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Prepare to vote; State Board offers free seminars about voter registration; Constitution Party recognized

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Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Written by Aria Spears, CityView Today and the State Board of Elections

Revered Civil Rights activist and politician John Lewis (1940-2020) said in 2012, “Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.” As one of the original participants in the Freedom Rides, organizer of the march from Selma to Montgomery and more, Lewis understood in a more visceral manner than most the costs associated with that right — and the power in exercising it.
Military members surrender certain political rights when they don a uniform. As it says in the U.S. Dept. of Defense Directive 1344.10, “Members on active duty may not campaign for a partisan candidate, engage in partisan fundraising activities, serve as an officer of a partisan club, or speak before a partisan gathering.” Active duty members can, however, express personal opinions on candidates and issues as an individual, contribute to political organizations and attend political events when not in uniform. Of course, every military and family member is actively encouraged to exercise their right to vote.
In a 2020 Blue Star Families survey, 89% of active duty family respondents reported they are registered to vote, with 51% being registered at their home of record, 33% at their current installation, and 15% at a past residence or duty station. However, as of 2022, only 26% of active duty military members actually cast a vote, compared to 48% of the civilian population. Of those who did not vote but tried or wanted to, the most prevalent reasons included uncertainty regarding the procedures for absentee ballots, figuring out how to vote, reporting that the ballot did not arrive and that voting “was too complicated.” Service members who found assistance through a DoD resource were four times as likely to return their ballot in 2022, according to FVAP.
In 2022, 63% of service members expressed an interest in casting a ballot, but just 26% actually did. There are a multitude of reasons for this, such as logistical and administrative challenges, lack of awareness for resources, narrow time margins with multiple moves, and a sense of feeling uninformed about local issues. Sarah Streyder, executive director of Secure Families Initiatives and Space Force spouse, told the 19th, “I try to encourage folks to remember that you’ve lived all around the world, which has given you a really broad perspective about what’s possible, what forms of government can look like, what quality of life can look like that may be different from a more limited vantage point. That is a value add and a gift that you get to give your civilian neighbors back home when you vote.”
Moving from state to state makes the process challenging, but the Federal Voting Assistance Program, Blue Star Families, Overseas Vote, and the Dept. of Defense offer resources for domestic and overseas military families to cast their ballots. The Secure Families Initiative is a military-spouse driven effort anchored in the belief that “[mobilizing] our military family community to vote and advocate is not only the right thing to do on principle, but an effective way of reshaping our country’s conversations around military intervention,” and adding that because foreign policy affects military families, military families deserve a seat at the table. The organization features a variety of tools and resources to equip military families for advocacy, including voting.

