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.
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10 UCW FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 5, 2019 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM President Donald Trump wants to use funding for military projects across the country to pay for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He's think- ing about taking $3.6 billion from the Department of Defense. But the man temporarily in charge of the Defense Department is not sure he should do that. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said he has made no decisions on whether the southern border wall is militarily necessary. e appropriations bill says that is a crucial determination before military construction funds could be redirected to build it. Prior to Feb. 15, the administra- tion had not decided which military construction projects are slated to be stripped of their funding. Congress had set aside about $10 billion for base projects, and $3.6 billion of that could go to the border. Feb. 15, Trump declared a national emergency, which gives him the authority to access unspent funds in defense accounts. Congress and at least 16 states dis- agree with the president and are suing to stop the funding transfers. Shanahan is expected ultimately to support the wall construction, but he is still determining how mili- tary spending could support it. "We understand there are some priorities that won't be considered," Shanahan said. "Military housing … I've received a number of letters, I've had lots of feedback saying, 'Do not jeopardize the projects that are underway,'" Shanahan added, "I appreciate we're trying to work through this very complicated situation … that people remind us, these are real, live, very important projects." In a recent presentation, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, officials outlined $699 million of planned construction projects over the next six years in ad- dition to the $343 million the Depart- ment of Defense has underway at the local post. at's more funding than is assigned to all the military bases in Florida, which could lose up to $177 million for planned construction, according to a list of eligible projects compiled by the House Appropria- tions Committee. Some projects planned at Fort Bragg could be vulnerable because they don't contribute to military readiness. e multimillion-dollar Freedom Crossing entertainment and retail district for active-duty and retired service mem- bers and their families has a $27 million budget, according to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. It will include three retail buildings, a 42,000-square- foot movie theater and an outdoor public entertainment and event plaza. e bulk of other construction proj- ects will be for the benefit of the instal- lation's special operations mission. e recent disclosure from Fort Bragg officials also earmarked $788 million in what they called a wish list for a fire station, Pope Army Airfield upgrades, tactical equipment maintenance facili- ties, barracks and training areas. Fort Bragg is the world's largest military installation by population and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. In addition to being home to the Army's airborne and spe- cial operations units, the post is also Forces Command Headquarters and is home to the Army Reserve Command. It is colloquially referred to as Penta- gon South. Fort Bragg and the border wall by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS Feb. 15, Trump declared a national emergency, which gives him the authority to access un- spent funds in defense accounts. Thursday, February 28, 2019, 6pm-10pm Cape Fear Botanical Garden tickets on sale now! $75 per passenger Sponsorships available: 910-483-7534 www.betterhealthcc.org Better Health's Hi gh Se a s! Evening on the Casino Sponsor The Cobb Tilghman Group of Merrill Lynch Aces Cape Fear Valley Health System Timothy Edwards, Attorney at Law Horne Brothers Construction LTC(R) Tom and Dr. Susan Miller Kings Fayetteville Observer | Kimrey Law PLLC | Bradley J. Laub St. Joseph of the Pines LIFE | Junior League of Fayetteville Queens Cape Fear Eye Associates | Andy Anderson Moving Company Edward Jones Investments - Cissy McPhail FiveStar Entertainment | Ryan P. Kishbaugh Memorial Foundation Rand & Gregory, PA - Attorneys at Law | Residential Mortgage UPS Stores at Westwood and Fort Bragg Jacks Caitlin and Hunter Evans | Copiers Plus | H & H Homes The Hatley Law Firm | Lafayette Ford Lincoln | Up and Coming Weekly NOAH Computer Services | First Citizens Bank | Lucy and Wes Jones Culinary Sponsor Elite Catering Beverage Sponsors Morgans Chop House | Wine Café | Top of the Hill Distillery Thank you To Our Generous Sponsors! Advertising Grow Your Business For effective advertising, Call 910.484.6200 today! www.upandcomingweekly.com