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/1111480
8 UCW MAY 1-7, 2019 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Editor, I am asking your readers to tolerate my response to Hope Mils Commis- sioner Jessie Bellflowers' Letter to the Editor in the April 17-23 edition of Up & Coming Weekly concerning the pro- posed construction of the Hope Mills Lake bulkhead (retaining wall). Full dis- closure: I am married to Mayor Jackie Warner and I am her biggest cheer- leader. She will not be pleased with my thoughts and opinions that follow. Hope Mills Commissioner Jessie Bellflowers or any "stiff necked" politi- cian can rationalize away the reason they sometimes make stupid or illogi- cal decisions in an attempt to regain the confidence and trust of constitu- ents. Unfortunately, for Commissioner Bellflowers it's "too little, too late" on this bulkhead issue. Our Hope Mills summer is all but ruined. Not because of the need for a safe and sturdy bulkhead but because of the irresponsibility and mismanage- ment of the project by you (Bellflowers) and fellow Hope Mills commissioners. As a result of their inept leadership, disappointed Hope Mills residents had to forego Easter sunrise services at the lake, and they will forego all the traditional family fun-filled events and activities surrounding Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Yes, their (the commissioners') poor decisions have inconvenienced residents and put Hope Mills taxpayers in peril. Make no mistake about it, the real issues are not about the construction of the bulkhead, Jessie, so don't patronize us. Instead, why not address the ques- tions and real concerns we have like: Why is the bulkhead costing Hope Mills taxpayers $500,000 as determined by a single bid? Why was this major con- struction project request for proposal not sent out for a rebid? Why was this initial proposal hastily approved with very little discussion or empathy for the burden (of the) taxpayers who will be responsible for paying for it? Was this expensive bulkhead in the town's bud- get? Who made the recommendation to cover the expense out of the town's emergency reserve fund and what is the plan to replenish these funds? ere are so many questions and no sufficient answers. Many of us fear a tax increase is in our future. Yet, very little discussion or due diligence has been done by our elected. So, again, don't patronize us, Jessie. ese kind of haphazard, irrespon- sible decisions, proposals and knee-jerk reactions by you and the commission- ers are not sound business practices or decisions. And, they are unacceptable. In closing, I want to remind the voters of Hope Mills that, all too often, elected officials become experts at spending other people's money — like us — the taxpayers. And, I'm not even a C.P.A. Alex Warner Hope Mills, NC Hope Mills Commissioners are irresponsible TO THE EDITOR Hope Mills Commissioner Jessie Bellflowers "Cumberland County's Community Newspaper" "Cumberland County's Community Newspaper" The right choice ... here to stay Independent Free Community Newspapers TARGETED Our town. Our people. This newspaper is delivered to almost all of the people in the towns that you need to reach. PROVEN We've been bringing buyers and sellers together for decades. When times are tough, choose the paper that is here to stay AUDITED We have the numbers! Our receivership and readership are unmatched in the community. You need our numbers, because we provide the audience you need. NCDOT TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING FOR THE PROPOSED ALL AMERICAN FREEWAY WIDENING FROM OWEN DRIVE TO I-295 IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY Persons who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800- 481-6494. Aquellas personas que no hablan inglés o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión llamando al 1-800-481-6494. ______________________________________________________________________ STIP PROJECT NO. U-4414 The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting regarding the proposed widening of All American Freeway (S.R. 1007) from Owen Drive to I-295 (Fayetteville Outer Loop) in Cumberland County from 2-lanes to 3-lanes in each direction. The primary purpose of this project is to improve traffic flow and facilitate an increasing traffic demand. The meeting will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 at Village Baptist Church at 906 S. McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville. The public may attend at any time during the meeting hours, as no formal presentation will be made. At the meeting there will be maps of the proposed plans as well as project team members who will be available to answer questions and receive feedback. All comments will be taken into consideration as the project progresses. The opportunity to submit written comments will be provided at the meeting or may be done via phone, email, or mail. Comments should be submitted by June 2. As information becomes available, it may be viewed at the NCDOT Public Meeting Webpage: https://www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings/. For additional information, contact Steve Kendall, P.E., Division 6 Project Development Engineer at (910) 437-2577 or sdkendall@ncdot.gov or P.O. Box 1150, Fayetteville, N.C. 28302 or Consultant Project Manager Charles Cox at (919) 926-4126 or Charles.cox@rsandh.com. NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Lauren Putnam at lnputnam1@ncdot.gov or (919) 707-6072 as early as possible, so that arrangements can be made. _____________________________________________________________________ 116 Green Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301 | 910-829-9171 www.fascinate-u.com May Events WED., May 8: 10:00-11:00 Science & Nature @ Botanical Gardens: Insects & Butterflies (Free to Museum and Garden members) THUR., May 9: 10:00-10:30 Fascinating Story Time with the Library (free admission for story time) SAT., May 11: 11:00- 1:00 Make It Take It - Mothers' Day Cards WED., May 15: 10:00-10:45 STEM Science @ Headquarters Library - Build a Terrarium (free but register by calling 483-7727 ext. 1351) SAT., May 18: 11:00- 1:00 Super Science: Make a Mini Hovercraft FRI., May 24: 7:00-9:00pm 4th Friday - Make a Sand Dollar