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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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2023 UCW 9 Mayor Jackie Warner read an apology for blocking people and deleting comments on social media pages she controls during a meeting of the Hope Mills Board of Commis- sioners on Jan. 23. e formal apology was part of a settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed against her. e town board met in City Hall. Several people who had been deleted from her social pages attended the meeting. "ose of you who have been deleted from my mayor's social page, I thank you for com- ing out this evening," Warner said. She then explained that she controlled three separate Facebook pages, "a mayor's page, a Carleen's of Hope Mills (gift shop) page, and a personal page." Warner said she was under the impression that her Carleen's and personal pages did not affect her mayor's page. "However, we have determined that it does affect you," Warner said. Warner explained that she learned that if she blocked a person on her personal page, that person also would not have access to her mayor's page. e action was determined to be illegal because of Warner's role as an elected town official. Duke University filed a lawsuit against the town and Warner. A settlement is now in progress. Part of the settlement requires that Warner was given a statement to read in a public setting, said Warner, who added that the statement was provided by her attorney. "Over the past several years, I have hidden and deleted posts and comments and blocked people from Facebook pages that I use as a fo- rum to interact with citizens on issues related to the town of Hope Mills in my role as mayor," Warner read from the statement. "As a result of my actions, a lawsuit has been filed against me." Warner then apologized for her actions and gave her assurance that in the future, her personal Facebook pages would be properly distinguished from her mayor's page, which will be used as an open forum for residents to freely interact on issues related to the town. "My statement has always been we're mov- ing forward in Hope Mills. is is behind us. We are moving forward. ere's a lot of things happening in Hope Mills," said Warner. NEWS Hope Mills Mayor Warner issues apology for blocking people, deleting comments on social media by JASON CANADY, CityView Today JASON CANADY, CityView Today. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200. One-of-a-Kind Gifts & Customer Service are HERE! 2828 Raefd Rd. 910-988-7777 www.fayettevillepiccadillycircus.com Hours Mon-Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-5 SAVE THE DATE! C u st o m C a teri n g by T w o B r o t h ers Private Romantic Aordable Specializing In: Weddings, Corporate Events, Holiday Parties, Special Banquets & More! eVineNC.com or TwoBrothersCateringNC.com 806 Katie Street Fayetteville NC (O Owen Drive behind O-Reilly's) Custom Catering By:Two Brothers Call us to schedule your next event! Call 910-584-9892 Serving You Since 2004 Jackie Warner Hope Mills Mayor