With two members of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners departing at the end of this term, the seven-member board will have two new faces. But they will likely be familiar faces to local voters.

Four candidates are vying to fill the two at-large seats. Two other seats representing District 1 are uncontested.
Unlike municipal races, the county contest is a partisan election. Voters will choose two candidates from among Democrats Marshall Faircloth and Veronica Jones and Republicans Ron Ross and John Szoka.

Faircloth is a former county commissioner and former member of the Cumberland County Board of Education. Jones is the founder and CEO of the Jones Global Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works with families on health, education and social issues. She also has been involved in several political campaigns.
Szoka served five terms in the N.C. State House beginning in 2013. He announced a bid for a seat in Congress in 2020 but dropped out of the race because of redistricting. Ross ran unsuccessfully for the Cumberland County school board in 2016.

Faircloth and Jones edged out incumbent county Commissioner Ken Lancaster in the May 17 Democratic primary. Lancaster has been a commissioner since 2014 and previously served as chairman. The other at-large seat is being vacated by Commissioner Charles Evans, who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House to represent District 7. He lost in the Democratic primary.

Faircloth received 7,233 votes, or 20.57%, and Jones received 10,976 votes, or 31.2%, in the May Democratic primary. Ross and Szoka were the only Republicans running in the Republican primary in May.

Running unopposed for commissioner representing District 1 are Commissioners Jeannette Council, a retired educator, and Glenn Adams, an attorney.
County commissioners serve four-year terms that are staggered. Elections to represent the three-seat District 2 will be held in 2024.

There is no lack of challenges facing Cumberland County, giving candidates an array of issues and causes on which to hinge their campaigns. From contaminated drinking water in the Gray’s Creek community and elsewhere in the county and the resulting lawsuit against the Chemours chemical company to spending millions on a new events center, some important decisions await the winners.

CityView asked the candidates a series of questions about issues in the race. Candidates’ answers are in alphabetical order; some lengthy responses were shortened for clarity and space.
What makes you uniquely qualified over the other candidates?

Marshall Faircloth: “As a certified public accountant with over 20 years of local government accounting and auditing experience, I would be the go-to commissioner on most financial matters coming before the board. I also have 16 years of actual county commissioner service, while all other candidates have none.”

Veronica Jones: “I’m the only candidate that possesses and has experience in all — not one, not two — but has combined professional experiences in all important areas of working directly with a variety of families — hands-on — for well-established nonprofits on an executive level. I'm also the only candidate that has worked directly with a variety of families in mental health and family services and served on boards, all executive-level positions, for the Cumberland County school system. I'm the only candidate that owns both a nonprofit that provides family services and (who) owns a business consulting company. This has allowed me to develop a strong strength in budgeting, financial management and, most importantly, the strongest skill I have developed, working in family services and mental health. And by being a business owner, I have been afforded … the opportunity to do professional work and serve families holding a variety of positions, such as case management coordinator; family advocate director; family services executive director; mental health professional and mental health educator; communications director.

“The combination of my professional work experience and active engagement and investment in our community provides me with a positive connection and exposure to a variety of families and individuals, and I understand the needs of all families, regardless of their ZIP code, gender, religion or financial status.”
Ron Ross: Ross points to his 54 years working with a nonprofit agency, the Boys & Girls Club. “Donations are just like tax dollars,” he said. He touts his ability to stick to a budget, unlike some local governments, and to remember whose money is being spent. “It’s not our money. The key is to always put the people first,” he said.

John Szoka: “I am an experienced leader with a proven record of saving taxpayers money, helping to bring good-paying jobs to our community and working in a bipartisan manner to arrive at common-sense solutions to complicated issues. Just a few highlights of my accomplishments as evidence: I led legislative efforts to bring over $412 million to Cumberland County in the last state budget cycle, which affected every citizen in the county; in 2017, I was the primary sponsor of H589, which has saved electric ratepayers across the state over $350 million in electricity costs by changing the way solar energy is integrated into the grid; I worked for years to build the consensus needed to pass the law that makes military retired pay exempt from N.C. state income tax; in 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, I initiated and led a bipartisan committee on justice reform that changed state laws to protect the public, help good officers do their jobs better and hold bad officers accountable.”

The county is set to unveil a $16 million 911 emergency dispatch center later this month, and the city is asking voters to approve a $98 million bond package of which about $33 million is for a new 911 facility. In 2019, the county and city negotiated to combine their 911 centers, but last-minute disagreements scuttled the plan. Do you favor negotiating with the city for future consolidated or merged services?

Faircloth: “Yes, if the city wants to. They passed up an opportunity to at least co-locate the 911 service with a view of possibly merging some of it in the future.”

Jones: “I favor always keeping the best interest of the people of our community first. Therefore, yes, moving forward with a positive attitude as a potential county commissioner, I favor possible negotiating on certain projects with the city. Although the 911 center project was an opportunity for city and county relations, the county had to move forward with what was a necessary project for the greater good of service of safety and providing service for the people as soon as possible.

… Unfortunately, the city and county on that project did not get on the same page. However, when the city and county do come together, there is positive evidence from projects that have come together well for the greater good of our community. … The city and county merger of parks and recreation has been an unqualified success and is one of the best examples of the advantages of consolidation. The county also pitched in with the investment in the new baseball stadium downtown by approving a special tax district. In addition, both the city and county governing bodies pledged millions to the N.C. Civil War &

Reconstruction center, a key plus in a project expected to bring more money and more jobs to our Fayetteville and Cumberland County community.”

Ross: “911 should have been consolidated,” Ross said, adding that any merger with the city should require a written agreement to “stick to a budget.” He noted that the city spent millions of dollars above its budget for the baseball stadium. He said politics should not play a part in merging services. “It’s never about me, it’s about the people, even if it costs you an election,” he said.

Szoka: “Elected officials always need to remember that money being spent is taxpayer money. Wasting taxpayer money on needless duplication of facilities and services is something that I won’t do. While not every government service is a candidate for consolidation or merger, the 911 center is an example of a service that should have been, at a minimum, co-located in the same facility and probably merged. I will always work for opportunities to save taxpayers money while providing a higher level of service.”

During the public comment period at Board of Commissioner meetings, residents of the Gray’s Creek area often ask about safe drinking water. County Manager Amy Cannon recently told commissioners that her staff is in the process of identifying water sources for the area and that the county is working to provide water service to the Shaw Road area. But getting Public Works Commission services to that area would require that its residents agree to be annexed by the city. What do you believe are the county’s options to provide safe water to county residents in areas not now served by PWC?

Faircloth: “PWC is still the best option, and it's a viable option as a water wholesaler. It was originally chartered as a countywide authority, but it has never managed to operate anywhere near its potential. Bladen County has said they are unable to supply the required volume. As to Shaw Road, the county is not nor has it ever been an obstacle to the annexation by Fayetteville. As I understand it, they only need property owners to agree.”

Jones: “These are the best course of actions to take: (1) The Board of Commissioners should consider creating two new water and sewer districts to combat contamination of private wells due to Gen-X and other forever PFAS chemicals in portions of … the county; (2) consider creating Cedar Creek and the East Central water and sewer districts; (3) conduct a community education campaign before scheduling a public hearing … in addition to providing educational town halls regarding helpful resources and solutions for community residents affected …; (4) apply for state and federal monies and resources such as USDA and EPA grants … for the Gray’s creek area, Shaw Road, and the Vander Water and Sewer District; (5) the county commissioners should continue to seek and stay updated with suggestions and recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and (6) board members should become knowledgeable about the … (Clean Water Act) and provide education for the community through campaign and special town hall meetings.”

Ross: Ross lives in the Gray’s Creek community and is adamant that Chemours should pay for all water extensions in the contaminated areas of the county for which it is responsible. Ross said this issue is important to him. His grandson attends Alderman Road Elementary School in Gray’s Creek. “He can’t even drink from the school’s water fountain,” Ross said. If the county cannot convince PWC to extend water lines in the Gray’s Creek area, the county needs to negotiate for water service with Robeson County, he said. Otherwise, Chemours should pay for “every penny of the cost to run water lines and for the connection fees,” he said. “I don’t know why the state and county didn’t sue (Chemours) sooner,” Ross said. He also said the county should cut the property tax rate by one-half for people living in the affected area. “It should be a top priority. It’s the biggest mess we’ve had in a long time,” Ross said.

Szoka: “In the 2015-16 legislative session, I was a primary sponsor of HB392, Fayetteville Charter/PWC Changes. The bill was a huge policy change and clearly gives the PWC authority to extend water service anywhere in the county without requiring annexation into the city of Fayetteville. I personally wrote that part of the legislation to ensure that rural areas of the county would not be ‘held hostage’ to an annexation requirement. The answer for Gray’s Creek is to extend PWC water lines and provide water service. Period. The county and the PWC need to sit down and negotiate the agreement to make this happen. For the rest of the county, the PWC has the authority to extend its water lines today. For those areas where it is not economical for the PWC to extend its water lines, the county needs to conduct a study and determine how best to achieve the goal of safe drinking water for all citizens and then take action to make it happen.”

What do you hope to accomplish either by yourself or with the Board of Commissioners in the first 90 days of your term?

Faircloth: “The first 90 days will be spent either searching for the best possible county manager candidate or learning to work with this person depending on how far along the task will have come. Other than that, I would likely be working to build a solid working relationship with all board members, getting updated on all current and upcoming projects, and reviewing the activity of the past two years.”

Jones: “I realize the importance of goal-setting and long-range planning. County policies will have an impact on the lives of our Cumberland County families and individuals, and for that reason I believe that our community residents will expect myself and the other county commissioners to influence the direction of county government for the greater good of the people in a positive manner. Policymaking is far more art than science. The key to good policymaking is to see the forest for the trees. … I will provide quality services to our Cumberland County citizens while being fiscally responsible. … I will maintain core values, serving … with PRIDE: Professionalism, respect, integrity with accountability, diversity, and excellent customer service. … I know that it's important to understand (and) recognize policy and procedures and the overall budget process thoroughly within the first 90 days. This is important to effectively represent our citizens. Families can trust that I will have no problems in this area.”

