“Noises Off!” is a play within a play. A farce filled with physical comedy. A witty production written by British playwright Michael Frayn. It will be at Givens Performing Arts Center for two nights only — Nov. 14 and 15.

Jay Reume portrays Frederick Fellowes in “Noises Off!” and Fellowes plays Phillip Brent in “Nothing On,” the play within “Noises off!”

“It is a funny play,” said Reume. “It is a comedy where all these people come together to put on a play.  It goes in a lot of different directions and goes wrong in every way you can imagine. It is also a lot of fun to watch.”

Olivia von Opel plays Brooke in “Noises Off!” and her character has the part of  Vicki in “Nothing On.” “Brooke is a bombshell. I am using Marilyn Monroe as my inspiration for the role,” said von Opel. “I see her as ambitious. I think others see her as a dumb blonde. I think she is intelligent in her own way, and she is trying hard.”

Both Reume and von Opel agree that one of the challenging yet rewarding things about the production is the physical comedy. 

“I love physical comedy,” said von Opel. “Getting to do that has been a dream of mine. To do something where it is all about throwing props and slamming doors and climbing out a window is a dream come true. If you do it correctly, it looks easy.”

Reume added, “The more work actually comes from the physical perfection the show needs to have. It is almost like a dance. There are so many entrances and exits and pants falling down and things being thrown around. You have to do it well and on time. The playing two characters is the fun part. … The real labor is the dance of the show.”

“Noises Off!” includes local talent as well. “We have two students in the cast,” said von Opel. Chelsea Williams is a sophomore and Jamonte Madison is a senior. “We get to collaborate with them, and they can work with us and we can show them what it is like to be a professional actor. They are super talented. We are enjoying working with Jonathan  (Drahos, the director) and his wife Carolanne.(Marano). Jonathan is a professor (at UNC-Pembroke) and has been on Broadway. All of us are understudied by a student as well, so we have that additional layer of student involvement.”

As for the performance,  Reume promises a lot of laughs. “If you’ve never seen live theater and just laughed and laughed and been around others laughing, you have not experienced good theater. This piece really has the potential for that. If you have experienced that, then you know what kind of show this is.”

The show starts at 8 p.m. each night. For tickets and information, call 910-521-6000 or visit https://www.uncp.edu/resources/gpac/professional-artist-series/noises.

That’s not all GPAC has in store this month. Nov. 22, UNCP hosts its 11th Annual Holiday Extravaganza at 8 p.m. University choirs, ensembles and more will perform holiday favorites and family singalongs. Come early and take in “Tuba Christmas,”  a mini-concert in front of GPAC, at 7:30 p.m. Call 910-521-6230 or email music@uncp.edu for more details.

Nov. 24, GPAC presents “The Nutcracker Ballet” by Dance Alive National Ballet at 4 p.m. The company hosts a roster of award-winning international dancers and is the official State Touring company of Florida.

Veteran Fayetteville City Councilmen Ted Mohn and Jim Arp suffered upset election losses Nov. 5. Both served for 10 years. They were defeated by novice politicians Courtney Banks-McLaughlin and Yvonne Y. Kinston respectively. Another newcomer, Shakeyla M. Ingram, was elected to replace Dan Culliton in District 2. He chose not to seek election after being appointed to council a year-and-a-half ago. Three African-American women are replacing three white men. Chris Davis won the District 6 election replacing longtime councilman Bill Crisp, who did not seek re-election. Incumbents Kathy Jensen and Tisha Waddell won re-election, bringing to five the number of women on the new city council, which is a record. Incumbent members Johnny Dawkins, D.J. Haire and Larry Wright were unopposed and easily won their races. Mayor Mitch Colvin was re-elected without opposition.

Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner won a fifth two-year term Nov. 5 defeating Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell. “We’re going to have a great team and we’re going to work together, and all the negativity is going to be gone,” Warner said.
The Board of Commissioners was divided by internal feuding and personal attacks on social media. Without naming them, Warner’s reference clearly was to Mitchell and incumbent commissioner Meg Larson, both of whom vigorously opposed Warner the last two years. Incumbent board members Pat Edwards, Jerry Legge and Jessie Bellflowers were re-elected. Kenjuana McCray and Bryan Marley won the seats vacated by Mitchell and Larsen. McCray becomes the first African-American to be elected to the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners. She was the top vote-getter. “I’m humbled. we made history tonight,” McCray said.

In Spring Lake, Mayor Larry Dobbins won re-election to a second term, defeating newcomer Jami Mclaughlin. Incumbent Town Alderman James Christian lost his re-election bid by one vote to incumbent Sona Cooper. Mayor Pro Tem James O’Garra and Alderwomen Frederika Sutherland and Jackie Lee Jackson won re-election. Newcomer Taimoor Aziz replaces Christian in December.

This year’s local election oddity was in Stedman where Mayor-for-life Billy Horne found himself in an initial tie with challenger Jordan Stewart. Each of them received 30 votes. A third candidate, Jeremy George was just one vote behind them with 29. Totaling all the Cumberland County municipal elections, less than 10% of the registered voters went to the polls.

Now it’s time for the real change to happen. If you’re wondering about the timeline when newly elected officials will get to work, city council members in North Carolina take office at different times between early December and Jan. 1. Local councils are chosen in what are called off-year elections, usually in odd numbered years. This year, the new Fayetteville City Council will be sworn in Monday, Dec. 2. Members will then select the mayor pro tem, which is typically the top vote-getter. But there are no official rules for the procedure. The inauguration will be held at Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University at 6 p.m.

I am starting this column Thursday night, Oct. 17. This is the 12th day of 14 days of vacation in New Bern, North Carolina. My time is being spent staying in a house where the back porch overlooks an amazingly beautiful stream surrounded by trees and still green grass. This setting, and the far slower pace than is mine in Fayetteville, have allowed me, caused me, to focus more intently on God and all the good that comes to us by way of a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.  

In this peaceful atmosphere, it rang out more clearly than ever for me that we are chasing the wind while missing the solution. The Urban Dictionary defines chasing the wind as: “A task that is meaningless. Void of purpose or virtue. A circular path, leading to no particular destination.”

Looking at that stream, and all that surrounds it, has been a daily reminder that our only hope for correcting the course of our troubled, hate-filled country is being committed to, and guided by, the ways of God. For me, that view is a reminder of God’s power as creator and of all that he offers us because of his love for us.

