits every resident—not just families with children currently enrolled.
In conclusion, my vision is simple: safe schools, high academic standards, empowered teachers, involved parents, and students who graduate prepared for whatever path they choose. We must improve literacy, raise academic standards, and restore pride in our public schools and earn back the trust of our community.
My campaign isn’t about politics—it’s about our children, our families, and the future of Cumberland County. When our schools succeed, our students succeed. And when our students succeed, Cumberland County succeeds.
For more information about my campaign for the Cumberland County Board of Education, follow me on social media or contact me directly at 910-977-1739.

(Photo courtesy of Bryan Moore)

My vision for the future of Cumberland County Schools

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Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Written by Tom Hatch

Nothing is more important than the education and development of our young people. The saying “children are our future” is much more than an overused and redundant cliché. For three decades, Up & Coming Weekly and Kidsville News! have been directly involved and committed to quality education in Cumberland County through our relationships with Cumberland County Schools, FTCC, Fayetteville State University, Methodist University, and Miller Motte College.

The ballot for the upcoming November election will have many candidates vying for three seats on the Cumberland County School Board. This is, without a doubt, one of the most vitally important boards in our community — a board that ultimately affects the lives of future generations and helps define the quality of life for all Cumberland County residents. 

It needs leadership that is laser focused on the latest and greatest educational resources and innovative programs, and policies that will propel and prepare our children for a prosperous future. It is surely not a place to find fault, grandstand, or to be used as a political platform for partisan bias.

U&CW readers are voters. I have invited all school board candidates to speak directly to our readers about how and why they want to serve on this very important and distinguished board. This is the first submission, and I sincerely hope all candidates will take advantage of this opportunity. This is what community newspapers do — we inform, we engage, and we help strengthen the civic fabric of Cumberland County.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

—Bill Bowman, Publisher

My Vision for the future of Cumberland County

For more than three decades, I have had the privilege of serving the students, families, and educators of Cumberland County. During my career as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal, I have learned that while education continually evolves, one principle should never change: every decision must begin with one simple question—What is best for every student?

If the citizens of Cumberland County elect me to serve on the Board of Education this November, that question will guide every vote I cast and every decision I make.

I envision a school system where academic excellence and student well-being go hand in hand. Every child deserves access to a safe, welcoming learning environment where they are challenged to reach their full potential and supported by caring, highly qualified educators.

Excellence should not be limited by a student's ZIP code, background, or circumstances. Every school should have the resources and leadership necessary to help students succeed.

Our teachers and school employees are the foundation of our educational system. They deserve to work in schools where they feel respected, supported, and empowered to do what they do best—teach. Recruiting and retaining exceptional educators must remain one of our highest priorities. Investing in our people is one of the greatest investments we can make in our students.

As a Board member, I also believe fiscal responsibility is essential. Taxpayers deserve confidence that every dollar entrusted to our schools is spent wisely, transparently, and with students at the center of every budget decision. Strong stewardship of public resources allows us to maximize opportunities for students while maintaining the trust of our community.

The Board of Education cannot accomplish its mission alone. The strongest schools are built through partnerships among families, educators, local businesses, faith communities, and civic organizations. I want to strengthen those partnerships and ensure parents continue to have a meaningful voice in their children's education. When communities work together, students benefit.

Technology, career readiness, and workforce development will also play an increasingly important role in preparing students for life after graduation. Whether a student chooses college, military service, technical training, or enters the workforce directly, our schools should equip every graduate with the knowledge, skills, and character needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Finally, I believe leadership matters. Effective leadership requires listening first, seeking common ground, and making thoughtful decisions based on facts rather than politics. The Board's responsibility is not to create division but to build consensus around what is best for children. I bring experience that you can talk to!

Cumberland County has outstanding students, dedicated educators, and a community that deeply values public education. Together, we have the opportunity to build upon those strengths and create an educational system that prepares every student for success while earning the confidence of the families we serve.

If I am given the opportunity to serve, I will remain committed to the principle that has guided my entire career: always do what's best for every student.

(Photo: Tom Hatch will be running for one of the open seats on the Cumberland County Board of Education this November. Photo courtesy of Tom Hatch)