Free seminars about voter registration in North Carolina
Do you or your organization want to learn more about the voter registration process in North Carolina? The State Board of Elections is now offering free voter registration seminars, which include detailed information about the following:
• The legal qualifications for registering to vote
• Tips on completing a voter registration application and updating an existing registration
• Key considerations when conducting a voter registration drive
These seminars will also include information about the photo identification requirements for voting. They will be conducted upon request in person anywhere in North Carolina or online
State Board staff have also scheduled in person seminars at the State Board of Elections office in Raleigh. These seminars will be held at 6 p.m. on July 31, Aug. 14, Sept. 12 and Sept. 25.
"This is a convenient way for individuals and organizations to get accurate information about elections straight from the most reliable source: elections officials," said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director, State Board of Elections. "We encourage North Carolinians to request seminars and to attend these in person events."
State Board staff also provide free seminars about the voter photo ID requirement and about accessibilty in voting. Since late April, State Board staff have conducted 29 seminars around the state.
To request a seminar, any interested group can visit the State Board of Elections website, NCSBE.gov and go to "Seminar Requests." Requesters will be asked for their name, organization, contact information, and the proposed date and time for their event. Seminar requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis and scheduled according to staff availability.
The State Board of Elections has recognized the Constitution Party of North Carolina as an official political party in the state.
Recognition of this party means voters now have another choice of party affiliation when registering to vote or updating an existing registration. Voters may register with the Constitution, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, No Labels, or Republican parties, or they can register as unaffiliated. This recognition also means that voters currently registered with a different political party or as unaffiliated may switch their affiliation to the Constitution Party if they wish. For information on how to do that, see Updating Registration.
State Board Recognizes Constitution Party
The Constitution Party of North Carolina also will have candidates on ballots in November, which it chose during its 2024 nominating convention. They include Walter Vinny Smith for governor and Wayne Jones for lieutenant governor. A letter to the State Board (Constitution Party letter to the State Board (PDF)) indicated that the party would have additional candidates, but the party did not want to disclose their names until it was recognized. The Board set a deadline of July 23 for the Constitution Party to provide the names of its candidates for the 2024 general election.
The State Board is updating voter registration applications to include the new political party option. Until then, voters may register with the new party by checking the “Other” box and writing “Constitution Party” on the line in the “Political Party Affiliation” section of the voter registration form.
State Board voter data also will be updated to include the new party registrants.
According to a review by State Board staff, the Constitution Party submitted 14,022 valid signatures from registered N.C. voters, 157 more than the required 13,855 signatures. The signatures were verified by the county boards of elections of the counties in which they were collected. The Constitution Party also received at least 200 signatures from three different congressional districts, a requirement of “Political party” defined; creation of new party (N.C.G.S. § 163-96(a)(2)).
Justice for All and We The People Parties
As it pertains to the Justice for All and We The People petitions, State Board staff, at the direction of members of the State Board, continues to verify whether those groups complied with the statutory requirement for prospective parties to communicate the “purpose and intent” of the new parties to petition signers.
The Board plans to meet again soon to decide whether to recognize We The People and Justice for All. There is still time for these groups to get their candidates on North Carolina ballots if they are recognized as official political parties.

Demolition paves way for modern soldier housing at Fort Liberty

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Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Written by Jason Ragucci, Ft. Liberty Garrison Public Affairs Office

In a decisive move towards improving Soldier living conditions, Fort Liberty began demolition of the outdated Volar-style barracks on Smoke Bomb Hill. Leadership from the Army Materiel Command, Installation Management Command, and Fort Liberty deemed the 50-year-old barracks unfit for occupancy.
Citing safety and quality of life concerns, leadership swiftly relocated approximately 1,200 Soldiers to more suitable housing arrangements. This decisive move underscored the commitment to prioritize Soldier well-being while pursuing a long-term solution for modern housing.
“The demolition of these outdated barracks is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing our Soldiers with the quality living conditions they deserve,” stated Paul Schaefer, AMC Deputy Director for Facilities, Logistics, and Environmental Management. “This is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about investing in the well-being and readiness of our most valuable asset – our Soldiers.”
The demolition marks a significant milestone in a multi-phase plan to revitalize housing on Fort Liberty. With funding secured and plans finalized, the demolition paves the way for the construction of modern barracks designed to meet the needs of today's Soldiers.
The Volar-style barracks at Smoke Bomb Hill were known for their distinctive design, which provided accommodation for military personnel. These barracks typically feature communal living spaces, shared amenities, and barracks rooms tailored to meet the needs of service members.
However, over time, the barracks have faced various challenges and concerns that have impacted residents' quality of life. Maintenance deficiencies, inadequate facilities, and outdated infrastructure have been longstanding issues that require attention.
The new facilities will feature larger living spaces and improved amenities, including a full kitchen, washer and dryer in each unit, modern bathroom fixtures, and energy-efficient features. These upgrades are expected to significantly enhance the quality of life for Soldiers stationed at Fort Liberty.
The demolition ceremony, held on July 18, 2024, marked a significant milestone in improving soldiers' living conditions at Fort Liberty. Senior leaders, including AMC Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Walter Duzzny; Fort Liberty Garrison Commander, Col. K. “Chad” Mixon; IMCOM-Readiness Deputy Director, Col. Christopher Ward, Schaefer, as well as members of the community who have been affected by the barracks' demolition, attended the ceremony.
The immediate action taken to relocate the Soldiers was followed by a comprehensive plan to address the situation. The plan included seeking funding and support to demolish the old barracks and replace them with new living quarters that would provide the Soldiers with a higher standard of living.
“We came together with a plan to move over 1,000 Soldiers from the affected barracks,” said Brian Adkins, Director of the Fort Liberty Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. “It was very coordinated, and housing was intimately involved. We are good at coordinating, synchronizing, and integrating everyone else's efforts.”
With collaborative efforts from AMC, IMCOM, and Fort Liberty leadership, immediate changes were implemented, and long-term plans were in place to address the identified issues and improve the overall quality of barracks facilities after a thorough inspection. This inspection catalyzed ongoing improvements and underscores the commitment to supporting our Service Members with safe and comfortable living environments.
“The demolition of the Volar-style barracks is a significant step towards improving the quality of life for our Soldiers," said Mixon. "We are grateful for the support of AMC and IMCOM in making this happen, and we look forward to providing our Soldiers with the modern, safe, and comfortable living quarters they deserve."
The demolition of the Volar-style barracks will pave the way for the construction of new, modern living quarters that will provide Soldiers with a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment. The new barracks are expected to be completed by 2025.