The bottom line is that all of us will have our moral bearing shaped by what we are exposed to. There are only two providers of experiences — God and the world. What the world exposes us to, and calls us to, is counter to the will and way of God. Our situation in America is that the world is winning. In great part, the world is winning because it does not play fair and has control of most of the assets that allow for power and influence over people.

Here is an example of what I mean: As part of my research for writing this column, I read 10 articles that appeared in The Fayetteville Observer regarding Rev. Franklin Graham’s “Decision America Tar Heel State Tour″ that started with a stop at Fayetteville’s Festival Park Oct. 1. Of the 10 articles I read, seven included some claim that Graham was carrying on a political effort in support of President Donald Trump. In my estimation, this charge was made as something he should not do and that it was abhorrent.

In “Evangelist Franklin Graham talks about tour, Trump, gay people,” by Michael Futch, Graham said, “I want to go from the coast to the mountains telling people how to have hope. And people are searching for hope today. Our country is such a mess. All the hatred. The lies that are told. People have just lost hope. In our political system, people have lost hope in the future. They just are looking for answers. There’s no one who can solve a person’s problems, individual, or solve the problems of this country collectively. Only God can do that. Jesus can solve problems and needs in a person’s life. So that when this life is finished, we can be in heaven for eternity. We’re going to the coast all the way to the mountains.”

Then this from an Observer editorial titled, “Our View: If past is a guide, politics will weave its way into Graham’s ‘Decision’ tour”: “But if Tuesday’s event is anything like Graham’s 50-state ‘Decision America’ tour, it will be a scarcely-veiled political nod to Donald Trump’s reelection and conservative candidates for the 2020 election. Just as he did in 2016, Graham plays down the political angle even though he remains a strong supporter of Trump, as he was in 2016.”
For me, focusing on and trying to prevent Graham from addressing political matters is a way of keeping people from being influenced in their political thinking by religious beliefs and values. The same strategy is employed in addressing societal issues. Yes, Graham speaks out in opposition to acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. His position is consistent with Scripture, but the world’s view is that this behavior is acceptable. Consequently, Graham, and those who share his belief, are protested against and ridiculed by the world.

The question to be answered honestly is has America come to a point where people of faith will not be allowed to have the beliefs and values of their faith guide them in day-to-day decision-making across the length and breadth of who they are as human beings? The world’s answer is a resounding “Yes.” And because of that, we are chasing the wind while missing the solution... a relationship with God.

Tuesday night, Oct. 15, I watched all of the Democratic presidential debate. As I sat there listening to the back-and-forth regarding various issues, I was not surprised that nothing of substance by way of solutions came out. It was just circular talking and arguing... chasing the wind. That was especially the case when the topic of mass shootings was addressed. There was the age-old call for stricter gun control. Mental health might have been mentioned in passing.

However, nobody on that stage mentioned how the source for the formation of moral standards has shifted from relationship with God and teachings of Scripture to the ways of the world. Those ways of the world are antithetical to all that God calls us to by way of a moral code. The world’s code has a way of allowing people to think that the conduct, so harmful to some, is acceptable.

I mentioned Democrats in that preceding paragraph, but be assured, wind-chasing is rampant in America. It is, by no means, limited to Democrats.

Not only do purveyors of this worldly code of conduct verbally attack proponents of God’s way, they do not hesitate to pursue punitive policies. A prime example of this is reflected in a widely reported recent incident. Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., speaks to it in an opinion piece published Oct. 18. Here are a couple of paragraphs from that piece: “Last week, presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke went on national television and called for eliminating the tax-exempt status for any church or religious institution in America that does not recognize same-sex marriage. O’Rourke’s proposal was met by cheers and thunderous applause from the audience.

“... While some other Democratic presidential candidates are claiming they do not support eliminating the tax-exempt status for religious institutions, we have been here before. We have seen the pattern of fringe, far-left proposals gaining traction over time. Many of these fringe proposals are now mainstream Democratic Party positions.”

Tillis sees what is happening in regard to challenges to religious liberty. Thankfully, Attorney General William Barr sees it, too, and understands that we are chasing the wind and why that is the case. On Oct. 11, Barr delivered remarks to the law school and the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame. The following is from his prepared remarks that are available at https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-william-p-barr-delivers-remarks-law-school-and-de-nicola-center-ethics (combined for space): “This is really what was meant by ‘self-government.’ It did not mean primarily the mechanics by which we select a representative legislative body. It referred to the capacity of each individual to restrain and govern themselves.  But what was the source of this internal controlling power? In a free republic, those restraints could not be handed down from above by philosopher kings. Instead, social order must flow up from the people themselves — freely obeying the dictates of inwardly-possessed and commonly-shared moral values. And to control willful human beings, with an infinite capacity to rationalize, those moral values must rest on authority independent of men’s will — they must flow from a transcendent Supreme Being.”

Later, Barr says: “On the one hand, we have seen the steady erosion of our traditional Judeo-Christian moral system and a comprehensive effort to drive it from the public square. On the other hand, we see the growing ascendancy of secularism and the doctrine of moral relativism. By any honest assessment, the consequences of this moral upheaval have been grim. Virtually every measure of social pathology continues to gain ground.”

Simply put, I join with Tillis and Barr in contending that religious liberty is under tremendous attack in America, and further, with Barr, that there is a serious turning from God that is proving destructive in America. We are chasing the wind while missing the solution — God.

Pictured: Rev. Franklin Graham

The “Citizens have Spoken!!  No Civil War museum!” That was the subject of an email sent to Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin and state Rep. Elmer Floyd this past Saturday. Penned, of course,  by an anonymous source who didn’t want to man (or woman) up to the subject matter.

The message was anti-North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center and stated that the results of the Fayetteville elections Nov. 5 was a mandate against the project because most of the pro-Civil War History Center council members lost their seats, proving that the majority of Fayetteville citizens oppose and reject the project and want nothing to do with having this “toxic and controversial” project in our community. Mr. or Ms. Anonymous declared that “A clear statement has been made by the voters.”

I wish we knew the name of Anonymous so I could address the topic directly. Calling this statewide Civil War History Center an “expensive ridiculous Civil War project” only confirms the lack of knowledge and understanding this person has of its benefits and remarkable opportunities our community will have to improve the quality of life of all our citizens, increasing our prestige and notoriety throughout the state while increasing pride, education and understanding of generations of our North Carolina heritage. Not taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by moving forward with the project will leave an indelible mark of ignorance and naivety on future generations residing in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community.