Jones said she also will prioritize these issues: (1) Speed up the pace of planning for the new events center, noting that a location has not been selected despite a target date of August 2022 to do so; (2) Set goals to address affordable housing and homelessness; (3) Reevaluate funding for the county school system; (5) address issues related to mental health, Gray’s Creek public water access, government communication, economic development, and an asset inventory and audit skills.

Ross: Ross said he does not have a single priority for the first 90 days but rather a “wish list” of items he would like to see happen. First, he would like the commissioners to hold meetings every three months in different areas of the county. Unlike the current public comment rules, speakers should not have to sign up or provide a topic before speaking. The program could provide a mediator to keep the program on point. Second, Ross wants to see an “open meeting” with senior citizens to consider what additional senor-centric programs the county should create. Third, construction of “working” homeless shelters to put the homeless to work and providing them with treatment should become a greater priority, he said.

Szoka: “Among my top priorities is clean water countywide. In the first 90 days, I will work for an approved, funded plan for the first loop of PWC water extension into Gray’s Creek that will provide safe water to the two elementary schools currently still using bottled water and to the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners’ Crown Event Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 1, took another step toward construction on the proposed $80 million facility that will replace the aging Crown Theatre and Crown Arena.

The committee, chaired by Commissioner Jeannette Council, unanimously agreed on one of three methods of moving forward in the contracting process with an as-yet-to-be-determined builder.

The three-member committee, which also includes Commissioners Glenn Adams and Jimmy Keefe, voted in favor of a most-commonly used contracting method referred to as construction management-at-risk (CMAR). The committee’s recommendation now goes to the full Board of Commissioners.

In an agenda memo to the commissioners, Jermaine Walker, county Engineering and Infrastructure director, recommended this option.
County Manager Amy Cannon called it the “next big step” in deciding how the county’s owner representative will move the project forward.
Matt DeSilver of MBP Carolinas presented the three contracting methods to the committee. MBP Carolinas is an engineering consulting firm hired by the county as its owner’s representative for the project.

Design-bid-build process is the most common method used in North Carolina, according to DeSilver. This method procures an architect, completes the design to 100%, and then procures the construction contractor.
DeSilver said this method, however, is the longest process. It does allow for competition but the county cannot base its selection on qualifications. DeSilver said this process also is problematic if bids are over budget. Finally, this method results in additional costs if there are problems with the design and the project requires a change order.

The second method is Construction Management-at-Risk (CMAR) and is commonly used at the state level in North Carolina. It allows the county to choose its contractor based on qualifications; however, it comes at a higher cost, according to DeSilver. This method also allows the contractor to be part of the design process. This method also allows for a shorter construction schedule.

The third method is design-build and is not a common means of constructing public facilities in North Carolina, DeSilver said. In this method, the architect actually works for the contractor, rather than the county. Also, DeSilver warned, under this method the design of the facility is “locked at 60 percent,” thus not allowing the owner to tweak designs if last-minute issues arise.

Walker, in his memo, stated, “In order to adhere to the restrictive timeline required to deliver the new Crown Event Center as a complete and useable facility by October 2025, it is important to finalize discussions regarding the construction delivery methods available to the County for this project. Over the years, changes in North Carolina legislation have provided local governments with more options for construction of public facilities.”

The committee also went into a closed session to discuss real property acquisition. Under state law, commissioners can discuss property and real estate acquisition but must take any formal action in an open session.

The commissioners did not take action other than to adjourn after the closed session. Employees of MBP Carolinas have attended the last several closed sessions of the Crown Event Center Committee.

The Cumberland County Board of Education on Tuesday, Nov. 1, voted unanimously to offer retention bonuses of $1,000 to all staff members who complete their employment contracts during the 2021-22 school year.

Approval of the bonus plan came with a 9-0 vote on a list of consensus items that had been approved unanimously last week by a board’s personnel committee.
The committee had recommended that the retention bonuses be paid to those who are eligible.

“Custodians all the way up to teachers,” said Greg West, chairman of the school board, during the committee meeting. “That’s going to be good news.”
Certified or classified employees who were hired as of Oct. 1 and who remain with the school system on Dec. 1 will receive $500 sign-on bonuses.

The bonuses will be paid on Dec. 16.
Also, bonuses of $1,500, culled from federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, are available to kindergarten through fifth-grade instructors who complete training units by June 30 with a score of 80% or above.

Likewise, all pre-kindergarten teachers who complete Units 1-2 by June 30 with a score of 80% or above will be eligible for a $500 completion bonus.
Administrators will receive a $500 bonus if they finish LETRS Units 1-2 by June 30 with a score of 80% or above.

Overall, the school system has received $150 million in EESER funding

Val Applewhite and Wesley Meredith served together on the Fayetteville City Council for three years beginning in 2007.

A dozen years later, they are competing in the Nov. 8 general election for a seat in the North Carolina Senate representing District 19.
What many see as an intriguing matchup has another connection: Both candidates have faced off with state Sen. Kirk deViere at the ballot box.

DeViere defeated Meredith, the Republican incumbent, to win his first term in the Senate in 2018. And Applewhite defeated deViere in this year’s Democratic primary, in which deViere was seeking reelection.
Without an incumbent in the race, this contest has become one to watch.

Meredith is eager to return to the legislature. Applewhite twice ran unsuccessfully to be mayor of Fayetteville. So both are well-known in local political circles, and both are military veterans.
The race is further in the spotlight because Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper endorsed Applewhite in the primary, a move that was highly unusual because the incumbent, deViere, is also a Democrat.

Despite their similar backgrounds, Meredith and Applewhite have very different views on government and public policy.
George Breece, a former member of the N.C. House of Representatives, has followed local politics for years and is a radio news analyst during election cycles.

"The Senate race between Applewhite and Meredith will be the most watched local race in Cumberland County,” Breece said. “Two seasoned candidates — one a former city councilman and senator trying to return to Raleigh, and the other a former city councilwoman and political activist with the very strong support of our governor and coming off an impressive Democratic primary victory. These are two fine candidates who are opposites when it comes to political philosophies....

“This Senate District 19 race is going to be a great one to watch and will be the ‘thriller in the ’Ville in this 2022 election,” Breece added.
Meredith, who served in the Army, served four terms in the state Senate beginning in 2010 but lost reelection to deViere in 2018 and 2020.

Applewhite: ‘A life of service’

An Air Force veteran, Applewhite served on the Fayetteville City Council for three terms beginning in 2007.

“I’ve lived a life of service — a total of 25 years active-duty and as a civilian in the Air Force, six years on the Fayetteville City Council and several years with nonprofit organizations. This race is a part of my life of public service,” she said in response to emailed questions. “There are many reasons I decided to run, and the decision was not an easy one to make. However, if there was one specific issue, I would say it was to be an advocate for health care and do my best to pass Medicaid expansion for the nearly 600,000 people in this state.

“Another reason is education,” Applewhite said. “I believe we are failing our children and our educators. In a broader sense, we have to begin to address the reasons why Cumberland County remains a high-distressed and low-wealth community. As a county and as an region, poverty is the underlying issue for so many of our social and economic problems: homelessness, lack of affordable housing, underfunded and deteriorating schools, failing infrastructure, struggling businesses, etc.”

Other issues close to her heart include the right of women to make their own decisions about abortion.

“There is only enough space in an examination room for a woman, a doctor and a family member,” she said. “I don't believe any woman has ever invited a politician into her examination room.”

Senate District 19 encompasses most of Cumberland County, including rural areas on the northern, southern and eastern sides, plus Hope Mills and parts of Fayetteville.

Applewhite said she is thankful for Gov. Cooper’s endorsement.

“… It demonstrates his confidence in my leadership and my commitment to serve the citizens of North Carolina,” she said. “We share many of the same priorities: Medicaid expansion, paying teachers more, increasing opportunities to create jobs that can support families and pay the bills. I look forward to working with him.”
Applewhite said voters can have confidence in her.

“... I believe our citizens want someone that is committed to improving the quality of life of their families and willing to support their businesses,” she said. “I’ve demonstrated this commitment while serving on the Fayetteville City Council. My advocacy for improved transportation and infrastructure, public safety, support of local businesses through Hire Fayetteville First, translation of critical city services into other languages to embrace our diverse population and more.

“Perhaps most importantly, I am absolutely committed to addressing the issue of poverty and beginning to form a strategic plan to create wealth and diversify our tax base. Cumberland County has been a Tier 1 for far too long, …” she said. “The pandemic exposed the challenges in our county, but it also highlighted what we must improve. I am ready, willing and able to represent the amazing and deserving citizens of Cumberland County.”

Meredith: ‘Back to prosperity’

Meredith describes himself online as being “from a working-class family who grew up with the core values of hard work, perseverance, and serving God and country.”
On his website, he says that North Carolinians are facing a public health and economic catastrophe.

“I know that North Carolinians will rise above this challenge,” he says. “Unfortunately, my opponent believes that we can tax our way back. You and I know that jobs, not tax hikes, are the path back to prosperity.”

He lists his top three legislative priorities as lowering taxes to help people with inflation, stopping violent crime and school choice.
If he is returned to the state Senate, Meredith says on his website, he will work tirelessly to keep the public safe from the coronavirus and ensure that first responders and health care providers have the personal protection equipment they need. He commits to funding vaccine research, testing and contact tracing “so that we can get back to work safely.” He also said he would “get people and small businesses hit hard by COVID-19 the help they need.”

Other important issues Meredith cites include education. He says he supports giving dedicated teachers the support they need. A first-class education, he says, starts with excellent teachers.

