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/742437
24 OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2016 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM development. We need to recruit companies to our community that support our warfighters with equipment and technology and take advantage of this opportu- nity to create job and small business opportunities. As a veteran, I will a strong and consistent voice for our veterans in Raleigh and will fight to ensure we honor our obligations to them for their faithful service. I will also be an advocate for the North Carolina National Guard and their mission. Once again we saw the great value of our National Guard members as they provided critical assistance the victims of Hurricane Matthew. UCW: Economic Development with the state is of key importance. What ideas can your bring to the table at the legislature to grow business in our state, and in the process benefit the district? North Carolina has had one of the fastest recoveries from the great recession in the nation. We need to continue outside-the-box thinking that unleashes our pri- vate sector to create better quality and higher-paying jobs. We must continue and build upon policies that make North Carolina more innovative and competitive in the global economy through business-friendly policies and a smaller, smarter state government. The state should continue to budget responsibly, keep spend- ing under control, increase efficiency and effectiveness of government operations, reduce unnecessary regulations and establish strategic priorities that support economic development and infrastructure requirements now and for the next 25 years. I believe that "a rising tide lifts all boats". Continuing to grow North Carolina's economy will benefit all of our citizens and to do this we must have the infrastructure to support that economic growth. William O Richardson, Incumbent District 45 John David Szoka, Incumbent County Commissioner District 2 Michael Cullen Boose Sr. UCW: Specifically outline your ideas to bring economic development to the commu- nity. Cumberland County spends approximately $500,000. annually for 'economic/re- cruitment' efforts by other organizations to attract foreign businesses. Economic growth and development is stronger and sustained when it is planned, united and all parties feel an ownership and share in the suc- cess. My primary focus will be to foster strength and growth in LOCAL small-to-medium businesses. I am an advocate of 'homegrown' businesses as the backbone of a thriving community. By investing and improving the business climate in the smaller businesses, larger busi- nesses will take notice that we are a 'business-friendly' community. They will then seek to locate here. How we treat our 'homegrown' businesses is the best indica- tor of how we will treat new business ventures. We must plant the seed to reap the harvest. UCW: 2. What issue do you think is most important to the county over the next four years? Economic development to provide quality job opportunities for all citizens. UCW: 3. How can the county better work with the city? We have to break away from the mindset of 'City vs. County' and realize the tremendous opportunities when we work as one community. We must begin with smaller, easier projects and then celebrate the success. For example, several departments are prime for merging, such as the inspections department and the 911 centers. Initially, there should be minimal personnel changes until realistic assessments are done on accurate personnel needs. Retirement and attrition will alleviate any fears of 'losing my job'. A joint committee of commissioners and council members (not designees) must meet regularly to keep information accurate and updated. UCW: 4. How can the county address the homeless issue? The major problem with addressing 'homeless' issues is a universal definition of 'homeless'. While serving on the school board for 18 years we were very proac- tive in providing services for the most vulnerable homeless---children. Different agencies right here in Cumberland County have homeless counts that vary by several hundred daily. Some count children living temporarily away from their parents; some count transient people; some count people not having adequate shelter for 1 day; some count people with mental health issues. All help should be proactive, united, and temporary with a goal of providing resources to end their homelessness in a compassionate, timely manner, including treatment, training, job placement, shelter and nourishment. UCW: 5. What are the sacred cows in the county budget that cannot be touched and why? There are no sacred cows in the county budget. All resources and options should be considered in providing the most cost-efficient, best quality of life for Cumberland county citizens. UCW: Crime is growing in the community how can the county work with the Sheriff's Department to address security in the county? The Sheriff, by statute, is an elected official with specific duties required by law. State law also restricts County Commissioners from 'ordering or directing' the Sheriff how to do his job. Regular, required, meetings with Commissioners and the Sheriff should be required to form and execute a unified vision for crime reduction and prevention. Recidivism is the biggest obstacle presently. Repeat offenders are released while their cases are pending and are arrested again on new charges. Strong, united actions using the combined resources of the County and the Sheriff will curb this by directed, targeted use of personnel and finances. Open, honest, accurate exchange of information is required for success. Wade R. Fowler Jr. UCW: Specifically outline your ideas to bring economic development to the commu- nity. We should look into a concept called economic gardening that calls for helping our small and mid-sized local companies to expand their capacity and markets. We should use some of our economic development dollars to help provide the kind of assistance the companies need to expand their business. By encouraging eco- nomic growth through start-up engines like CEED's Training Station kitchen incubator, the Center for Emerging Business and the Innovation Center, we can help businesses start, grow and expand their markets beyond the county. We also need a stronger commit- ment to the Cross Creek Business Center. We currently don't have the proper electric service or natural gas connections out there that most large businesses need. We need to make sure the site is truly ready. UCW: What issue do you think is most important to the county over the next four years? The lack of economic growth is a serious problem. Lots of things are tied to that — crime, increased social service spending needs, lack of quality of life improve- ments. Too often we operate in silos in our local governments. When we have an opportunity for a company looking to possibly expand in our area, we should include all municipalities in the county in the discussions at the very start of them. If we do, we may realize there may be alternatives to the prime location that could be available should the prime location not pan out. I think we need more commu- nication between municipalities and the county. We need to take the approach that when one community in the county "wins," we all win. UCW: How can the county better work with the city? While the county government and the various municipal governments do have different roles and obligations, I believe we can assist one another by open dia- logue about what projects and services might be able to be coordinated to gain efficiencies. For example, PWC recently invited local businesses to meet with the city, county and PWC to hear of all of the water/sewer/stormwater projects that are planned in the area over the next five years. This accounted for almost $500,000,000. This let the companies know what types of projects they would be able to bid on and what capacity they would need to be able to succeed. UCW; How can the county address the homeless issue? The homeless population can be best helped by improving our economic envi- ronment so those who don't desire to be homeless can find jobs to pull them out of their plight. The second group is the mentally ill whom can be helped best by mental health facilities. Then you have those who are homeless by choice and will opt to stay that way. UCW: What are the sacred cows in the county budget that cannot be touched and why? I don't think any part of the budget should not be open to review on how to use the funds most efficiently. Some are more difficult to deal with because of state or federal mandates, but I believe all should be open for review. UCW: Crime is growing in the community how can the county work with the Sheriff's Department to address security in the county? It seems to me that there could be greater cooperation between the Sheriff's Department and the local municipalities' police departments. The sheriff is an elected office, and as such, he is responsible to the electorate directly. Robert L. White UCW: Specifically outline your ideas to bring economic development to the commu- nity. A. Improve the infrastructure of the area for our community 1. Continue the development and maintenance of our roadways.