The public is now learning some of what Fayetteville City Council has been discussing behind closed doors in recent weeks and months. The council talked at length last week about a project related to the construction of a minor league baseball stadium in downtown Fayetteville. Citizens learned for the first time of a significant cost overrun for a planned parking deck on property adjacent to the ballpark. Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer disclosed that the projected cost has more than doubled since he first offered what he called a “rough estimate of $7 million.” Council was asked to approve a new cost of $14.8 million.

 PCH Holdings of Durham has plans to develop property near the stadium, including a four-story parking garage with a four-story hotel on top of it. They will also build a 7- to 10-story apartment building next to it. Council has apparently been discussing this issue during closed meetings. An attorney for the North Carolina Press Association has questioned whether the proposal was an appropriate closeddoor exception allowed under the state’s Open Meetings law.

The city has agreed to buy the parking garage from the developer once it’s finished. PCH Holdings will sell the building at its cost. PCH project manager Jordan Jones said originally that the garage would be for the exclusive use of its hotel guests. But with the city taking ownership of the facility, it could be used by baseball fans and others. The agreement almost didn’t get off the ground, as council initially shocked the chamber when it voted 5-5 to reject the plan. New members – Tyrone Williams, Tisha Waddell, D.J Haire and Johnny Dawkins – plus veteran councilman Bill Crisp voted against the parking deck because of its high cost.

“We’re missing our numbers in a big, big way,” said Dawkins.

Crisp exercised a personal privilege by immediately calling for reconsideration of the vote without discussion. He and Haire flipped, and the final vote for approval was 7-3. “I ain’t comfortable with it, but we’ve got to go with it,” Crisp said.

Council adjourned soon after the vote, having no idea where the additional $7 million would come from.

Jones said the total cost for its proposed developments would not exceed the planned $65 million. That includes more than $13 million for the renovation of the former Prince Charles Hotel. “The interior has been gutted,” Jones said of the eight-story building. It will be refurbished before the exterior of the facility is done over.

Once again, city of Fayetteville and county of Cumberland officials have been unable to resolve a mutually important issue. Several months ago, they agreed to work out significant differences over the future distribution of sales tax revenues within a twoyear period. Virtually no progress has been made. Now, the city and county have called off negotiations on the projected shared cost of building a multi-million- dollar 911 emergency call center. Newly elected Mayor Mitch Colvin and County Commission Chairman Larry Lancaster issued a joint statement saying in part, “We have jointly decided that more time is needed to create an agreement that best serves the citizens and creates a better overall project.” They added, “Key elements in the interlocal agreement remain unresolved to the satisfaction of both parties.”

A mid-December deadline for applying to the state for a $15 million matching grant could not be met. “The city and county will continue to work toward an agreement with the goal of applying during a future funding cycle,” the statement concluded.

GenX public forum draws hundreds

“There’s a lot of unknowns here...the state is doing the best it can right now. There are so many unknowns.” These are the words of North Carolina Rep. John Szoka, R-Cumberland, at a forum on GenX. GenX is a chemical compound used by the Chemours company to manufacture non-stick coatings used in cookware. It’s produced at the former Dupont plant in neighboring Bladen County.

An estimated 350 people turned out for the forum at Grays Creek High School to hear representatives of state regulatory agencies. Area residents are frustrated because little is known about the feared toxic effects of the compound on humans. GenX is unregulated by state or federal agencies. Nothing new was learned during the forum. GenX has been detected in more than a hundred private water wells in the vicinity of the Chemours plant on the Cumberland County line. Cumberland County Commissioners asked the state regulators to host the public forum. According to the Department of Environmental Quality, 115 homeowners are getting bottled water from Chemours because of GenX in their water. Not all wells tested had any GenX. It was originally detected in the Cape Fear River near Wilmington.

More growth on Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg will be headquarters for one of six new highly specialized units created to assist combat teams on deployment. A Security Force Assistance Brigade will be activated next month. Officials had said the brigade would likely be located on Pope Army Airfield property, which the former 440th Airlift Wing occupied. Officials have said the SFABs will allow other brigades to focus on their primary missions. The Army plans to have all six SFABs in place by 2022.

Each unit will consist of about 800 senior field grade and noncommissioned officers “who have proven expertise in training and advising foreign security forces,” the Army said. The soldiers will be among the top tactical leaders in the Army. To join an SFAB, soldiers will be screened based on qualifications and experience.

“The unit will receive the best, most advanced military equipment available,” the Army said in a statement, adding that “SFAB soldiers will receive special training through the Military Advisor Training Academy to include languages and foreign weapons.”

Shawcroft Road repairs

It will be some time yet before permanent repairs are made to Shawcroft Road in the Kings Grant subdivision. But, the city has finally come to a decision on the huge ditch that was temporarily repaired this past summer. The road collapsed during Hurricane Matthew in October of last year. The stream beneath the road had come out of its banks. According to Fayetteville Public Services Director Rob Stone, city engineer Giselle Rodriguez has recommended to management that a new culvert be installed to carry the stream beneath the road. The city had considered building a bridge across the stream. Stone said there would be a cost savings of $200,000 to install a large, concrete culvert. City council will eventually have to approve the project, whose cost is covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements.

Fort Bragg serial killer’s appeal rejected

Former Army Spec. Ronald Gray has lost his final appeal to stop his execution. The U.S. Armed Forces Court of Appeals denied Gray’s request for extraordinary relief in a 30-year court battle to save his life. Gray was convicted of a series of rapes and murders in Fayetteville and on Fort Bragg in the mid- 1980s. He killed cab driver Kimberly Ann Ruggles, Army Pvt. Laura Lee Vickery-Clay, Campbell University student Linda Jean Coats and Fayetteville resident Tammy Wilson, who was a soldier’s wife.

Gray also raped several other women. A Fort Bragg court sentenced him to death in 1988 after convicting him of the rape and murder of two women and the rape and attempted murder of a third woman, among other offenses. Previously, a civilian court sentenced him to eight life terms, including three to be served consecutively, after he was found guilty of two counts of seconddegree murder, five counts of rape and additional offenses all related to different victims.

Gray is the only soldier on death row at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. President George W. Bush approved Gray’s execution in 2008, but a federal court issued a stay of execution.

“Appellant has exhausted all of his remedies in the military justice system,” according to the opinion handed down this month.

ACTIVITIES

• Dec. 21-23 Christmas in Paradise at Paradise Acres in Hope Mills features, lights, a holiday buffet, a live Nativity scene, train rides, inflatables, fried moon pies, marshmallow roasting and the Clauses. Admission is free. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5-9 p.m. Call (910) 424-2779 for details.

• Dec. 25 Christmas dinner at the Alms House at noon. Menu will be traditional items: turkey (baked or fried), ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, desserts and drinks. If you would like to donate for the Christmas Day dinner, sign up on the sheet posted at the Hope House, 3909 Ellison St.

All food items need to be at the Hope House by 11 a.m. If you have questions, contact, Grilley Mitchell at (910) 476-3719.

• Every Monday and Friday, the Alms House serves meals from noon to 12:30 p.m. and 5-5:30 p.m. Saturday meals are at noon, and Sunday meals are at 5 p.m. Free. Contact, Grilley Mitchell at (910) 476-3719 or visit www.almshousehopemills.com for details.

• Dec. 29 Support your local hockey team. Watch the Fayetteville Marksmen vs. the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs at the Crown. Learn more about the team and purchase tickets at www.marksmenhockey.com.

• Dec. 30 Celebrate Kwanzaa at Smith Recreation Center from 6-8 p.m. The Umoja Group hosts this event, which includes a drum call, welcome song, tribute to elders, libation, parade of African kings and queens, feast, children’s candlelight ceremony and traditional dance performance. Bring your favorite food dish to share. Free. Call (910) 485-8035 for details.

MEETINGS

• Jan. 8 Hope Mills Chamber January Luncheon at Hope Mills Park and Recreation from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Enjoy a meal, network, and talk about the new year. Pivot Physical Therapy will be the guest speaker. Cost for lunch is $10. Purchase tickets at www.hopemillschamber.org.

• Alcoholics Anonymous meetings Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. at Hope Mills United Methodist Church, 4955 Legion Rd.

• Hope Mills Board of Commissioners Meeting – first and third Monday of each month at the Town Hall Building at 7 p.m.

• Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club – second Tuesdays at noon at Buckhead Steakhouse (Sammios starting in Feb.) and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Mi Casita in Hope Mills. Call (910) 237-1240 for details.