Groundbreaking ceremony for Friendship House Fayetteville

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Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Written by Lisa Stevens

Friendship House Fayetteville had a groundbreaking ceremony for its cottages on the corner of Broadfoot Ave & Branson St. on July 10, at noon. The ceremony was attended by a distinguished lineup of speakers, beginning with a prayer by Reverend Chip Stapleton, Highland Presbyterian Church, followed by Andy Rind, ServiceSource Executive Vice President, Weyher Dawson, ServiceSource Board of Directors Member, Michael Brown, Friendship House Fayetteville Resident, Dr. Scott Cameron: Friendship House Fayetteville Chaplin, and Tara Hinton, Employment Source Director - Regional Philanthropy and Fundraising, and Jason Amorose, Employment Source Executive Director.
Friendship House Fayetteville is a planned living community that provides affordable integrated housing for young adults and “friend residents” with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This unique program offers a transformative experience for college students and young professionals in medical/healthcare/human service fields to serve as mentors. By providing affordable, integrated housing, Friendship House Fayetteville is poised to revolutionize how it supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At the heart of Friendship House Fayetteville is a focus on table fellowship - a daily rhythm of eating, praying, and celebrating together. This faith-based community empowers friend residents to achieve sustainable employment and develop crucial independent living skills. Simultaneously, the students and professional mentors gain invaluable real-world experience and strengthen their empathy for individuals with special needs.
The impact of Friendship House extends far beyond its walls. Friend residents are supported in their journey towards independent living. At the same time, mentors cultivate a deeper understanding that will serve them well in their future healthcare, allied health, and human service careers. This innovative model demonstrates the power of intentional community to enrich the lives of all involved.
The ceremony marks a significant milestone for Employment Source, an affiliation of ServiceSourse, as they embark on their mission to provide exceptional service delivery to create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Working hand-in-hand with Friendship House Fayetteville, the mission of Employment Source is clear - to deliver innovative and valued employment, training, rehabilitation, and support services that transform lives. Through their network of affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, they leverage a nationwide network of resources and expertise to meet the diverse needs of government and commercial customers while creating pathways to competitive integrated employment.
For general inquiries, contact Employment Source at communityNC@employmentsource.org and to learn more about their organization, visit their website at http://employmentsource.org/

(The Friendship House groundbreaking ceremony brought members of the community together on July 10. Photo by Lisa Stevens)

