The primary is over and now residents will watch for who will win seats for mayor and the nine districts on Nov. 4. Running for mayor will be current Mayor Mitch Colvin, who is seeking a fifth term, and Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen, who has served on the council since 2015.
Candidates for the nine districts are as follows: District 1 - Stephon Ferguson and James L. Thomas III, District 2 - Malik Davis and Gail Morfesis, District 3 - Antonio Jones and Jeremy Wright, District 4 - DJ Haire and Stuart A. Collick, District 6 - Derrick Thompson and Kenneth E. Odegard II, District 7 - Brenda McNair and Kathy A. Greggs, District 8 - Rodney E. Garvin and Shaun McMillan and District 9 - Deno Hondros and Joe McGee. Current Councilwoman Lynne Bissette Greene is running unopposed for District 5.
For more information about candidates running for office this year, visit https://sites.google.com/faybiz.com/gfccandidatesforum2025/home.
Possible consolidation of the Joint 911 Call Center
On Oct. 9, Chief Freddy Johnson, head of the Fire Chiefs Association, presented recommendations of public safety agencies for consolidated 911 services to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
Johnson urged the consolidation at the Oct. 9 meeting citing public safety benefits and operational efficiency. The consolidated center would be housed at the county’s current facility at 500 Executive Place and the city and county would share the operational costs equally. Johnson also said that in their proposal that no employees would lose their job as a result of the consolidation and that it would include a mental health partnership with Alliance Health. Mental health professionals would be used to assist with 911 calls.
There have been three failed attempts to consolidate since 2007 due to disagreements over governance and control between the city and the county according to Johnson. The proposal presented to the county on Oct. 9 had previously been presented to the Fayetteville City Council for their consideration and was also discussed, following a presentation by a group of public safety leaders at the Joint City-County Liaison Committee meeting on Sept. 15.
Currently, Cumberland County operates a consolidated emergency communications center that handles 911 calls for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Hope Mills Police, Spring Lake Police, county fire departments and Cape Fear Valley EMS. The City of Fayetteville has its own 911 Communications Division, staffed 24/7 on the second floor of Fayetteville City Hall, which handles emergency and non-emergency calls within the city.
The proposed governance structure included staff members from Cumberland County, including the Sheriff’s Office and the Fire Chief Association, the City of Fayetteville, including the Police Chief and Fire Chief, the town managers from Spring Lake and Hope Mills, a licensed mental health professional from Alliance and the EMS director from Cape Fear Valley Health. However, the board asked that elected officials still lead the process.
The next step is for the governing bodies and staff at Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville to reconvene for discussion. The county will work with the city for that future meeting date.
On Oct. 6, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved economic development incentives of up to $363,500, paid over five years, for a steel fabrication plant, also known as the “Project Superman” proposed expansion.
Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, asked for the funds to help create 42 full-time jobs in the county by 2029 with an average wage exceeding $66,700. Capital investment, including real and business equipment for this project, is expected to be $22 million.
The Fayetteville City Council approved an incentive grant of $327,487 for the project on Sept. 22.
About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.

(Photos: Current mayor Mitch Colvin, left, and Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen, right, come out as the two top contenders for the Fayetteville Mayoral race after the Oct. 7 primary. The two will be on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election.)