GET INVOLVED

Join other motivated citizens on a Hope Mills board, commission or committee. Contact the town for information on current vacancies and the application process: www.townofhopemills.com/ directory.aspx.

• The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee – fourth Mondays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 6:30 p.m. This committee seeks to recommend and plan programs of recreation activities and events. In addition to the regular membership, there are two liaison members who represent the Hope Mills Senior Citizens Club and the Hope Mills Youth Association.

• The Lake Advisory Committee – second Tuesdays at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 6 p.m. The purpose of the committee is to advise and make recommendations regarding various issues pertaining to the safety and environment of the lake and preserving it as a valuable resource to the town.

• The Appearance Commission – fourth Tuesdays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 7 p.m. This committee seeks to enhance and improve the visual quality and aesthetic characteristics of the town.

• The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee – fourth Wednesdays at the Hope Mills Senior Center, 4 p.m. The purpose of this committee is to provide insight and advice for the Senior Center Staff on programs and trips and to the providers of leisure services and activities for citizens 55 and older in the Hope Mills area.

• The Veterans Affairs Commission – fourth Thursdays at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 7 p.m. The committee is comprised of town residents who are armed services veterans. Members advise the town on affairs related to its active and retired military citizens.

• The Historic Preservation Commission – second Wednesdays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 5 p.m. The committee advises the governing body on issues related to historic identification and preservation.

FIREFIGHTERS

The Hope Mills Fire Department is a combination department, which employs both career staff and volunteers. Find out the criteria and training requirements for volunteer firefighters and join the team today: www.townofhopemills.com/155/Volunteer-Firefighters.

CLOSINGS

• The Hope Mills Library will be closed Dec. 23 through Dec. 27. Call (910) 223-0432 with questions.

• The town of Hope Mills offices will be closed Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1. Call (910) 426-4113 with questions.

PROMOTE YOURSELF

To have your business, organization or event included in this section, email us at hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

At a women’s gathering last week, I was struck by how much conversation centered on our national divisions and the amount of sadness and pain with which the women discussed our great divides. They mourn the ability to talk openly with others, often with people they consider friends, because of political differences. They yearn for ways to build bridges so that they can talk calmly about politics in America.

The women cited conversational scenarios like these that most of us have encountered in one form or another.

You: “That Donald Trump couldn’t tell the truth if Melania’s life depended on it.”

Other person: “Oh, yeah! That Hillary Clinton aided and abetted her husband’s womanizing.” Or this.

You: “Hillary Clinton is the most qualified person ever to run for president of the United States.”

Other person: “Donald Trump is a different sort of president, but he is a great leader no matter what.”

Such deflecting, finger-pointing conversations are exactly what render many of us silent around people of opposing political views. The divide is so deep we simply cannot cross it, so we do nothing. We may unfriend social media contacts to avoid reading posts that repel us. My conversation with women friends last week is one of many such exchanges over the last two years, and I have not detected softening of anyone’s opinions.

We remain stuck in our political gridlock.

Turns out that there is much angst on both sides about the deep gulf between us. An internet search quickly reveals the concerns and offers tips on facilitating better communications, or at least on how not to come to fisticuffs. My favorites come from a TED talk by Celeste Headley, host of a daily news show on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

1. Don’t try to educate anyone. Chances are, you are locked into your beliefs and so are those on the other side of the fence. Attempts at education to your point of view may simply deepen the gulf between you and the other person.

2. Don’t prejudge. We all come to this moment with different life experiences, and listening – really listening – may help us understand how someone came to such beliefs, even though we may never agree.

3. Show respect. Headley puts it this way. “Respect is more important than tolerance. To respect another person is to refrain from calling them names, discounting their ideas or using frequent interruptions to talk over them or perplex them. It also means taking turns; practice seeing people with whom you disagree as people trying to achieve a positive result.”

4. Stick it out. Confrontation, even calm and measured confrontation, is hard and awkward. Headley cautions against cracking jokes or changing the subject. Tough conversations are worth the effort, says Headley, and “are necessary if we are to find common ground” on issues that face both America and the world.

Obviously, all easier said than done, and I have certainly done my share of joking, changing the subject, even running for the door and just avoiding such conversations altogether. But Headley is right. We cannot move forward until we are able to talk to each other. Doing so is not a matter of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump staging a televised love-in. It is Americans, one by one and two by two agreeing that what unites us is stronger and more important than what divides us. It is Americans talking to each other, no matter how difficult and awkward that may be.

Damage has been done, but last week’s special election in Alabama was a ray of light in a bleak and charged atmosphere. No matter one’s political leanings, that election was proof that Americans do not always believe partisan ends justify the means above all else.

Americans have reason to be encouraged as we head into 2018.

Alexandria Scruggs

E.E. Smith • Junior •

Basketball

In addition to being one of the top players for the Golden Bulls’ girls’ basketball team, Scruggs has a weighted grade point average of 4.3667.

Sam McKeithan

Jack Britt • Junior •

Football/lacrosse

McKeithan was the kicker for the Jack Britt football team, hitting 27 extra points and two field goals. He also plays lacrosse in the spring. He enjoys surfing and soccer. He has a weighted grade point average of 4.28.

Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Psychology Club began several years ago with the goal of bringing community college students opportunities to help others by sharing knowledge and experience about psychology-related issues that students in four-year college environments receive.

Since its inception, the FTCC Psychology Club has grown in numbers and in heart. The club is service-oriented, and its focus is on bettering Cumberland County through community projects. Here are a few examples of ways the club has tried to positively impact the area.

Members of the Psychology Club have fed the homeless, collected stuffed animals for the police department as an outreach to children, collected clothes and food for the homeless at the Salvation Army, visited the elderly at rest homes, volunteered with the local pregnancy center, donated food and clothes to local organizations that serve the community, donated items for a horse rescue that trains horses to help veterans going through psychological trauma and collected used cell phones for domestic violence survivors. The club has also participated in and sponsored events aimed at educating FTCC students, faculty and staff about resources available for mental health issues and general education about different psychological disorders and issues.

FTCC staff members have attended psychology conferences to help students develop their understanding of research explored in the field of psychology today. At a recent conference, FTCC students participated in a competition and earned second place in the knowledge-based competition even though they competed against students from fouryear colleges.

One of the offshoots of the Psychology Club is a speaker series hosted by the club entitled “Out of the Darkness.” The club members position the speaker series as a platform for healing and helping by asking speakers who have experienced life trauma to share their experiences and success stories. In many cases, the speakers help others understand that they are not alone and that, with help, they too can “come out of the darkness.” Many of the speakers have gained the courage to share their own experiences and receive inner healing through the opportunity to help someone else.

The newest offshoot of the club is the Trojan Shoulders Support Group, a general support group that meets twice a month. Group members try to provide a safe place for individuals who are feeling stressed, are hurting or are just in need of a shoulder to cry on. The group does not provide therapy but can refer individuals to a counselor if needed.

FTCC’s Psychology Club is one among many great opportunities available at this institution. It’s not too late to register for Spring 2018 classes. Visit in-person at the Fayetteville, Spring Lake or Fort Bragg locations, or learn more at www.faytechcc.edu.

Every year, millions of North Carolinians travel out of our state for work, vacation or to visit friends and family. Of those travelers, did you know that more than 600,000 of us have concealed carry permits? Right now, those permits are accepted in 36 other states – and North Carolina recognizes concealed carry permits issued by all other states. With that said, while all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow for concealed carry permits to be issued on some basis, 14 states don’t recognize the validity of North Carolina’s concealed carry permits.

As you can see from just our state’s example, the hodgepodge of concealed carry reciprocity agreements between states is confusing. It has caused some law-abiding concealed carry permit holders to innocently and unknowingly break the law and suffer arrest, while preventing others from carrying over state lines at all. Take for instance the story of Brian Fletcher, a law-abiding concealed carry permit holder from Granville county. After Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast, Brian traveled to New Jersey to help with storm-related utility repairs. He was carrying his legally-purchased gun when he was stopped by a police officer in New Jersey. He did what any permit holder would do: notify the officer and hand him his ID. The problem is, while New Jersey allows concealed carry, it does not recognize any other state’s right to carry. Brian was simply trying to do the right thing, but an honest mistake landed him in jail.

That’s why I’m pleased to let you know that my bill, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (H.R. 38), passed the House Judiciary Committee last week. This is a simple, common sense solution to affirm that law-abiding citizens who are qualified to carry concealed in one state can also carry in other states that allow residents to do so.