“That’s why I voted for five consecutive teacher pay raises, increased salaries by 15% to $54,000 per year, increased education spending by $2 billion, and support school choice reforms that give parents more freedom to choose where their child goes to school,” he says.

Meredith says some states have moved to put more restrictions on school curriculum, what teachers can say in the classroom and the types of books available in public schools and libraries.

In a CityView questionnaire, Meredith was asked whether such rules are needed.

“Schools are for learning. They are not for indoctrinating our children,” he said. “Most teachers and school administrators agree with this, but in the rare cases where inappropriate books or subject matter is being taught — such as gender identity ideology and sexual education that is not age-appropriate — then elected leaders should stand up on behalf of students and parents to put guidelines into place. There should be full transparency with what our children are being taught. Parents have the right to know what their children are learning. Frankly, parents have the responsibility to know what their kids are learning at school.”

Meredith says he strongly believes in the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Meredith also said in response to the questionnaire that all life is sacred. He went on to say that he supports policies that protect and respect the lives of unborn babies and pregnant mothers.

“I adamantly oppose late-term and partial-birth abortion and would work to restrict those barbaric practices,” he said. “I would only support new regulations on abortion that include clear exceptions for rape, incest, protecting the life of the mother, and compassionately caring for fetuses with catastrophic deformities who cannot survive outside the womb or have already died.”

Eight years ago, Democratic rival and state Rep. Billy Richardson alleged that Meredith “actively or knowingly allowed" his son with his first wife to go on Medicaid in the late 1990s when he was reportedly making a six-figure annual salary. Allegations also surfaced that Meredith financially abandoned his wife and child.

Meredith later said that the Department of Social Services had completed and closed its investigation of those allegations of welfare fraud.

“The case has been thoroughly investigated and the case is closed with no further action necessary," he said in an interview with WTVD of Durham.

Local issues

Applewhite declined to weigh in on the $97 million bond referendum that Fayetteville city voters will decide in the general election. She did say that the bond package “takes us back to the issue of not having a diverse tax base. Unless we are able to attract businesses here, local and county governments have very few options to generate revenue for critical services. It is a difficult decision, but ultimately the citizens get to decide.”

As for the referendum on changing the way districts are drawn for the City Council, Applewhite said she was asked to support that change but declined. She said she challenged the initiative organizers with the belief that the initiative is based on the fact that eight of 10 seats on the current City Council are held by African Americans.

“Although they said it was not based on race, I was not convinced,” she said. “Perhaps it is not based on race alone, but surely a combination of race, power and control.”

Supporters of the council election plan say it is not based on racial issues but would convert four of the nine seats from district to citywide to give voters more representation.

Meredith did not respond to a question about the bond referendum.

Gray’s Creek residents who participated in a North Carolina State University chemical exposure study were told Wednesday, Nov. 2 they had a higher-than-average amount of chemicals in their system.

Researchers from N.C. State’s Center for Human Health and Environment met with approximately 30 area residents at the Gray’s Creek Community Center on School Road. Researchers Nadine Kotlarz, Jane Hoppin and Detlef Knappe reviewed the information provided to participants in a letter they received earlier and answered questions about the results.

Participants in the GenX exposure study are part of a long-term health study to understand the health effects of PFAS. Blood sampling from residents is an element of the study. PFAS stands for per- and polyflouroalkyl substances. They are human-made chemicals used in a variety of commercial products and produced by the Chemours Fayetteville plant off N.C. 87 at the Cumberland and Bladen County line.

The GenX exposure study is measuring GenX and PFAS exposure in people living in the Cape Fear River Basin, the source of drinking water for many communities. The study began in November 2017 after Wilmington discovered GenX and PFAS contamination in its drinking water.
The letters that were sent to blood donor participants contained a summary of the study and the findings, including their individual results. The study area is in the proximity of the Chemours Fayetteville Works plant.

To participate in the 2021 blood sampling, residents could be new or previous participants in the study, be at least 6 years old, limited to four people in one household, lived at their current address for at least a year, and if living in the Fayetteville area, must be on private wells.
The blood PFAS results from 2020-21 found four PFAS types (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA) in almost everyone, according to the presentation. The amounts were higher levels than the U.S. national average. The sampling also found “Nafion byproduct 2” and PFOSDoA in some people in the Fayetteville area. The study did not find GenX in any blood samples, according to the presentation.

Hoppin said the point of the presentation was to make residents aware that they are above the U.S. average for PFAS in their system and to get them to understand the health effects of those findings.
Community activist Mike Watters, who is a community advisor for the research team, was more poignant.

“Our blood is contaminated, and they (residents) need to share that information with their doctors and come up with a plan,” he said.

The sampling consisted of 1,020 people. Of those, 99.6% had PFOS; 99% had PFOA; 99% had PFHxS; and 96% had PFNA in their blood.
The N.C. State research team is holding a series of meetings. The next presentation will be on Nov. 10 at the Cedar Creek Baptist Church. Another is scheduled for Dec. 7 at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington. Each of the two-hour meetings starts at 6 p.m.

The research team determined that residents living nearby or downstream from the Chemours Fayetteville Works plant were exposed to PFAS from the facility, but that the blood levels of these PFAS decline over time.
The health effects from PFAS include decreased antibody response in both children and adults, dyslipidemia in adults and children, decreased infant and fetal growth, and an increased risk of kidney cancer in adults.

More limited evidence of association to PFAS shows it may cause an increased risk of breast cancer in adults, increased risk of testicular cancer in adults, liver enzyme alterations in adults and children, increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, thyroid disease and dysfunction, and an increased risk of ulcerative colitis in adults.

Some residents expressed frustration over the length of time the research team takes to come up with study results. Hoppin said the small research team is still analyzing historical data. She said among her questions is how some individuals living in like conditions have higher amounts of PFAS in their systems compared to others.

“We are just now at the cusp of learning the impact of PFAS,” Watters said.

Their reaction to the City Charter referendum looks like the Fayetteville City Council is scared of this vote. For those who need help understanding, some people want to change the City Council's structure by converting four council seats from district seats to citywide seats. Currently, the 10-person council has nine district seats plus the Mayor, who is elected citywide. "Citywide" means "at-large." So, the citizens of Fayetteville would get a total of six votes. One for Mayor, one for their district, and four additional representatives who can live anywhere within the city.

The Mayor's position is an "at-large" position, and if that works for the Mayor, then why wouldn't it work for City Council? Wait, are we saying that the Mayor's position does not or cannot represent the whole city? I don't think we are, but if you interpret this one way, then you have to ask that question to the other. If memory serves, someone gathered a petition of 5,000 signatures which was required to put it on the November ballot. However, the City Council voted not to allow it on the ballot. It went to court, and a judge ordered it on the ballot.

Ask yourself why the Council would refuse it. I have heard this is a Democrat and Republican thing, but that cannot be because the City Council members are supposed to be nonpartisan representatives. The talk on the street is that this is a matter of race. Has anyone looked at the makeup of the City Council? There are representatives of multiple races. Now, let us look at the last Mayoral and City Council election in July. In a city of 210,000 people, only 14,800 voted, with 4,000+ done by mail-in or early voting. Here are a few statistics from a Spectrum News 1 article on July 27 about the City Council election. "The District 7 race between Brenda McNair and incumbent Larry Wright was very close. McNair has 679 votes, 23 more than Wright. The margin in District 3 is even closer. Mario Benavente has 1,012 votes, just six more than incumbent Antonio Jones." In two seats, the total count difference was 29 votes.

For those who can vote and are not happy with the direction of Fayetteville, then change the rules because you have nothing to lose if you want more choices. Change the rules; you have nothing to lose. If you want more representation, then change the rules. You have nothing to lose.

If the City Council had a record of doing good - ensuring low crime, providing a safer place city, better job opportunities, fewer taxes and lowering the homeless rate - then why should they worry about their positions? If the City Council made it their priority to make it easy to make a living, start a business, or keep a business going, then why should they worry about a referendum? If the city focused on making Fayetteville a city with a great reputation, then why should the City Council worry about the referendum?

What is important to you is why you should Vote Yes or Vote No.

The Child Advocacy Center is planning several events surrounding its annual “19 Days of Prevention” campaign, raising awareness around child abuse and prevention.

“On the heels of yet another successful Pinwheel Masquerade Ball & Auction in October, we’re proud to launch our annual ‘19 Days of Prevention’ campaign in November,” said CAC Executive Director Roberta Humphries.

“Our goals with this unique campaign are twofold: to encourage general awareness about child abuse and prevention and to educate the community about the many ways our organization works hand-in-hand with other crucial agencies to address these issues,” Humphries said.

Kicking off the campaign will be the “19 Days of Prevention Art Contest Reception” on Nov. 2.
The CAC collaborated with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County to recruit art-contest submissions inspired by the theme of “showing kindness to your neighbor.” The winners of this contest will be announced at the reception.

The next event CAC is planning is the “19 Days of Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon,” which is open to the public at the Kiwanis Recreation Center on Nov. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
At this luncheon, sponsored by the Exchange Club of Greater Fayetteville, CAC will be recognizing various agencies and businesses in the community that have received their “Partner in Prevention Seal.”

This special seal is only awarded to those agencies and businesses whose staff (90% or more) has completed the “Stewards of Children Sexual Abuse” training.
Attendees of the luncheon will also hear from Lilly, a young woman and survivor-leader in the anti-human trafficking movement. According to CAC, Lilly “uses her lived experience of human trafficking to educate and support local communities and partners by advocating for change.”

Yet another initiative planned for November is the CAC’s “Body Safety Classes.” These classes will be presented in community childcare facilities, where children will learn five rules for body safety: “1) know what’s up, 2) look for red flags, 3) make a move, 4) talk it up, and 5) no blame! no shame!”

