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Tuesday, 28 March 2023
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Written by Staff Report
United Way of Cumberland County announced March 22 that Fayetteville PWC has been awarded the 2022 Spirit of North Carolina for building momentum and sustainability through engaged leadership and employees.
Fayetteville PWC has modeled a dedication to community service through their fundraising, volunteer and advocacy efforts. This is the 17th year in a row they have received an award for their outstanding dedication to United Way and the community.
Carolyn Justice–Hinson, the PWC Communications/Community Relations Officer, also won the United Way Community Ambassador award. This is the first year this award has been presented. She received this honor for all the hard work she has dedicated to helping spread United Way’s name and mission not only within her organization but into the community.
Justice-Hinson currently serves on the board and chaired their Over the Edge fundraiser held on March 11.
United Way of North Carolina’s annual Spirit of North Carolina Award celebrates organizations and individuals for their exemplary partnership demonstrated through fundraising and volunteer efforts, outstanding leadership, and creative team building.
Additionally, organizations focusing on DEI values and individuals who are champions of United Way were also celebrated. United Way of North Carolina recognized 74 winners representing 17 local United Ways at three regional events.
“The Spirit of North Carolina Awards shine a light on our incredible partners, who are supporting United Way’s work and helping us achieve our goals,” said Melissa Reid, Director of Resource Development for United Way of Cumberland County. “Congratulations to all the winners who have collectively made a huge impact in the lives of our neighbors across the state.”
Fayetteville PWC and Justice-Hinson were recognized for keeping the spirit of United Way within their organization all year long and not just at campaign time. They run the most successful workplace campaign in the county, they volunteer throughout the year and donate water to events. This year, they even held a meal packing event as their United Way kickoff where they packed 35,000 meal packets which went to help local families.
“We are honored to have Fayetteville PWC and Carolyn Justice–Hinson as key stakeholders for a shared future where every North Carolinian thrives and reaches their full potential,” said Amy Navejas, Executive Director for United Way of Cumberland County.
For more information about the Spirit of North Carolina Award and a complete list of winners, visit unitedwaync.org/spirit-north-carolina-award-winners.
United Way of Cumberland County improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. United Way of Cumberland County strives to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: education, financial stability, health and critical basic needs. At United Way, we recognize that lasting changes are achieved by addressing the underlying causes of problems. United Way partners with other nonprofit agencies to improve lives in Cumberland County.
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Tuesday, 28 March 2023
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Written by Theresa Opeka, Carolina Journal
Governor Roy Cooper allowed two bills, H.B. 40, Anti-Rioting, and S.B. 53, Hotel Safety, to become law without his signature.
The Prevent Rioting and Civil Disorder bill would make rioting a felony if it resulted in over $2,500 worth of property damage, involved dangerous weapons or substances, or resulted in someone’s death. It would also make assaulting a police officer or emergency personnel a felony.
The previous version of the bill was met with strong opposition from Democrats and social justice advocates, who called it racist and intended to muzzle the exercise of First Amendment rights.
Cooper’s statement in a press release shows that he begrudgingly let it become law.
“I acknowledge that changes were made to modify this legislation’s effect after my veto of a similar bill last year,” he said. “Property damage and violence are already illegal and my continuing concerns about the erosion of the First Amendment and the disparate impacts on communities of color will prevent me from signing this legislation.”
All Republicans voted in favor of the bill. In contrast, 16 out of 17 Democratic senators voted against the bill — the sole Democratic senator who supported H.B. 40 was Sen. Mary Wills Bode, D-Granville.
In the state House, one of the lead sponsors of the bill is Rep. Shelly Willingham, D-Edgecombe. Willingham, a former law enforcement officer, supported the bill despite opposition from most in his party.
Legislators have renewed their push for the bill this year because of millions of dollars in property damage in Raleigh and across North Carolina during 2020 protests after the death of George Floyd.
“Nearly three years after violent protests devastated communities and businesses in North Carolina, I am pleased that this bipartisan legislation will finally become law,” said House Speaker Tim Moore in a statement issued Friday afternoon.
“While the First Amendment guarantees the right to peacefully protest, those who hijack otherwise peaceful demonstrations to cause chaos and destruction in our communities must be held accountable, and law enforcement must have our support to do just that. This bill has had bipartisan support since it was first introduced, and our communities will be safer now that this bill will finally become law,” said Moore.
Cooper also had mixed feelings about the Hotel Safety bill and explained his reasoning for not signing it.
“This bill was given broad support in the legislature and there are potential positive modifications being discussed by legislators,” he remarked. “However, safe housing is sometimes only available from temporary shelter such as hotels, and I remain concerned that this bill will legalize unfair treatment for those who need protection, and this will prevent me from signing it.”
Cooper vetoed similar legislation in 2021. This go around, the House voted 83-29 for the legislation, and it passed in the Senate last month by a 28-16 vote.
S.B. 53 states that landlord-tenant rules, which make it more difficult to remove an occupant, don’t apply when a person is staying at a hotel, motel, or RV park for fewer than 90 consecutive days.
The rules normally apply for home and apartment renters, sometimes requiring legal action to complete evictions. The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association also supported the measure.
Editor's note: Alex Baltzegar contributed to this article.