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Tuesday, 22 July 2025
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Written by Bill Bowman
Leadership and integrity are two of the most essential qualities needed to move Fayetteville forward in the 21st century. Unfortunately, they are also two qualities our community continues to lack. This became abundantly clear when Mayor Mitch Colvin reversed his public decision not to seek reelection, filing for another term in the final minutes before the candidate registration deadline.
This last-minute reversal calls his integrity into question, and for many, confirms its absence. It leaves residents wondering about his true motivations and how his leadership will shape our city’s future. That concern cannot be overstated.
Mayor Colvin’s credibility has eroded. That’s precisely why a record-breaking nine candidates have stepped forward to run for mayor, each hoping to lead Fayetteville in a more positive direction after four terms under Colvin’s divisive leadership.
His deception speaks volumes. Trust and confidence are foundational qualities we expect from public servants entrusted with our community’s well-being and resources. Without integrity, trust deteriorates—and with it, the public’s confidence in ethical decision-making. This is where Mayor Colvin stands on the leadership spectrum. His tenure has made it increasingly difficult for civic leaders, businesses, and organizations to collaborate effectively. That breakdown in communication breeds apathy and resistance to public initiatives, making good governance nearly impossible.
The mayor’s decisions directly impact the daily lives of Fayetteville’s citizens. Integrity ensures those decisions are made in the public’s best interest, not for personal gain, political favors, or external pressure.
Mayor Colvin has consistently demonstrated a lack of these guiding principles. Integrity also fosters accountability. A trustworthy mayor is transparent, willing to admit mistakes, and accepts responsibility for their actions. Such openness is vital to democratic governance. Sadly, Fayetteville has not seen it.
Our elected officials must be held to the highest legal and ethical standards. Mayor Colvin’s leadership has undermined the rule of law, suggesting that ordinances can be bent or ignored for political convenience. No one understands this better than mayoral candidate and former City Councilwoman Tisha Waddell. In 2021, she resigned from the council, citing serious concerns she and her constituents had regarding Mayor Colvin’s conduct. She pulled no punches in her resignation letter, raising several red flags about alleged unethical behavior, including undisclosed negotiations (PWC), conflicts of interest, and irregular permitting practices involving his downtown property (Kress Building). She called for an independent investigation and urged the community to demand accountability.
Up & Coming Weekly published an article covering Waddell’s resignation by reporter Jeff Thompson on November 10, 2021. (https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/local-news-briefs/8123-tisha-waddell-resigns-from-city-council-seat) Thompson outlined Waddell’s specific allegations and published her resignation letter in full. Without a doubt, these issues will resurface. In fact, some election observers speculate Colvin’s reentry was a last-minute maneuver to defend himself against a challenger who has already gone on record advocating for trust, integrity, and transparency in city government.
We agree. When trust in leadership erodes, so does the ability to govern effectively. Trust, integrity, and transparency aren’t optional—they’re essential. As we enter the 2025 election season, every resident of Fayetteville must take responsibility for vetting the candidates.
Read local news publications, tune in to radio interviews on WFNC and WIDU, and attend candidate rallies and fundraisers to hear their platforms and motivations for leading our city. And, by all means, put no stock in what you see and read on social media. We all have a choice.
This writer hopes that we elect leaders who reflect our values and vision for the future—and above all—respect the citizens’ voice.
Our mayor and city officials should be visible, engaged, and principled figures in the community. Their actions—both in and out of office—shape public perception and influence Fayetteville’s brand and reputation. This election cycle offers a slate of promising, trustworthy candidates. We do not need to recycle the ones who’ve failed us. Choose wisely. Fayetteville’s future depends on it.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly, your community newspaper.
(Top Photo: Mayor Mitch Colvin. Photo courtesy of the City of Fayetteville. Bottom Photo: Mayoral Candidate and former City Council member Tisha Waddel. [File photo] )
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Tuesday, 15 July 2025
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Written by Troy Williams
Many residents in Cumberland County are uninformed about our current Tier 1 status and its significant implications. We must take action to ensure everyone is knowledgeable, and we must hold our public officials accountable for addressing this challenge.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce annually ranks the state's 100 counties based on economic well-being and assigns each a tier designation. The county distress rankings tier system is designed to encourage economic activity in less prosperous areas of the state through various state incentive programs. County tiers are calculated using four key factors: the average unemployment rate, median household income, population growth rate, and the adjusted property tax base per capita.
County tier rankings, which range from 1 to 3, are based on economic distress, with Tier 1 being the most distressed and Tier 3 the least. Tier 2 counties fall in the middle. Cumberland County is designated as a Tier 1 county, meaning it is classified as one of the most economically distressed areas in North Carolina. If you're unaware of this, you're not alone; many people find themselves in the same situation.
What may be even more surprising is that Cumberland's northern neighbor, Harnett County, is classified as Tier 2, with a median family income of $65,242 (as of 2022), compared to Cumberland's median family income of $58,013. Lee County's $63,060, and Moore County is classified as Tier 3, with a median household income of $78,057.
From 2010 to 2022, Cumberland County experienced an average annual growth rate of just 0.2%. In contrast, Harnett County, one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina, experienced an 18.6% growth, while Hoke County also saw significant growth, increasing by 17.8%. When politicians state that Fayetteville and Cumberland County are experiencing growth, it is essential to understand the context. The Fayetteville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the US Office of Management and Budget, includes Cumberland, Harnett, and Hoke counties, with Fayetteville serving as its central city. Fayetteville and Cumberland County's neighboring areas are experiencing growth, but the central city is not attracting new residents at the same rate.
While I do not believe that liberals intentionally create poor communities, it is hard to overlook the fact that specific liberal policies can have unintended adverse effects on low-income neighborhoods. Cumberland County liberals often take pride in being a "blue" Democratic-leaning County, with Democrats typically holding the majority of elected offices. However, it is apparent to any observer that the conservative neighbors of Cumberland are achieving better results for their citizens. Although poverty affects people across political party lines, liberals and conservatives have different approaches to tackling this issue.
Last year, voters in Cumberland County elected three new members to the Board of Commissioners: Henry Tyson, Pavan Patel, and Kirk deViere, who was later elected chairman. To say they hit the ground running would be an understatement. This new leadership is dedicated to improving the county's Tier 1 status. However, to seal the deal, Fayetteville voters must also choose visionary leaders this fall. It's time to look beyond party lines and focus on prosperity.
(Photo courtesy of Flickr)
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