There is no doubt in my mind that Anonymous, when asked, could not articulate how our community would benefit from this state-operated $60 million facility as it will create nearly 200 jobs and attract 160,000 visitors while generating $20 million a year in revenues for our community.  Would this not be a great asset to Fayetteville and Cumberland County? Not embracing this project is the kind of toxic thinking and leadership that stifles a progressive and growing community like ours. It demonstrates no wisdom, logic or vision — three things that will be missed when Ted Mohn exits his role as city councilman of District 8.

 All the newly elected council members must waste no time getting orientated and up to date on current city business and basic issues or run the risk of being collectively blamed for every failure and misstep that takes place in the city during the next two years. From where I sit, only Chris Davis has dedicated the time and effort to prepare himself for the task at hand. With tens of millions of dollars at stake and several major issues currently confronting the Fayetteville community, there will be no do-overs.

This is why losing conscientious city representatives like Mohn will make moving the community forward even more difficult. Mohn’s honesty, his calm, consistent demeanor, common sense, logic, insights and remarkable vision have served as the stalwart of most important city decisions and actions. His response to this situation and the mayor’s upcoming Nov. 14 public hearing on the History Center is the near-perfect example of Mohn’s logic and vision. Within hours of receiving a copy of Anonymous’s email to Colvin and Floyd, Mohn sent a heartfelt recommendation to Colvin strongly suggesting that he cancel the Nov. 14 public hearing. Mohn felt the mayor would run a risk of damaging his credibility and reputation since knowledgeable sources on social media were already beginning to question the intent, timing and purpose of such a meeting since the 2020/2021 state budget allocating the $46 million to the museum project has not yet been approved. In addition, he warned a premature meeting would appear to be a blatant “appeasement public hearing” and not an actual or practical public hearing where all 10 City Council members were present and relative to the process since future discussions or decision-making authority concerning the city’s $7.5 million contribution to the museum was in the future city budget.

If the meeting is held, Mohn will be there, but it is senseless since the incoming council’s strategic planning retreat is in February. In addition, and equally important as planning, Mohn pointed out that councilmembers Johnny Dawkins and Bill Crisp will not be present that day. Dan Culliton of District 2 has already voluntarily vacated his position and Jim Arp is also on his way out. His points are all well made and beg the question: What would be the purpose of such a meeting?

Mohn genuinely cares about the city, Colvin and the perception of both. The optics of this are just not good. Mohn went on to suggest the public hearing be postponed until the new year — after the new council has been installed and the status of the $46 million and intentions of the North Carolina General Assembly are known. 

 There’s not much to disagree with here. This Civil War History Center project started over a decade ago. By who? People with vision. Community leaders. People who care about the future of Fayetteville and Cumberland County and preserving and improving our quality of life for generations to come. We agree with Mohn.

We also recognize that City Councilwoman Tisha Waddell of District 3 is having a community meeting Friday, Nov. 15, at Simon Temple AME Zion Church from 6-8:30 p.m. to discuss important city-related issues and to solicit unfiltered feedback on topics like the condition of city streets, the Civil War History Center, stormwater, sidewalks, safety etc. This is real leadership. This is real community involvement. This is real vision. This is looking into the future and demonstrating a responsible, sincere and heartfelt passion for constituents. We applaud and support her efforts and the efforts of those elected officials that share her values. 

Doing the right things for the right reasons have never failed to have the right results. Thank you, Ted, for your service and wisdom. To Councilwoman Waddell, we say, “Go git em!” You are what this community needs. Let’s hope the newly elected city council shares the same vision.

 Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Picture 1: Outgoing District 8 City Councilman Ted Mohn

Picture 2: District 3 City Councilwoman Tisha Waddell

Fayetteville Regional Airport “is the window through which nearly 500,000 people a year view our community,” said Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. Up & Coming Weekly interviewed him about the airport’s importance to greater Fayetteville’s economy. “Our Airport has a growth-oriented vision for Fayetteville and our region,” he added.

Van Geons said residents are one connection away from over 160 national and international destinations, yards away from dozens of technology-driven companies and surrounded by one of the best marketing assets in our community’s arsenal.

Fayetteville Regional Airport is just that, a small airport with a dozen flights a day, 40% of whose customers are military members and their families. Bradley Whited has been the airport director for 20 years. He spent the last 10 years working to secure federal funds to upgrade the facility. His hard work paid off with $47 million in Federal Aviation Administration grants being allocated for renovations and expansion, “the objective being to improve the customer experience,” he said.

The airport is “a powerful economic engine that we are aggressively working to grow,” Van Geons said.

The airport staff is attempting to attract new flights. American Airlines and Delta currently serve the airport. Phase one of the development was a $20 million effort to elevate and expand the original concourse A. It was built at ground level 50 years ago. Passengers had to board planes in the open air. The new concourse A is now accessible on the same level as concourse B. A large circular atrium connects them. Both concourses have modern, new jet bridges.

Phase two of the renovation will include completing the new restaurant. Escalators will be moved to the front of the building, so customers arriving at the airport can check-in at the airline ticket counters and then go upstairs. Baggage carousels will be upgraded, and a full-length canopy will stretch across the exterior roofline. The third-floor mezzanine will be eliminated, and administration offices will be moved to the ground level. Restrooms are being renovated throughout, and a fire control sprinkler system will be installed.

Whited says construction should be completed in two years — a year-and-a-half after Whited retires. He said he will move to the Charlotte area where he has family. He hopes he’ll receive an invitation to the ribbon-cutting when the improvements are finished.

Is it officially fall yet? Not by the calendar, but by the way it looks, feels and smells outside? I truly love all weather — the world just seems to be ablaze in color, there's a certain crispness in the air each morning, and the afternoons bring a little jacket weather before the winter officially sets in to send us on daily trips to the woodpile.

The fall weather is more than beauty and comfort, though. It's a sign. A signal to us all that the time for gathering as family and friends is just ahead. It's a season for gratitude and thoughtfulness, where the coolness of the air outside is perfectly countered by a warmth that seems to grow within us all.

We started a new fall tradition in my family a couple of years ago, and I thinks it's a good exercise in humility. The gratitude pumpkin. Maybe you've done this, too, or at least heard about it. The concept is simple: get a pumpkin, place it where it's easily visible to your family and guests, and use a permanent marker — or paint, for the really artsy among us — to write down things you're grateful for.

It doesn't take long to get past the cool stuff and start writing really simple things like health, family or a home, and that's where the gold is. Realizing how immensely blessed we are in our everyday lives. Life — even abundant life — isn't about money or cars or possessions. It's about the relationships we build. It's about the joy we get from, or bring to, others. There is an undeniable joy in the laughter of a toddler, or the tender moments with a newborn. There is joy and much to be thankful for all around us. It just takes us pausing long enough to recognize it.

