4 SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2015
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
Listening recently to members of both the Republican
and Democratic Parties, the public seems to be getting
fed up with career
politicians and their do
nothing "business as
usual" attitudes at all
levels of government.
Most of the displeasure
is coming not from what
our elected officials are
doing, but rather what
they are not doing: being
honest and working hard
to serve the people and
not themselves.
This behavior is
becoming the new
normal ... and that's
scary. Example: Sure,
the North Carolina
General Assembly finally
passed the budget, but,
at what cost? Coming in nearly three months over
due at a cost of $50,000 per day makes you wonder
where their priorities are. Do the math. How many
low wealth North Carolina counties could have
been helped with the distribution of several million
dollars? No, this is not responsible governance on the
state level. I would recommend that the July budget
deadline be enforced allowing for only one temporary
spending law to be passed.
After that, except for basic expenses, they should not
be paid. The system, as it is, only rewards bad behavior
at taxpayers expense.
On the local level, we need to hold our elected officials
accountable. We, as voting residents, need to get
energized and start asking the tough questions and stop
settling for ambiguous promises short on actual facts
and details. We need to get more vocal in calling out
politicians who continuously do the wrong things for the
wrong reasons.
The Fayetteville community needs real leaders in place
to move us into the 21st century. Leaders who motivate
and inspire people and desire to make Fayetteville a
better community.
We know who they are,
so get ready to vote.
On a side note, I
would like to take this
opportunity to recognize
a true American hero,
Fayetteville native
Ed Reeder. Reeder, a
graduate of Pine Forest
High School, went
on to play football
at Appalachian State
University and then
entered the U.S. Army.
While in the Army, Reeder
was part of the elite Army
Special Forces, leading
troops throughout
Operation Enduring
Freedom in Afghanistan.
Reeder is thought to be the foremost expert in the
Army on Afghanistan and has built relationships that
few could have. Throughout his time in the Army, he
has continued to call Fayetteville home, and along
with his wife, Adrienne, have been wonderful citizens
of our community.
Last Wednesday, Reeder, now a three-star general,
retired at Fort Bragg. His ceremony was attended by
a veritable Who's Who in Army special operations,
where heroes abound. All of them came to honor our
hometown boy. Eddie, we are proud of you and wish you
nothing but success in your future and look forward to
what you continue to contribute to our community!
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
PUBLISHER'S PEN
Career Politicians Wearing Out Their Welcome
by BILL BOWMAN
BILL BOWMAN, Publisher, UP & COM-
ING WEEKLY. COMMENTS? Editor@upand-
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