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/90780
needs of the residents. Many residents do not realize it, but there is already a "door to door" shuttle service that will pick up residents at their home and take them to their destination. This service has been very beneficial to the lower income and elderly county residents. I would not support a program that cuts that budget. I cannot see or support public bus transportation being utilized in any county neighborhoods. My priorities are the needs of the county and its citizens. ELECTION Guide 2012 should be has important of the priority of another. Kenneth Edge The position of any elected official should not be one that comes in with an agenda and focus on just three priorities. There are things that I believe we can be better at as a county government. First, we can communicate better with our citizens about issues and events that will impact their lives. I believe in the county fulfilling their obligations as defined by North Carolina General Statutes. The taxpayers of Cumberland County have done their part over the last 12 years by increasing current expense funding from $51 million to $76 million and built 8 schools. We must continue our efforts to provide a Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Economic Development is always a challenge, but it is the only program that when economic development does well and property taxes it generates come in, we are able to increase services and hold the tax burden steady. When the tide comes in, all boats rise and we become more financially secure. A strong tax base allows us to provide needed services to our community, instead of the current model of cutting services because of rising costs. This can be accomplished without tax increases, and with solid financial management. County Commissioners must be fluid and flexible with priorities, as they change periodically in any organization. The passion of one citizen progressive educational system, thus reducing crime, overcoming poverty and producing a more vibrant community. There are many needs in Cumberland County including the need for transportation for some citizens, but this is a service that municipalities usually provide. There is nothing in the General Statutes that indicate this is within the scope of services that counties provide. If it were a profitable service, FAST would already be doing it. If the county were to get in the business, all neighborhoods should be served. I'm not willing to invest any dollars in transportation. In regard to top issues: 1. Keep the property tax rate as low as possible while providing quality services to our citizens while being fiscally responsible. How To Find Network ATMs... With over 28,000 locations, it cannot be hard to fi nd, but here is how to locate a network ATM you can use for free! There are lots of ways... • Online - go to www.co-opfs.org and click on ATM locator at the top of the page. You can also fi nd a link to this website on Bragg Mutual's Home Page (www.braggmutualfcu.com). • Text - you can text a city & state or a zip code to 692667 (my coop) to fi nd the nearest locations. Your standard text messaging rates apply. • Telephone - you can call the network and you will be given information regard- ing the nearest locations to you. The phone number is 1-888-SITE-CO-OP. • GPS - you can download data into your GPS to help you locate network ATMS while you are on the road. • Mobile - download the FREE ATM Lo- cator app from the iPhone App Store. Several Convenient Locations: 2917 Village Drive • Fayetteville, NC • 910-488-3515 219 N. Main Street • Spring Lake, NC • 910-436-1894 201 Hay St., Ste. 101C • Fayetteville, NC • 910-484-2379 Call BMFCU for more information at 1-800-257-0276 or go to www.BraggMutualFCU.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2012 UCW 25 2. Continually address the feasibility of delivering clean water to areas of the county un- served by public water and neighborhoods with the most severe contamination problems. 3. Continue funding efforts to provide a progressive educational system. I will work to follow the recommendations of the SAFE Water Task Force, looking for grants, loans, public-private partnerships or any other funding options that might be available. I will work to recruit business and industry, thus expanding the tax base and creating jobs. I will work with our school system and community colleges to improve the quality of educational opportunities and a better trained workforce. I will use my knowledge and experience to make sensible use of human resources and financial resources.