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/15933
Best Local Politician Tony Chavonne, Mayor City of Fayetteville 433 Hay St., Fayetteville 910.433.1992, 910.433.3401 mayor@ci.fay.nc.us In an era when politicians are considered suspect at best, and criminal at worst, it is quite the compliment to be named the Best Local Politician. Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne has carried that title for at least the past three years. That’s saying a lot about a politician. It’s not that Chavonne isn’t without his faults. He’s only human. But it’s about the fact that he’s willing to admit when he makes a mistake, apologize and then works incredibly hard to make things right. Chavonne has guided Fayetteville through much of its renaissance, and when you talk to him, you believe that what has happened so far is only the beginning. He has a vision for the city. But more importantly, he has a passion for it. Don’t believe us? Spend fi ve minutes with him, which isn’t hard to do. If there is an event of any kind in Fayetteville you are going to fi nd him there along with his beautiful wife Joann. And, more than likely you will fi nd them listening to the people they serve. Chavonne will be the fi rst to tell you our city still has a lot of challenges, but he’s also the fi rst to roll up his sleeves and start working on them. Best Local Scandal, Biggest Waste of Local Tax Dollars Hope Mills Dam Several years ago when the rains came down, and the water poured out of the Hope Mills Lake and a couple of other area lakes, the main topic of discussion in Hope Mills was how to get the lake back. Engineers poured over plans, and the town’s budget was tweaked and squeezed to make the come back of the lake a possibility. Residents of the town, which sort of centers itself around the lake, still went by and got ice cream or icees at the stand by B Best Dessert Selection Cookies • Cakes Cupcakes Thank You For Voting Us Fayetteville’s Tarts • Pastries Muffi ns TAQUERIA 429-2253 atter Fabulous gourmet cakes for grand occasions or just because Specializing in handmade decorations from sugarpaste and rolled fondant Our delicious treats are made on site, from scratch daily om scratch daily y • To see our talent • www.sweetboutiquebakery.com To taste our treats visit us at 1400 Walter Reed Rd. • Fayetteville (Behind Starbucks) MEXICAN RESTAURANT EL TIO Fresh Authentic Mexican Cuisine We invite you to come taste the difference! Bienvenidos al sabor de Mexico Mon-Sat 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. 203 Owen Dr. Fayetteville, NC 483-0783 Opening Mid-Sept. 106 E. Central Ave. Downtown Raeford WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM SEPTEMBER 8-14, 2010 BEST OF FAYETTEVILLE 23 the lake, They watched the trees and shrubs grow up in the lake bed, and counted the days until their beloved lake was back. When construction started on the dam, you could drive by and see folks taking great delight as it rose from the ground. Too bad the guys building it didn’t take as much interest. To the delight of the residents, the dam was fi nished. Water began to build in the empty hole, and the lake was reborn — kind of. Residents immediately noticed that the water didn’t quite come up to their docks. Engineers answer: It was all in the design. As the town council and the engineers bickered, residents still enjoyed the beauty of their lake. Until the integrity of the dam was questioned and the lake had to be drained, along with millions of dollars from the Hope Mills treasury. I t te ’s as a M of T