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/303912
20 APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2014 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM D.J. Haire With dwindling state and federal funding, how do you see the board meeting the needs of the citizens without drastic cuts to programs or tax increases? We cannot make up for state and federal funding cuts on the local level. There is no way we can shoulder this burden with our property tax base. What is your vision for funding of the school system? I am extremely proud of what the Board of Commissioners has been able to do for our school system. In March, the commissioners and the Board of Education approved a four-year school funding formula spelling out how local funding will be distributed to the schools. This will allow the schools to plan their long-term budgets. Under the plan, the schools will receive $762,000 more next fiscal year. Each year after, the schools will receive 46.4 percent of the budgeted property tax. We had a funding agreement many years ago, and it expired in 2011. Because of the commissioners' commitment to our schools, we maintained the school funding level and did not make any cuts. In addition, the county also helps fund our community college system and last year we appropriated $9.5 million to Fayetteville Technical Community College. What is the biggest problem facing Cumberland County and how do we fix it? - Economic Development is the biggest challenge we face because it affects all aspects of our community including education, health and safety. We have to work together, and the Board of Commissioners is actively collaborating with our municipalities and the Economic Development Alliance. We have to be creative in trying to maintain the jobs we have and we know local businesses are central to our economy. The county has long depended on Fort Bragg's growth to ease some economic concerns. With the decreasing force structure, cutting of government contracts and the hiring freeze on Bragg, where will the county turn to create jobs and build the economy? It will take public, private and community partners coming together through communication, collaboration and building a consensus. What are your top three priorities if elected? 1. Economic Development 2. Safety of our citizens 3. Maintaining the county's strong fiscal standing. Jeanette Council CUMBERLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONER With dwindling state and federal funding, how do you see the board meeting the needs of the citizens without drastic cuts to programs or tax increases? Within municipalities this is always a challenging concern. One thought that I still consider is for county & city governments to work better together, not just simply having discussions on duplicated services. There are a number of duplications in both forms of government that serve all the people and accomplish the same thing. There must be away where those duplications can be merged and be "more" cost effective for all Cumberland County residents. What is your vision for funding of the school system ? Right now the County has its hands tied due to that the General Assembly and the Governor has somewhat acknowledged that mistakes were made in not funding teacher's pay. The Governors now has proposed a plan that is a little controversial, it presently sits in the hands of the General Assembly. This definitely puts the County in a wait & see mode on what their options may be. (No one wants a tax increase!) What is the biggest problem facing Cumberland County and how do we fix it? It's very difficult to say what the number one biggest problem the county as a whole is facing. I attend many community watch meetings across the county. Crime is still a top priority for our citizens and how to better protect neighborhoods. I think the Sheriff and Police departments along with other forms of law enforcement should continue to work together in cutting back crime. I don't often see a Sheriff Deputy or County Commissioner representative at the community watch meeting; this is one thing I would like to see changed. The county has long depended on Fort Bragg's growth to ease some economic concerns. With the decreasing force structure, cutting of government contracts and the hiring freeze on Bragg, where will the county turn to create jobs and build the economy? There are several problems possibly facing Cumberland County, the future employment cut backs and downsizing across the county is a big concern for me. As government officials I still think we can do more in assisting our local business community when it comes down to them receiving more of our public funded projects. I think that the county and the city should work even closer together in making this happen instead of attempting to do it separately; even though we are two separate governments but in one county. I will continue to push this effort of the two bodies sitting down together and making "Hire Cumberland County First" a top priority. Why should the bulk of our tax payer projects go to businesses outside of our county? Democrat, NC Senatorial District 21 Senator Ben Clark RE-ELECT for NC SENATE Lt. Col., U.S. Air Force Retired Serving as your state senator has certainly been an honor and a privilege. With your support, I look forward to continuing to serve you energetically and faithfully in the years ahead. I will continue to provide principled leadership and outstanding constituent services. Let us continue our fight for the cause of right by fighting for pay raises for our teachers and state employees, the expansion of Medicaid and good jobs. Superb Legislative Voting Record favorably rated by Democracy North Carolina North Carolina Chamber of Commerce North Carolina NAACP Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Ben Clark for State Senate.