Views

Troy's Perspective: Cumberland County's status

Details

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

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)

The horses have left the barn

Details

Tuesday, 08 July 2025

Written by Margaret Dickson

Years ago, I sat in on a briefing by internationally acclaimed demographer James Johnson of the Kenan Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Johnson had been asked to address the largest class of freshman legislators in anyone’s living memory—budding lawmakers who might or might not have a grasp of North Carolina history and culture. It was clear that background information was definitely in order before those folks got to Raleigh and started enacting laws.
Johnson’s talk was entitled the “Graying and Browning of North Carolina,” and it was delivered to an audience with an average age well above 50 and some quite a bit beyond that milestone. The youngest was a 27-year-old fellow who had somehow managed to get himself elected just two years beyond eligibility and who stood out like someone’s lost grandson.
By “graying and browning,” Johnson was referring to an aging population and one that was becoming much more diverse than it was during the 20th century.
As Johnson flipped through his charts about the earliest settlers—Native Americans, of course, followed by English, then Scottish immigrants, and eventually the rainbow we see today, one newly minted legislator became increasingly agitated. He was a man of a certain age, with a decidedly conservative bent, and he did not like what the demographer was saying about the increasing age and diversity in our state.
Unable to contain himself a second longer, the man shouted, “I don’t believe that!”
Johnson stopped talking, acknowledged the legislator-elect’s comment, and then continued with his charts and lecture. Several minutes later, the man yelled again, and Johnson’s annoyance was clear. The briefing continued with the audience listening intently until the man stood, and for a third time shouted, “I just don’t believe that” and stomped out of the auditorium.
I will get back to that story, but in the meantime, the demographic changes Johnson referenced 2 decades ago are proving true.
Updates to 2020 US Census data reveal that those trends continue. Although Baby Boomers, Americans born after World War II between 1946 and 1964, are impacting the aging trend, younger people, primarily Asian and Hispanic, are slowing the aging trend a bit.
Nevertheless, the number of senior citizens—those 65 and older—has grown 15 percent since 2020, with 56 of our 100 counties now having more residents 65 and older than residents under 18. The fastest growing age group since 2020 is people between 75 and 79 at almost 29 percent, followed by those 80 to 84. Brunswick County, overflowing with retirees, has the highest median age at 57, while Onslow County, bursting with Marines, has the lowest at 28. Our state’s median age is now 39.
While North Carolina’s graying is accelerating, so is our browning. Data finds that Hispanic and Asian residents, defined as people with origins stretching from Korea to Pakistan, now make up 16 percent of our population or 1.7 million people, up from a mere 6 percent in 2020. Cumberland’s neighboring, highly agricultural counties, Duplin and Sampson, have the highest concentration of Hispanic residents at 24%.
At the same time, white non-Hispanic North Carolinians have dropped from 70-percent of our population to slightly less than 60 percent. African American residents have also decreased, but by a significantly smaller percentage, down from 21 percent to 20 percent.
All of this is a lot of numbers. It is also a lot of change.
But back to Dr. Johnson and his charts.
After the disbelieving soon-to-be legislator huffed out of the room, Johnson turned to the audience, mostly newly electeds with graying hair and expanding wrinkles, and said, “Look to your left.” We did. Then “look to your right.” We did.
“Are any of you people going home tonight to have a baby?”
Point made.
Those horses left the barn a generation ago.

Publisher's Pen: Dr. Hank Parfitt asks "Why is it..."

Details

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Written by Bill Bowman

Below is a Letter to the Editor from my long-time friend and resident of Fayetteville, a person who is undoubtedly one of the most dedicated advocates of the Fayetteville downtown community, a successful businessman, and the most loyal purveyor and custodian of Fayetteville’s rich history, Dr. Hank Parfitt.
His letter below asks some pointed questions about how and why the new board of Cumberland County Commissioners chose to reject the downtown location for a new Event Center and opt to renovate and revitalize the existing facilities at the Crown Complex out on Eastern Blvd. Hwy. 301.
We value our readers' opinions and concerns and encourage them to submit letters and share their thoughts with us and the community.
However, I want to address Dr. Parfitt's last and final “Why is it,” because it pertains to me personally and reflects on the nature and integrity of our community newspaper. Dr. Parfitt asks: Why is it: that Up & Coming Weekly Newspaper editor [publisher] /owner Bill Bowman (who says he wants his magazine [newspaper] to be a serious journalistic endeavor and a watchdog for the whole community), doesn’t ask these questions instead of blindly accepting Chairman DeViere’s meaningless “government speak” pronouncements?
My response is “YES”, I do want my newspaper’s journalistic endeavor to be a media watchdog of sorts for the entire Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. This is a mission and mandate that has served as my company's foundation for three decades.
And, “YES,” I certainly researched to find out information about these questions to include conversations with board chairman deViere and Commissioner Tyson, as has my respected colleague Troy Williams. And, “NO,” we do not blindly accept anyone’s “government speak.”
So, with all due respect, below are the questions that Dr. Hank Parfitt has posed, and the conclusions that have resulted from the information readily available from dozens of reports, documents, surveys, videos, and minutes of meetings about the Event Center PROJECT and the options being considered.
Any information contrary to what I have printed below needs to be brought to my attention immediately because that would be NEWS!. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.

