Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1029086
16 SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2018 Best of Fayetteville POLITICS POLITICS Most Responsive City Politician Johnny Dawkins, Fayetteville City Council, District 5 910-864-1669 or www.cityoffayetteville.org Johnny Dawkins comes from a long line of men with a heart for this community. His grandfather, Johnny Sr. served in the N.C. House for three years. His father, J.L. served on city council for 12 years and as mayor for 13 years. Now, Johnny is serving his second term on city council – after a 12-year absence. Johnny's record speaks for itself – he cares about people and he cares about this community. As a man of action with 37 years of service, the list of his accomplishments is long. As a student at Wake For- est University, he created the Brian Piccolo Drive for Cancer Research, which has raised millions of dollars in the last four decades. He's served in the community in many ways, too – the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council and as an Honorary Mem- ber of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. He is also a former Honorary Wing Commander of the 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope Field. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, on the Board of Deacons at Snyder Baptist Church, on the Board of Directors of the FTCC and FSU Founda- tions, on the National Executive Board of the Health Insurance Agent's associa- tion, and on the Board of Directors of the Care Clinic Foundation. More impressive than his list of accomplishments is his love for this commu- nity and desire to make Fayetteville a more prosperous city that will give citizens a better quality of life. Dawkins knows Keeping in touch with his constituents is important, so much so that he made himself a promise. "My focus is to respond to a citizen within 24 hours," he said. Most Responsive County Politician Judge Robert J. Stiehl, Chief District Court judge 12th Judicial District, Cumberland County Wow! This is a nice and refreshing surprise. No doubt about it, Judge Stiehl is making a notable difference in the lives of the people he comes in contact with as Cumberland County's Chief Dis- trict Court Judge. Stiehl was sworn in Jan. 30, 2015, replacing Judge Beth Keever, and he has clearly built up quite a following. As chief judge, Stiehl oversees 20 magistrates and a huge office staff while setting the judgeship assignments and work schedules for himself and the nine other judges who serve on the Cumberland County District Court. Stiehl is currently running for re-election, which – if he wins – will make his seventh term serving the District Court. Winning the Best of Fayetteville recognition is a very good indicator of things to come. Congratulations, Judge Stiehl. Most Respected Civic Leader Kirk deViere 910-920-0525 or www.kirkdeviere.com Kirk deViere may not have been born and raised in Cumberland County, but he has called it home for the last 17 years. And during that time, he's worked hard to make it a better place. While he knows Fayetteville is a wonderful place, he understands it is not perfect. And he's not afraid to work hard to make it better. He quickly became involved in the community with downtown revitalization, the chamber of commerce, economic development,