Preschoolers will also have books read to them: “No Means No!” by Jayneen Sanders and “Some Parts Are Not for Sharing” by Julie Federico.
To schedule a class at a childcare facility, interested parties may request a training by going to the CAC’s website at https://www.cacfaync.org/what-we-do/community-outreach-education/body-safety-class.html.

“As the CAC heads into celebrating our 30th anniversary next year, we’re more dedicated than ever to our mission,” Humphries expresses, “and we genuinely hope the public will join us in participating in and spreading the word about our ‘19 Days of Prevention’ campaign this November.”

The tenth annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Fayetteville will kick off Heroes Homecoming week this year. The Cumberland County Veterans Council created Heroes Homecoming in 2011 as a way of showing all veterans that the community remembers and appreciates their courage, sacrifice and everything they did to defend our freedom.

Michele Harling, a committee chair for the parade says that this year’s theme for Heroes Homecoming Week is “Honoring the Heroes at Home.”

“We made the decision that we would like to honor the heroes that hold the home front. This includes the veterans who stay on post while their units are being deployed. This includes the family members that have to hold the homestead together while their family member is deployed. It's about the veteran community that comes and supports what happens at Fort Bragg,” Harling said.

The committee was looking for a family that would represent the heroes at home and found the Davis family. Harling said that their experiences as a military family and Fayetteville natives make them great representatives of the huge number of families in the community who have supported their family members' military career.

Chris Davis is a veteran, a Pastor of the Force of Life church in Fayetteville, and previously served as a Fayetteville council member.
His wife, Demetria, is the North Carolina Mother of the Year. She is the mother of five children and grandmother to one. Davis, also known as “Mama Dee” was awarded earlier this year by American Mothers Inc., a national nonprofit organization that provides mentoring, grants and other support for mothers and children.

The parade will feature several JROTC groups, multiple high school marching bands, military equipment, various organizations, color guards, churches and groups, such as Scouting and the Shriners. Local sports teams and their mascots will also be making an appearance.

The parade will especially feature members of the Fort Bragg community, including the 18th Airborne Corps and the U. S. Special Operations Command. According to the Cumberland County Veterans Council, there are about 52,000 veterans that live in Cumberland County. That doesn’t include the Fort Bragg population of 52,280 active duty soldiers and their family members.

The parade route has changed. It will start on Person Street, just after B Street, and then move down Person Street to Hay Street, ending just before Segra Stadium. Previously, the parade had to cross the train tracks in downtown Fayetteville, which was a safety hazard.

“We don't have to worry about slowing them down or stopping them on that Saturday, and it'll give everybody a chance to slow down and kind of take their time on the route. In years past, we have been trying to make sure that we got everybody across the road before the train came,” Harling said. “This year, we don't have to worry about the trains coming, so there will be opportunities for various groups to basically perform for the VIP grandstand along the route so that people can see what some of our organizations do.”

The parade will kick off on Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. The City of Fayetteville’s Veterans Day Ceremony will follow the parade at the North Carolina Veterans Park. The ceremony will feature a mayoral proclamation, county and city elected officials offering remarks, a keynote speaker, and a flag ceremony.

Spectators are recommended to arrive early to find parking.

The Fayetteville community has been on an interesting journey over the last 18 months with the initiative to amend the city’s charter by converting our current nine single-member districts to a combination of five single-member and four at-large seats. The net effect would be that voters would have six people on council representing them versus the current two.

On its face, the question seems simple — more representation or less? Does Fayetteville want to join with every major city in North Carolina, as well as the other local governments in Cumberland County, who have determined that a combination of at-large and single-member seats represent the most effective and representative form of local government?

One of the major objections being made against the charter change is that the desire for change is racially motivated to reduce minority representation on the council. The belief is that whites want to exert undue influence on the council. That simply is not true.

An objective look at the facts show this Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative is based on the reality of where our city finds itself today after decades of demographic changes here. A few examples show this clearly to anyone willing to look at the facts.
In Fayetteville today, Black voters outnumber white voters by over 38% with Black voters representing 45.2% of the registered voters and white voters representing 32.7%.

A look at voter turnout in recent elections shows that Blacks and whites vote in the same percentages. In the recent July 2022 City Council election, Black turnout of 13.6% was about the same as white turnout of 13.8%.

Neighborhoods which were racially segregated in the past are not any longer. We are truly a very diverse city with shared values and needs that are not dependent on race. This diversity is just an indicator of us truly being an All-America City and should be celebrated, not ignored.
Qualified candidates of all races have success in raising campaign donations. Mayor Colvin raised $134,000 in the last election, Sheriff Wright raised $118,000 and County Commissioner Charles Evans raised $87,000 in his recent congressional race.

Our community continues to elect qualified candidates of all races. Two of our last four mayors have been Black. Our Sheriff, Clerk of Court and multiple judges have won at-large seats in Cumberland County. Of the current five at-large seats on the County Commission and School Board, three of them are held by Black candidates.
Statistics show that communities with at-large representatives have faster growth, less criminal activity and less poverty than communities without such representation. A cohesive and more responsive government improves quality of life for all its citizens.

The recent census shows our growth is not keeping pace with our peer cities that have it. Our poverty rates and crime rates are higher while voter turnout and the opportunity for good jobs are both lower. These peer cities are the ones we compete with for the type of jobs that can help make Fayetteville a place our children can come home to.

If we want to compete for better jobs and a higher quality of life, then we must have a structure more like the ones used by the rest of the state. The structure used by our peer cities, the ones we compete with every day, the ones that are growing faster, are safer and are providing a higher quality of life for their citizens.

At the end of the day, after all the political rhetoric, voters are left with the simple choice. Do you want our city to move forward and have better quality of life? Do you want a more cohesive and responsive city government? Do you want six people on city council representing your interests or just the current two?

The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (FACVB) unveiled its new name, logo and brand identity, DistiNCtly Fayetteville, on Nov. 1 at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. Anchored in foundational tourism research that gleaned insights into what visitors find attractive about the Fayetteville area, the then-FACVB team started on a journey to envision a new brand that better reflects the region and all it has to offer.

“In Fayetteville and Cumberland County, radically different experiences create one distinct destination,” said Randy Fiveash, Interim President & CEO, DistiNCtly Fayetteville. “It is time we have a name, look, and feel that celebrates and embraces our region’s energy, diversity, and distinctiveness. Our new DistiNCtly Fayetteville brand does just that. We are ready to share everything that makes the Fayetteville area special — with our community, our region and beyond.”

This journey didn’t happen overnight. In the summer of 2021, the FACVB knew they needed a change. For the first time in 17 years, the destination marketing organization moved forward with a Request for Proposal process to hire a new, full-service marketing and advertising agency. From the beginning, they knew they wanted a North Carolina-based agency.
In August 2021, an RFI was issued to 13 North Carolina full-service marketing and creative agencies. Of that 13, seven asked to receive the RFP, and six proposals were received.

There was an RFP review committee, including city and county tourism industry representatives. Those six proposals were narrowed down to three agencies. Each came to town in hopes of being the next agency of record. After those interviews, one stood out, and the committee knew they had found the agency to take the FACVB in a fresh, new direction. This was no small task.
During their presentation, the winning agency said: “Fayetteville is like this hidden gem that no one knows about. We’d like the opportunity to change that.”

With that statement, the FACVB board voted to offer the contract to a new agency, approving the new hire. Shortly after their contract began, the task of this new branding exercise began. It was nine months in the making, and there is more to come.

In addition to the new name, logo and overarching brand, DistiNCtly Fayetteville will launch a new website and announce a bold new marketing campaign in the coming months. The DistiNCtly Fayetteville team worked with its new marketing and advertising agency, Mythic, out of Charlotte, on the rebrand.

At its core, DistiNCtly Fayetteville is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fayetteville/Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. It is the tourism marketing arm of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, fueled by research-based marketing.
Anytime you develop a new brand, a brand positioning statement is the foundation for everything the brand does moving forward. The tourism branding statement that was designed for DistiNCtly Fayetteville reads:
Here, history meets history in the making. Where Southern charm meets modern flair. Unexpected thrills bring unexpected respite. And radically different experiences create one unique destination. Discover why it all works in the Fayetteville area.

“As a community-based destination marketing organization, our priority is on growing economic health and increasing quality of life for Fayetteville and Cumberland County while also ensuring a valuable, positive experience for the people who visit this wonderful region,” said Fiveash. “This new brand and our upcoming bold marketing campaign will help us continue to promote our community and broaden our reach to new folks across the region and the nation to come experience, time and again, what makes us distinct.”

Travel and tourism for Cumberland County in 2021 generated more than $608 million annually and accounts for more than 4,550 jobs and $163.2 million in payroll.
Additionally, state and local tax revenues to Cumberland County from travel amounted to $46.3 million, which represents a $138.49 tax saving for each household in the county.

This solid economic travel impact ranks Cumberland County 12th among North Carolina’s 100 counties, behind Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Wake, Dare, Durham and others.

The statistics are from The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties study that was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics. Tourism Economics is an internationally respected research organization focused on the travel sector.

To learn more about Fayetteville/Cumberland County and experience what makes the region distinct, visit www.DistiNCtlyFayetteville.com.

Fayetteville faces one of the most important elections in its history on Nov. 8.

This time it is not about any candidate. It's about the city's future and the place it will be for our children and grandchildren to find good jobs and be willing to stay here. Voting Yes to the Fayetteville Charter Amendment will convert four of our current nine single-member districts to at-large, resulting in every Fayetteville citizen having six people to vote for versus the current two. There would still be five single-member districts.

For the past 20 years, we have been struggling with a city council structure that rewards council members for thinking about the few hundred people in their gerrymandered district who voted for them, and too often ignoring the greater needs of the city. Our murder rates are at an all-time high, and the homeless are filling our city streets. Still, our council spends valuable time considering implementing a self-serving retirement plan for city council members to pay them $6,000 a year for life.

We are better than that.