The gratitude pumpkin at our house was so filled with the thankful thoughts we wrote on it last year you could hardly tell it was ever orange at all. And that's how I want to live. I'm ready for the negativity and the pain and the ugliness we see in this crazy, divided world to give way to a sense of gratitude for what we have. There is freedom in that place. There is joy in that place. And there is love in its truest form in the place where gratitude lives.

From now through Dec. 15, citizens of Hope Mills who would like to be more involved in the goings on in their town are invited to apply for membership on any of several official town committees.

Anyone interested in applying for committee membership who has never served must fill out an application that can be picked up from the clerk’s office at Town Hall on Rockfish Road. Anyone who has applied in the last 12 months does not have to submit a new form.

Members who are currently serving on a committee and wish to continue do need to contact the town and make it known they’d like to serve again.

In addition to getting applications at Town Hall, they are also available on the town website, www.townofhopemills.com. Any questions should be directed to town clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113 or by email at jstarling@townofhopemills.com.

The town reloads its committees every two years in line with the town election cycle.

Once all the names of candidates have been received next month, a nominating committee will go over them and make assignments to the various committees. A full list of all the committees can be found at the town website as well, along with current members of the committees.

Hope Mills mayor Jackie Warner said the committees are like advisory boards for the town.

“When special interests or special projects are brought to the town, they go to whichever committee they would apply to,’’ she said.

Each committee also has a member of the town’s Board of Commissioners that serves as a liaison between the committee and the board.

“That member reports back to the board what took place in the meeting,’’ Warner said. “Sometimes they make recommendations for things they’d like to see and for concerns they’ve heard.’’

One body that’s a little different from the others is the town’s Historical Commission.

Town commissions can have a budget and spend money. They can also make decisions that don’t require approval of the full Board of Commissioners.

There are also certain criteria for members of a commission that require the members have specific expertise in the field the commission works, not just a personal interest.

If more people ask to be on a committee than spots are available, the nominating committee uses a ranking system based on which people submitted their request to be on a committee first, so it’s important to apply as soon as possible before the Dec. 15 deadline.

Warner said there have been discussions of limiting the amount of time someone can serve on a committee or rotating people between various committees. Neither idea has been approved.

Warner said it’s feared that any limits placed on serving could cut the number of people interested in volunteering.

“We get what we hope is a good representation of the community, so we are getting their opinions,’’ Warner said. “It keeps us informed and gives us the opportunity to have input on the decisions we make.’’

Falcon Children’s Home & Family Services’ annual Harvest Train Parade and program is back again this year with the first showing of the program on Saturday, Nov. 23, and the regular program and parade on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.

 In 1949, the Falcon Children’s Home’s doors almost closed for good. “They couldn’t get funding, they couldn’t get food, they had a difficult time meeting their needs,” said Joseph Leggett, the chief executive officer and superintendent of the home.

But the home, whose slogan is “where love makes the difference,” was determined to stay afloat. With the help of churches of the International Pentacostal Holiness church, women’s auxiliary and ministry groups and the director at that time, the home invited the community to come to an event and bring various commodities. “The first letter said, ‘Bring your ham hocks, bring your collard greens.’ Those kinds of things. ‘And we’ll do a program to say thank you,’” said Leggett. The event was initially called the Santa Claus Train, and in the 50s, it was renamed the Harvest Train Parade and program.

As many people are involved in the event and support the children’s home, in past years, little time was left over with all of the festivities to thank everyone who supported the home.

Additionally, because Tuesday is a work day and many people already have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off of work for Thanksgiving, not everyone who wanted to come to the usual event on Tuesday could. Leggett hopes that people who have wanted to attend in prior years but haven’t been able to, can attend the Saturday night program.

“A lot of people are looking forward to coming on Saturday because they can’t on Tuesday because they work. A lot of our alumni can’t because they work on Tuesday,” Leggett said.

The program isn’t just a play; it’s a full-blown production, complete with music and a choir, dancing and acting. Buck Hodge, the minister of music at Northwood Temple, wrote the program. Kids and staff at Falcon Children’s Home start preparing for the event in early September.

The story might feel familiar to some —  particularly to attendees from the Eastover area — because the story is true. It is about J.P. Patterson, who sponsored a child at Falcon Children’s Home’s Christmas event that they have at a Round-A-Bout Skating Center every year. The story tells how Patterson got involved and of the friendship he had with one of the boys, Prince. Tragically, Patterson died in a hunting accident a couple of years ago. Ever since, his friends have put on a golf tournament each spring to support the home. Prince, the young man that J.P. supported for all of those years, is an adult now and a graduate of Fayetteville State University. Prince and Patterson’s family will be at the program.

“You will laugh and you will cry,” said Leggett. “And there’s no cost to you.”

Founded in 1908, Falcon Children’s Home has been serving children in the community for over a century. “We’ve estimated that in that time, we’ve either directly or indirectly touched 20,000 children’s lives,” Leggett said. In addition to the residential children’s home, Falcon offers a variety of services.

“We’ve gone from being a residential children’s home to having a mothers and babies program, a maternity program, foster homes, an adoption agency,” Legget explained. “We also have a transitional living program in an apartment-like setting that teaches valuable life skills like cooking, cleaning and balancing a checkbook, for instance.”

The staff at Falcon saw how the children struggled with transitioning to different schools, so Falcon also has its own private school on campus, too.

“What I try to tell our staff is, ‘If a problem affects the young people and we could do something to make a dent in that or to help in that situation, we need to try to develop a program that can do that,’” Leggett said.

As the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Leggett agrees. “We are only as good as the community we serve,” he said.

There are over 10,000 foster children in North Carolina. There are over 1,000 in Cumberland County. With that being the case, Falcon tirelessly works to help the children throughout the state. They have even opened a second Falcon Children’s Home in Turbeville, South Carolina.

With new legislation coming to North Carolina, the home may see new challenges. The Family First Prevention Services Act will only pay for children to be in group homes for two weeks, unless they are 18 years of age, have been caught in sexual trafficking or are mothers with babies. Although Falcon Children’s Home has high standards for how it runs and is certified and licensed by the state, it, along with other homes, would be affected by the legislation. Since some of the children are 18 and Falcon has a program for mothers and babies, not all children would be affected, but Falcon is working with the state on alternative legislation for programs that would be affected, as well as other group homes that fill important needs in North Carolina communities.

