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: https://www.epageflip.net/i/169044
COMMENTARY Proven Experience Counts by AUDREY RAY Vision for the City: I view the coming elections as "a new day." These elections present opportunities for tremendous progress in District 3 and our city as we move forward. I am Audrey Ray, often called "Sister Ray," because the "Sister" is tied to my faith. My charitable and benevolent work in our community is a testament to my sincerity and commitment to togetherness and to improving conditions throughout District 3 and our city. I am asking you to let my experience as a legislative assistant in the North Carolina General Assembly and my 20 years of public servant experience work for you. Public service for me is a passion. I believe in empowering citizens. Together we can keep moving Fayetteville forward. My Vision for District 3: I will work to build trust. I support the Vision 2024 statement of having "a sustainable community with opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. I am devoted and committed to safe neighborhoods, more police presence, and programs for our children. Please join me in mentoring our children. We must find the time to invest in their future. I believe our city ordinances and codes should be customer oriented to facilitate growth and development. I will work to simplify existing rules that hamper these efforts. I will be fiscally responsible with your tax dollars and fund city programs based on priorities and not special interests. I fully support Chief Medlock in his efforts for community-based policing. Recently, I was on Jasper Street, as an officer approached and greeted me. He told me of an event that was planned in that location, and within minutes, he had me interested in participating. I became the faith-based coordinator for that city event. If every resident would get a dose of that kind of "citizen-engagement magic," just one dose, what great things we could accomplish together! In support of safe neighborhoods, I favor increased access to police and a better police response, especially when public safety emergencies arise, from crimes to medical emergencies to fires. Among other things, I would study police tracking data of crime trends in the district. A Plan for Action: We are better together, unity is strength. We must create partnerships that strive to enhance the quality of life for citizens. Within the first six month as your council member, I will host an "On the Move Summit" inviting citizens, community watch groups, police, business and church leaders and other organizations to address and find solutions to critical problems and issues in our district. We must identify factors contributing to the decline of once vibrant neighborhoods. We must "chart" a course to move forward and we cannot continue to complain. It is time for action. We will examine where we came from, where we are now and where we want to go in terms of improvements. This plan is not new. We must move from complacency; we must stop depending on others and together, we must roll-up our sleeves and take control of our neighborhoods and our destiny. The past is gone, our challenge is the future. I am confident you want to be involved. I have heard your voices asking for active leadership. Some years ago, I held a "State of the Community Census Forum," at Fayetteville State University mobilizing 30 groups. Our efforts resulted in more dollars for Fayetteville as 5,000 historically under-counted households participated in the U.S. Census. We need volunteers as we improve delivery of services to our senior citizens and improve our community watch groups to assist our police. Together we can accomplish much. Experience: As a N.C. General Assembly legislative assistant, I assisted in crafting three bills enacted into law. One provided honorary diplomas to World War II veterans and another provided bilingual language on the N.C. state voting ballot. I helped constituents by researching N.C. General Statutes and answered calls and emails. I am the founder of the Dr. Wills B. McLeod/Rise Newspaper Endowed Scholarship, a $10,000 scholarship at FSU. I support programs helping veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome. I am committed to helping female victims of domestic violence. I will continue to work for programs that foster unity and empower people. With your support, I will provide positive leadership and vision. I ask for your vote and prayers. Vote Audrey UADREY RAY, Candidate for City Coun"Sister" Ray for City cil, COMMENTS? editor@upandcomingweekly.com. Council, District 3. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Care for Kids Golf Tournament for Cypress Lakes Golf Course September 26, 2013 11:30 a.m. Check In 12:30 Shotgun Start Come Play for the Children 4 Player Team w/Hole Sponsorship $475.00 4 Player Team $400.00 Individual Player $100.00 For more information call Bruce Brown; 485-2672 Jason Poole; 323-3600 Mark Rice; 484-6171 Make checks payable to: Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville Mail to: TRP CPA's 2405 Robeson St. Fayetteville, NC 28304 Special thanks to Up & Coming Weekly SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2013 UCW 5