Up & Coming Weekly

April 22, 2014

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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6 APRIL 23-29, 2014 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM I grew up in Cumberland County during the 1960s and '70s; it was a much different place than it is today. During my first nine years of school, I attended five different schools. I attended first grade at Manchester Elementary, Lewis Chapel Elementary in the second grade, Brentwood in the third grade, Montclair for grades 4-7, Lewis Chapel again but as an all-eighth-grade school, Anne Chestnut as an all-ninth-grade school and then on to Seventy First High School, where I would graduate in 1977. In my teen years, I would often ride my bike up and down Raeford and Skibo roads with no worries of being run over or being injured by passing cars. It's hard to imagine now, but then there was a fraction of the traffic you see today. Cumberland County has come a long way since I graduated — well prepared by the Cumberland County School District — and headed off to four years at N.C. A&T State University and 20 years in the Air Force. Upon returning to North Carolina a decade ago, I settled in Hoke County and worked in Cumberland County. Like Cumberland, Hoke has undergone some dramatic changes, especially over the last decade, with the rapid expansion along the eastern portion of the county. Just last year, Hoke went from having no hospital to having two new hospitals three miles from one another — on the same road. In January 2013, I was sworn in as the Senator for the 21st district, representing Cumberland and Hoke Counties. It was a thrill and an honor to be chosen to represent the district that had, for many years, given so much to me. I was raised here; I was educated here. My parents live here. The values of faith, family and service to my fellow man were instilled in me right here, in District 21. I have taken those values with me to Raleigh in service to this district. I campaigned on this promise: To pursue a stated vision for our district of a thriving community, pursuing the common good and fostering the perpetual growth of a highly-educated population with access to an abundance of opportunity for achieving prosperity. This vision has not changed, nor has my desire to see it through. My experiences within District 21 have taught me several things. We are committed to our families and have high expectations for the schools that educate them. That is why I serve on the North Carolina Educator Effectiveness and Compensation Task Force and am fighting for teacher pay raises and more money for education. An investment in education is an investment in our future. District 21 is also home to hardworking individuals who take pride in being able to provide a good home and quality of life for their families. Many of our workers are active duty or retired military. My commitment to our workforce led me to serve on the N.C. Economic Development Board, which developed a jobs plan to guide job creation in N.C. The unemployment rate in District 21 was 10.8 percent when I took office; today it is under 8 percent. The jobs plan will help to further growth in the district and state. I also serve on the Committee on Civilian Credit for Military Training. One of the main goals of this committee is to ensure that certifications earned on active duty will be recognized in the civilian sector. This will make it easier for soldiers to transition and become gainfully employed — at better wages — in the civilian workforce. This district is also one that cares about its neighbor sand the plight of the less fortunate. As the state debates participation with the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion, I often hear the argument about whether or not healthcare is a fundamental right. I believe that argument misses the point. The issue is what type of society we want to be. We should embrace as a core value the self-imposed responsibility to provide coverage within our means for the benefit of our citizens. I supported Medicaid expansion in 2013 and will continue to fight for its passage. Cumberland and Hoke Counties have changed a lot over the years but some things remain the same; our district possesses a rich mosaic of tradition, culture and heritage that is framed in values we all share — love of God, our environment and our fellow citizens. I ask that you reelect me as your Senator to continue the work we have started — together. Adjusting to Changes by BEN CLARK OPINION SENATOR BEN CLARK, Contribut- ing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. District 21 has grown in recent years. SATURDAY, APRIL 27th • 7:30am - 3:00pm $50 per entry • $30 per additional rider Register at Special Ops Museum • 7:30am • Kickstands up at 8:45am OR Register at Rocking A Ranch • 9:00am • Kickstands up at 11:00am PLEASE ARRIVE WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS *All proceeds to be donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children, The American Cancer Society & Kidsville News. Any contributions are welcomed. Call Wendy 910.818.0458 or registeronline at: www.hogsandrags.com COUNTRY BREAKFAST Rocking A Ranch Kickstands up at 11:00am WATER BREAK & REST STOP Horry County State Bank NC/SC Line LUNCH MENU Landry's Seafood Broadway at the Beach Mrytle Beach, SC Lunch at 1:15pm 9 T -Shirt • Breakfast • Lunch • Door Prizes • $2500 Raff e • and much , m uch m o r e J oi n F a y etteville Mayor Nat Robertson in a fun and exciting fully escorted ride to M yrtle Beac h , SC . • Saturday, April 26th • 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration: Online at www.HogsandRags.com or at Airborne and Special Operations Museum - Historic Downtown Fayetteville $50 per entry • $30 per additional rider* Kickstands up at 9:00 a.m. *ALL PROCEEDS DONATED TO LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. Call Wendy 910.818.0458 or register online at: www.hogsandrags. com PLEASE ARRIVE WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. All proceeds to be donated to the American Cancer Society, Kidsville News and Literacy Foundation and Green Beret Foundation. All contributions are welcomed. 1ST STOP Full Country Breakfast Rocking A Ranch White Oak, NC 2ND STOP Rest Stop & Water Break Horry County State Bank SC Line 3RD STOP Landry's Seafood Restaurant Broadway at the Beach Myrtle Beach, SC Preride Welcome Party Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. at Speakeasy's Lounge

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