Nine of North Carolina’s largest cities have at-large members as part of their structure. Other local governments in Cumberland County have at- large members, including the County Commission, the Board of Education, and the towns of Spring Lake and Hope Mills. None of those local governments are even considering converting to single-member districts. Does our recent history make us think that Fayetteville's city government has it all figured out and the rest of the state and our county are wrong?

A balanced structure that focuses on both district issues and the big picture is a far better structure for a city council. Fayetteville had at-large members as part of its structure until 2000. We find ourselves falling behind the rest of the peer cities in the state, competing for our children's future.

Over the last ten years, Fayetteville grew by 4% compared to other peer cities that grew four times as much. 20% of the people in our city live in poverty — 40% higher than those same peer cities. Our crime index is 38% higher than those same peer cities.

We are better than that.

Perhaps the most disturbing part of this has been the allegations of racism unfairly introduced by those opposing the change. Supporters of Vote Yes Fayetteville continue to be labeled as racists, even though there are 38% more registered Black voters than white Voters in Fayetteville. Vote Yes supporters, Black members of the city council, and other Black citizens who support the effort continue to be verbally attacked, even though our community for years has elected Black candidates in at-large seats, including the Mayor of Fayetteville, the Cumberland County Sheriff, Clerk of Court and members of the Board of Education and County Commission.

Race-baiting is the act of intentionally encouraging racism or anger about issues relating to race, often to get a political advantage. And it has
to stop.

We are better than that.

There probably is no better example of a city council structure that does not represent all of the city than the council's effort to keep the Vote Yes Charter Amendment from being placed on the ballot. Even though state law requires that citizens be allowed to vote on their structure of government once they have collected 5,000 signatures, the city council voted multiple times not to place the item on the ballot. In fact, they spent an estimated $50,000 of your taxpayer dollars to fight against your right to vote on this important issue.
It is easy to vote against citizens' interests when they cannot hold you accountable at the ballot box.

We are better than that.

You can make a difference on Nov. 8 by voting Yes to the Fayetteville Charter Amendment. We need more representation, not less.

On Nov. 19, the Wingmen Motorcycle Club along with Fayetteville Urban Ministries will be presenting the 40th annual Fayetteville Toy Run.
Members of the Wingmen Motorcycle Club are dedicated to promoting motorcycle touring and brotherhood. It is a veteran-formed and military-based motorcycle club, and most of their membership is prior or active duty military, but you do not need to be a veteran to join.

For over 40 years the mission of Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Inc. has been showing God’s compassion for their neighbors in need, and thus building their community together. With 4 incredible programs that provide faith, hope, love and security to the lives of thousands of Cumberland County residents every year, free of charge, it’s easy to see why there’s never been a better place to give your time, talent and treasure.

Fayetteville's first Toy Run was 40 years ago in 1982. The Wingmen Motorcycle Run decided that they wanted to give back to their community by donating toys to less fortunate children.
Back then, the motorcycle club didn’t have support from the local police station and Fayetteville Urban Ministry so the first ever Toy Run was less organized than it is now.
According to Bill Beard, a member of the Wingmen Motorcycle Club, they decided to wing it the first go round. In 1982, the Toy Run route was from the Bordeaux Shopping Center parking lot to Cross Creek Mall.

The Salvation Army met the motorcycle club at the mall and they turned in their toys there.

“After two or three years of that, it started getting pretty big,” says Beard.

Once the Wingmen Motorcycle Club realized the Toy Run was a huge success, they decided to get help from the city. In 1986, the Fayetteville Police Department began escorting the motorcycle club from point A to point B. The motorcycle club also began to receive the assistance of Fayetteville Urban Ministry. With the help of Fayetteville Urban Ministries, the Toy Run has become an even bigger success.

This year, Fayetteville’s Toy Run will start at Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson at noon. This is also where people register to participate. Kickstands go up at 2 p.m. and participants will ride down to Segra Stadium.
Once folks get to Segra Stadium, they can expect to enjoy some delicious food from the vendors while listening to three awesome rock bands. Fear State, Culture Cult and The Fifth will be playing. Most Fayetteville locals may know of The Fifth, since they have been around for quite awhile. A cool thing about these bands is that they are all local.

You don’t have to have a motorcycle to participate in the Toy Run but to enter the gate, you must have an unwrapped toy or a cash donation.
If any businesses would like to be a sponsor for the event, they can donate either $100 or $250. The $100 sponsorship covers recognition as a sponsor on marketing materials, an event tent, and the company’s name on the back of the T-shirts that will be at the event. The $250 sponsorship offers the same thing except for the name of the company being on the back of the T-shirt. Instead, it would be the company’s logo and they have the opportunity to distribute their own marketing materials.

Don’t miss out on this awesome family-friendly event that gives to those in need in the community. For more information about Fayetteville Urban Ministry, visit www.fayurbmin.org/.

Unbelievable. This past week I listened to a presentation on “Vote No” that exemplified the fact that there continue to be citizens in our community hell-bent on going to any extreme to cause racial disharmony and divide our community.

It was sad to see during the entire presentation how the presenter skirted, dodged and avoided the question: If at-large elections work for electing Black candidates for the Cumberland County Commissioners, the county Sheriff, Board of Education, Hope Mills and the Town of Spring Lake, why would it be bad and inappropriate for the city of Fayetteville? The answer: So a few can retain power. Even more astounding is that the entire “Vote No” presentation, objection and resistance is based on an article I penned in the June 3 edition of Up & Coming Weekly newspaper two and a half years ago. It centered on one particular sentence that they conveniently took completely out of context and have been mulling over ever since.

These are sad and desperate actions for those who supposedly are doing the people’s business. Unfortunately, that article is as relevant today as it was two and a half years ago as it relates to our Fayetteville leadership. But don’t take my word for it. What follows is the same editorial with a few minor updates.

You can be the judge.

The Sequel: The May 30 riots.

As I write this editorial, no doubt city officials have already met to “circle the wagons” to come forth this week disseminating a consistent and coherent message, as they pat themselves on the back, proclaiming to the public what a great job they did in managing the protest, riots and unrest that took place over the May 30 weekend. Many of us will certainly disagree.

On Sunday evening I watched with a heavy heart the devastation and violence and destruction that has been perpetrated on our community in the name of George Floyd. His death was a travesty; however, to loot, steal, burn and pillage personal property in his name is beyond reprehensible. Fayetteville, North Carolina, our hometown, was transformed into a criminal flashpoint — as were about 30 other cities across the country. In Fayetteville, our leadership really blew it on multiple fronts. I have written several times about the lack of vision, talent and leadership in our community. The horrifying events of that weekend only confirmed this.

As I watched the carnage taking place on Hay Street and across our community, my only thoughts were: Where is the mayor? Where are the police? Where is the Fire Department? Where are our community and government leaders, and why are they not present? [Here’s comes the flashpoint.] It is incomprehensible and unacceptable that in the city of Fayetteville and the county of Cumberland, where we have people of color in the most trusted, prominent, and vital positions of leadership — the mayor, city manager, city attorney, seven out of nine City Council members, the police chief, fire chief, Cumberland County Sheriff, Cumberland County Schools superintendent and three Cumberland County Commissioners** — that no one stepped up to even try to address the protesters and calm the crowd for the safety and welfare of the community. Where were all the Black pastors and clergy from the dozens of African American churches in the community? Where were all these encouraging voices of love, fellowship, compassion and reason?

The good reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., must be turning in his grave after witnessing the criminal acts being invoked in his name. The leadership capacity of City Hall is meant to serve and protect Fayetteville citizens. These duties are not just reserved for law enforcement. Here, Mitch Colvin and all of the City Hall departments were derelict in their duties. Not just because our leaders were unsuccessful in their efforts — but because they didn’t even try! They were complicit in the carnage and must be held accountable. Saturday night in downtown Fayetteville was a horrid spectacle. It was made worse by the fact that no effort was made to protect the citizens, personal property, city property or the businesses that employ hundreds of residents and have been the lifeblood of the downtown revitalization effort — the very economic revitalization that our leadership supposedly has been advocating for and the taxpayers have been generously paying for. Yet, they collectively acquiesced and sat back and did nothing. Fayetteville and Cumberland County leaders need to rethink the vision for our future and how they are going to get us there.

A good friend told me something that rang so true: “In every case,” he said, “friction eventually destroys.” He is right — car engines, marriage conflicts, employee relations, personal and business relationships — friction eventually destroys any opportunity for progress or resolution. Our community will never be all it can be with leadership that is so self-absorbed in unilateral racial motives. This protest and rioting situation have exposed the ugly but inevitable truth that race alone doesn’t make a person a leader, nor does it make someone smart. And it definitely doesn’t keep a person from being an opportunist — especially when they yield to protest organizers and allow them and their disciples to become the pied pipers of destruction, looting and criminal intent. Fayetteville and Cumberland County are at a crossroads. Real leadership is the only thing that can save this community. Who will step up? More importantly, who should step down? Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

**Those who are trying to racially divide this community wrongly, falsely and intentionally interpreted these words to mean I was saying our community had too many Blacks in prominent positions and that I was calling them out. How ridiculous! When in fact I was saying just the opposite. Collectively, as a community, we showed no racial bias in placing these folks in prominent positions yet no one stood up or spoke out to defend that premise. In other words, with this being the case, Fayetteville should have been the last place to look for racial bias or injustice. Again, no one spoke to that point. And, that is what I found unacceptable.

There will be four referendums on the general ballot this November for Fayetteville voters. Three of them are under the GO Bonds, which have been approved by City Council to go forward to the people. The last referendum is a Charter Amendment which would change the structure of City Council.

For the GO Bonds, if approved, a tax increase for homeowners will happen. However, the city does not break down that tax increase per bond, rather they only state what the tax increase would be if all three of the bonds pass.