The continued support of community donors and volunteers is a great help to the home. Whether a person is offering to mentor or tutor a child, help with projects on campus with skills like painting or carpentry or even donating commodities, the effort of supporters is invaluable.

“It means a lot to the students at Falcon Children’s Home to see that people care because a lot of times, they feel like people don’t. A lot of times they don’t think we care and say, ‘Oh, you get paid to take care of us. This isn’t real.’ So when they see people who give of themselves, just to be giving their time, it means a lot,” Leggett said. 

The first Harvest Train production of the year will be on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. The regular parade and production will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 26. The parade will begin at Falcon Town Hall, and the program will be at the J.A. Culbreth Auditorium. For more information, call (910) 980-1065.

Picture 1: Falcon Children’s Home has been serving children in the community for over a century.

Picture 2: The Harvest Train Parade and Program will have an extra night this year to say “thank you” to the community.

There are modern inventions I love. On cold mornings, I can remotely start my car from inside the house. A few minutes later, I go outside and get into a nice warm car. The seat is heated and so is the steering wheel. As I wrap my hands around the wheel, I take a deep breath and thank God that one of the blessings of growing up in these times is some of these modern inventions. I look outside at the already-defrosted windows, and I head out to start my day.

On a motorcycle, we can get the same comfort to stay warm.

Before you head out, check the local hourly temperatures. If you are going out of town, check the weather for various locations along your route. Remember to give additional attention to elevation changes
For a planning factor, subtract three degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation and bring extra layers.

Here are some ideas that will keep you warm. A full-face helmet is a start. The face shield should have pin-lock and lens inserts. Pin-lock inserts will prevent your face shield from fogging up. To help keep the head, neck and face warm, use a balaclava helmet or ski mask hood. The body loses a lot of heat around the neck, especially on bike, where the wind and air are blowing around your neck, and where there is little body fat for insulation.

For your chest, wear layers. A good base layer is a shirt that provides odor resistance, warm and cold reactive temperature regulation, comfort and breathability to wick away the sweat from your body. For the midlayer, wear something a little looser. For frigid weather, I have a North Face jacket that is nice and warm and another North Face rain jacket. Both are great for using as casual wear when you are off the bike. For the outer layer, I have a few different jackets. They all have back, shoulder and elbow protection pads.

For the legs, I have a base layer that does the same job as the chest base layer. I have an inner layer of waterproof/windproof pants and outer layer Gore-Tex protective pants with hip and knee protection.

Protect your feet with a thin pair of Polypropylene socks, layer them with a pair of wool socks. My boots are Gore-Tex to help keep the moisture away from the feet. Any boot will work, but cold feet make for a stiff ride.

Hands are always a struggle for me. I have a medical condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes decreased blood flow to the fingers. For the winter, I carry what I call a mid-thick glove, a heavy glove made of Gore-Tex and glove rain covers. Once your gloves get wet, it is hard to get them dry again in cold weather. In a pinch, I have seen people use surgical gloves and dishwashing gloves. Whatever works, right?

Of course, going electric is pretty impressive on those really cold days. I have an electric jacket and gloves. You can wire them into the bike's electrical system or buy a battery system. Mine is hardwired. I have a dual thermostat. One thermostat controls the temperature of the jacket and another one for the gloves. They also make pants and boot inserts.

Lastly, having heated hand grips and heated seats are great any time of the year. For some bikes, this is standard, and for others it is optional. There are also plenty of aftermarket products out there that are easy to install.
No matter how you stay warm, take lots of breaks and ride safe!

If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, you can contact me at motorcycle4fun@aol.com.

If there was such a thing as a hall of fame for being a caring person who reached out to all fellow human beings, Rex Perry would be a unanimous choice for induction.

Perry, 58, a friend to many and a familiar figure in Fayetteville and Cumberland County athletic circles, died on Oct. 25 at the Hock Family Pavilion in Durham after a lengthy illness.

An athlete at Pine Forest High School, he played on the highly successful football teams of the late Trojan head coach Gary Whitman.

Since 2006, he was employed at Fayetteville Technical Community College as the coordinator in the student activities office. In 2017, he added the role of Student Activities Technician.

One of his coworkers at FTCC is Billy Gaskins, the school’s head baseball coach for the past two seasons.

Gaskins had known Perry on and off since 2006 when he got involved in coaching high school baseball locally.

“He was one of the nicest guys I ever met,’’ Gaskins said. “He was always willing to help, even during his struggle the last couple of years. He was the type of person who led by example.’’

Gaskins said even at the height of his poor health, Perry would continue to try and show up for work as often as possible. He was always enthusiastic and helpful, regardless of how he felt, Gaskins said.
Whenever Gaskins brought baseball recruits to the FTCC campus, he’d always stop by Perry’s office in the Tony Rand Center and introduce them to Perry.

“He stood up, shook their hand and had a conversation with them,’’ Gaskins said. “He had a little pep in his step when I walked in with a recruit.’’
In addition to his work at FTCC, Perry was also an athletic official, working for the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association in sports like football and softball.

“Rex was just a likable guy,’’ said Neil Buie, regional supervisor of football and baseball officials for the SAOA. “There was never a nicer person, a guy that was easier to get along with. Truly a good human being.’’
Ronnie Luck was one of Perry’s first coaches, instructing him in football when the two were together at Spring Lake Junior High in the mid-1970s. “He was a good kid,’’ Luck said. “Never caused any trouble. Easy-going, soft-spoken. He always gave you the best he had.’’

Luck said Perry had an incredible memory for people, places and things and could recount detailed stories about things that happened years ago.

Shortly before Perry passed away, he and Luck spoke briefly and Perry told Luck he was okay. “He touched my life,’’ Luck said. “I hope I did some positive for him in his younger years. But as a man, he certainly touched mine.’’
Luck said Perry was respected by his peers, both in the athletic and professional arenas. “He was very selective in what he said and when he said it,’’ Luck said. “He was one of the good guys.’’

Pictured: Rex Perry

The months of sacrificing time off during the summer to devote to off-season practice is showing dividends for the Gray’s Creek soccer team.

This year the Bears swept the regular season and tournament titles in the Patriot Athletic Conference, and opened play in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A state playoffs with a 4-2 overtime win against Asheboro.
At this writing, Coach Bryan Pagan’s team, 19-5, is waiting to find out who it will play in the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs, either Wilson Fike or Pittsboro Northwood, in a game that was tentatively scheduled for last Saturday.
Pagan thinks, as far as chemistry is concerned, the Bears have reached their stride offensively. He feels the strength of this year’s team is being able to possess the ball.

