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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COMMENTARY An Advocate for Our All-America City by SYLVIA ADAMCZYK Growing up in a military family, service is all I have ever known. The values of education, having strong character and unwavering integrity have been my foundation since I was a young girl. My father always told me, "Your character will guide your path in life." My mother, who is a retired educator, always reminded me to help others no matter how challenging it might be, but to try to make a positive impact on their lives. This upbringing has built a foundation of service within me, one that has helped me realize I want to serve my fellow citizens. During my years as an elementary school teacher, I tried my best to teach the pillars of good character each and every school year. I taught fifth grade students the value of community service as the sponsor of the National Beta Club for more than five years. I helped mentor and guide Native-American youth in Cumberland County schools to aspire to be community volunteers and leaders. I engaged students in learning about the system of democracy with student government leadership opportunities. My dream as a classroom teacher was to help children become service-minded youth who would make a difference in the world around them despite any obstacles they might face. As I served as a school administrator in Cumberland County Schools, I realized that I no longer would be guiding children to make a difference, but instead I was given the opportunity to collaborate with families, teachers, community leaders and children to provide a quality learning experience for all. Serving as a school administrator allowed me to be a voice and advocate for fair and equitable resources for children. During my tenure as a school administrator I dreamed big for my teachers and students. I used to tell my staff and students that anything is possible if you put your mind to it! Most recently, I had the opportunity to work with the presidential campaign with Organizing for America in N.C. I served as a field organizer in Fayetteville, and my mission was to educate the community on issues that were important to them and their families. In a very short time, the stories that I heard and the citizens that I met inspired me to do more than just educate in a school community. I realized that I wanted to educate families in communities across the state of North Carolina about real issues that were impacting their quality of life. After serving as a field organizer with OFA, I was promoted to a regional state director and I worked in six N.C. counties. I spent my days training, teaching and educating citizens about ways to improve their quality of life and how to engage in the democratic process in order to benefit themselves and their communities. So, after working with families, communities, faith-based leaders, business owners and community leaders over the past few years, I realized that my passion is community advocacy. I now serve as the director of the Autism Society of Cumberland County. I am still advocating for families for the services and programs that they need to improve their quality of life. Going to work every day reminds me of the life journey of service I have been on since I was young ... I have always known that I had a desire to serve. And now I want to serve you … the citizens of Fayetteville ... as your advocate for city council District 9. I ask for your support. As your committed community advocate, I am committed to these priorities: 1. Safe neighborhoods 2. Opportunities for military families 3. Building strategic community partnerships 4. An inclusive community Your vote will mean that you stand with me as we promote democracy, service to community, SYLVIA ADAMCZYK, Cancollaboration and a commitment to our didate for Fayetteville City city. Our future is in our hands. Your Council, COMMENTS? Editor@ vote will make a difference!! upandcomingweekly.com. Bringing Business Leadership to the City Council by MITCH COLVIN My name is Mitch Colvin, and I am seeking the position of City Councilman in District 3. I am a native of Fayetteville and a long time resident of the district. I have been a dedicated local business owner, entrepreneur, family man, but most of all, a concerned citizen. I believe that for far too long some of our leaders have sat in silence as our communities have been neglected and deprived of the resources and the opportunities they deserve. It is my belief that together we can create a community that we can all be proud of for many years to come. It is my number one priority to foster real change to our community through revitalization efforts, create tangible job opportunities and promote education and training for those who need it most. I am not a career politician therefore, you will not hear a lot of empty promises during election time, but you will see real work and change. I am a lifelong member of this community and I believe together we can inspire real change. In 1995, I took over a 42-year-old family business, and was named president and CEO at the young age of 21. It was not by choice but by necessity. Our family business was in the midst of a crisis, and I was faced with huge responsibilities and challenges at a very young age. Today by the grace of God, those obstacles have been transformed to opportunities. Our company is stronger than ever before. We have grown five-fold since 1995. In 2001, I led the acquisition of a small family operation in Lumberton, which was going through crisis, a situation very similar to ours in 1995. The combination of acquisitions, reinvestment and cost-cutting measures combined with vision, have fueled our company's growth. We now provide services to more than 300 families annually in Cumberland, Robeson, Bladen and Hoke counties. I have vast experience in turning obstacles into opportunities. I realize the benefit of hard work and determination, combined with vision, all of the attributes necessary to move our community forward. I am no stranger to hard work and I have a tireless work ethic. Over the past several years I have worked with several business and community leaders in our city, building bridges and consensus that will prove vital in our come-back efforts. In addition to my business experience, I have also served on the Board of Directors for the Cape Fear Regional Bureau for Community Action, since the age of 21. This campaign will emphasize the need for progress in our deprived areas, and the vision to implement and initiate the improvement. I will concentrate on creating business improvement zones for businesses that locate and hire in the impoverished communities. Also, I will propose to ease many of the recent restrictions that have impeded our business and job growth such as the Uniformed Development Ordinance. In addition, I will fight to provide education and job training programs for our youth and our single parents. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM However, I certainly realize that in order for any of this to be possible we must first create a safe environment to prosper and live. As a young African-American male, I know firsthand the importance of stopping the senseless violence and other crimes that haunt our communities. I feel we need a balanced approach of enforcement coupled with alternatives and opportunities. First, I would like to propose we create a Safety First Task Force, which would consist of council members who represent our high crime districts, members of the Fayetteville Police Department and Cumberland County Sheriff's officers. This group would receive statistics and monitor crime reduction in the city hot spots and report findings on a quarterly basis to council and to the county officials. I believe that if we analyze this information on a macro level rather than a micro level this would allow for the sharing of information throughout the city and the county. I feel that we must also realize that we cannot arrest our way to a solution to this problem, I would push for resources to utilize gun buy-back programs and drug treatment and rehab classes in the most troubled areas. I fully understand that in order for us to be a great district in a great city it means safer streets, affordable and quality housing, education and training and economic development. I believe true progress in District 3 will be realized when those who govern have a true commitment to the citizen's lasting growth for the future. I possess those qualities because I am a lifetime member of this community, and I will be a true representative of the people. I vow that this campaign will seek to inspire a public conversation on critical issues and viable solutions that will reflect the views and desires of residents of the district. I am going to demonstrate how a true campaign, that reflects the will of all the people working toward progress to foster real change, will enable the district to realize a better tomorrow. I envisioned a brighter future for the district with true leadership that will not be afraid to fight for more collaboration and inclusiveness. Citizens of Fayetteville and District 3, it is our time to take action and to get the ball rolling. This is why I emphatically believe that I am the right man for the job. Again, my name is Mitch Colvin, 40 years old, a graduate of E.E. Smith High School, John Tyler Mortuary College and a proud Fayetteville State University Bronco. I am also a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and I am grateful to have the support of my wife Daisha Colvin, and 3 wonderful daughters. Their future was an important factor in my decision to run for office, we must create a greater district and a better Fayetteville for the generation to come. Together let's get it done. MITCH COLVIN, Candidate for Fayetteville City Council, COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. AUGUST 7-13, 2013 UCW 5