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/54147
LETTERS Commentary Unfair to Commissioner Evans To the Publisher: I read with interest the editorial you wrote regarding Commissioner Charles Evans in your newspaper (Jan. 18-24, 2012) and was surprised that it was written without comment from Commissioner Evans regarding what occurred the evening he was pulled over by one of Fayetteville's fi nest. Or am I mistaken? I would like to take this opportunity to make a couple of key points regarding the editorial you wrote for the January 18-24, 2012 edition. 1. First of all, your nice- mannered police offi cer was respectful; and I do believe anyone would be if they're being taped and wearing a microphone. I'm assuming, as you have during the entire editorial, since you were not present, that if you were in the same position as the offi cer and were miked-up and being videoed, you would be on your best behavior, too. 2. As far as Ticketgate is concerned, ask your dear friend Tony Chavonne whose vote spared him from the humiliation of being the fi rst sitting mayor in North Carolina from being One of Commissioner Charles Evans supporters takes exception to Publisher's Note reference Evans' recent encounter with the Fayetteville Police Department. censored. 3. Calling 911 may have been an emergency to Commissioner Evans. However, what happens when you have an offi cer who apparently wasn't trained properly, when he failed to ask for his registration and couldn't read the correct codes on the computer which he uses everyday to do his job? The offi cer then threatened to give Commissioner Evans two citations, have his car impounded and have the commissioner pay a number of fees for towing. I would really be interested to know what you would have done Bill. By the way, not once did this well-trained offi cer, Marvin Ford, ask for his (Commissioner Evans) driver's registration. Come on Bill, you once again proved that you can't believe what you read in newspapers, especially if you have to give them away. Well, I guess articles with this much misinformation should be given away. Bill, thank you for reading. Michelle McNeil Fayetteville P.S. Not once was there any mention of profi ling. Editor's Note: We have received a plethora of emails and calls concerning the editorial referenced in this letter. To clarify some comments made in this letter, The Fayetteville Police Department has stated that the offi cers in question did not harass Commissioner Evans nor did they violate any department polices. Further, according to the department, the offi cer did not read the code incorrectly. There was a "turn-in" notice on Evans' tag issued by the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles. The offi cer advised Evans to contact the DMV in reference to the notice. According to the Fayetteville Police Department's website, Evans later contacted the department and relayed that the issue was settled to his satisfaction and that the N.C. DMV offi ce informed him that the "turn-in" order would be removed once his county vehicle taxes had been paid. DRIVE. GOT A LONG WEEKEND? TAKE A SHORT Need a quick getaway? Enjoy the easy island life. Full-service and resort hotels, cozy beach rentals, fresh seafood and relaxation are just across the bridge at Wrightsville Beach. For military specials and events: WBGetaways.com 1-800-650-8921 Wrightsville Beach WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 1-7, 2012 UCW 5