District 4 filed candidates: Chalmers (Chet) McDougald (incumbent)

Wilson A. Lacy                                                                                      

Candidate for City Council

1915 Eichelberger Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303

TO:                        FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL ASSOCIATOIN OF REALTORS, INC

DATE:                    September 8, 2015

REFERENCE:       Municipal Elections Questionnaire

Name: Wilson A. Lacy

Daytime Phone: 910-988-1707

Email Address: wilsonl@bjlconstruction.com

Campaign Website: www.facebook.com/lacy4citycouncil

Background and experience.

Proven experience, leadership acumen, progressive decision-making, and goal attainment in the following areas: executive director/supervisor (as many as 300 employees – 26 years); president/licensed general contractor (family business – 50 years); deacon– 25 years and a financial administrator – banking (13 years). Honorary doctorate degree; bachelor in business administration; board membership and chairman for state, city , non-profit, profit, educational, business, fraternal and civic organizations and governing bodies.

Contributions and endorsements received to date.

I accept contributions from contributors according to the general statues, articles and code of conduct established by the State of North Carolina and the City of Fayetteville that govern political activity for city council candidates. One Hundred Two (102) personal endorsements made by retirees and citizens from the following areas: education, politics, business owners/entrepreneurs & accountants, health care professionals (dentist, doctors, nurses), education, veterans/military, bankers, sales personnel, law enforcement, attorneys, architects, realtors, general contractors, media and ministers.

With crime being the #1 City Council priority, what solutions would you bring to the table and how would you fund them?                                                                                                                                

As a City Councilman, I will bring successful administrative and leadership experiences. Decisions will be made based on citizens feedback, “best practices” after strategic plans, surveys and studies that have been analyzed, interviews, political and community input, and citizen reviews. I support best practice recommendations (i.e. citizen involvement and input, cutting edge innovations, scientific advances and technical resources) to deter crime. In addition, working with citizens, city administrators, local, state and federal government, community leaders, partnerships and constituents for effective problem resolution is imperative.   Procedures to implement “best practices” deemed essential by the people and for the people of Fayetteville and its citizens would be of utmost importance.

I would support funding sources beyond city allocations to include the research and evolution of partnerships -federal, state, local – private and non-private, faith based agencies; grants, interagency coalitions and networking (globally, statewide and nationally) for additional prevalent funding resources.

What ideas do you have to make it easier to develop and maintain new business in Fayetteville?

I would encourage and support viable businesses, organizations, associations, agencies, and institutions to formalize cohesive/comprehensive consortiums with: business incubators; mentoring initiatives; educational and specialized training ventures through employers, community colleges and/or universities.

Garner ideas through partnerships and networking (merchant associations, Chamber of Commerce, Fayetteville Futures, local businesses and professional organizations, political leaders, employers and prospective employers, local Employment Security Commission, political leaders, universities and community colleges, private and non-private entrepreneurs and organizations.) The establishment of advisory committees, business development and retention projects, millennium economic development, local/state/federal (community development block grants) are all areas that I envision exploring vigorously for economic development of new businesses.

What are your solutions for homelessness?

Affordable housing is very important to rehabilitate the homeless and to maintain familial sustainability and major factors that enhance economic growth. Therefore, the 10 year strategic plan to end homelessness as outlined by the City of Fayetteville is a focal point (“…community attention and to develop solutions”) to cultivate. The strategic plan identifies, per a point-in-time count (January 2007), the categories of homelessness as 60% male; 17% veterans and 17% victims of domestic violence – with 73% of the homeless stating that unemployment and underemployment as reasons for homelessness. Mental health, child care, health care and substance abuse treatment are identified as services needed. This 2007 priority and action plan has outlined 10 most critical needs recommended as solutions for homeless in Fayetteville.

My solution would encompass an analysis of the 2007 strategic plan to determine feasible solutions (ways and means) for homeless in 2015. Outcomes and a need analysis regarding the homeless have been identified as:

• mental health, child care, health care and substance abuse treatment and referral
• community awareness
• Lobbying for homeless veterans
• Funding sources that have been identified (pros and cons)
• The creation of day resource centers (where, how long, needs, effectiveness)
• Childcare subsidies
• Shelter space analysis and additional affordable housing options
• Transportation
• Outreach network

Other considerations regarding housing and shelter would include to safeguard/preserve and increase effectiveness of existing FMHA housing communities, programs/investments (i.e. Hope VI); strategic planning frameworks with measurable goals, adherence to the Fair Housing Act of 1968; identifying funding sources (partnerships -federal, state, local, private, nonprofit, faith based).

Would you like the City of Fayetteville’s seal changed?

Winston S. Churchill stated that “the farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” In addition, Steve Maraboli, resounded with, “You are not a victim. No matter what you have been through, you’re still here. You may have been challenged, hurt, betrayed, beaten, and discouraged, but nothing has defeated you. You are still here! You have been delayed but not denied. You are not a victim, you are a victor. You have a history of victory.”

An unquestionable “YES” if a new seal/logo would change history, hearts, minds and ideologies? Yes, if changing the seal would evoke an unquenchable thirst for progressive: goal attainment and decision-making , interpersonal communications, self-actualization and increased educational fulfillment. Yes, if changing the seal would eradicate the crime status/statistics of slave descendants?