The preservation of legacy: The Sandhills Family Heritage Association

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Tuesday, 23 July 2024

Written by Dr. Shanessa Fenner

Family legacies are passed down from generation to generation and they can be emotional legacies, spiritual legacies or social legacies. Our childhood experiences and family influences have played an integral role in who we have become. It is vital to enjoy and capture those indelible memories because they are the real treasures of life.
“I wanted to establish an organization where we could have everyone tell their stories under that same name,” said Ammie Jenkins, founder and executive director of Sandhills Family Heritage Association. “We are talking about counties that are in the Sandhills and we are talking about families and their heritage so that is how I came up with Sandhills Family Heritage Association.”
Jenkins tells the profound backstory of how the Sandhills Family Heritage Association was founded in 2001. In 1978, Jenkins’ mother was diagnosed with cancer. They were living in Spring Lake, but her mother wanted to visit the old homeplace in Overhills in Harnett County. She was too sick to go, so she asked Jenkins and her other daughter if they would go back to the old homeplace and find an old mason jar to bring back to her as an artifact. Jenkin’s mother had associated her happy years of living because she was known as a good cook and hostess. Anyone who visited the home left with a jar of something because her mother loved to can foods.
“I wanted to do that for her because it was one of her last wishes and she was getting close to the end,” said Jenkins. “So, my sister and I visited the old homeplace to look for a mason jar, but what I found was my calling.”
Jenkins shared how her trip to the old homeplace evoked a myriad of emotions.
“When we went back, I really did not want to go because we left the homeplace because of harassment and people who had burned crosses in our yard after my dad died. They knew my mother was way down in the country with seven children by herself,” said Jenkins. “Because of her wish, I went back and on that long dirt road I had that same fear that I did 23 years earlier when we left that homeplace.”
Jenkins added, “As we got closer to the homeplace, my sister and I started to reminisce about all of the happy times that we had in this place. I could not find an old mason jar, but I did find an old mason lid that I took back to Mother.”
The Sandhills Family Heritage Association is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit located in Spring Lake.
“I came up with programs of HOPE which stands for Heritage, Outreach Education, Preservation of Land and Natural Resources and Economic Self-Sufficiency, and from these programs we have different events,” said Jenkins. “We do outreach especially to our elders because they are very important to our community because once they are gone they are taking all of that good history and experience with them.”
She added, “We have an oral history collection of these different interviews with them and they share their stories.”
Engaging the younger generation is a major priority for the nonprofit.
“We have different kinds of projects for our young people to engage in such as paid internships, volunteer opportunities, Junior Historian Club and Sankofa 4H Club,” said Jenkins. “We work with our health professionals, military veterans and other nonprofits in assisting low-income families.”
Jenkins added, “We really want to help individuals in the community who are having a hard time by giving them food, supplies, clothing, hygiene products and other things they need. In return, they have to turn around and volunteer to give to other individuals who are also in need.”
There are two major projects that the organization is working on and their fundraising goal is $200,000.
“We have elders who had an old civic center in Spring Lake that they gifted to our organization when they found out our mission was to preserve our community assets,” said Jenkins. “We want to narrow the generation gap between the old and the young and that is why we are doing all of these things for future generations.”
She added, “The civic center has been under renovation and we are on a fundraising campaign because the building has been restored but the underground plumbing, handicap access and other areas need to be fixed before we can obtain a certificate of occupancy.
“All of these things need to be done so that we can reopen the center, not just as a community center, but a historic tour site,” said Jenkins. “The town of Spring Lake has already declared the site as a building of historical significance because of the importance that it played during the civil rights era.”
The organization was also gifted a cemetery that was once part of a turpentine plantation.
“Recently a developer gifted us an old abandoned cemetery where our enslaved ancestors were buried,” said Jenkins. “We are going to clean it up and set up a memorial for the ancestors who were buried in the cemetery.”
Jenkins believes in giving individuals their flowers while they are living and gives credit to the numerous individuals who have been a blessing to the organization.
“The success and sustainability of Sandhills Family Heritage Association for over 23 years can be attributed to the dedicated leaders and volunteers of the organization, grantors, sponsors, partners, donors and friends,” said Jenkins. “I feel obligated to give back because I know what people gave to us and we are just trying to make sure that our young people feel some obligation to give back to those who have helped them make it to where they are today.”
Volunteers are needed. For more information visit www.sandhillsfamilyheritage.org or call 910-309-2198.

(Photo courtesy of Sandhills Family Heritage Association Facebook page)