According to the City of Fayetteville, it is estimated that for every $100 value of a property, the tax will increase by up to 4 cents. For a home price of $100,000, the property tax increase would be approximately $3.33 per month or $40 a year. A homeowner with an average home value of $200,000 would increase their property tax by approximately $80 a year or $6.67 per month. Should voters decide to pass the referendums, new property tax rates would be adopted in 2023 to take effect during the fiscal year 2024.

PUBLIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENT BONDS

This bond would authorize $60 million to be used for public safety. According to the referendum, the purpose of these funds, together with any other available funds, will be used for acquiring, constructing and equipping the Fayetteville Police Department and the Fayetteville Fire Department with facilities and improvements for Fayetteville. This could include buying land, improving or building facilities, and buying equipment. The city of Fayetteville has stated they would like to use the money to construct new fire stations, a new logistics center, renovate existing fire stations and renovate the police department call center.

However, the plans can change.
If approved, a tax increase for homeowners will be expected. See above for more details. This tax increase will take place in 2024.

VOTE YES: You would approve of the bond and $60 million would be used towards public safety, with the understanding there will be a tax increase for homeowners.

VOTE NO: You do not approve of the bond and no bond for public safety will go forward at
this time.

STREETS, SIDEWALK AND CONNECTIVITY IMPROVEMENT BONDS

This bond would authorize $25 million to be used for various transportation-related improvements inside and outside the corporate limits of the city. These projects could include sidewalk improvements, street repair, intersection improvements, bike paths and lanes, bridges, curbs and drains, traffic controls, and greenways.

If approved, a tax increase for homeowners will be expected. See above for more details. This tax increase will take place in 2024.

VOTE YES: You would approve of the bond, and $25 million would be used towards streets, sidewalks and transportation improvements, with the understanding there will be a tax increase for homeowners.

VOTE NO: You do not approve of the bond, and no bond for transportation improvements will go forward at this time.

HOUSING BONDS

This bond would authorize $12 million to be used for various community development programs to provide and rehabilitate multifamily and single-family housing inside the corporate limits of the City, principally for the benefit of persons of low and moderate-income. This bond would help with the funding of construction or rehabilitation of housing or neighborhood revitalization improvements, programs to provide loans and other financial assistance to individuals, and to public and private providers of housing.

According to the city, there are no concrete plans or projects yet as to how to use these funds, but they do state that some of these projects could include a housing trust fund, homeownership programs, new housing initiatives and innovative solutions to meet the critical housing needs of the community.
If approved, a tax increase for homeowners will be expected. See above for more details. This tax increase will take place in 2024.

VOTE YES: You would approve of the bond, and $12 million would be used towards the building, planning, funding or renovating housing projects, with the understanding there will be a tax increase for homeowners.

VOTE NO: You do not approve of the bond, and no bond for housing improvements will go forward at this time.

CHARTER AMENDMENT

This amendment would change the structure of the City Council. Currently, the city council has nine members (excluding the mayor), each being elected from their district. This amendment would consolidate the nine districts into five. Each district would vote for one representative. The other four members would be at-large - meaning the whole city could vote for them.

Those against this amendment state that changing the structure of the city council would create more expensive city-wide races and add additional barriers to working-class people. Also, nothing is stopping all four at-large council members from being from the same district. Furthermore, they note that the proposed change will require districts to be redrawn and consolidated. The Vote No campaign states that this would attempt to dilute the voting power of minority voters.

Those who support this amendment state that this would give people more representation. If approved, citizens of Fayetteville can vote for six people onto the city council versus the two they currently can vote for (their district representative and the Mayor).

VOTE YES: You approve the changing of the City Council structure so that five members are elected from five districts and four are elected at-large (from the city as a whole).

VOTE NO: You do not approve of the change, and the City Council structure will remain the same, where each member is elected from one of nine separate districts.

Today I want to express my condolences, care and compassion to Fayetteville City Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLaughlin and her family. It is an effort to ecourage you beyond the long days you’ve already endured, the highs and lows of the road ahead, and for the weight of emotions you’re under on this very day.

As a resident of the district you serve, we’re neighbors. As a veteran family, we share a patriotic bond. And as members of a society which we never wished to join, we share an indelible mark on our souls.
As I’m certain you’ve already experienced, emotions following a tragedy of this magnitude run the gamut. From anger to compassion, hope to despair, and peace to anxiety beyond belief to those who have not walked the road you’re on.

All of this is only compounded and multiplied by the thousands of eyes to which your grief is visible.
As a morning radio host at the time of our son’s murder, my perception of the weight of expectations made it difficult to talk about.

Public figures like you and I often try to appear to be above the personal impact. Our actions one way or the other are perceived by many to be the barometer by which they may respond.
For me, I laid low. I needed to be okay. I wanted to be okay. And I’m fairly sure you want to be okay. And you will be. Until you’re not.
Don’t fight the emotions. God made us in His image. As such, we are at once compassionate and logical, we can reason and be angry, we can celebrate that which is good, and we can forgive what is not.

Above all, we can love. We can even choose to love those who have done unthinkable wrong to us — directly or indirectly — to the extent that we forgive them for it.
That’s where we find our peace. That’s where we become more like the creatures God created us to be. When we forgive. When we realize the most hurtful thing ever done to us could have been done by us. Or by our son. Our daughter. Or husband or wife. And in that illogical moment, we begin to see the same situation through the eyes of mercy.

No amount of anger or outrage will bring our children back.
No rethinking of the days or weeks that led to our tragedies will change the outcome.

And no words of condolence can heal a wound which cuts so deeply as this.
So I want to encourage you to embrace the memories. Kindle the love and pride you have for your daughter and know that the God of this universe loved you enough that He willingly went through what you’re going through to give you hope. To give us life beyond the few years we inhabit these bodies on earth. Sacrificing His own son, God showed us what love looks like.

Ours is to recognize what He has given us as an opportunity to show love and compassion to others.
I will commit to praying for you and your family, and I know others have and will as well. You’re not alone. You never were.

The American Guild of Organists, in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church, will be sponsoring the Salute to Veterans concert for all who serve, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in Fayetteville.
The concert is going to be patriotic music played on the organ, with choirs, trumpets, piano, handbells and percussion, said Marcia Mervin, First Presbyterian Church musical director.

“It’s going to be a very festive occasion, honoring our veterans and first responders,” Mervin added. “We welcome [veterans and first responders] to attend in uniform [because at] some point, they will be recognized during the program.”

“God Bless America,” “Fanfare for the Common Man,” “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory,” “America the Beautiful,” “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Salute to America,” “Prelude to Thaxted (I Vow to Thee My Country),” “Prayer for Those Who Serve” and “Star and Stripes Forever” will be performed during the approximately one hour program by local members of the AGO.

Possessing multiple tiers of keyboards, buttons and twice as many foot pedals as a piano, organs are not easy to play. The Salute to Veterans is meant to display the art form of the organ in a meaningful setting. In fact, some music will be performed by two organists playing the same organ.

“The organ is the oldest keyboard instrument of all instruments,” Mervin said. “It was invented in 300 B.C., it’s had an extremely long life [and] it’s gone through various innovations and renovations.”
First Presbyterian Church was built in 1832 on the location of another church that burnt down. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

“We thought that Veterans Day would be a good opportunity for an event because we don’t typically get many people coming down for music during that holiday. We wanted to change that,” said Connor Larson, senior organ student at Campbell University. “Being so close to Fort Bragg, we thought it would be especially appropriate to pull together some resources and put this thing on,” Larson added.

“This church is the oldest church in Fayetteville,” Mervin said. “We are over by the Market House, about a block off of Person Street, at the intersection of Ann and Bow Streets... across the street from Wells Fargo and right on Cross Creek... [and] Lafayette Park.”

First Presbyterian Church worships weekly at 9 a.m., in the chapel, and 11 a.m., in the sanctuary. If you can’t make it to the sanctuary in person, First Presbyterian Church live streams sanctuary services on its website and Facebook, as well as archiving them for later viewing.

The American Guild of Organists is a national nonprofit organization promoting the art form, heritage and continuance of the organ.
According to the AGO, the organization was founded in 1896. Presently, the guild serves roughly 275 chapters and 12,000 members in the United States and around the world.

To learn more about the AGO, visit www.agohq.org. To find out more about Fayetteville’s First Presbyterian Church, visit www.firstprez.com.

Rolling Thunder North Carolina Chapter 1 invites everyone to remember fallen veterans, honor those who serve and teach your children the value of freedom through the annual Ride for a Wreath.
This is the 4th Annual Ride for a Wreath for Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, but this tradition has existed for 12 years. Registration will start at 8 a.m. at the Fort Bragg Harley-Davison off Sycamore Dairy Road. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

The Escorted Ride for a Wreath will take off at 11 a.m. and the ride will conclude at noon at Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktails in Hope Mills. This event is open to the public, and all vehicles, cars, jeeps and trucks are welcome along with motorcycles. The ride is $20 per motorcycle, $10 per passenger, as well as $20 per vehicle.

The event raises funds for Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization established in 1992. The project continues to grow. This year there will be 3,400 participating locations nationwide and overseas dedicated to providing a wreath for those who served and are buried in veterans cemeteries. Local donations will provide wreaths for Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

If you cannot participate in the event, you can still donate. For every two wreaths sponsored, an additional one will be given for free. Wreaths cost $15 each, $30 for two, but the most popular donation is five wreaths for $75. Please make sure that the location to support is Sandhills Cemetery when donating.

Ann Provencher, the program coordinator, says “So far, we have 1,510 wreaths sponsored and we have 1,490 to go. We are halfway to our goal.”
Provencher goes on to say, “Every year we have had enough wreaths for every veteran buried in Sandhills State Cemetery.”
Nationwide, the wreaths will be placed on the graves of the Veterans Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 17. The ceremony will be held promptly at noon. Locally, volunteers are encouraged to be at Spring Lake Fire Department at 9 a.m. Saturday morning to load the wreaths onto the trucks. There will be highway patrol and motorcycle escorts to lead the convoy of trucks carrying the wreaths at 11:30 to the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

Parking is limited at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, so organizers suggest parking outside the cemetery to ensure room for the convoy of wreaths. For people who need assistance getting to the cemetery, there will be four golf carts carrying people from their cars to the event.

