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 November 1 - 7, 2023 UCW 11 SAM OLSEN, Assistant Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. (910) 484-6200 able. ey need to understand that that kind of behavior won't be tolerated in our city." In response, Rodriguez was asked about the rising rate of sexual assaults taking place across military installations and how he would combat that with his experi- ence from his military career. "Let me go old school on you. You have to separate the sexes. If you want to stop the sexual as- saults, you have to separate the sexes." Concerning his stance on crime in general, Rodriguez was also asked what his actions would be to handle the crime in Fayetteville as well. "We need more police traf- fic stops. We need more stops to search for guns, drugs, and out- standing warrants. We need more DUI checkpoints to get those people off the streets." District Two Next, we spoke to the candidate running for the District two seat, Malik Davis. Incumbent Shakeyla Ingram was unable to be reached for comment, so only Malik Davis's responses will be shown below. Malik Davis When asked about the current issues with the local unhoused population, Davis had this to say. "We can set them up with job trainers to help them get job skills, life skills and mental health care. If we don't help with their minds and problems, we can't help them change," he said. Continuing, Davis then spoke about his ideas regarding new av- enues of education for the youth. "I want to help them with their goals. Providing lessons and cours- es for life skills, financial literacy and job training. Not everyone gets to go to college, but those people still want to help their commu- nities and feel like they have an impact." Finally, Davis was asked to com- ment on the importance of voting for his generation as well as those to come. "When we vote, our vote matters. As a millennial I'd like to let them know things happen. ey might not happen to us, but if we don't vote, the same things that been happening will continue to hap- pen. Step up to the plate. Step up and be the change you want to see in society." District Five Finally, we spoke to two of the candidates for District five, the incumbent, Johnny Dawkins, and Lynne Greene. Both were asked questions about their goals con- cerning the future of mental health infrastructure in Fayetteville and their plans to improve them mov- ing forward. Johnny Dawkins When asked about improving mental health services, Dawkins had this to say. "e North Carolina State Constitution clearly states that the counties, not municipalities, have jurisdiction over this issue. However, we are also working on a new homeless shelter. e Day Resource Center has also been so successful that people are coming to our town because of how good it is. Mental Health Services are crucial for our society," he said. "Mental health services, espe- cially for our young people, are crucial. Speaking with garrison commander Colonel Wilcox on Fort Liberty, I pleaded with him to convince the army to set aside some funding for improving men- tal health services for our veterans and soldiers," remarked Dawkins about what place the military had in this developing situation. Lynne Greene When questioned about her plans regarding how to improve the mental health services al- ready available in our community, Greene had this to say. "I just don't have enough back- ground to answer that, but I do know the next initiative and phases must include the county. We can't expect to correct the issues over- night. We've got to work together, the city and the county," she said. In response, Greene was asked how she would improve her under- standing of the current issues and what her plan of action would be. "I really want to have more one on one conversations with those affected. Even more small group or community meetings. e lines of communication have to start with the community and the police. I can't pretend to know what their struggles are, but I want to hear them voice it to me. I don't want to assume. I want to learn what the real bottom line struggle is," said Greene. Photo courtesy of Facebook Photo courtesy of Facebook Voting in Cumberland County Early voting One stop early voting for the Nov. 7 Municipal Elections in Cumberland County's municipal elections is now open. Voters will be required to show a photo identification to vote in this election. Citizens who do not have a photo ID can get a free photo ID at the Cumberland County Board of Elections Office at 227 Fountain- head Lane in Fayetteville. One stop early voting will be open until Nov. 4 at the following locations: • Cumberland County Board of Elections at E. Newton Smith Center, 227 Fountainhead Lane in Fayetteville from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Cliffdale Recreation Center at 6404 Cliffdale Rd, in Fayetteville from Monday to Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Both locations will also be open on the last day of one stop voting on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photo ID required Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Caro- lina, beginning with the 2023 municipal elections. Most voters will simply show their driver's license, but there are other acceptable photo IDs. For more information regarding voter information, visit https:// www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/election-group/elec- tions/voters/voter-guide, or call 910-678-7733 For a full list of polling locations around Cumberland County, please see the back of this issue of Up and Coming Weekly. Election Day is Nov. 7.