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Troy's Perspective: How to empower those in poverty

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Troy Williams

Democrats claim to have a plan for low-income individuals, but their strategy, such as [specific policy], does not empower those experiencing poverty; instead, it confines them to a life reliant on government assistance. Let me say from the outset that I have nothing but compassion for people experiencing poverty, having experienced it firsthand as a child growing up on the southern edge of Harnett County. Generational poverty is a challenging obstacle to overcome, but it is a task that, with the right strategies and support, is not impossible. There is indeed hope for change, and it's this hope that should guide our efforts, inspiring us to work towards a brighter future.
President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society program disproportionately affected Black families, a concern highlighted by his Assistant Secretary of Labor, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, in his influential publication, known as the Moynihan Report. Moynihan, who served under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, dedicated much of his efforts to the War on Poverty initiative. However, civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, strongly criticized Moynihan's 1965 report, arguing that its framework promoted racist ideas and stereotypes. This historical context is crucial in understanding the impact of past policies on our current social programs.
The Democrats and civil rights leaders won the argument, but the Black community suffered as a result. They continue to struggle, often following Democrats who seem more focused on providing 'handouts' and securing votes on election day than on pursuing true liberation for the underclass of individuals who are descendants of formerly enslaved people. The need for genuine freedom is urgent, and it's time we address it, instilling in us a sense of responsibility and motivation to act.
Unfortunately, over 25 years into the 21st century, very little progress has been made for the majority of African Americans living in the United States. This lack of progress should concern us all and motivate us to work towards a more equitable future, reinforcing our sense of urgency and commitment to change.
The recent government shutdown highlights the issues that need to be addressed for individuals who are generationally dependent on government assistance to survive in America. Let's be honest: Democrats seek votes by appealing to those in distress. They aim to capitalize on societal despair to enhance their chances at the polls. With mid-term elections approaching, there is no better time to create chaos in hopes that it will translate into votes in 2026.
Is America a perfect place to live? Of course not. However, there is no denying that it is the number one destination in the world for success, prosperity, and fulfilling one's dreams. Does racism exist in America? Some say yes, while others say no, I believe it does exist; however, it isn't a barrier to achieving one's dreams.
If politicians can keep voters focused on race, we will remain distracted from the big picture, and ultimately, the masses will lose.
In less than one month, filing for elections will begin again. America will face significant challenges, particularly those related to race. Buckle up; it promises to be a dynamic experience.

Grimmer fairy tales: The three snake leaves

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Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Written by Pitt Dickey