“We pass really well,’’ he said. “Our Achilles heel the whole year has been finishing. For whatever reason things are starting to click. Guys are moving in the right positions, staying onside.’’

The Bears have struggled with a variety of injuries during the season, but some of the ailing players have healed, and Pagan has been able to plug in less experienced players in key positions who have stepped up, like sophomores Connor Boyle and Vancy Ruiz.

Another key performer is veteran goalkeeper Ryan Dukes, a senior. Through Nov. 2 according to the statistics at NCPrepSports.net, he had recorded 94 saves while allowing 16 goals. “He’s done an amazing job for us as well,’’ Pagan said.

Offensively, Pagan feels a strength of his team is it doesn’t rely on one player to score all the goals. Eric Chavez is the team leader in goals through Nov. 2 with 16.

“It really takes a lot of the pressure off,’’ Pagan said of being versatile scoring. “People take a little more ownership when they know it’s collective rather than one or two individuals.’’

Two players who play a critical role in helping distribute the ball for the Bears are James Faatz and Seth Wallace.

Pagan describes Faatz, a center-midfielder, as a player crucial to maintaining possession of the ball.

“If it gets to him he knows where to get it to,’’ Pagan said. “He’s calm on the ball, makes good decisions for us and is kind of a catalyst. Anything we need to bail out or need somebody to facilitate the middle he’s a great option for us.’’
The other key performer is Seth Wallace, who plays on the wing. “He’s done a great job winning stuff on the outside and serving stuff into the box in dangerous areas,’’ Pagan said.
“He’s inspiring, super, super athletic and you’re not going to beat him off the dribble. He’s a strong kid.’’
Faatz agrees with Pagan that chemistry is a strong point of this Gray’s Creek team, with communication and good passing also being key.

He thinks the key to success in the postseason is intensity. “I think if we come in hot in the first half, the first ten minutes, and pop a few goals in we can be dangerous against any school in the playoffs,’’ he said. “We can show that Cumberland County has some pretty good soccer schools.’’

While Cumberland County doesn’t have a public high school with a rich state playoff tradition in soccer, Wallace thinks the Bears have the potential to make some noise.

”A Gray’s Creek team like this could surprise some people and have some future upsets,’’ Wallace said. ”We were kind of rocky at the beginning of the year with our finishing. We’ve definitely had some people step up and other people growing into roles because of injuries.

“We’re not a one-man team. Everyone has a role.’’

Looking to the remainder of the state playoffs, Pagan said he’s learned the postseason has a lot to do with seeding and tackling each matchup.

“I like our chances this year because we are more well-balanced than we’ve been in the past,’’ he said. “I feel like we can hold teams to low scores and score when we need to.

“Our strength is in the middle of the field and in our possession. That gives us a fighting chance to match up against anybody. If we stay uninjured we have a chance to make it pretty deep in the playoffs.’’

Picture 1: James Faatz 

Picture 2: Seth Wallace

Shawn Healey
Jack Britt • Football/wrestling/lacrosse • Senior
Healey has a weighted grade point average of 4.22. He is the starting center for the football team. He is active in the Information Systems Technology Academy and enjoys doing volunteer work in the community.

Alyssa Norton
Jack Britt • Volleyball/softball• Junior
Norton has a 3.8 grade point average. As a freshman she was a starter in the outfield for Jack Britt’s state 4-A champion fastpitch softball team. She’s a member of the Key Club and the honor guard. When not involved in sports she enjoys spending time with her family. She plans to enter college and then pursue a career in the military.

Fayetteville Technical Community College is the smart choice for individuals seeking education, for a variety of reasons. The No. 1 reason revolves around the center for FTCC’s existence — to serve as a learning-centered institution to build a globally competitive workforce. FTCC students who successfully complete two years in the college transfer programs transition and perform well in the four-year college environment. One example of how FTCC prepares students well for the next step in the educational journey is the C-STEP program.

C-STEP is a partnership between North Carolina community colleges and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The purpose of the program is to provide transfer opportunities for talented low- and moderate-income students. Students at Fayetteville Technical Community College who successfully complete C-STEP will receive guaranteed admission to UNC-Chapel Hill. FTCC became a partner with C-STEP in 2011.

FTCC graduate Bryan Cuevas-Figueroa recently completed C-STEP at FTCC and transferred to the UNC-Chapel Hill. Bryan intends to graduate from UNC’s business school and continue his education to attain a Master of Business Administration degree. With the outstanding educational foundation Bryan received at FTCC, he is now continuing his educational studies beyond the first two years and is pursuing his four-year degree at UNC-Chapel Hill with confidence and success.

“Sometimes things in life don’t quite work out exactly as planned, but blessings come from the support of others and the ability to stay humble along the way,” Bryan said when reflecting on how his experience with FTCC prepared him in the best way for achieving his personal goals. In addition to exceptional education provided by caring and knowledgeable faculty members, students have access to many resources at Fayetteville Tech to provide support. FTCC students who pursue a four-year degree at UNC-Chapel Hill through C-STEP benefit academically while engaging with individuals from UNC who bridge the gap through advising, special events, transition and support services.  

C-STEP at FTCC  is just one of the many exciting opportunities awaiting students who choose Fayetteville Tech. FTCC offers over 280 associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to choose from in the areas of arts and humanities, math and sciences, business, applied technology/engineering, health, and public service. To complement experiences in the academic programs, students have unique opportunities to participate in athletics, student clubs and leadership organizations, theater and music, scholarships and more.

Additional information about C-STEP is available at nelsonl@faytechcc.edu or by calling 910-678-8205. To learn more about academic programs available at FTCC, visit www.faytechcc.edu, call 910-678-8473 or schedule a tour of our beautiful campus. For exceptional education, affordable tuition, convenient classes and unique learning-centered experiences, choose Fayetteville Technical Community for the smart choice—and the first choice—for education.

Pictured: Bryan Cuevas-Figueroa recently completed C-STEP at FTCC and transferred to the UNC-Chapel Hill.

With all the competition for family entertainment in greater Fayetteville, Michael Edwards said it’s good for a business like Putt-Putt Fun Center in Hope Mills to get special recognition.

The Hope Mills business was recently recognized by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce as its small business of the month.

Next year, Putt-Putt will mark its 10th anniversary in Hope Mills. The business is located at 3311 Footbridge Ln., not far from the Millstone Shopping Center.