When the wreaths are placed at the graves, their names will be said out load by the volunteer placing the wreath.

“People die twice. Once when you actually die and secondly when you are forgotten,” Ann says.

The veteran’s name is said so that they will never be forgotten and to honor their legacy and sacrifice.

Fort Bragg Harley-Davison is located at 3950 Sycamore Dairy Road. Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery is located at 8220 Bragg Blvd. in Spring Lake, which is not on the Fort Bragg military installation. To sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/166832 which will designate the location. Donations are accepted all year long.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Rolling Thunder NC Chapter 1 President, Ann Provencher at 910-670-9280 or ann3989@yahoo.com.
The local Wreaths Across America Facebook page is www.facebook.com/WAASandhills.

The Fayetteville City Council on Monday unanimously approved an affordable housing plan for the wider Murchison neighborhood, the first step in a potentially long federal approval process. The plan consists of renovating 110 units at Elliot Circle and the 60 at Murchison Townhomes. The townhomes are over 50 years old, and the city considers them to be in poor condition.

The plan is one of the initial steps in a long process with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — a process that could take until 2024 or beyond to complete. The approved housing plan could result in renovations at properties on Elliot Circle and public housing units at Murchison Townhomes.

The city formed the plan after several community meetings in the neighborhood, said Chris Cauley, Fayetteville’s economic and community development director. Based on this community feedback, the city decided to invest in affordable housing units and improve existing low-cost housing.

Awarding of planning grant

In 2020, HUD awarded Fayetteville, along with just 10 other cities, a $450,000 planning grant under the agency’s Choice Neighborhoods program – an annual award given to local governments, housing authorities and nonprofit organizations with the purpose of improving public housing and creating affordable housing. In this case, the grant was awarded to the city of Fayetteville and the Fayetteville Metropolitan Authority.

Use of the $450,000 included coordinating a plan for affordable housing, infrastructure improvements and free community Wi-Fi for the Murchison Townhomes.

As it pertains to the renovations, the funding was only for the planning, which means community members will not see any improvements yet. To see the plan put into action, the city and the housing authority will need to apply for the implementation grant within the HUD program or receive money from some other funding source to cover the costs. Cauley said the city and the housing authority intend to apply for this implementation grant, the amount of which can range from $30 million to $50 million.

“We can’t do it without money,” Cauley said. “If we get the $30 (million) to $50 million, this is the plan that we will be executing.”

About the Murchison Choice Neighborhood Housing Plan

The grant was awarded to focus on affordable housing in the Murchison Road Corridor, a neighborhood that city staff who completed the HUD application referred to as the historic center of African American culture in the city. It is also home to Fayetteville State University, a historically Black university founded in 1867. The neighborhood has public schools, community medical clinics and is near downtown.

But it is also one of the poorest communities in Fayetteville.

The household median income in the census tract that makes up most of the neighborhood is just over $26,000, about three-fifths of Fayetteville’s figure of about $46,000, according to Census Reporter, a project out of Northwestern University that analyzes population data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The majority Black neighborhood has a poverty rate just under 40%, about double that of the whole city’s. Sixty-nine percent of children in the Murchison census tract live in poverty.

The affordable housing plan, whose research the grant-funded, focuses on building lower-cost units in the neighborhood, as well as improving affordable units that exist already.

Cauley said that after each renovation to both the Elliot properties and the Murchison Townhomes, the complexes must, per HUD requirements, have the same number of units that will be affordable afterward, meaning that families making 60% or below the AMI must be able to afford to live there.

For the Murchison Townhomes, the 60 units would have the housing authority’s voucher system, as they do now.

For current residents of both sets of units, the city would be required to provide housing that meets their needs, such as staying in their child’s school district. The residents also have first claim on the units after renovation.

Cauley said that depending on other factors, such as cost, the properties may be expanded beyond their current count to include units for moderate-income families, up to 80% AMI.

Beyond funding the affordable housing plan, the grant could fund, upon HUD approval, the building of little free libraries, streetside cabinets that contain books for members of the community to take home and read. The grant could also fund infrastructure improvements such as enhancements to bus stops.

One step in the process

But this is all in the planning stages since the funding Fayetteville was awarded in 2020 was to start planning for ways to increase housing affordability.

To make the plan a reality, the city and housing authority would need to be awarded HUD’s $30 million implementation grant, which is highly competitive. HUD only awards the grant to about four cities nationwide each year, Cauley said.

The deadline for implementation grant applications is in January. But it’s a lengthy process to finalize an application, Cauley said. The housing authority wouldn’t submit an application until January 2024 at the earliest. To make themselves more competitive, he said some communities make locally funded investments before applying for the implementation grant.

“Communities can sometimes spend millions of dollars on revitalization efforts in order to be competitive,” he said, referring to what Fayetteville could hypothetically do to increase its approval odds. “We would be looking to execute some projects … like community centers, like mental health centers and teen and youth enrichment centers before we even apply for the grant.”

There are currently no plans in place to do the things that Cauley shared as examples.

If the city is not awarded this grant it would need to find funding from other sources to move forward with the changes in the plan.

The city and the housing authority are required to submit the final implementation plan to HUD by Dec. 29. Cauley said the city plans to apply for the implementation grant to carry out these activities by 2024 at the earliest.

Fayetteville’s lack of affordable housing

Murchison is just one neighborhood in Fayetteville that lacks affordable housing.

Three-quarters of city households that earn 60% or below the area median income are cost burdened, meaning they spend 30% or more of their annual income on housing costs, according to an affordable housing study the city conducted last summer.

That study also found there is a shortage of 20,000 affordable housing units in the city.

“Those households are paying way too much,” Cauley said. “It is precluding them from building a savings account, from paying bills on time.”

In recent years, rents have skyrocketed in the area, as reported by Apartment List, a service that tracks local rent data nationwide.

Last month, the average rent in Cumberland County was over $1,400 a month. A year ago, it was $1,333. Before the pandemic in September 2019, the average rent was $965.

Across the state, in cities such as Asheville and Charlotte, communities are dealing with a similar problem with affordable housing. They are coming up with solutions to tackle this problem.

According to a 2019 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 41% of low-income renting households in North Carolina are cost burdened. Low income is defined as an annual income anywhere from 51% to 80% of the AMI.

And there isn’t a clear way to move forward, according to Cauley.

“At the end of the day, this is one of those big issues,” he said. “We call it wicked problems, and there’s not a lot of easy fixes.”

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra invites one and all to experience “Something in the Wind” on Saturday, Nov. 5 at St. John's Episcopal Church. The mellow sounds of brass and woodwind instruments are the perfect accompaniment to the falling leaves and autumn weather as the calendar picks up speed toward the holidays.

The 75-minute concert will feature string performances while bringing special attention to the trumpet, bassoon, flute and oboe.

“I know for certain these instruments and their beauty will provide such a warm feeling in a venue like St. John,” shared Meghan Woolbright, marketing manager for the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “It’s the perfect way to start the season.” 

From the pews of St. John’s, guests will be treated to selected pieces from Guissepe Torelli's “Concerto in D Major,” Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Bassoon,” and other uplifting selections which will highlight the skills and talents of four FSO soloists.

Dr. Timothy Altman will perform a trumpet solo during the event. Patrick Herring will solo on bassoon, Sarah Busman on flute, and Jessica Miller on oboe will bring the music of classical masters beautifully to life in a concert meant to stir the heartstrings.

“I believe everybody, no matter where you come from or who you are, deserves the opportunity to be inspired by beautiful music,” Woolbright stated. “We strive to entertain, inspire and educate people with the music we play — we believe our music can resonate emotionally with people, and we want to share that.”

November 5th’s ticketed performance is the first of four to be held in churches around the city this concert season. Events are a mix of ticketed, and community concerts focused on the holidays and will infuse some musical joy into the most wonderful time of the year.

Early December will bring a collaboration with Cumberland Choral Arts to perform Handel’s “Messiah” and a festive concert entitled Holiday Brass. In January, the symphony will perform Dan Forrest's “Jubilate Deo” at First Presbyterian Church.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has been a mainstay of the arts community for more than 50 years. Their professionalism and genuine love for the craft of music have made them a leading force behind music and arts education in the region.

First and foremost, the FSO believes in promoting, supporting and creating beautiful music easily accessed by the public in an effort to build a more culturally engaged community.

“I believe anyone who enjoys music and live performances will love this show,” Woolbright admitted. “Anyone who seeks to be entertained, educated, and inspired should come to listen —it’s an awesome opportunity to spend time with your family and friends. The orchestra isn’t for any certain class of people — we try to make sure our concerts are for everybody.”

Guests can purchase tickets by calling 910-433-4690 or online at www.fayettevillesymphony.org. Tickets are $32 for adults and $25 for seniors, military and Cumberland County School employees. Student and children's tickets are $8 and $5.

St. John's Episcopal Church is located at 302 Green St., and guests are permitted to park at the church during the performance which begins at 7:30 p.m.

We recently attended one of the city’s bond referendum sessions. It was a PowerPoint briefing which basically reiterated the points in the city's current web page.
From our perspective, it was a check -the-block, we informed the citizens, pat ourselves on the back, presentation. It was not a meeting where citizens could bring up concerns for city representatives to address.

The primary issue of the meeting was to inform the citizenry regarding needed housing, emergency services and city infrastructure. What this session didn’t do was explain to Fayetteville what the economic impacts of these bonds are, why they weren’t addressed in previous city budgets, who is accountable for accumulated funds, and who is receiving these funds should the bonds be approved.