We are back again today with one of the grimmer Grimms’ Fairy Tales, the story of the Three Snake Leaves. It has it all: battlefield courage, an odd obsession of a Princess, Yellow Fever, two snakes, magic leaves, triple reanimation, travel on the Lust Boat, murder most foul, and a trusty Faithful Servant.
Who could ask for anything more in a story? Trigger warning: if you are a sensitive soul, quickly turn this page and go to the crossword puzzle. Let us begin.
Once upon a time, there was a poor peasant (redundancy alert) who had a son whom he could no longer feed. The son, realizing he should seek his fortune in the world, joined the King’s army. There was a great battle in which the army was about to be defeated. The King’s General was killed in the battle.
The troops were about to run away. The son rallied the troops to win the victory. The King was so happy that he promoted the soldier to Field Marshal of his Army.
Naturally, the King had a beautiful daughter who had a little quirk. She refused to marry unless her bridegroom promised to be buried alive with her if she died first. She said: “After all, if he really loves me, why would he want to go on living?”
The soldier, being truly smitten and not a bit put off by this condition, married her. After a brief honeymoon, the Princess fell ill and died. The soldier knew he was committed to being buried alive. The King locked the Princess’s body and the soldier into the family mausoleum with four candles, four loaves of bread, and four bottles of wine.
The soldier rationed his supplies for many days. Eventually, he was down to the last wine, a candle stub, and a morsel of bread. He knew his time was up. Just then, he saw a snake crawl out of a corner of the vault, heading towards the Princess.
The soldier killed the snake with his sword, cutting it into three pieces. Moments later, a second snake crawled out of the wall carrying three leaves in its mouth. This snake pushed the three pieces of the dead snake back together, laying a leaf on each section.
The dead snake came back to life, slithering back into the wall with the second snake.
The soldier, a bright lad, put the three leaves on the Princess. Alakazam! She came back to life. The Princess and the soldier banged on the vault’s door. The King unlocked the vault, releasing them back into the land of the living. The soldier kept the leaves secret, telling only his faithful servant about them.
Unfortunately, the resurrected Princess no longer loved the soldier, although she pretended to do so.
The soldier asked her to go with him on an ocean voyage to meet his elderly father. Once on the ship, she fell madly in love with the sea captain in a medieval version of The Love Boat. They became lovers. The soldier became an obstacle to their eternal happiness.
After an evening of making whoopee, she told the Captain she wished her husband were dead so they could be married. The Captain agreed. When the soldier was asleep, they strangled him with a cord and tossed his body into the ocean. The Faithful Servant saw what happened. He jumped into a rowboat, pulling the soldier’s dead body from the ocean.
He put the three snake leaves on the soldier, who immediately returned to life.
The Princess and the Captain concocted a cover story to tell the King that the soldier had died of Yellow Fever and had been buried at sea. They would seek the King’s blessing to be married.
The soldier rowed his boat so fast that he got back to the Kingdom before the Princess. He told the King what had happened. The King had the soldier hide in a secret room to listen to how the Princess would explain her missing husband.
The Princess wept and wailed, lying about how sad she was that the soldier had died. The King told the soldier to come out from his hiding place to confront the Princess. She tried the old ploy of: “My husband fell into a deep coma, so we thought he was dead.” The soldier produced the rope they strangled him with. She confessed and begged her father for mercy.
The King said, “Your husband was ready to die in the grave with you, and he gave you back your life, but you killed him in his sleep.”
The King put the Princess and the Captain into a wooden ship that had holes drilled into it, launching it into an intense storm. The ship sank. The Princess and the Captain were never heard from again.
Today’s Moral: The sea of matrimony can be stormy, even if both the husband and wife have been dead once and brought back to life. No snakes were harmed during the writing of this column.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

Publisher's Pen: Mr. Mayor: Transparency isn’t a stunt, it’s a standard

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Bill Bowman

Why Fayetteville's City Council must choose transparency over politics

In Fayetteville, trust in government is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. That trust is built on transparency, accountability, and the belief that our elected officials are working with—not around—each other. Recent events at City Hall have tested that trust, and we commend Council Members Mario Benavente, Kathy Jensen, and Lynne Greene for standing firm in their call for openness and clarity.
When Council Member Kathy Jensen asked why Mayor Mitch Colvin failed to share key emails and letters regarding the launch of a criminal investigation into allegations against Mohammad Mohammad’s construction company—including the use of a fake bonding company and the potential misuse of federal funds—she echoed a concern many in our community feel: How can our leaders lead if they’re not fully informed? “If we would have seen these letters when people were asking us questions, we could have been able to maybe answer them better,” she said. Jensen is right. That’s not politics—it’s common sense.
Council Member Benavente went further, calling out Mayor Colvin for what he describes as a tendency to obscure the truth. His push to publicly air a video statement from District Attorney Billy West was not a stunt—it was a principled stand for transparency. The public deserves to know what their leaders know, especially when serious allegations are involved.
Colvin claims council members were adequately briefed. But when multiple council members say otherwise, who should the public believe? Council Member Lynne Greene recalled only a vague and unsubstantiated mention of a “potential” investigation months ago—further reinforcing the need for clearer communication and transparency.
The council’s decision to move forward with a state audit was prudent. It signaled a commitment to accountability, regardless of political optics. The allegations at hand are serious: potential fraud across multiple cities and the misuse of federal funds. These are not issues to be handled behind closed doors or filtered through selective briefings. They demand full transparency and a united front from our city’s leadership.
Moreover, Fayetteville residents deserve answers. They want to know what happened, when it happened, how it was allowed to happen, and who at City Hall will be held accountable.
At Up & Coming Weekly, we believe in celebrating the best of Fayetteville—its people, its progress, and its promise. We also believe in holding our community and local government leaders to the highest standards. Council Members Benavente, Jensen, and Greene have demonstrated the kind of integrity and courage our community deserves. Their insistence on transparency is not a political maneuver—it’s a moral obligation. We hope that the newly elected city council members will be as diligent and assertive. Let’s support the community leaders who choose sunlight over shadows. Fayetteville’s future depends on it.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Comments and insights are always welcome.