—Bill Bowman, Publisher, Up & Coming Weekly

Letter to the Editor by Dr. Hank Parfitt
Why is it…that the decision by the previous Cumberland County Board of Commissioners to put the new performing arts/event center Downtown – after many years of public input, studies by consultants, and thoughtful deliberation – was reversed by 4 commissioners (Marshall Faircloth, Pavan Patel, Henry Tyson, and Board Chair Kirk DeViere) without similar public discussion? Is it that they are that much smarter than everyone else?

Bowman: Actually the June 4th vote was a 5-2. Left out was long time board member Jeannette Council. This decision followed months of studies including detailed cost reviews and several financial and parking assessments, and a community survey analysis. A CSL (Convention, Sports & Leisure) study in 2021 reflected that when residents were made aware of all the factors involved, they preferred renovation of the existing facilities to the downtown options.

Why is it…that even though Chairman DeViere claims that “it (their decision) reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility,” they were in such a hurry to throw away $30 million already spent on design fees, property acquisition, demolition and site prep, and even on steel already purchased, cut, and shipped? And…

Bowman: Actually, that number is $36 million, and only $14 million has been spent. The remaining $22-million remains. Without a doubt, the site prep work will benefit what goes there next. What is puzzling is why the previous board made $26 million of commitments within days of the new board taking office.

Why is it:…that they ignored Commissioner Adams’ warning that these expenditures would have to come out of the General Fund instead of funds from the Hotel Occupancy Tax if they abandoned the project? And…

Bowman: Not sure how valid Adams’ warning is since the use of those funds need to be determined by the Local Government Commission.

Why is it…they ignored the loss of revenue from upcoming shows already booked at the old Crown event center, which will have to be cancelled if the new event center has not been started by November, according to the Consent Agreement from the lawsuit over inadequate disability access at the old Crown theater?

Bowman: According to Rick Moorefield, Cumberland County’s Attorney, the consent order does not state that the shows must stop. Planning for renovations will provide minimal disruption to existing bookings. And, based on Crown Complex General Manager, Seth Benalt’s enthusiasm for upcoming events, he didn’t show any concern about cancellations or loss of revenue.

Why is it…that the one public meeting (June 4), announced only 3 days in advance, was not a serious debate as promised by Chairman DeViere, but instead a well-rehearsed performance by the “Gang of Four,” who seemingly had already decided they did not want the new event center Downtown?

Bowman: I wasn’t aware there was going to be a debate, promised or otherwise. I do know that at all levels of government, there are very rigid regulations by the county’s standard public notice requirement. The June 4th meeting included several comprehensive presentations on the project costs, parking assessments, construction timelines, financial options for both locations, and professional cost estimates. Everything discussed at that meeting was supported with materials that were made available to the public and certainly provided to the media. A decision on the GMP3 package had to be made that day because the contractor’s bids were due to expire.

Why is it…that they were so eager to tie the cost of a parking deck to the new center, even though the county had planned for years to build a deck anyway?

Bowman: The $33 million parking deck (with an elevator) is needed for the downtown location due to no on-site ADA parking solution that previous planning failed to adequately address, representing a 25% cost increase consistently downplayed in public presentations. The parking deck RFP awarded to Samet Construction identified the Crown Event Center as a use in the scope.

Why is it…that they were using this and anything else they could grab to inflate the cost of the center above and beyond any realistic projections, even adding to their calculations the $30 million already spent and already part of the projected cost, as Commissioner Tyson tried to do?

Bowman: Inflate the cost? In 2014, when the project began, the renovation estimate for the Theatre was $35 million as opposed to the $75 million estimate for the new facility. At this point, it was a no-brainer to build new. However, in 2022, the new facility estimates reached $132 million; then again in 2024, costs reached $163 million, only to be "reduced" in 2025 to $144 million. (This did not include $33 million parking deck). This represents more than 100% increase from the original projections. Up & Coming Weekly editorialized that between 2015 – 2025 no one thought to go and get an updated estimate on what it would cost to renovate the existing Theatre property. I felt this was the first red flag that the downtown Event Center was thought to be a “done deal.”

Why is it…that when County Manager Grier (who deserves kudos for keeping his cool when Commissioner Tyson, in so many words, accused him of fudging results to favor a Downtown location) told them they could include the deck but still stay under budget if he reconfigured it for average daily use instead of maximum occupancy in a worst-case scenario, they ignored his offer?

Bowman: I was at the meeting, and Commissioner Tyson never accused the County Manager of fudging anything. Matter of fact, Tyson addressed all his remarks and his concerns about overinflated costs directly to the architect.