This is a simple application of Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution requiring that states give “full faith and credit” to the “public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state.” This clause allows your driver’s license to be recognized by other states. If we allow a driver’s license for driving – which is a privilege, not a right – then we can do that for our Second Amendment – which is a right, not a privilege. This has been called one of the most important gun measures in Congress – ever, and the American people agree. According to a recent survey by The New York Times, an overwhelming majority of Americans support concealed carry reciprocity – 73 percent to be exact.

reciprocity – 73 percent to be exact. Despite this overwhelming support, critics have spread doomsday scenarios and outlandish claims, including, “the bill is supported by ISIS,” “it will override state laws,” “it will arm criminals” and “it will turn cities into the ‘Wild West.’” Big-city liberal Michael Bloomberg has vowed to spend $25 million to stop it. That’s because the facts simply don’t back up their claims.

For one, H.R. 38 does not override state laws. Nothing in H.R. 38 prevents a municipality or state from enacting restrictions on where, when and how people can lawfully carry in their jurisdiction. And H.R. 38 will not arm criminals or dangerous individuals. In fact, there is a provision that excludes any individual who is prohibited by federal law from “possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm.” This includes criminals convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; criminals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals subject to a restraining order for harassment, stalking or threatening; and individuals who have been adjudicated as a mental defective or who have been committed to any mental institution.

Lastly, my bill doesn’t make it any easier to buy a gun. It would not change access to guns or the federal law requiring background checks before purchasing guns. At the end of the day, I welcome a rational debate on constitutional rights and public safety, but I reject the false dilemma that we can’t have both. I look forward to continuing this momentum and bringing this important bill to the House floor as soon as possible.

At stake is a $15 million grant from the state for the proposed consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center.

Local governments have not collaborated on a joint multi-milliondollar construction project in recent memory. Agreeing to the shared cost of a proposed consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center has been difficult for Fayetteville City Council and Cumberland County Commissioners.

The council spent nearly three hours behind closed doors Dec. 7 discussing the project as well as an economic development issue involving private investments near downtown baseball stadium property. Council spent 20 minutes in public session before agreeing to submit a revised 911 interlocal agreement proposal to county commissioners. This, after county commissioners withdrew from initial negotiations, effectively reverting the project back to square one.

County Commissioner Glenn Adams, who served as chairman of the board until earlier this month, advised then-Mayor Nat Robertson that the county was withdrawing from deliberations because the boards had reached an impasse on construction funding. He claimed the city had reneged on an agreement that it would pay two-thirds of the cost of building the plant.

At stake is a $15 million grant from the state that would match city and county funds for the $30 million facility. Both units of local government have generally agreed on the shared cost of operations once the center is built. The sticking point is the formula the city and county would use to divide construction costs. Details are unavailable because city council and its attorney have kept discussions private. City Attorney Karen MacDonald said closed meetings to discuss the matter are lawful under the North Carolina Open Meetings statute exceptions, which allow contract discussions to be conducted privately. Council, however, failed to follow proper procedures for publicly announcing the purposes of the closed meetings. MacDonald confronted reporters representing Up & Coming Weekly and The Fayetteville Observer who objected that they were not kept informed, as provided by law.

Once the meeting was re-opened to the public, council agreed unanimously to again have City Manager Doug Hewett make a follow up proposal to county commissioners. It outlines revised construction funding levels agreeable to the city and reiterates the city’s insistence that it be responsible for dispatch center operations. Mayor Pro Tem Ted Mohn noted “we could build it without the county,” but he did not elaborate. City Council members Larry Wright and Bill Crisp were not present for the vote but had attended most of the closed meeting.

The subject discussed privately by city council with developers of the former Prince Charles Hotel renovation project was not made public. PCH Holdings, Inc. project manager Jordan Jones and two of his associates attended the meeting, which was unusual. The firm is not only turning the old hotel into apartments, it’s investing millions in a new four-story hotel and other amenities adjacent to the minor league baseball stadium.

Jones said after the meeting that the discussion involved who would pay for a parking deck to be built on top of the new hotel. Originally, it was part of the company’s plan.

When you think of essential, what comes to mind? I think about oxygen. You take that away, and you are dead. I just left the hospital after visiting a lady who was attached to an oxygen tank. For her, if she doesn’t get oxygen, it’s a bad thing. For her, oxygen is essential.

Essential is defined as “of the utmost importance.” Synonyms might include basic, indispensable and necessary. We live in such a dispensable world. Anything that is dispensable is thrown out. Anything that is essential is kept.

One of our boys had a favorite Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal and a special blanket that tended to follow him everywhere. When we left the house, we had to have Pooh and blankie. When he went to bed, he had to have Pooh and blankie. For him, Pooh and blankie were essential (so essential that mom bought another identical pair).

But here’s the question: As we begin to focus on the Christmas season, how essential is Christ to Christmas? Is Christ something we can just throw out? Or something that must be kept?

In recent years, our culture has all but removed Christ from Christmas. It’s holiday celebrations. It’s holiday trees. It’s holiday parades. It’s everything but Christ-mas. But can you really remove Christ and still have Christmas?

Sure, you can celebrate Saint Nicholas and his generous giving spirit. In fact, Dec. 6 is the official Saint Nicholas Day. It’s interesting that we focus more on Saint Nick than we do on Jesus Christ. Did you know that there is very little historical documentation about Saint Nicholas?

But the legends of Saint Nick have flourished. Somewhere along the way, people began giving gifts in his honor. In Germany, he became known as Christkindl (Christ-child), which evolved into Kriss Kringle. Yet, most of it is all legend.

Essential is something of utmost importance. Instead of focusing all of our attention on the legendary stories of Saint Nick, why not focus on the real person of Jesus Christ? Christmas is more than giving gifts and singing carols. Christmas is the birth of the Jesus Christ.

God became flesh and dwelt among us. This is the essential truth of Christmas. He is the one who should be celebrated and worshipped. The holiday is even named after him. This season, why not remember the essential truth of who Jesus is and what Jesus did for you?

Pick up a Bible and read the story of Christ. Begin with the familiar birth narrative in Luke 2. But then go and read the Gospel of John. See the wonder, experience the awe, and remember the Christ.

How essential is Christ to Christmas? Indispensable.

Congress, as currently constituted, lacks the capacity for coming anywhere near taking the actions required to, even at a minimal level, fulfill the duties of that body relating to the affairs of this country.

I am writing this column on Nov. 28, 2017. My intent, even a couple of days ago, was to address the troubling condition of the United States Congress. A few hours ago, I saw news reports about three events that compounded my need to share some thoughts regarding Congress.

Congress, as currently constituted, lacks the capacity for coming anywhere near taking the actions required to, even at a minimal level, fulfill the duties of that body relating to the affairs of this country. Our form of government mandates that we rely on Congress for actions essential to our very survival as a nation. Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution spells out congressional responsibilities in detail. The lengthy listing of responsibilities starts with the following three of 18 items:

1. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.

I encourage reading of Section 8. Doing so puts the tremendous failings of our current Congress in proper perspective. Looking at this list of responsibilities and authority paints a picture of failure that defies belief. Do not misunderstand – I believe there are some people in Congress who want to do what is right, what is needed for the good of America. I have never lived in Washington, D.C., but am convinced it is a culture infested with greed, love of power and self-promotion. This is a combination that yields exactly what we see in Congress – absolutely nothing of substance being done. The few who would do what is good are converted to, or overwhelmed by, this destructive and unproductive culture.

There is no reason to hope that those who are residents of the Washington political culture will rectify the situation. This is especially true of those who have been in this culture – “the swamp” – for many years. Not only will they not rectify the situation, but people across this country, and even around the world, who benefit from the failings of Congress will not push for change.

In the end, the “Silent Majority” must speak up and show up. The term Silent Majority is attributed to President Richard Nixon. He used it in a speech, Oct. 15, 1969, when addressing protests against the Vietnam War.

Sam Adams, in an article titled “Trump Champions the ‘Silent Majority,’ but What Does that Mean in 2016?” quotes descriptions of the Silent Majority given by individuals in our time. Here are some:

“The people that mind their own business, don’t depend on anyone else,” said Patty Hughes of Indianola, Iowa, when asked to describe silent majority. “(They) don’t expect anything from anybody, and they’re kind of quiet. They don’t go around bragging. They’re not activists.”

Her husband, Larry, said, “They expect a dollar work for a dollar pay. They don’t want anything free, but they don’t want stuff taken away from them either. And that’s happening to us out here in the cheap seats.”

