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/864510
AUGUST 23 - 29, 2017 UCW 7 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM What an honor it is to serve as the mayor of such a great and caring City. Fayetteville is truly one of greatest mid-sized cities in the Southeast. Our resi- dents and our diverse culture make Fayetteville like no other city in the United States. We really are a city of History, Heroes and a Hometown Feeling. I have been working hard to ensure our city oper- ates as a reflection of your expectations. Creating or managing policy in conjunction with our strategic goals and within our scope is imperative to represent your expectations. Public Forums and Café Conver- sations insure full transparency in communications between our taxpayers and your City Council. I believe in leading through a committee process and have established several council committees for input and guidance to the council to better inform the group throughout the decision making process. e success of this type of leadership is evidenced by our outcomes. I believe that through simpler, more user-friendly policies, we can continue to build the economy and improve the quality of life for all of our residents. Since being sworn-in as mayor in December 2013 as Fayetteville's 35th mayor, Fayetteville has become the envy of many Southern cities. In less than four years, our city has accomplished more than any other administration in recent history. e following are some of the highlights: • Reduced our property crime by 24 percent . • Set the environment for the addition of thou - sands of jobs in/around Fayetteville • Residents approved a $35 million Parks Bond package for the first time ever • Recognized by the White House for eradicating veteran homelessness • Reestablishment of the Fayetteville/Cumberland Youth Council • Signed with the Houston Astors to bring Minor League Baseball back to Fayetteville • Co-Chaired the Opioid Addiction Task Force with VA Director Goolsby • Established with the Chamber the Mayor's Small Business Award • Changed the zoning along the Cape Fear River to protect our natural resources I will always remember that I was elected as a public servant, and more specifically to do a job. A job to improve our city and be a steward of the tax money we receive. Understanding this, my focus has been on policy and not politics or social programs. I pledged to you to do the right things, for the right reasons. I will continue to improve our business culture, enhance the quality of life for all of our residents and focus on keeping our City and residents safe. I know the initiatives we have supported and the projects we have worked on will continue to improve our city and make Fayetteville more competitive. We are be- coming more attractive to outsiders who may want to invest in our community with jobs and businesses in the future. It is with great honor and humility that I again ask for your support to continue serving as Fayetteville's mayor. We, as a community have come so far in the last four years. I know the next two will be even greater. ank you for the opportunity to serve the community that Kim and I love so much! You have my commitment to continue on a path that will have a positive impact on our children and grandchildren for decades to come. Cumberland County is an amazing place to live, work and raise our families. is community embraced my father when he was first stationed here as a young soldier from Massachusetts. My mother, a proud Greek immigrant who came to this community at age 12, not being able to speak a word of English and graduated from Highsmith Nursing School in less than 10 years. A short time later, a Roman Catholic soldier from New England married a Greek Orthodox registered nurse who had just immigrated to the U.S. a decade before. Together, even with their differences in culture, religious differences and their family expecta - tions, they raised three children and made it work despite all of apprehension from both their fami- lies. ey were stronger together because of their differences than they were as individuals. eir core strength was that they respected each other, had similar values and were very involved raising our family. is happened through conversation and compromise. Both had a strong commitment and record of service to their community, their church and their family. I tell you this story because it is important. During this time of civil unrest, intolerance and instability, there seems to be a void of any respect - ful conversation and compromise. Since 1980, when I first registered to vote, I chose to be a Democrat. I have always been fiscally conservative, but more open-minded in supporting social issues. I remem- ber early in my career a seasoned member of the local Democratic Party cautioned me, "If you do not vote for this, you are not a true Democrat." It was an epiphany moment for as I thought, who gets to define a true Democrat? I have struggled with our two-party system for many years. Like most Americans, I do not identify completely with either party. I agree with some things on both sides and am opposed to others. I do not identify myself by any other measure than being a good father, a trusted friend, respectful person, an ethical business person and a devoted citizen of this city, county, state and country. Recently, I believe that many decisions by elect - ed officials throughout government have been swayed by bias and self-serving members of their respective parties. e results of this legislation is not always in the best interest of the people we have sworn to defend by oath. For those that know me, they understand that I am a creative problem solver, who does his research and works toward solutions. I am always willing to compromise on issues, but never willing to compromise my values as an elected official or person. After, 38 years of years in local politics, I have recently changed my party affiliation to the Re - publican Party. e only thing that is different is my party. I will still fight of every citizen whom may have been treated unjustly. I will continue to fight to maintain a fiscal responsible government that provides quality services to their citizens. I will always an advocate for the Health, Education and Welfare of each and every citizen of Cumberland County. Because in the end, this is what I have done, will continue to do and what every each of us should do. NAT ROBERTSON , Mayoral Candidate. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. (910) 484-6200. JIMMY KEEFE , County Commis- sioner Candidate. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. (910) 484-6200. CANDIDATES SPEAK Serving Is an Honor by MAYOR NAT ROBERTSON Mayor Nat Robertson Cumberland County District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Keefe Progress Sometimes Means Change by CUMBERLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIMMY KEEFE