In my interaction with constituents, I comprehend that the logo’s/seal’s removal is subjective; therefore, I hesitate to give a defendable yes or no. I do know that when I view the Market House, my thoughts are “Free at last free at last, – thank God Almighty” and “…Have not our weary feet come to the place for which our fathers sighed?” I internalize the logo as blessings from God – because of where He has brought slave descendants. Additionally, when I view the logo/seal, I visualize – for both descendants of slaves and descendants of slave owners – an acceptance renaissance that WE … “hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

New ideas/concepts for exploration would include various citizen surveys; need analysis studies; and economic development (innovations, networking, global interfacing).

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District 4 subdivisions:

Boonie Doone
Broad Acres
Cambridge
Crossings
Englewood
Forest Hills
Foxfire
Glen Reilly
Green Valley Est
Jack’s Ford (District 3)
Karen Lakes
Lagrange
Lake Valley
Mallard Creek
Mintz Pond Est
Ponderosa (District 3)
Roundtree
Scotty Hills
Seabrook Hills
Shamrock
Stewart’s Creek
Summer Hill
Woodfield

District 2 filed candidates:  Len Brown, Gabrielle Henry-Galloway

Click below to view questionnaire↓

FRAR Questionnaire – Kirk deViere

District 2 Subdivisions:

Blount’s Ridge
Borden Heights
Brookwood
Cade Hill
Cape Fear Crossing
Cedar Falls
College Park
Country Club Hills
Cumberland Heights
Edenroc
Eastwood Village
Eutaw
Fairview Park
Greenbriar Hills
Greenwood Homes
Haymount (shared with District 5)
Havilah Manor
Highland Acres
Holiday Park
Lock’s Creek
Massey Hill
Myrtle Hill
River Bluff
River Glen
Rivercliff
Rose Hill Park
Sadie Heights
Savoy Heights
Stonewood
Three Lakes
Tokay
Windsor Terrace

Valencia “Val” Applewhite

Office Sought: Mayor, City of Fayetteville

What endorsements have you received to date?

Democratic Municipal Officials (National and State of North Carolina). Nominated as first National “Blue Star” Candidate

North Carolina AFL-CIO

Greater Sandhills Central Labor Council

If offered, would you accept contributions from political action committees affiliated with the real estate industry? (RPAC, Buildpac etc.)

Decisions to accept PAC money will be made on a case-by case basis.

With crime being the #1 City Council priority, what solutions would you bring to the table and how would you fund them?

Any comprehensive solution to crime reduction must address the social issues that plaque cities. Poverty, un/underemployment, drug use, and neighborhood revitalization and investments are key factors that must be addressed. These issues require long and short term solutions and must be accomplished in a comprehensive and systematic approach across multiple agencies and levels of government.

As a first step, I would establish a Fayetteville/Cumberland County Youth Violence Prevention Collaborative. Initially mobilizing collective resources in our community to include businesses, academia, non-profit, philanthropic, faith-based and local, state and federal governments to develop an initial strategy and funding.

Long term, this plan would require youth violence prevention and reduction efforts be embedded in every relevant city department’s mission and reflected in its budget, programs, and outcomes. This would include reprioritization of resources to fund evidence based programs and for some departments, it will mean defunding programs that are not effective.

The Parks and Recreation Department would provide long-term management and oversight of this initiative. If the City Council moves forward with a Parks and Recreation Bond, additional funding could be included to support this collaborative. Most important, it would be a living document that reflects diverse community needs, with community ownership and participation with the goal of being sustained by future City Councils.

What ideas do you have to make it easier to open and maintain a new business in Fayetteville?

While serving on the Fayetteville City Council I advocated for resources to support small local and minority owned businesses via the Hire Fayetteville First: Job Creation Policy. Fully funding that initiative would be a priority.   My efforts also contributed to the establishment of the Economic and Business Development Department in the City.   I believe it is important to fully staff and fund this department and ensure there are concrete measurable goals and outcomes that support our business community.

Building strong relationships with Fayetteville State University’s SBTDC and Veterans Business Outreach Center, Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Small Business Center, and the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development with City resources and programs would be of great benefit to the initial and long term success of those willing to make a business investment in our community.

What are your solutions for homelessness?

The 2014 Analysis and Needs Assessment, Cumberland County Community Development Department, Continuum of Care on Homelessness provided by Karen Dash Consulting provides a gap analysis in our community.

The report made many recommendations. I believe the City could be immediately impactful by assisting the Continuum of Care through the establishment of a Day Resource Center or One Stop Shop for basic or wrap around services and referrals. The project would require a central case manager to support homeless people in progressing forward through services. Partnering with a nonprofit by providing real estate and other grant opportunities could make this critical need a reality.

The 10 year Plan to End Homelessness identified the lack of jobs and economic opportunity along with lack of affordable housing as key factors that contribute to homelessness in our community. Each of these issues require long term collaborative solutions to impact the issue of homelessness.

Would you like the City of Fayetteville’s seal changed?

As one of the most diverse cities in the country, we have the opportunity to show real leadership in how we deal with issues regarding race and history. As an African American woman, I understand the painful legacy of slavery. While we cannot erase our history, we certainly don’t have to use a symbol such as the Market House that divides so many in our community as our seal. A great alternative could be to have the community work together on a collaborative effort to create a seal that reflects who we are – a diverse all America City that embraces and is respectful of each other’s pasts.

What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?

Fayetteville is at a crossroads, if we are ever to become a community of choice, we need transformational leadership that will forge a new direction with a bold vision that brings everyone together and begins to create a real community of choice.

While I served as the City Council Representative to the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization I became increasing interested in the possibility of light and commuter rail for our region. The Rail Element of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2040 outlines that possibility. Still in need of additional funding, I believe it is an opportunity that is worth additional research. Light and/or commuter rail could be the economic game changer for our region. I think it’s worth exploring.