George Davey of West Des Moines: “The silent majority is always going to be a state of mind,” he said. “It’s a feeling. It’s a feeling of dispossession. And that feeling of dispossession can come about most dramatically in times when things seem to be changing, when all that’s solid melts into air.”

I submit there are a lot of people in America who fit the overall description above. These are people who, for various reasons, seldom get involved in the political process. Clearly, many are faithful voters but shy away from any further involvement with politics. It seems to me we have come to a point of dysfunction in Congress and elsewhere in government that those in the system, and those supported by the system, will not correct. It will only happen if the Silent Majority speaks up and shows up.

The few events that I noticed on this one day, Nov. 28, merely constitute a speck on the seemingly endless list of indicators of congressional failure. From the 28th:

1. I think the case for our need of tax reform is clear. The contention that America’s corporate tax rate is so much higher than other industrialized countries that it puts us at a competitive disadvantage for attracting or keeping job-producing businesses is a fact. It also makes sense to me that if people pay less in taxes, they will spend more, resulting in more jobs, increased tax revenue and less need for government entitlement spending. Providing an avenue for American companies to pay a low tax rate on money earned overseas and being held there because of our high rates makes sense to me. With appropriate tax rates, those funds are expected to be brought home to America. By no means is this everything in what is being proposed by the House or Senate, and some of the proposals deserve additional attention. I see a process where some Republicans simply criticize what is being proposed while appearing to offer no solutions, and Democrats paint a picture of doom while offering absolutely no productive input to the process. I see this show as an indication of Congress failing to do its job.

2. Nancy Pelosi, House minority leader, and Charles Schumer, Senate minority leader, were scheduled to meet with President Trump in the afternoon. Apparently, several important topics were on the agenda. Among the issues was taking action to fund basic government operations by Dec. 8 and avoiding a partial government shutdown. Earlier in the day, Trump tweeted, “Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don’t see a deal!” In response, Pelosi and Schumer announced that they would not meet with Trump. This is the man who has to sign any legislation passed by Congress, but they will not meet with him. This is irresponsible behavior, treating the serious business of this country like some game played for the fun of it. Congresswoman Pelosi and Senator Schumer should read Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. This kind of behavior feeds the failure so many Americans abhor in Congress.

3. As this meeting was being boycotted by Pelosi and Schumer, the announcement came that North Korea had successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that, possibly, has the capability to reach any part of America. Concurrent with hearing this news, I was reminded that military funding is affected by the congressional action needed no later than Dec. 8. Not only has the military been adversely impacted by sequestration, it has suffered due to repeated continuing resolutions. Under a continuing resolution, funding for federal agencies remains at similar levels to what was enacted for the previous fiscal year. This does not look like conscientiously “providing for the common defence.” This is failure.

We, the people are not without some responsibility in the failings of Congress. In the midst of Congress failing miserably, we keep sending individuals to that body and allowing them to fail, but, for the most part, remain in office. It is past time to send an even stronger message of disapproval than what was sent with the election of Donald Trump. We need to send the failure producers home and replace them with people who will do what is right and needed, even at the risk of losing elections. This will only happen if the Silent Majority speaks up and shows up. Members of the political establishment and those who benefit from the failings of that establishment will not do what is required to save our nation; that is obvious.

Well into the 2017-18 concert season, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers are set to bring a choral Christmas performance to the Sandhills. Saturday, Dec. 16, don’t miss “We Sing to Remember” at First Baptist Church.

This is the first year for Jason Britt as the group’s director. “We are doing final preparations on ‘Messiah.’ We have one more rehearsal before the performance, and it is all going according to plan. I am holding on tight and enjoying the ride,” he said.

Two other groups are singing. One of them is the Campbellton Youth Chorus. “They are doing a couple of things – ‘Sing We Now of Christmas’ and an arrangement of ‘Christmas Time Is Here,’” Britt said. “The Cross Creek Chorale, which is an auditioned group within the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, is doing ‘O Magnum Mysterium,’ a Latin piece by Morten Lauridsen, and we are also performing Chesnokov’s ‘Salvation Is Created.’” And, of course, ‘Messiah.’”

Every year at Christmas, choral organizations across the country present part one of “Messiah.” It is an oratorio in three parts, Britt said. “It celebrates the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. Typically, about this time of year, we do the first section. The other two parts, they do around Easter. It has been done this way since the 1700s.”

This performance of “Messiah” is significant for Britt on several levels. “This is my first time directing ‘Messiah,’” he said.

Perhaps just as significant is that right out of college, he was asked to do a tenor solo for the piece. “Now 27 years later, I am directing the whole thing. It is surreal. Time has flown, and here I am now at the head of this wonderful organization. It is gratifying, and I am very excited to participate.”

As in years past, people can walk on the day of the performance. “All they need to do is have a score and to be dressed in all black for ladies and dark suits for men,” Britt said.

It is an early concert. “We could be done around 6:30 p.m.,” Britt said. “I hope people choose to stay downtown and make it a compete evening. There are so many nice restaurants downtown; it really is a nice way to complete the evening.”

The Cumberland Oratorio Singers’ spring concert is set for April 27 at Haymount United Methodist Church and is called “We Sing to Experience.” “It is made up of works every choir should perform,” Britt said. “They are works that, if you are in any chorus across America, you have probably performed. It includes pieces by Handel, Haydn, Copland – they are standard works. Good, traditional choral music.” That concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

For the Dec. 16 concert, tickets are $27 at the door for non-season ticket holders. Members and groups of 10 or more are $20 as are walk-ons. The performance starts at 5 p.m. Find out more at www. singwithcos.org.

In an age of rising health care costs and complex insurance issues, an accident or serious illness can bring physical and financial ruin. Resources for the uninsured are limited, and first-class treatment is expensive. Since 1993, The CARE Clinic has provided free basic medical care, dental extractions, chiropractic care, lab testing, diagnostic testing, pharmacy service, health education, community resource information, social services and referrals to specialists to uninsured, low-income residents of Cumberland County.

Staffed primarily by volunteers, the clinic receives no government assistance. “We rely on grants, donations and fundraisers,” said Cynthia M. Spears, CARE Clinic development and marketing director. “It costs us approximately $45,000 a month to keep our doors open. Our biggest expense is pharmaceuticals. We have a pharmacy at the clinic. When we see a patient, if they need medication, they get it free before they leave. Last year, we dispensed 11,142 prescription medications with an estimated wholesale price of $780,531.

Funding an operation this big and this generous is a challenge. Donations are always welcome, but that is not always enough as the need for quality medical care is great. “Each year, we have three major fundraisers: Evening of CARE, which is in February, Toast of the Town wine and beer tasting in April and our Golf Charity tournament in September,” Spears said.

Evening of CARE

The clinic’s biggest fundraiser, Evening of CARE, takes place Feb. 3. One thing that makes this fundraiser unique is that it is not held at one venue. It takes place throughout the community. Couples sign up to open their homes and host a meal, which is usually catered. Often, the hosts will provide a list of guests to The CARE Clinic. However, Williams noted that there are always homes that have space for community members. This year, 34 host homes are participating.

“If you want to attend, contact us,” Williams said. The cost is $75 per person. The food is from Dorothy’s Catering 2.”

If the hosts choose to have the meal catered, there are two dishes on the menu. One is chicken, two vegetables, a salad and dessert. The other is lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Williams noted that some hosts provide the meals for their guests. “Gates Four turns this into a neighborhood meal and caters it on-site, which is very generous because they absorb the cost of preparing the meal,” Williams said.

Each host is encouraged to include only as many people as their home comfortably allows, so some homes host 15-20 and others up to 50, giving each attendee a unique experience.

Evening of CARE raises between $55,000 and $60,000 most years. While the funds are not earmarked, Williams said one of the biggest operating expenses for the clinic is keeping its pharmacy stocked. “A lot of the medications are very expensive, and that can add up quickly.”

Toast of the Town: wine and beer tasting

April 26, The CARE Clinic will host a wine and beer tasting at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. “We have outgrown every other place we’ve been to,” Williams said. “We started at the Prince Charles Hotel downtown and then moved to St. Patrick Catholic Church and to the Metropolitan Room after that.”

With an attendance of 350 guests last year, this event offers a fun and elegant evening for attendees. “We have a wine tasting sponsored by Mutual Distributing,” Williams said. “They arrange to bring in vendors and wines from all over the world. They set up tables, and people go around and get to taste different beverages.”

Last year, the event expanded to include beer, opening opportunities for local breweries like the Mash House, Huske Hardware House and Dirtbag Ales to support the cause.

Williams added that the event is catered and that there will be a photo booth and a Step and Repeat, too. Five Star Entertainment will provide the DJ. “It is a nice evening,” Williams said. “We are hoping for nice weather so we can be outside and not just in the Orangery. Anyone is welcome to come.”

In addition to the beverages and entertainment, guests can bid in the silent auction. In the past, auction items have included a trip to Africa for seven days, wine-themed baskets, “hit the town” baskets with gift cards from various local vendors, petthemed baskets, jewelry, furniture, art and more.

“It is a good night to get to go out and have fun,” Williams said.

Start time is 6 p.m. Tickets cost $50 in advance and $55 at the door.

Golf tournament

Each fall, The CARE Clinic hosts a golf tournament. It’s been at Gates Four for the last eight years. Like most tournaments, this one includes teams and sponsorship opportunities. “We get Gates Four bucks and offer them to the golfers to spend at the Gates Four pro shop,” Williams said.

This event costs $300 per person to play and has an outreach component as well. “You can sponsor as soldier,” Williams said. “We coordinate with Fort Bragg to help select soldiers to participate. Last year, we had 12 soldiers sponsored. It is a good way to give back to them and thank them for their service. They seem to enjoy meeting people in the community, and the local golfers like to mingle.”

Tournament day includes golf, lunch and prizes.

While fundraisers are vital to keeping The CARE Clinic doors open, Williams added that sponsors and donations play a big part in that, too, as do volunteers. “We have more than 500 volunteers who do everything from serving on committees to serving in the clinic to doing administrative work,” Williams said. There never seem to be enough money or volunteers to meet the demand, though.

Visit www.thecareclinic.org or call (910) 485- 0555 to learn more about The CARE Clinic and how you can help.

Make a CARE Clinic appointment

To be eligible, you must:

• Be an adult resident of Cumberland County or the surrounding area

• Have no insurance – including Medicaid

• Meet an income requirement

• Display proof of household income and a valid, North Carolina DMV-issued picture ID card or driver’s license showing your current address

Appointments:

• No walk-ins.

• Appointments are made only by phone; for more information on making an appointment, call (910) 485-0555.

• Medical appointments may be made Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Dental appointments may be made Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon for the following week.

• The clinic serves patients each Tuesday and Thursday and the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

• Dental clinics are every Tuesday and the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Appointments are made on a space available basis.

• To cancel an appointment, you must call by 8 a.m. the day of the appointment and leave a message on the answering machine in order not to be penalized.

Patients are given the opportunity to make a donation at the time of their visit.

As we enjoy the holidays of 2017 and look forward to a new year, it gives me pause to realize what a divided nation we are right now, to wonder whatever happened to civility and checking our political opinions at the door? It pains me to admit I simply do not feel the same way about some people after the polarized campaigns of 2016, and others would surely say the same about me. As I look at the current players on both sides of our national political field, I wonder which of them I might want to know, maybe even to call my friends. Who among our national cast of political characters do I admire and trust enough to imagine inviting into my home and family circle?

Barack and Michelle Obama would be near the top of my list, as would George and Laura Bush. While no American agrees with every decision a president makes and every policy he champions, the Obamas and Bushes acquitted themselves with dignity and good humor during their days in the White House. Policy controversies abounded as usual, but there were few staff scandals. Their daughters behaved themselves as far as we know, and both couples presented America and the larger world with solid marriages and devoted parenting.

Melania Trump fascinates many of us. She is beautiful, exotic in an eastern European way – and enigmatic. Other than the infamous hand swats, she has been cool as the proverbial cucumber, exhibiting little emotion about anything. While I do wonder what my grandmother would say about the first lady having posed in the nude, Mrs. Trump clearly dotes on her son and seems to have good relationships with the president’s children by other mothers, which speaks well for her in my book. I look forward to following her as the Trump presidency continues to unfold. Robert Mueller and his special counsel team go about their work investigating Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential campaign with an attitude of “just the facts, ma’am.” No leaks flow from their office, and no incendiary comments from Mueller or staff land in the media. Unlike Congressional investigations with leaks pouring out and partisan rhetoric spewing, Mueller’s is thoroughly professional and dignified. No matter one’s partisan leanings, it is hard to criticize the conduct of the investigating team. This professionalism lends credence to whatever the outcome of the probe turns out to be.

Two Republican U.S. Senators, Bob Corker of Tennessee and Jeff Flake of Arizona, have stepped outside the prison of partisan politics and called out the president and other politicians on both their positions and behaviors. Neither Senator is seeking re-election, which has clearly freed them from partisan political pressure, and their bravery and candor stand out in an otherwise toxic political arena. Their constituents should take pride in these two men of conscience, and the rest of the nation should look for candidates like them.

Syndicated columnist Celia Rivenbark of Wilmington began a recent column with “It’s raining men.” She went on to address the flood of sexual harassment and assault claims against prominent men in both the media and politics, some of whom have fallen from the heights with the thunderous impact of giant redwood trees. The group of women – whom Time magazine named “Silence Breakers”– that stepped from the shadows to accuse powerful men have clearly wrestled personal demons to do so, whether they are named or unnamed. There is not a woman alive who has not experienced some version of unwanted attention from men, often in the workplace, and the Silence Breakers have earned the thanks of women everywhere as well as from the men who love and respect them.

Your list of prospective friends could be like mine, or it could be very different. Either way, my guess is that we all yearn for more civility in our national political life. May we all take a deep breath and calm down in 2017.

We need leadership that will encourage and convince local community agencies to tear down their silos and start working for the betterment of all. To this end, city and county leaders need to lead by example.

One of the most important things I’ve learned in life is that actions speak louder than words. Put another way, don’t believe what you hear, but depend on what you see. This simple philosophy has helped me survive many pitfalls when navigating through my business and personal life. And, I assure you that it applies to nearly all worldly situations.

Fayetteville’s newly elected mayor, Mitch Colvin, addressed business, church and community leaders at a gathering titled “One Fayetteville.” Here, he reiterated his campaign promise to bring Fayetteville together using diversity as leverage to solicit cooperation and collaboration within the community. This is a good thing. The words Colvin spoke, combined with his intentions, are no doubt honorable and sincere. However, the reality of bringing everyone together for the betterment of the community may be a little more daunting. Why? Because actions always speak louder than words, and Fayetteville and Cumberland County residents are getting weary of hearing how well our city and county are getting along when it is not so.

The perfect example of this, and a missed opportunity for a show of unity, came at the “One Fayetteville” gathering. The event was at City Hall with many notable community leaders in attendance, including representatives from Cumberland County Schools, Fort Bragg and the church and business community. The county of Cumberland was also represented by its newly elected board chairman, Commissioner Larry Lancaster, and yet he did not address the audience. Why? You would think that at a unity-themed event, there could be no better demonstration of unity than one between the city of Fayetteville and the county of Cumberland.

Didn’t Lancaster have anything to say? Was he not invited to speak? At this point, it doesn’t make any difference. It was an opportunity lost and a conspicuous oversight for those sincerely seeking unity. The event had approximately 150 people in attendance when twice that number would have been more appropriate. Again, actions speak louder than words.

Another example of missed opportunity is the recent controversy about which entity will manage the proposed combined 911 center. Both city and county officials claim to be working hard and looking out for the best interest of tax-paying residents, yet when the health and welfare of everyone is literally at stake, neither party is willing to concede its silo of power.

Worse yet, they are sticking to their guns even if it means losing millions of dollars in state funding. Enough promises. Stop the meaningless talk. Many observers think this will be the year both the city and county taxpayers pay close attention to what is being done – not said – to move the community forward. With $80 million -$100 million of economic development and opportunity sprouting up downtown, it will be much easier to measure who comes forth with the plans and initiatives to move Fayetteville and Cumberland County forward both socially and economically.

Our community seems to have an overabundance of “philosopher kings.” They are readily available with “expert” opinions analyzing our problems, but they rarely offer viable solutions. Honestly, our community doesn’t need any more of these self-proclaimed local experts or overpriced out-of-town consultants telling us what our problems are. I think we have a pretty good handle on those.

We need vision, leadership and effective solutions to make positive things happen in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. We need leadership that will encourage and convince local community agencies to tear down their silos and start working for the betterment of all. To this end, city and county leaders need to lead by example. Otherwise, there is no incentive for others to invest in or buy into any initiative of cooperation for future growth.

Both the city and county need to get away from the “What’s in it for me” mentality and start thinking about “What’s in it for us – all of us.” When this happens, amazing things will take shape in our community. Everything will improve. Our community will grow in population. Poverty and crime will decrease. Employment opportunities will increase – as will our economic outlook and quality of life.

There would be no downside to this kind of communication and cooperation. For instance, the Rotary Christmas Parade could become the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Rotary Christmas parade. With this combined participation, perhaps we could have 30,000 in attendance rather than 3,000. Veteran’s Day could be celebrated countywide with a Veteran’s Day Parade twice as big and respectfully honored by a full reviewing stand of local dignitaries rather than an empty one. In 2019, on opening day of our new baseball team at our yet-to-be-named $33 million stadium, perhaps both city and county officials could throw out the first pitch.

No doubt about it, 2018 is going to be a year of change. At this point, we know everyone can talk the talk. Now, let’s see who will walk the walk.

Remember, trust your eyes, not your ears. And let’s SEE where the new leadership will take us. Unity, less talk and more action – our local trifecta for success.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

The Fayetteville Cumberland County Parks and Recreation department presents Christmas in the Park every day from Thursday, Dec. 7–Thursday, Dec. 21 from 6-9 p.m. at Arnette Park.

“Parks and Recreation started this event back in 2010 because we wanted to give the citizens of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the surrounding areas a place to go locally to view Christmas lights,” said Erica Brady, Parks and Recreation special events coordinator. “We wanted it to be different from what so many other places offer, and here we invite you to come out with your family and park your vehicle to walk and view the beautiful lights.”

The venue features a half-mile paved walking trail featuring different themes, a fire pit to roast marshmallows, a craft station, a first responder area, the Christmas Express train and holiday movies on the outdoor movie screen.

“Our train ride is a couple of tractors with some train cars behind it that you can pay $1 per person to ride,” said Brady. “We also have Santa on-site each night and the children can visit him at no cost; however, if you want a photo, we have the equipment to take it and the cost is $5.” Brady added that they have marshmallow roasting. Personal supplies are not permitted, but they do have the marshmallow sticks and the marshmallows that can be purchased on-site for $1 per stick and $1 for a small pack of marshmallows. The vendors include Big T’s, Raging Rooster and Reuben’s Concessions.

The main focus of Christmas in the Park is the center Christmas tree display. “It is something that you have never seen before and a sight to behold,” said Brady. “We have two 60-foot trees, and inside of those trees is a 30-foot tree, and inside of that tree is a 16-foot tree – and then we have a singular 30-foot tree surrounded by additional 16-foot trees.” Brady added there are 8-foot trees and some dancing arches that are all programmed to music. Every single strand of lights is programmed for every second of every song that you hear.

Admission is $10 per family vehicle, $30 per commercial vehicle and $75 per motorcoach/bus.

Arnette Park is located at 2165 Wilmington Highway. Personal cameras are not permitted. Service animals are allowed. This is a cash-only event. For more information, call (910) 433-1547.

There is a flurry of upcoming holiday activities to partake in and sights to see in Hope Mills and the surrounding area. Whether you prefer big, festive parade crowds or quiet, one-on-one walks, Cumberland County has something for everyone this holiday season.

• Dec. 13-30 Christmas Lights at Denton Ridge on Ramsey Street starts with a tram ride accompanied by Christmas music and lights. Stops include a live Nativity scene, an old-timey country store, Mrs. Claus’ bake shop and a museum of early 1900s farming equipment. Marshmallow roasting and free photos with Santa are also available. Open every weekend Dec. 1-30. Entry is $10 per person. For more information, visit www.dentonridge.com.

• Dec. 13-23 Christmas in Paradise at Paradise Acres in Hope Mills features, in addition to lights, a holiday buffet, live Nativity scene, train rides, inflatables, fried moon pies, marshmallow roasting and the Clauses. Admission is free. Open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 1-23. Call (910) 424-2779 for details.

• Dec. 22, 29 Nothing adds excitement to an evening like a hockey game. With five Fayetteville Marksmen home games this month, it is easy to come out and support your local team. All local games are at the Crown. Learn more about the team and purchase tickets at www.marksmenhockey. com.

• Dec. 13-17 “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is a beloved Christmas tradition at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. This comedic classic tells the story of the awful Herdsman kids and how they wreak havoc on a local production of the Christmas story. For tickets and information, visit www.cfrt.org.

• Dec. 13-17 “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Gilbert Theater runs through Dec. 17. This classic production is based on the 1946 comedy-drama produced and directed by Frank Capra starring Jimmy Stewart. Watch local talent bring this timeless tale of hope to life. Visit www.gilberttheater.com to purchase tickets.

• Dec. 13-21 Christmas in the Park occurs at Arnette Park adjacent to the Cape Fear River. Enjoy a half-mile stroll on a paved walking trail and take in the sights and sounds of Christmas. Other features include local musicians, a Christmas Express train, food vendors, a marshmallow pit, Santa, and an outdoor movie screen with holiday films. Tickets cost $10 per vehicle. Open every day Dec. 7-21, 6-9 p.m. Call (910) 433-1547 for details.

• Dec. 13-30 Holiday Lights in the Garden at Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers a mile-long walk to admire the decoration of the garden’s natural winter plant life and structures. Other attractions include a synchronized light show, Santa photos, s’mores and free kids’ crafts. Entry is $5-12 depending on age and membership. Open Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 7-30. Learn more at www.capefearbg.org.

• Dec. 13-17 Santa and his sleigh will be in downtown Fayetteville. Enjoy a carriage ride with the jolly elf, and take in the charming sights and sounds of Fayetteville during the holidays. Call (910) 223-1089 for tickets and information.

• Dec. 14-17 The Crown hosts Disney on Ice “Dare to Dream,” a production that will entertain Disney fans of all ages. Visit www.crowncomplexnc.com for tickets and information.

• Dec. 16 Ryan’s Reindeer Run in downtown Fayetteville is not only a fun way to get some exercise, it is a celebration of life. Come dressed in holiday costumes, bring your friends and family and run – because you can. Register at active.com or www.ryansreindeerrun.com.

• Dec. 16 The Cumberland Oratorio Singers present “We Sing to Remember” at First Baptist Church. Titles of this concert will have a Christmas theme and will also include Part I of “Messiah,” an integral part of this season. Visit www.singwithcos.org to learn more.

• Dec. 30 Celebrate Kwanzaa at Smith Recreation Center from 6-8 p.m. The Umoja Group hosts this event, which includes a drum call, welcome song, tribute to elders, libation, parade of African kings and queens, feast, children’s candlelight ceremony and traditional dance performance. Bring your favorite food dish to share. Admission is free. Call (910) 485-8035 for details.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Fayetteville- based Mid-South Sports Network will serve as the broadcasting partner for the 81st annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas scheduled Saturday at 2 p.m. at Wofford College’s Gibbs Stadium.

The Shrine Bowl is the oldest high school football all-star game in the United States, pitting the top high school seniors from North and South Carolina annually in a game that benefits the 21 Shriners Hospitals for Children across the country, including the one in Greenville, South Carolina.

“It is an honor to have been selected by the Shrine Bowl Committee and to be a part of this all-star spectacular,’’ said Charles Koonce, president of Mid-South Sports. “It is nice to be recognized and rewarded for something we love to do – broadcast high school football. But it is even more humbling to know that we are a part of a longstanding program that has seen literally thousands of the best high school athletes in North and South Carolina and has raised millions of dollars for Shriners Hospitals.”

Mid-South Sports was founded in February of 1990 for the purpose of promoting and producing sporting events in the Fayetteville/ Cumberland County area. The late Lloyd Foster, David Foster, Charles Koonce and Don Koonce were the founding members. Since Lloyd’s death in January 2005, the tradition has continued through Charles’ and Dave’s leadership as co-owners. Lloyd began broadcasting Fayetteville High School football games in 1952. Dave Foster joined the team in 1973 and Charles Koonce in 1979.

The group incorporated as Mid-South Sports, Inc. in 1990 and began producing the longstanding “Friday Night High School Game of the Week.” Together the team has broadcast over 360 Fayetteville and Cumberland County football games, including 10 state championship games in the last 27 years.

Other members of the broadcast crew over the years have included Steve Driggers, Billy McMillian, Ray Quesnel and Tim Lancaster.

“We’re proud to carry on the tradition that dad – Lloyd Foster – started way back in 1952”, said Dave Foster, vice-president. “I think he’d be pleased with the progress we have made as a company, and I know he would be excited about the opportunity for our team to be a part of the Shrine Bowl.”

Photo: Clockwise from the bottom: Billy McMillian, Steve Driggers, Dave Foster and Charles Koonce.

GIRLS

Coach: Donald T. Moore

Top returners: Arielle Wilson, 6-5, Sr., G; Ciara Moore, 5-8, Jr., G; Jason Nolin, 5-10, Fr.; Kendal Moore, 5-6, Jr., G; Shenell Davis, 5-10, Sr., G.

Top newcomers: Ally McMillian, 5-10, Fr., C.

Coach’s comment: “We return four starters, two skilled, elite point guards, and another athletic guard who led the team in rebounding and steals last year. In the middle, we have a 6-5 premier shot blocker who is a problem in the paint and can score beyond the arc.’’

BOYS

Coach: Corey Baker Top returners: Immanuel Bates, 6-11, Sr., C/F; Travon Jackson, 6-3, So., F; Jay Hickman, 6-1, So., G; Brandon Franklin, 6-9, Jr., G.

Top newcomers: John Michael Wright, 6-1, Jr., G; Ian Steere, 6-9, Sr., F; Josh Nickelberry, 6-5, Jr., G.

Coach’s comment: “This team is very athletic. They are very coachable with a willingness to learn, as individual players as well as a team, what it takes to get better as an athlete and also as a team. We are rebuilding the team. With the restructure of any team, they have to become unified. That doesn’t happen overnight. I’m looking forward to having a very good year. Once we come together as one and can keep the team healthy, we are going to be very hard to beat.’’

PHOTOS: (Top, L-R: Girls’ basketball coach Donald T. Moore & Top returner Kendal Moore / Bottom, L-R: Boys’ basketball coach Corey Baker)

For a city or town to grow, its goals must be clearly communicated, and accessible ways to participate must be offered. The Hope Mills Initiative, which took place at Sammio’s on N. Main Street in Hope Mills Tuesday, Dec. 12, accomplished both of these tasks.

This free event was designed to inform the Hope Mills community – residents, businesses and organizations – of the steps the town is taking and is planning to take to build awareness of Hope Mills in Cumberland County, to strengthen Hope Mills’ brand and to further the town’s economic development, according to event coordinator Bill Bowman, publisher of Up & Coming Weekly. Melissa Adams, Hope Mills town manager, added that the other goal was to encourage and foster active participation from community members who want to be more involved in the town’s growth.

“Hope Mills needs and wants a local media vehicle to be able to tell their story,” Bowman said. “Hope Mills is a community of 17,000 people; however, there are over 300,000 people in Cumberland County, and they want to be able to reach out to them.

“The town has taken a major step toward that goal by contracting with and designating Up & Coming Weekly as their local community newspaper. Now, Hope Mills residents have a convenient source of local news and information where they can find out what’s happening throughout Hope Mills. At the same time, they are kept up-to-date on other popular events and programs happening throughout Cumberland County. Now they have a powerful resource to promote, market and advertise the Hope Mills community – its events, amenities, businesses and organizations – to all of Cumberland County.”

The initiative represents a business trifecta of collaboration between Up & Coming Weekly, the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce and the town of Hope Mills. “Hope Mills is growing in population, and unlike years ago when everyone knew everyone, … now our story must be shared through media to reach our community,” said Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner.

Bowman made it clear that Hope Mills’ new community newspaper belongs to everyone: businesses, organizations, elected officials, town staff and, most importantly, the citizens of Hope Mills who want information and to have their voices heard. “To this end, we have invited everyone to submit articles, creative story ideas, comments and opinions on issues concerning the community,” he said.

Adams said, “Any time that we can receive input from the citizens and the community, we can use that to the town’s benefit. By knowing what issues the community and citizens are interested in, we can steer policy, initiatives, programs and information toward those interests.” Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly. com to directly reach to the Hope Mills section editor with your ideas.

Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Robert Van Geons agreed that the all-inclusive approach is best. “Economic and community development is a team effort,” he said. “Every positively motivated citizen is a potential member of our team and can help us grow our local economy. When we bring people together in this way, we break down silos, create partnerships and let people see all the great things that are happening. This is an opportunity to proactively drive our community forward and generate success.”

Special guests at The Hope Mills Initiative included, in addition to Bowman, Warner, Adams and Van Geons: Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce President Jan Spell; Rep. John Szoka (R-District 45); Cumberland County Commissioner Michael Boose; and Better Business Bureau customer service representative Liz Stiles. These community leaders shared their thoughts throughout four sessions that ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Once these business and community leaders heard what the initiative was all about, they wanted to come and let the people know how important Hope Mills is to the overall economic health of Cumberland County” Bowman said. “Everyone was very supportive and contributed to the success of the program.”

The newly appointed Hope Mills board of commissioners, comprised of Warner, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell, Pat Edwards, Jerry Legge, Meg Larson and Jessie Bellflowers, were in attendance as well.

Growth in Hope Mills is already well underway, according to Warner. Just a few examples she gave include the completion of Lake Park, the return of water to the Hope Mills Lake, the planning for a museum and Heritage Park to preserve the town’s history, a multimodal congestion plan in conjunction with the Department of Transportation to ease traffic issues and increase walkability, and a proposed new Public Safety building.

“(We are) moving forward with a vision – a strategic plan with input from everyone to make Hope Mills proud and strong,” Warner said.

“There were no negatives to this initiative,” Bowman said. “We just wanted to let people know that we’re going to start banging the drum loudly for Hope Mills.”

To learn more about how you can be involved in the movement for growth, email hopemills@upandcomingweekly. com or call the Hope Mills Town Hall at (910) 424-4555.

Photo: (Left to Right) Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner; Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce President Jan Spell; Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman

GIRLS

Coach: Don Gardner

Top returners: Sonia Molina, 5-5, Sr., G; Noni Russell, 5-5, So., G; Mylasia McNair, 5-5, Sr., G; Shadea McElvine, 5-6, Jr., G; Iyania Evans, 5-10, So., F.

Top newcomers: Taylor Bethea, 6-1, 8th, C; Lillie Robinson, 6-1, Fr., C; McKenzie Terry, 5-9, Sr., F; Claire Burke, 5-9, So., G.

Coach’s comment: “Our strength is the ability to score inside and out. Our weakness is our youth. We will grow collectively.’’

BOYS

Coach: David Barco

Top returners: Josh Harness, 6-0, Sr., G; Charles Page, 6-2, Jr., Jr, G/F.

Top newcomers: Bennett Newman, 6-3, Jr., G/F; Avery Daniels, 6-1, Jr., G; Khymani Vera, 6-2, Jr., G/F; Daquan Chambers, 6-1, Jr., G; Jacob Webster, 6-3, So., G.

Coach’s comment: “Our strength will be our shooting. Our weakness will be our lack of size and experience with only two players returning from last year’s team. I believe this group will help change the culture at Fayetteville Christian and compete every night in this tough conference.’’

PHOTOS: (Top, L-R: Girls’ basketball coach Don Gardner & Top returner Shadea McElvine / Bottom, L-R: Boys’ basketball coach David Barco & Top returner Charles Page)

GIRLS

Coach: Jennifer Lance Penfield

Top returners: Lachyna Mack, Sr., 5-3, G; Amor’e Kirkland, 8th, 5-1, G; Kendall Macauley, So., 5-5, G; Ayanna Williams, 8th, 5-8, C; Khalan Williams, 8th, 5-4, G.

Top newcomers: Niesha Chapman, Fr., 5-7, G; Lauren Rogers, Sr., 5-8, C; Eveline Elsie, So., 6-3, C; Cherish Webb, Jr., 5-7, F; Alaniye’ Kirkland, Jr., 5-6, F.

Coach’s comment: “We are looking to be quick in the open court and a force inside. We have a group of experienced leaders and a group of newcomers who I expect to come in and be an immediate impact on the court. We do not have a lot of experience down low in the paint, but we expect to run the ball and get quick shots.’’

BOYS

Coach: Dan Pruessner

Top returners: Jamahri Harvey, 6-4, Jr.; Milos Stajcic, 6-9, F, Sr.; Manrique Alvarado, 5-10, G, So.; Brandon Murray, 6-5, G, Jr.; Miles Ray, 6-3, F, Jr.

Top newcomers: Aymeric Toussaint, 6-8, So.; Jamel Carter, 5-9, So.

Coach’s comment: “With only three returners, it may take a little while to gel. However, we should be able to compete toward the end of the season.’’

PHOTOS: (Top, L-R: Girls’ basketball coach Jennifer Lance Penfield & Top returner Lachyna Mack / Bottom, L-R: Boys’ basketball coach Dan Pruessner & Top returner Jamahri Harvey)

Col. Larry Dewey of the 16th Military Police Brigade at Fort Bragg has resumed command after he was investigated and cleared of misconduct charges, an Army spokesman said. The Army never gave details of Dewey’s alleged misconduct of which he has been exonerated.

Local government leadership elected

Mayor Mitch Colvin and Mayor Pro Tem Ted Mohn lead the newly elected Fayetteville City Council. Mohn was chosen by acclimation at a special meeting following members’ swearing-in ceremony at Fayetteville State University. In his address to a packed Seabrook Auditorium, Colvin pledged efforts to renew relationships with Cumberland County commissioners. “We will work together to build bridges,” he said. “We’re in the midst of monumental change.”

Colvin promised no new taxes during the mayoral campaign and surprised a lot of people by saying he would ask residents to approve a general obligation bond referendum for infrastructure improvements, most notably stormwater drainage.

Cumberland County commissioners named Larry Lancaster their new chairman. “It’s a remarkable honor to be chosen chairman of the county commissioners, and I accept this responsibility out of great respect of this board and the citizens of Cumberland County,” Lancaster said. He said water quality will be a top priority in the coming year and that the commissioners will do everything they can to address the need for safe drinking water in areas with contaminated water.

Commissioner Jeannette Council was selected vice chairman. She has served four terms as the board’s vice chair and three terms as its chairperson.

Hoke County teacher beaten

Hoke County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested the man accused of assaulting a West Hoke Elementary School teacher. Michael L. Nivens, 34, is charged with attempted first-degree murder and armed robbery in the unprovoked beating of a West Hoke Elementary School teacher. He was apprehended in Robeson County after deputies received a tip from the public.

“The attack on this teacher, who faithfully serves our Hoke County kids, was senseless and totally unnecessary,” Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said. He did not identify the teacher but said a black male entered the school building and asked the teacher about a former employee. He then beat the victim by striking her in the head, face and hands with an unknown object. The woman was admitted to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center with serious injuries. Nivens is also accused of breaking into four Hoke County churches and faces additional counts of breaking and entering a place of worship and conspiracy.

Training to deal with active violence

Public safety agencies from the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County formed an Active Violence Task Force several years ago to jointly develop a unified response plan for the community. The AVTF has representation from all area law enforcement agencies plus the city of Fayetteville Fire Department, Cumberland County Rural Fire Departments, Cape Fear Valley Health Systems and the towns of Spring Lake and Hope Mills. A unified response plan has been developed and verbally agreed to by Fayetteville police and fire chiefs, the Cumberland County sheriff, the president of Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association, the chief of Cape Fear Valley Health Systems’ Ambulance Service, as well as the police and fire chiefs of Spring Lake and Hope Mills. The AVTF and a hand-selected cadre of instructors completed a training course this month.

Hurricane Matthew recovery

Cumberland County and city of Fayetteville residents who sustained damage to their homes during Hurricane Matthew may still be eligible for additional financial assistance through federally funded Community Development Disaster Recovery Block Grant funds. This assistance is made possible by North Carolina’s $237 million in CDBG funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money is set aside to assist residents with housing repairs, homeowner reimbursement and other housing-related needs.

For information about how to apply, visit rebuild. nc.gov/apply. To begin the application process, residents must schedule appointments by calling (910) 550-1155 during normal business hours. The Cumberland County application center is located at the Department of Social Services building, 1225 Ramsey St. The application center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but is closed Dec. 25-27 and Jan. 1 and 15.

Fayetteville Friendly

Jim Arp is a retired Army officer and a veteran Fayetteville city councilman. Several months ago, he became concerned that he was overweight, so he started walking – and hasn’t stopped. Arp said he’s lost 35 pounds so far. He’s taken walking to an extreme, and now averages three to five miles a day. On weekends, he sometimes walks ten miles at a clip all over town. At some point, Arp began to wave at people along his treks, and many waved back. He eventually became known as the “waving walker.”

The council member decided he wanted to highlight the friendliness of Fayetteville. “All we hear is the bad news,” he said. “This could turn things around.” So, Arp is promoting Fayetteville Friendly, asking all of us to make conscious efforts to be friendlier. He plans to use social media to promote the idea of encouraging all of us to be kind, every day. “If we take three weeks to make daily random acts of kindness, it’ll become a habit,” he said.

The 12th Annual Ryan’s Reindeer Run takes place Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Medical Arts Complex Field in downtown Fayetteville. The run is more than just a good way to counter the extra calories from holiday festivities, though. It is a celebration and a chance to do good, all while having fun.

Ryan’s Reindeer Run is named for Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh, a remarkable young man with a bright future. He graduated second in his class and was accepted to Princeton University. He was a volunteer, receiving the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2001. He was determined. He was passionate. He was a fighter. He loved sports, and he loved to run.

Ryan was diagnosed with cancer his senior year in high school. He lost his battle to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 15 months later, on Jan. 1, 2003.

Ryan’s Reindeer Run is a celebration of his life – because he loved life and lived each day to the fullest. Some time after diagnosis, Ryan wrote in his journal, “But every morning when I would crawl out of bed, dreading the oncoming day, I stopped thinking about winning and losing. I experienced victory every morning by merely waking up, because with every day I lived, I won, and cancer lost. I didn’t try in school so that I could be a winner, and I didn’t sprint up and down the basketball court to achieve any victory. I didn’t do it for the praise or the glory.

“So many people throughout this whole ordeal have asked me why I chose to do what I did. I always told them that I really didn’t see much of a choice in it. Now I realize there was, because so many of us sit on the sidelines and watch. As for me, I just love to run.”

Ryan also wrote a book about the physical and emotional challenges he faced as he tried to live as normal a life as possible with a fatal disease. The book is called “Run Because You Can” and is available at www.ryansreindeerrun.com.

After Ryan died, his family wanted to do something to honor his memory and allow him to continue to make a difference in the world. “He was a wonderful athlete and loved the holidays, and having a holiday run just seemed like a nice way to raise money for the community and provide a fun yet challenging event for individuals and family,” said Ryan’s mom, Roberta Humphries, Child Advocacy Center executive director. “It was also an opportunity for Ryan’s friends and family to get together and remember his joyful spirit.”

One of the things that makes this run different from others is the costume contest. There are categories for male and female runners. “It is important to register with the costume judges so they are sure to see your costume,” Humphries said.

Ryan’s Reindeer Run is also unique in other ways. There are family awards and reindeerthemed trophies, and all children under 13 receive finisher medals. “Also, although only a 5k, it is very challenging with many hills,” Humphries said. “That was designed purposefully because life is full of challenges with many ups and downs, and the run is meant to reflect that. People should feel a sense of accomplishment by completing this run. It is also conducive to those just wishing to walk.”

The 5,000-meter run/walk starts and ends at the Medical Arts parking lot entrance on Hay Street. The route goes up Haymount Hill and meanders through the scenic Haymount area neighborhoods. Timing is provided.

While the run is a wonderful way to enjoy a healthy event with friends and family, it is important to Humphries that the event benefit the community. “The net profits of this run are returned to the community to support programs that I believe Ryan would have supported if he was still able to,” she said. “Many of the programs supported through this event benefit children and individuals dealing with the diagnosis of cancer. To date, we have given back over $163,000 to various organizations from proceeds raised.”

There are two entry categories – individual and family. Family entrants are not eligible for the individual awards. Prizes are awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers and the top three male and female finishers in the following age divisions: under 13, 13-16, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 and over. All under 13 participants receive a finisher’s award. Prizes are also awarded to the top three pet finishers and their owners, top three family finishers, best costumed runners, top three stroller runners and best decorated strollers.

A team trophy is presented to the school, club or organization with the largest number of participants. Include name of organization on entry form. There must be a minimum of 10 entries to be considered a group. This award is not based on time but on number of registrants. Groups must register by Thursday, Dec. 14.

Pets on a leash are allowed but must be controlled at all times. The run normally has between 800-1,000 registrants.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 16. Packet pickup and same-day registration are from 7-8:15 a.m. at the Medical Arts Complex Field, 101 Robeson St. Early packet pickup and registration are Dec. 15 from 5-8 p.m. at the Child Advocacy Center, 222 Rowan St. You may also register early online by visiting www.ryansreindeerrun. com or by searching for the event at www.active.com.