Why is it…that they cancelled the new center by voting “to reject the revised cost estimate (guaranteed maximum cost or GMP3)” instead of saying exactly what they meant? When Commissioners Adams and Jones asked point-blank if it meant the project was cancelled, Chairman DeViere remained stone-faced and steadfastly mute.

Bowman: Again, that vote to reject the GMP3 bid package did not cancel the project. It only rejected the bid.

Why is it…that even though the County’s website lists under “Guiding Principles” for the Crown Event Project that it be “a local and regional asset that builds upon existing development and infrastructure and is a catalyst for existing and new businesses to flourish,” the “Gang of Four” decided to renovate a dilapidated 60-year-old building on 301 rather than Downtown, which has been revitalized thanks to joint partnerships between the City and individual investors, and where it can do the most good for the most people and indeed, the whole community?

Bowman: The June 4th vote was a 5-2 vote to direct the county manager to develop an “RFQ" to renovate and modernize the Crown Arena and Theatre Again, it must be noted that the 2021 CSL study of over 1000 residents showed that when all relevant factors were considered, county residents preferred renovation of the existing facilities over all the downtown options.
One final point of exception to Dr. Parfitt’s quote, “Downtown, which has been revitalized thanks to joint partnerships between the City and individual investors,” Revitalized? No, it hasn’t in spite of “joint partnerships between the City and individual investors.”
And no one knows this better than Hank Parfitt. Fayetteville has great potential, but it will never be realized until it gets leadership that can bring everyone together for the greater good. Historic Downtown Fayetteville should be the Shining Star and number one destination in Cumberland County.
It can be, and will be, with the right leadership.
Bill Bowman can be contacted at: bbowman@upandcomingweekly.com

(Photo: An artist's rendition of the Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville. Photo courtesy of City of Fayetteville)

America’s freedom clock needs winding

Details

Tuesday, 08 July 2025

Written by John Hood

When we commemorate the formal birthday of the United States of America, we don’t just celebrate a place, a set of governmental institutions, and a shared history that binds together people with differing backgrounds, faiths, and aspirations. We celebrate a revolutionary act.
As John Adams put it in 1818, the war that secured America’s independence was an effect, not a cause, of the American Revolution. “The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people,” he wrote.
During the turmoil of the 1760s and early 1770s, Americans began to discard the pseudo-religious concept that God had ordained kings and queens to rule over them. They also discarded the secular “habitual sentiments of allegiance and loyalty” that bound them to the crown, viewing the king’s trespasses against their liberty to have dissolved their reciprocal obligations to him.
These were revolutionary concepts in the 18th century. Indeed, America remains a revolutionary society today. But that need not make it unstable, unwieldy, or unattached to tradition. Our revolution of the mind didn’t reject the facts of human nature, the constraints of human life, or the intricacies and responsibilities of human community. It was fundamentally different than the subsequent Continental revolutions that produced guillotines and gas chambers.
Our revolutionary principle — inconsistently applied at first, imperfectly practiced today — was that all human beings are created equal in the eyes of God and the laws of man. It never meant that all human beings were, or could ever be, equal in all respects. It meant only that each of us has the natural right to liberty.
That is, we all enjoy the right to decide what we will do, with whom, to what end, as long as our actions don’t encroach on others’ right to do the same. And it means that when the latter proviso applies — when collective, coercive action is necessary — we all get a say in how such governmental power is exercised by expressing our views and casting our ballots.
Few human societies before 1776 exalted the principle of equal liberty above the interests of powerful monarchs and cabals. More have done so since, however imperfectly, with the delightful result that humanity is happier, healthier, wealthier, and freer than ever before in the history of our species. That’s a revolution worth celebrating.
It could easily have failed. As Adams explained in his letter, the colonies “had grown up under constitutions of government so different, there was so great a variety of religions, they were composed of so many different nations, their customs, manners, and habits had so little resemblance, and their intercourse had been so rare, and their knowledge of each other so imperfect, that to unite them in the same principles in theory and the same system of action, was certainly a very difficult enterprise.”
That’s what makes the events of 1776 so momentous. “The complete accomplishment of it, in so short a time and by such simple means, was perhaps a singular example in the history of mankind,” Adams said. “Thirteen clocks were made to strike together — a perfection of mechanism, which no artist had ever before effected.”
Alas, just as there were no guarantees the American Revolution would succeed a quarter of a millennium ago, there are no guarantees of its continued success. Our institutions were designed to check and balance power, to limit its excesses, to protect our freedom against foes foreign and domestic — including our own foibles and temptations. They’ve worked fairly well. But they don’t work seamlessly. Clocks that strike together at first will, over time, get out of sync.
The framers of North Carolina’s constitution understood well that the system isn’t fully self-regulating. In Article I, Section 35, it states, “A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.” Each of us has a role to play in winding, adjusting, and repairing the clockwork of constitutional government. It’s the gift we should all give our country on its birthday.

Editor’s Note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books Mountain Folk, Forest Folk, and Water Folk combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).