“The competition in the area is hard,’’ Edwards, the assistant general manager at the Putt-Putt Fun Center said. “I think it’s awesome we were recognized and we were able to stand out among (our competitors).’’

Edwards said the secret of success to the Hope Mills location is simple: offer good customer service and a clean facility and try to stay current with the best games available to the public.

And there’s one other important element he said, affordable prices for the customers.

While the business continues in the tradition of the Putt-Putt franchise that was created by the late Don Clayton years ago, the hallmark of the Hope Mills location is a variety of family entertainment options.

In addition to the two 18-hole Putt-Putt courses, the Hope Mills Putt-Putt offers a go-kart track, bumper boats, bumper cars, a two-story laser tag facility and up to 30 video games in an indoor arcade.

The bumper boats are currently closed for the season and typically won’t re-open until March.

Hours of operation vary with the seasons of the year. For now, Putt-Putt is open Sunday through Thursday from noon until 9 p.m., Friday from noon to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Summer hours extend from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to midnight on the weekends.

In the event of bad weather, including heavy rain or lightning, the outdoor attractions close, but the indoor ones remain open.

Parties are a big part of what Putt-Putt offers, with package deals ranging from $160 to $240.

A typical party pack covers a guest of honor and seven guests. It includes two large pizzas and two large pitchers of drinks. The special guest gets a $10 game card and the others get a $5 game card.
The number of guests can be increased with add-ons. The larger party packs offer more attractions than the smaller ones.

Putt-Putt also offers fundraisers. For $15 per person, a group can get two-hour unlimited use of the park for each person that buys a ticket.

The organization doing the fundraiser is required to get everyone planning to come committed prior to the event, then they are given $5 back for every person that pays.
Group prices are also available for groups of 15 or more.

Pictured from L-R: Mayor Jackie Warner, Michael Knight, general manager;  Michael Edwards, assistant. gemeral manager; Tammy Thurman, member of chamber of commerce board, board of trustees of Greater Fayetteville Chamber and member military affairs council.

From the 30-year stretch starting in the late 1980s and continuing until 2010, the South View High School marching band consistently ranked among Cumberland County’s biggest and best units.
A huge part of its success rested squarely on the shoulders of former band director Jay Bolder.

Bolder was recently recognized for his years of work at South View as he was nominated to be considered for induction into the North Carolina Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame.
“It’s definitely an honor, without a doubt,’’ said Bolder, who is now retired and lives in Indian Trail, near Charlotte, not far from his native Monroe.

A graduate of Wingate College, Bolder’s first teaching job offer came from Cumberland County, where he worked at Armstrong Middle School.

From there he went to South View Middle School then moved to South View High School in 1985. After one year as codirector of the band, he assumed full leadership responsibilities in 1986.
During his tenure, participation in the South View band swelled, peaking at some 225 members in the 1990s.

“I guess people wanted to be part of it,’’ he said. “They pushed one another to excellence. It was exciting to play at halftime.’’

Part of the excitement came from the tremendous success of the South View football program during the band’s peak years, including a state 4-A championship in the 1991 season.
“When they won the state championship, it was exciting football game after exciting football game,’’ Bolder said. “We supported the football team and they supported us.’’

Bolder’s bands traveled frequently for competitions, going all over the southeast as far as South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia.
They also traveled to Philadelphia and California and even took a cruise to the Bahamas.

During his career at South View, Bolder’s bands earned 41 superior ratings in competitions.

He sent 40 of his former band members off to college as music majors, with some of them also becoming band directors in their own right.

Bolder was awarded North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and he was recognized with Jay Bolder Day in his adopted home town of Hope Mills.
In addition to the many awards he has won, Bolder is a composer, arranger and adjudicator.

He has held membership in a variety of organizations, including the Cumberland County Band Directors Association, the Southeastern District Band Association, South Central District Band Directors Association and he’s a member of the American School Band Directors Association.

As a performer he’s been in musicals, community bands, symphony orchestras, top 40 groups and jazz groups. He was also involved in casting and choreography for scenes in the movie "Bolden."

Bolder’s South View bands featured the corps style of performance, which puts emphasis on structure and musical performance, while at the same time offering the band members the chance to have some fun.
Off the field in the classroom, Bolder was also responsible for the teaching side of the band that gave the members their fundamentals in music.

“We had to start teaching them general music,’’ Bolder said. “They start in middle school in the sixth and seventh grade and work to the point where they get to high school and do a lot more performing.’’
In some parts of the country, art and music education are on the wane as local and state government officials direct money to other areas of education.

Bolder thinks it’s important to keep the role of art and music for students in perspective.

“I would personally invite someone who felt that way to go through the program for a couple of days, follow the band leaders around for two days and have a chance to see how we do things and                                                                     what we do,’’ Bolder said.

Whatever Bolder did during his years at South View, it was definitely successful and the results were visible to everyone.

Picture 1: The success of the South View High School marching band can largely be credited to former band director Jay Bolder. Photo credit: South View Safari Staff

Picture 2: Jay Bolder. Photo credit: Bobby Wiliford

Five rural Cumberland County fire departments will receive over $1 million in funding as part of a 2018 federal grant program, according to the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association. A combined $1.6 million was awarded to the Stedman, Bethany, Wade, Spring Lake and Stoney Point fire departments through a fire and emergency response grants program. Stedman, Bethany and Wade community fire departments collaboratively applied for and received a joint grant for $530,847 to purchase new self-contained breathing air packs. “The grant for lifesaving air packs not only relieves our taxpayers of the financial burden but also places our fire departments in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association national standard,” said Stedman Fire Chief Justin Nobles. Seventy-six self-contained individual breathing air packs with spare bottles will be purchased, Nobles said. The Spring Lake and Stoney Point Fire Departments were awarded grants to hire additional firefighters, said Freddy Johnson Sr., president of the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association and chief of the Stoney Point department.

Fort Bragg paratrooper dies

Army officials continue to investigate the circumstances that led to a paratrooper’s death on post at Fort Bragg. Sgt. Matthew D. Joskowitz, 24, died on Halloween night in his barracks. The soldier’s death was not training related, according to division spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Burns, who said he was unable to discuss the facts of the case as the investigation is ongoing. The paratrooper from Hackensack, New Jersey, was an infantryman assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

“Sgt Joskowitz represents the very best of our nation,” Lt. Col. Christopher Brawley, his battalion commander, said in a statement. “He was revered by his fellow paratroopers and was a superb noncommissioned officer. We are focusing on caring for his friends and family as they mourn this tragic loss.”

