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/476563
4 MARCH 11-17, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Times are changing in regards to local leadership, and as I see it, they are changing for the good. Look around and pay attention, folks. The Fayetteville community is starting to come alive in many new and exciting ways. Leadership is starting to change as new faces and new ideas start to surface. This was evident last week at the Cumberland County Republican Party Convention held in downtown Fayetteville. When all the ballots were in and counted, Susan Mills was handily elected for a two-year term as chairman over challenger John Czajkowski. Mills replaces the controversial conservative,Linda Devore who did not seek a second term. This event marked a major change in the leadership and direction of the local Republican party. Mills, no stranger to the Republican Party politics, brings enthusiasm, energy, experience and a steadfast desire to bring unity to the notably fractured party. This is reflected in Mills' new slate of officers and reinforces the notion that change is in the air. With a young real estate agent, David Guy, as first vice-chair and lawyers Drew Dempster and Jordan Stewart as second vice-chair and secretary, it looks like Chairwoman Mills may have just become the Republican Matriarch of the young "legal eagles" and "30 somethings." That is not such a bad thing. Matter of fact, it just may have telegraphed a message to the leadership of the Cumberland County Democratic Party of what lies ahead for it at their county wide convention coming up in April. Finally, we are starting to encourage a healthy blend of experienced and talented leadership with enthusiastic, energetic young minds willing to step into local leadership roles. This is also evident in Downtown Fayetteville where more and more new faces are starting to appear on the local scene; faces of those who want to be involved. Here, individuals like Tony Chavonne and Kirk deViere have taken the reigns to encourage downtown community involvement and provide the direction, vision and leadership needed to enhance the downtown community, encourage residency, spur investment and economic activity while defining Downtown Fayetteville as a "must see" destination. It's happening right now. Aggressive new leadership is also visible at the newest Downtown Fayetteville resident, the Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Last week, the chamber's executive committee announced a new 2025 Task Force that will look at the chamber's future over the next 10 years. This charge will be led by chamber member Jack Rostetter. I consider this a very good thing. Hopefully, at best, this task force will uncover the obvious. Basically, that the organization needs to get back to the basics of serving its members by being a respected voice, advocate and tour de force for local businesses and economic development. Notably, we have way too much government involvement in our local business sector as evidenced by the plethora of rules, regulations and ordinances that rather than enhance our business economy, stifle growth and profitability and discourage new business and entrepreneurship. All of these regulations are imposed, managed and regulated by the same city and county agencies that now fund the chamber. Well, so much for advocacy. This being the case, it's time for the chamber leadership to take a stand, examine its core values and mission, and position itself as a true advocate for its members. Accomplish this, and local businesses will get involved, support and take ownership of the organization by providing, leadership, advocacy and strong economic prosperity. Guaranteed. It's happening in other communities it can happen right here. Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly. STAFF Calendar.......................................16 Concert.Connection....................25 Free.Wheelin'.Feelin'...................26 Horoscopes/Advice.Goddess.....27. Classifieds....................................28 Games..........................................30. INSIDE PUBLISHER'S PEN The local political landscape is changing. That could turn out to be a good thing. PUBLISHER Bill Bowman Bill@upandcomingweekly.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Janice Burton editor@upandcomingweekly.com EDITOR Stephanie Crider stephanie@upandcomingweekly.com ART DIRECTOR Sara Smith art@upandcomingweekly.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS D.G. Martin, Pitt Dickey, Margaret Dickson, John Hood, Erinn Crider, Jim Jones, Shanessa Fenner, Heather Griffiths DISTRIBUTION MANAGER/ OFFICE COORDINATOR Laurel Handforth laurel@upandcomingweekly.com ACCOUNTING Paulette Naylor accounting@upandcomingweekly.com MARKETING/SALES Linda McAlister Brown linda@upandcomingweekly.com Beverly Pone beverlypone@upandcomingweekly.com MARKETING ADMINISTRATOR Mandi Hawley Mandi@upandcomingweekly.com ––––––––––– Up & Coming Weekly www.upandcomingweekly.com 208 Rowan Street P.O. Box 53461 Fayetteville, NC 28305 PHONE: (910) 484-6200 FAX: (910) 484-9218 Up & Coming Weekly is a "Quality of Life" publication with local features, news and infor- mation on what's happening in and around the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. Up & Coming Weekly is published weekly on Wednesdays. Up & Coming Weekly welcomes manuscripts, photographs and artwork for publi- cation consideration, but assumes no responsibil- ity for them. We cannot accept responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or material. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject copy submitted for publication. Up & Coming Weekly is free of charge and distributed at indoor and outdoor locations throughout Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, Hope Mills and Spring Lake. Readers are limited to one copy per person. Subscriptions can be purchased for $30 for six months or $60 for 12 months, delivered weekly by first class mail. ©2007 by F&B Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertisements without permission is strictly prohibited. Local Leadership: Times Are Changing by BILL BOWMAN BILL BOWMAN, Publisher, UP & COMING WEEKLY. COMMENTS? BILL@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200. Inside Update Inside UPDATE INSIDE Home Instead Senior Care Cumberland Matters Focus on Fayetteville INSIDE VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 APRIL 7-13, 2010 APRIL 7-13, 2010 You're A Good Man Charlie Brown at FSU www .fa y ett evillebeautiful.com Fayetteville Beautiful It Starts with You. Fayetteville Beautiful It Starts with You. APRIL 7-13, 2010 APRIL 7-13, 2010 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 Cumberland County Library Presents The Big Read 2010 Up & Coming Weekly's Pocket Guide Pocket Guide VOL. 10 www.upandcomingweekly.com Now Online! F R E E F R E E HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! CAMP GUIDE INSIDE! HEY! THIS PAPER BELONGS TO : PROUDLY SPONSORED BY FUN FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE OF CUMBERLAND & HOKE CO.• MAY 2010 3 Pocket Guide Reasons to market and advertise your business with us! Now online: www.upandcomingweekly.com Call 484-6200