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/1418713
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM OCTOBER 13-19, 2021 UCW 5 Is Fayetteville leaving the Best of the Best behind? by BILL BOWMAN Over 200 people representing the best of the best busi- nesses, institutions and organizations in Fayetteville and Cumberland Country assembled at the Crown Coliseum for our 24th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards Party. In attendance, showing appreciation and extending congratula- tions to the honorees, were Shari Fiveash of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Randy Fiveash, interim President of the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Jackie Warner, Mayor of Hope Mills. No one representing the City or Cumberland County was there. Personal invitations were not issued, nor were they required. Over the years, our elected city and county officials were more than anxious to attend any prestigious local event that showcased the people, businesses, institutions and organiza- tions that define the quality of life in our community. After all, it is a congregation of their constituents. Or is it? Fayetteville is currently struggling with that question, even though everyone is quite aware of the answer. And, that is NO! With our city divided into nine separate and distinct districts, I'd wager each council member wouldn't find six attendees living or working in their specific section. And, with this being the case, why bother showing up all? Unfortunately, this thought process has become the mindset of most of our current elected officials of the Fayetteville City Council. is situation and mindset must change if Fayetteville as a commu- nity is to grow and prosper. You can't grow and become a great City if you leave entire segments of the community behind. Bobby Hurst, a former five-term City Councilman in District 5, recently reminded us of this dire warning and prediction that resonated nearly a decade ago from the Fayetteville City Council's 2012-2013 budget meeting. Sadly, that prediction has become a sad reality as nine individual districts try to govern over 210,000 residents by focusing only on the needs of their ward while ignoring major issues and situations affecting the entire city. It's a matter of record that Fay- etteville's growth is not keeping pace with the rest of the cities in the state. ere is a reason for that. e City of Fayetteville has an inferior and embar- rassing Report Card when it comes to leadership and management: We cannot become a better city by continuing to leave people behind. By focusing on each of the nine individual districts, they are collectively ignoring major citywide issues. Ultimately, our horrific statistics will continue to worsen un- less collective voices are heard regarding the future of our city. Fayetteville residents from all districts will suffer and die due to this poor governance, unabated homicides and neglected infrastructure maintenance like stormwater unless the citizens vote to change the structure of city government by designat- ing four of the nine citywide districts as At Large districts. is would give Fayetteville residents six votes when it comes to elections rather than two. What's not to like about that? A Fayetteville resident gets to vote for five council members and the mayor rather than just voting for the mayor and one dis- trict representative. Common sense dictates that it's a shame we even have to make such an argument. However, I just did. I encourage you to sign the Vote Yes Fayetteville petition at www.voteyesfayetteville.com and give every citizen (Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, rich or poor) the right to vote on this critical issue. Fayetteville's future depends on it, and you can rely on that. In closing, let me say that even though we currently have a terrible report card, it definitely can be improved just like any other academic institution: i.e. Get a better curriculum. Hire better teachers and, if need be, replace the principal. We have plenty of options. e best one yet: 6/4 Vote Yes Fayetteville. ank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. BILL BOWMAN, Publisher, UP & COMING WEEKLY. COM- MENTS? BILL@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. take the next steps to your covid-19 recovery Are you a resident of Fayetteville or Cumberland County? emergency rental assistance program Struggling to pay your next rent or utility bills? Do you have past due rent or utility payments? FayettevilleCumberlandRAP.com 1-888-495-7710 RENT RELIEF IS NOW AVAILABLE take the next steps to your covid-19 recovery Are you a resident of Fayetteville or Cumberland County? emergency rental assistance program Struggling to pay your next rent or utility bills? Do you have past due rent or utility payments? FayettevilleCumberlandRAP.com 1-888-495-7710 RENT RELIEF IS NOW AVAILABLE Apply Now RENT RELIEF AVAILABLE Black Fayetteville registered voters 45% Compassion for Fayetteville's poor and powerless Police Department Leadership Police Recruitment (50 ocers down) Overall crime rate increase 2021 Homicide rate increase 81% 2021 murder victims this year Black Property damage increase Trac Fatalities increase Trac Accident increase Overall attention to city's infrastructure needs Attention to the city's overall stormwater needs Actions to assist residents (Shaw Heights) with essential city services (sewer and police protection) A D D- F F F F+ F F F D- F F LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT REPORT CARD PUBLISHER'S PEN