None of the recent city budgets on record go into a by-line-item review or detailed explanation of where or to whom any of the city’s money is directly going. The city officials and representatives at the meetings could provide no answers.

The Public Safety Improvement Bond addresses the needed improvements to the 911 call center and city fire stations. These have had critical needs beyond just the last few years. When asked when those were first identified as a requirement, the 911 representative stated that since she's been there for over 20 years, it was initially identified 28 years ago.

The fire chief stated that with the increasing radius of the city that they require additional fire stations with those increases. Then why weren’t these issues addressed and budgeted in the last 10 years of budgets at a rate of $97 million divided by 10? Instead, we get watershed studies at the cost of $3.5 million per year.

In regard to the $12 million affordable housing bond, this bond will be used to incorporate stop gap loans for developers that cannot get a loan for the total amount of their development. The city will cover the deficit and the developer will repay the city. We asked what happens to the money they repay each time it is used, and how is it quantified and when does it come back to the people? City officials were ambiguous on whether it would even go back to the people or how it was accounted for after the developer paid it back. This sounds like an agenda slush fund to us.

Another portion of the $12 million, unidentified as the exact amount, would be going to down payment assistance for citizens in the city to purchase a house. So to clarify, the city is asking residents to give the city money so the city can then give forgivable loans to other residents to help them with down payments that the city will then forgive if they stay in that house for a set amount of time.

The amount of down payment assistance would be the difference between the purchase price of the house in order to get it down to a no more than 30% of income based payment. There is no grandfather clause in the program to offset homeowners that saved to purchase a house prior to this bond program. How does it help current homeowners that are struggling to keep their house? Again, no response from city officials.

We further outline that a greater percentage of residents in the city were struggling just to maintain their house and there was no program to help them keep their mortgage afloat.

The city officials should answer this question publicly: Is it right to take millions of more dollars from taxpayers who can’t even put food on the table? We have charities now supporting other charities and city leaders are talking about building castles and infrastructure.

After the meetings, we are more convinced that the $97 million bond will have a lack of oversight and enough holes in the program for whomever wants to move money around, to easily move money around.

After listening to the city's deliberate propaganda, if any of you want a better city, you must fight for it. If we had not attended the meetings, it would have been a one-sided conversation. Not everyone in Fayetteville lives in a gated community and can afford a tax increase. How about letting people keep enough of their tax money so they can eat?

Take a stand and vote NO on the bond referendums.

Visit a local haunt and get your spook on at the 1897 Poe House. The Cape Fear Museum of the Historical Complex is hosting night tours with a Halloween historical twist. Visitors to Halloween Revels: Night Tours will be transported back in time and witness a series of short vignettes. The guests will become immersed in early 20th-century cultural norms, music and poetry.

“You're actually watching a scripted play with different scenes and skits in each of the rooms of the historic Poe House. So you get guided through. And what makes it fun, of course, is it's after dark, it's at night. And we have the actors from the Gilbert portraying members of the Poe family, and they do different Halloween scenes, including customs, poems, and music that would have been appropriate for the time period of the early 1900s. So you're kind of traveling back in time to a Halloween 100 years ago, over 100 years ago.” Megan Maxwell, the education coordinator of 1897 Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear Complex, said.

The tour is played out like a scripted historical theater show. Actors from the Gilbert Theater will give the night tours even more realism. One of those actors is a local fan-favorite, James Dean. Dean recently was in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” He's also played Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” in the past. He will be taking on the role of Mr. Poe this year.

This will be the eleventh year that the Museum has held these ‘spooky’ Halloween tours. It first started as a free and small event with actors who mainly improvised as there was no script. Two years into that, a script was finally written and every year it changes.

“I try and change the script up every year so people that come every year don't see the same thing," Maxwell said. “So this year we have a new script, new scenes, new actors. So if you’re a repeat visitor, it's not going to be the same show. You're going to see something different this year.”

The tours are family-friendly; however, it is dark and spooky. Parents must make their own judgment on whether their child can handle it. The $5 tickets must be bought beforehand; however, if the tour is not sold out, there may be tickets at the door. Tickets are only good for the time slot purchased.

Guests should arrive at least 15 minutes before their tour time. Check-in is at the front table in the front yard.

“It's going to be a little dark because we like it spooky. So when people come up, they get a program, they check in, they can relax on the front porch until it’s their tour time and then they’ll have guides that lead them through the house, so they'll get an introduction about what to expect. And then we’ll start the show,” Maxwell said.

There are two nights left for the tours — Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. Tours will run on the half hour each night and will be limited to 15 people per tour. Touring hours begin at 6 p.m. and finish at 10 p.m.

Joe Biden may not be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, but he sure can eat ice cream and answer questions about the economy simultaneously. When a reporter asked him recently in an ice cream shop about the state of our economy, Biden, almost in mid-bite, replied that it is “strong as hell.”

This assessment might come as a surprise to most Americans, who know from regular visits to a grocery store or a gas station that our economy is many things, but “strong as hell” isn’t one of them.

In issuing this proclamation, Biden has demonstrated why no one should vote for any Democrats in the upcoming midterms. There are two ways to interpret his response: Biden either knows the economy is in terrible shape and is lying to avoid taking responsibility for it, or he is clueless about conditions in our country and the hardships Americans are dealing with every day. Neither one of these explanations is a good look for him or his party.

Why should any of us be surprised at this point by the probability that Biden and everyone in his party are either pathologically dishonest or detached from reality or both? I cannot think of a single thing Democrats have done since gaining control of both houses of Congress and the White House that has benefitted Americans.

What have Democrats done regarding our energy policy? They have allowed their obsession with climate change and their hatred of the fossil fuel industry to make us energy dependent after a brief period of energy independence under Trump.

By reducing oil and gas production in our country and pressuring banks to stop lending to fossil fuel companies, Biden and his cohorts have created serious financial and geopolitical consequences for America.

Because the price of fuel is connected to almost every sector of our economy, an increase in fuel prices has created an increase in the costs of goods and services. We pay more for food, clothing, entertainment, and transportation. This winter, we will pay more to heat our homes.

Because the Biden administration refuses to produce more oil in America — which would not only lower fuel prices but also create thousands of jobs — we are going hat in hand to other oil-producing countries asking them to sell us oil. So far, all of them have refused.
This issue alone demonstrates the lunacy of Democratic policy. We sit on some of the largest oil reserves in the world, and we produce the cleanest oil. Yet the ideologues in charge would rather buy dirty oil from countries that mock and despise us than reopen the refineries at home. If this isn’t madness, I don’t know what is.

Can you think of one aspect of our lives that has improved since the Democrats took control? We spend more on necessities than we did just two years ago. We live in cities where crime rates have increased dramatically, causing businesses and residents to flee. We have had 2-3 million immigrants enter our country illegally because our southern border is wide open (although the Democrats deny this). As a result of our open border, we have a fentanyl crisis that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Americans and is now the leading cause of death among adults between the ages of 18 and 45.

In less than two years, the Democrats have wreaked havoc on our country, and now they are asking for our vote so they can continue implementing their dangerous policies. If they maintain control of Congress, they will continue their out-of-control spending, further weakening our economy and creating even greater hardships for Americans.

They have worked hard through their radical policies and persistent dishonesty to lose our trust, and they should be appropriately rewarded by losing our vote.

On the Fourth Friday of every month from March to November between 6 and 10 p.m., museums, galleries and businesses in the downtown Fayetteville historic district become artistic venues, featuring the arts in all forms, for all ages. Fourth Friday is like an old-fashioned art crawl combined with the performances and fun of a street fair. Folks of all ages get a taste of Fayetteville’s arts and entertainment while enjoying the local independent galleries, bookstores, bistros and shops full of unique items.

On the Fourth Friday of this month, downtown Fayetteville will be hosting the 12th annual Zombie Walk and Prom. Hay Street is turned into a scene from a zombie flick, with creatures and characters on display.

All are invited to come downtown with your best zombie costume and enter the costume contest. If you need a little help adding that extra flare to your costume by adding some makeup, don’t fret because the Paul Mitchell Hair and Makeup School will be painting faces at the beginning of the Zombie Walk.

Ring Wars Carolina will be performing on the corner of Hay Street and Ray Avenue during the Zombie Walk. Ring Wars provides quality entertainment that’s fun for the entire family. Wrestlers will be dressed in their zombie best. Come out and cheer them ringside.

If you get a little tired of walking during the Zombie Walk and Prom, take a ride on the Rocky Horror Singalong Trolley. Janet! Brad! Dr.Scott! will take you on a strange journey for the Rocky Horror Singalong Trolley at 7 and 8 p.m. featuring A Yellow Beanie Project. Tickets are $30 a person. The Trolley will depart from Bright Light Brewing Company located at 444 West Russell Street.

The Zombie Walk and Prom will also have live musical performances from Lotus Sun and the Living Dead and Nirvani: A Nirvana Tribute Experience that will perform.

As with regular Fourth Friday events, guests can expect food trucks, vendors, performers, artists and more.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/849249152747861.

At this time of year, things at Sweet Valley Ranch turn a bit spooky.

Legend says that Delray Delamorte and his family members were spotted cruising down Hwy 95 South in a hearse with ligaments hanging out the trunk. They left the following note: “Dr. Surgeon, we are heading south and will return next year. We left you some body parts that you can feed your dinosaurs. SIGNED — Delray Delamorte, Slaughterhouse Manager.”

Through Oct. 30, Sweet Valley Ranch is transformed into “Backwoods Terror Ranch, ” — a frightening adventure sure to produce some shrieks! “Backwoods Terror Ranch” is one of the biggest outdoor haunted events in the county. It will take patrons over an hour to get through six spooky mazes including a ¼ acre cemetery.

For information or tickets, visit https://www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com/or call 844-622-3276.
Sweet Valley Ranch is located at 2990 Sunnyside School Road in Fayetteville.