Publisher's Pen: Commending prudent leadership & calling for local accountability

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Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Written by Bill Bowman

Well, the Downtown Event Center is back in the news and not in a good way. The project's architects are suing Cumberland County for unpaid fees. Who didn’t see that coming? Before the saga continues, I want to again commend the current Cumberland County Board of Commissioners for their prudent and courageous leadership regarding the proposed Downtown Crown Event Center. Their decision in March to halt construction, and investigate alleged questionable spending, ultimately led to the June 4 decision to cancel the project altogether. This action reflects a renewed commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. Under the guidance of Chairman Kirk deViere, the board demonstrated a clear shift toward protecting taxpayer interests and prioritizing community needs.
The original vision for the Event Center was ambitious—an 89,000-square-foot downtown venue designed to replace aging facilities at the Crown Complex. But over time, the project ballooned in both scope and cost, reaching a staggering $145 million. Multiple redesigns, delayed hiring of construction managers, and escalating prices of materials and fees created confusion and concern. The board’s decision to pause construction in March was both necessary and commendable.
Equally as important now is the board’s handling of the ongoing $1.3 million lawsuit filed by EwingCole, the Pennsylvania-based architectural firm originally contracted to design the Event Center. The firm claims it is owed for services rendered, including the disputed redesign fee. While the legal process unfolds, Chairman deViere and the board have approached the matter with professionalism and restraint, seeking resolution through mediation, which failed, and legal review. Their commitment to due diligence and accountability stands in stark and refreshing contrast to the opaque practices of prior county leadership.
However, for many of us in the community, this entire ordeal raises a deeper concern: Why were local architects, vendors, and construction managers not considered or prioritized from the beginning for this local project? Fayetteville and Cumberland County are home to many talented architects, contractors and building professionals who also understand our community’s values, infrastructure, and limitations far better than any out-of-town firm.
Had local expertise been engaged, we might have avoided the costly redesigns, missteps, , and delays that now burden taxpayers and erode public trust.
There are reasons outsiders are often chosen—and it’s time we examine those reasons. Whether it stems from outdated procurement practices, political favoritism, or misplaced perceptions of prestige, the exclusion of local businesses from major public projects is a disservice to our citizens and the local economy. I am hopeful that our newly installed Board of Commissioners will address these inequities. Under Chairman deViere’s leadership, we have an opportunity to restore integrity and trust to our contracting processes and ensure that future projects reflect the strengths and voices of the community.
The board’s decision to renovate the existing Crown Coliseum properties is a step in the right direction. This preserves a beloved venue, avoids unnecessary spending, and supports the infrastructure we already have. More importantly, it signals a shift toward practical, community-driven solutions. Let this be a turning point—not just in how we manage public funds, but in how we value local talent and invest in our own community.
I urge the Board to continue its investigation into the questionable actions of former leadership and to make its findings public when appropriate. Transparency is not just a legal obligation—it’s a moral one. The citizens of Cumberland County deserve to know how and why decisions were made, and what safeguards will be put in place to prevent future mismanagement.
In closing, I want to again applaud the work of our current Board of Commissioners for their clarity, courage, and commitment to doing what’s right. Let us build on this momentum by embracing local talent, forming local partnerships, demanding accountability, and ensuring that every public dollar serves the public good. That’s the way Cumberland County will prosper in the future.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.

(A concept drawing from EwingCole, the architecture firm tasked with designing the new Crown Downtown Event Center, shows how the building could have looked. The firm is suing Cumberland County for $1.3 million for services rendered including the redesign fee. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County)