CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 55 W e met on a rainy Saturday morning at City Hall. He took my advice and came casual. No suit, no red "power tie." Instead a pair of "workin' man" jeans, wet-weather moc- casins and what I would call a country squire's woolen shooting jacket. On his head he sported the quintessential American head cover, a dark blue baseball cap, its bill riding low over his fore- head. e word "Fayetteville" inscribed on the front in that classic font created by local advertis- ing gurus on behalf of the Chamber some 22 years ago. He was wearing his brand…his city's brand. Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson was obviously com- fortable in his rainy day attire and it is evident that aer almost 90 days in office he is extremely comfortable in his role as mayor of the fih largest city in North Carolina. e City Hall Mayor's Office décor usually reflects the personality of the office holder. In Robertson's quarters, gone are the ceremonial trappings. Instead, a few well- placed prints grace the walls. e massive desk that has served more than a dozen mayors no longer carries the ec- lectic trophies of the office such as the ceremonial gavel that has seen better days or tarnished brass coasters of bygone administrations. Instead, two computer screens and a key- board take center stage. It's all business. Our 35th Mayor holds the keys to the city, his Harley and kim's heart By JasOn BraDy fayetteville's first Man and the Lady Beside him Was becoming mayor what he expected? "ere were no big surprises aer the election," Robertson said. "But I was pleasantly surprised about people willing to meet and con- verse about common issues and solving problems that will make Fayetteville a better place to live. And that's what it's all about." It's Robertson's fih term on city council and he fully understands and accepts that government does not move very fast. "Although I knew it, it's still frustrating," he said. "e projects we ran on in our campaign won't happen in the first 90 days. It's why I did not make any short-term prom- ises. Moving government into action is like turning a bat- tleship. It takes time." He said becoming mayor has not changed his life style too much…other than a lot of people want to talk to him about their problems. "Sometimes it's hard to get the gro- cery shopping done," he admitted. Kim, his wife of 25 years, is a "workaholic," according to Robertson. "A lot of nights we get home at about the same time." Daughter Carly, age 19, is a freshman at East Carolina University majoring in political science and eventually plans to follow her father's footsteps into politics. Son Cam- eron, 21, is busy holding down two jobs. Being the son and daughter of a mayor has had a minimal affect on them. For Kim, who recently won honors as a Principal of FEaTurE

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