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/1468000
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MAY 18 - 24, 2022 UCW 5 historic Market House without involving the Justice Department and conducting countless (and fruitless) meetings with the Fayetteville/ Cumberland County Community Relations? ese decisions should be relatively easy to make, but there are not being made. Yet, these same bodies can approve an expenditure of $450,000 of taxpayer's money on an impromp- tu request for a study on an African American Museum followed the same impromptu ap- proval from the Cumberland County Commis- sioners. Together, on a whim, they approved $900,000 for this project when the unhoused, those facing mental health crises and pan- handlers, aimlessly roam our streets. Deadly carcinogens were creeping dangerously close to contaminating our Cape Fear water supply. Recently PWC took the initiative to seek finan- cial assistance from the Cumberland County Legislative delegation and received $200 thou- sand to address this problem. PWC matched it and came up with the solution to clean up the site and avoid such a disaster. Reaction from the City of Fayetteville? Honestly, I'm not sure many city council members even knew they owned the property or were aware that our re- gion's water supply was in severe danger. And, with Gray's Creek homes and schools still having to drink bottled water because of GenX contamination, Cumberland County Com- missioners seem to be slow-walking solutions with an attitude of "well, want to you want us to do about it?" In my opinion, these are misplaced priori- ties by both the city and county. Ask yourself what's more important? Preventing a regional contaminated water supply disaster or a gov- ernment-funded festival? Providing housing and care for the homeless and mentally ill, or contracting for another downtown museum? Having our school children continue to drink bottled water or fund repurposing a historic building? I own a business downtown. I see a great community suffering from poor decisions and inadequate leadership every day. Only involved caring citizens can change this situ- ation. I urge everyone I come in contact with to get involved and make their voices heard. Vote. ere are many good people in our community that are willing and able to do the right things for the right reasons. For this, I am grateful, and they need to be encouraged and supported. is is a good community; how- ever, it can be a great community with fantas- tic potential and endless opportunities with exemplary leadership. e leadership at PWC, our Hometown Utility, gets it. City and county leadership should follow in their path. ank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper. BILL BOWMAN, Publisher, UP & COMING WEEKLY. COMMENTS? BILL@upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. 4104 Raeford Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28304 910.483.1234 www.bryanhonda.com Proudly Serving Our Community For 75 Years. Home of the Bryan Honda $3,010 Advantage! Photo courtesy of Pexels