Joskowitz enlisted into the Army in May 2014 and spent his five-year career at Fort Bragg.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Sgt Matthew Joskowitz,” Capt. Christopher Cioffoletti, his company commander, said in a statement. “A rising star in our battalion, Sgt. Joskowitz was motivated by a deep love for both his country and his fellow paratroopers,” Cioffoletti added.

Death from child neglect

A 7-year-old boy who died in last spring didn’t have proper care officials say. The youngster wasn’t breathing when first responders arrived at a Fayetteville home April 15, the city’s police department said. Officers said the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Based on the investigation and reports from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it was determined that the child was not receiving proper care,” the Fayetteville Police Department said. The child’s grandmother, Geneen Ballenger, 53, has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter in connection with the case. Ballenger was arrested late last month. She posted a $25,000 bond and was released pending trial. Records indicated her next court date is Nov. 21.

Picture 4: Geneen Ballenger

Looking for a way to get fit while also helping a good cause? Look no further than the Red Apple Run for Diabetes. It’s set for Nov. 16 in downtown Fayetteville.

What started in 2013 as a simple fundraiser has turned into an event that raises money to help support Better Health’s mission to provide for the unmet health care needs in Cumberland County. The run reinforces the same lifestyle that Better Health encourages its clients to live. This event offers several options for its participants. These options fit their needs while also allowing them to complete the run at their own pace. Participants can either do the 10k, 5k or the one-mile fun run.

“We want to encourage community members to come out and be active. It is a safe, fun way to be active with your family and friends, whether you are a competitive runner doing the 10K, or perhaps a parent with young children pushing a stroller in the 5K or fun run,” said Executive Director Amy Navejas.

Navejas is the executive director at Better Health. In terms of the Red Apple Run, she works with the volunteer Red Apple Run committee and committee chair, Mick Noland, on coordinating, marketing and planning the event. On the day of the event, she will also be running around cheering on runners, handing out medals and checking up on people.

There are many goals that this event strives to achieve. Navejas said, “I see the event as having several goals. Of course, it is a fundraiser, so it is crucial that the event raises funds to help provide for our services to the community. Better Health offers emergency direct medical aid like medications, dental extractions, free diabetes clinics (and) loans out medical equipment and hosts a childhood obesity program. While all of our services are free to the community, there are costs to providing these services. The Red Apple Run goes toward supporting those programs.”

There is much that goes on behind the scenes for this event to take place. From logistics to applying for a permit, the list of what must happen for The Red Apple Run to succeed is endless. Navejas said that a run like this requires “a lot of coordinating and planning.” The event organizers have to select a date, apply for a permit and secure a timing company to solicit sponsors.

On Nov. 16, the run will take place in the downtown area of Fayetteville. The course will start in the downtown area and go toward Haymount. It will then go through the historic neighborhood, past the E. A. Poe House, and finish off near the site of the new Civil War Museum & Reconstruction History Center where the 5k runners will go back to the starting point. Each participant will also receive a medal and a beanie.

So, if you are looking for something to do that weekend or want to support a great cause, go to the Red Apple Run on Nov. 16. For more information, visit https://www.betterhealthcc.org/ or call 910-483-7534.

Editors note: Margaret Dickson is taking the week off. We are yielding her space to fellow Democrat Sen. Kirk deViere, who represents District 19.

One year ago the people in Cumberland County voted to have a new voice represent them in Raleigh. A voice that would stand up for public education, access to affordable health care and clean air and water, and to ensure that everyone, no matter your zip code, has the opportunity to succeed. I am honored to serve our community in this role, and I thank each of you for the opportunity and for your trust to represent you in Raleigh. 

I was hopeful when the session first started back in January that Republicans and Democrats would come together, find middle ground and policy areas that we agree on, and ensure government works for everyone, not just some. Senator Phil Berger, president pro tem, talked about this in his comments during the Senate’s opening session. “But this session, hopefully, will be different,” Berger said. “Republicans will have to work across the aisle, but so will Democrats. If we are to have a successful session, we all will have to accept outcomes that don’t cater to the extremes. I know we’re capable of this, and so do you.”

While we did see some bipartisan work in the areas of criminal justice, we stalled on many issues that affect our working families and how we invest in our children’s future. Discussion and dialogue really broke down around healthcare, public education, and corporate taxes.  I truly believe that the people that elected all of us want to see us work together to make things better for all North Carolinians.

This year’s session has been longer than normal because, for the first time in almost 10 years, the House and Senate leadership have not had a supermajority, and we have a governor that now has the ability to use a veto. This forces the leadership to have conversation and negotiate.  This community’s vote for me in the Senate seat allowed these conversations to happen because we were one of six seats across the state that helped break the supermajority in the Senate. 
We still have work to do. We must have a real conversation around how our state will transform our health care, invest in public education, grow our workforce, protect our environment, and ensure our economic opportunities are equitable. Good government will happen when we can have real dialogue and talk about these issues and allow everyone’s opinion to be part of the process. This is how democracy should work. I remain optimistic that we can get there but not under the current leadership in the senate or with “recycled” politicians who will be “yes” men.  If we want to change the conversation and change the policies that affect our families then we have to change the leadership in the Senate.

We saw this week in Virginia where the state House and Senate changed from Republican majority to Democratic majority. We saw in Kentucky where voters chose a new direction for their state. We saw it locally with races in Fayetteville, Spring Lake and Hope Mills that people want representatives that will put the people first. Last year, in District 19, voters made the same decision and rejected corruptions and the bad policies that hurt working families. I have worked hard this year to ensure I stood up for people and against policies that don’t put people first. My voting record shows that commitment. As the 2020 election cycle officially kicks off, locally, we have the opportunity to truly debate our ideas about creating access to affordable healthcare, investing in public education, protecting our environment, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed and access to opportunities.

Senator Dan Blue, Senate Minority Leader, joined me here in Cumberland County in May of this year to support me as I announced my plans to run again for Senate District 19.  I am committed to changing the conversation in our state Senate and committed to representing the people of our community. I will continue to fight for the things that are important to the people of Cumberland County.

Thank you again for the honor of serving our community — and you — in Raleigh. I do not take this lightly and will continue to work to represent you and put people over politics.

We still have work to do. We must have a real conversation around how our state will transform our healthcare, invest in public education, grow our workforce, protect our environment, and ensure our economy opportunities are equitable. Good government will happen when we can have real dialogue and talk about this issues and allow everyone’s opinion to be part of the process.