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/201420
FAYETTEVILLE MAYORAL RACE Val Applewhite Nat Robertson UCW: In your opinion what is the number one issue facing the City of Fayetteville? I believe there are two number one issues facing our city. Clearly, we must diversify our economy and do more to support our local businesses. Statistically we know there is a direct correlation between jobs and crime; communities with low unemployment have less crime. The level of crime in our community makes it less attractive to potential businesses and degrades the quality of life in our neighborhoods and for our citizens. Both crime and the economy are equally important. We must multi-task. UCW: What can realistically be done to decrease the crime rate in our community? We cannot effectively deal with crime until we address the underlying social issues. The council's Strategic Plan has made partnerships with local non-profit organizations a priority. I believe connecting our citizens to existing resources is a valuable step in addressing social issues that affect our citizens and families. The council recently approved the formation of a Crime Task Force. This will be an opportunity to bring together a collaborative group of elected officials, law enforcement experts, citizens, faith based community and non-profit organizations. Identifying measureable goals and outcomes should be the first step in tackling our issue of crime. Continued exploration of how technology can be integrated into policing efforts must be a priority. Physical and very visible police presence throughout the community could be very valuable. In addition to our community policing strategy, fixed or mobile police substations should be fully explored. Perhaps most importantly, we must build a true partnership between the Fayetteville Police Department and our citizens. Everyone must take an active role in making our city and neighborhoods safer. UCW: The Fayetteville City Council has teamed with the Chamber of Commerce on Economic Development — how can more businesses be attracted to the city and what economic-development initiatives would you endorse? The current city council has approved various economic incentives and continues to revises them on a case by case basis. We must continue this effort and refine incentives to remain competitive with other cities. I believe we must also demonstrate that we are a community that supports our existing local businesses and create an environment that is business friendly by reviewing and revising existing internal processes in city hall. We must also strengthen our relationship with the N.C. Department of Commerce and continue to build regional and strategic partnerships. UCW: With diminishing federal funding, how can Fayetteville continue to provide quality services and where /how can UCW: In your opinion what is the number one issue facing the City of Fayetteville? Crime is a top priority for the City and we should fund the Police Department as if we recognize that. While we wait on the Chief's recommendations as to his needs and the cost, we can start the education processes and begin working with other shareholders to wage a WAR on crime and protect our residents. On July 18th, I released our 90 day plan that outlines the actions that will take place once we take office. Listed in the plan, we will do the following: • Meet with Mr. Voorhees & Chief Medlock to assess the needs of the FPD and begin prioritizing budget needs. • Meet with Chief Medlock and Sheriff Butler to establish a common plan of attack on local crime. • Host a quarterly Crime Summit open to the public with ALL local, county and state professional and political Law Enforcement representatives that will bring light to common resources that may be available. This Crime Summit should open conversation regarding our overall crime rate and ways to reduce it and ways that all agencies can come together. We must present a unified front on the WAR on crime that can no longer be ignored. Invitations will also go out to the District Attorney's office, Judges, Probation & Parole and our Community Partners. UCW: What can realistically be done to decrease the crime rate in our community? We as administrators must give Chief Medlock the tools and resources he needs to continue to bring our crime rate down. UCW: The Fayetteville City Council has teamed with the Chamber of Commerce on Economic Development – how can more businesses be attracted to the city and what economic-development initiatives would you endorse? All City departments should take ownership in making Fayetteville a better place to operate a business! Hurdles such as the Unified Development Ordnance have slowed down development and made it easier for our local builders to go outside of Fayetteville and Cumberland County to build. At times, we seem to punish business for being here and do not support them to grow and advance in the market. Fayetteville needs to turn the "Closed for Business" sign around to say "OPEN" & "WELCOME". In my 90-day plan, I call for the following actions: • Meet with Chamber, Economic Development and CVB leaders to see how Fayetteville can better participate in the recruitment, retention and promotion of local businesses that will create jobs for our residents. • Call for each council member to appoint a representative to serve on a newly established Business Council to further advise the council on enterprise and economic development issues and present items/actions that will assist local businesses in growth and long term prosperity. 20 OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2013 alternate funding be raised? With the recent federal government shutdown, it is apparent that we must become much more aggressive in diversifying or economy. We must broaden our tax base instead of deepening it. Relying only on property taxes and the federal/military dollar simply will not allow our community to grow and prosper. I believe it is time to explore private/public partnerships to develop the Cape Fear River. There are numerous examples across the country of how development of similar features have increased tourism and spurred economic growth. We are in a ideal location on I-95 that should create interest in the development of a Riverwalk, similar to what we know to exist in San Antonio, Texas and other cities across the country. UCW: What is your vision for the city's Parks and Recreation? I will ask the Parks and Recreation Department to identify a location and projected costs to build an additional pool in our community. I will ask the council to approve a budget amendment to fund the project. We must maintain and upgrade our existing facilities and provide activities that reflect the needs of our seniors and youth in our community. I look forward to re-engaging our community to identify desired priorities for parks and recreation that can be realistically and responsibly implemented within our budgetary constraints. UCW: In your opinion, what qualifies you to make decisions for the people of Fayetteville? I am a 32-year public servant. As a 20 year Air Force veteran, I excelled in an environment where making hard decisions that affected our nation was the norm. It takes leadership, courage and integrity to make hard decisions and do what is in the best interest of citizens each and every time. I've served on the Fayetteville City Council over the past six years. I am the only candidate who is experienced on the current issues and concerns affecting our citizens. With a new City Manager, Chief of Police and significant turnover of council members the next mayor must be is ready day one – to serve this city. I will serve all of the citizens of our great city with the same passion and commitment. • Call for each council member to appoint a representative to serve on a committee that will reassess the utility and usability of the UDO. UCW: With diminishing federal funding, how can Fayetteville continue to provide quality services and where/how can alternate funding be raised? We must diversify our tax base and recruit more industry and businesses into the city. All city departments should take ownership in making Fayetteville a better place to operate a business! Hurdles such as the UDO have slowed down development and made it easier for our local builders to go outside of Fayetteville and Cumberland County to build. At times, we seem to punish business for being here and do not support them to grow and advance in the market. Fayetteville needs to turn the "Closed for Business" sign around to say "OPEN" & "WELCOME". In my 90 day plan, I call for the following actions: UCW: What is your vision for the city's Parks and Recreation? I would support giving the people the right to vote on a parks bond. I would also ask this council to budget for splash pads to be located at our recreation centers across the city. Building pools is just not affordable right now after considering the cost of construction, maintenance, personnel and equipment to operate the pools for years to come. I do believe that our Senior Citizens need their own center for social programs and events. UCW: In your opinion, what qualifies you to make decisions for the people of Fayetteville? I am from Fayetteville, Kim and I have raised our children here, I've owned businesses here and choose to live here. I have the business & political experience, the education and the common sense to make wise choices for all of our residents. It is important to vote for someone you know and know that you can trust. Please research the candidates, our backgrounds, voting records and our experience in governing. It's important to remember that my opponent has had six years on the council to lead and work on the issues that we are having to deal with today. Now we need to elect a cohesive, responsible leader with integrity that will get the job done. My name is Nat Robertson, and I humbly ask for your support and vote on Tuesday, Nov 5. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM