Fayetteville City Council Update

The following rezoning’s were approved.

Rezoning: neighborhood commercial rezoned to limited commercial
Location: SW intersection of Hoke Loop and Cliffdale Roads
Property:  Harold Kidd
Purpose: grocery store
Vote:  voting in opposition were councilmen Mohn & Crisp

Rezoning:  agricultural residential rezoned to community commercial
Location:  7673 Raeford Road
Property:  Margaret Newton Heirs
Purpose:  commercial
Acres:  3.8

Rezoning:  rural residential county zoning to agricultural residential city zoning district
Location:  NE quadrant of Stoney Point and Sykes Pond Roads
Property:  Pelican Property Holdings, LLC
Purpose:  annexation request
Acres:  43

The following special use permit request was denied unanimously.

Permit:  special use permit for a cellular communications tower
Location:  3227 Fort Bragg Road
Property:  Pok Cha Lee Opel
Other:  Zoning Commission and city staff recommended approval

Candidate Charlie Baxley – Cumberland County Sheriff

Candidate:  Charlie Baxley
District:  Sheriff
Opponent:  Earl Butler

What endorsements have you received for your current candidacy?

United Steel Workers of America (Good Year)

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

Yes I would.

What are you going to do for homeowners/property owners in Cumberland County if elected?

Increase patrol units in the neighborhoods.
Implement the use of unmarked patrol vehicles.
Educate homeowners about home safety and security.
Use data to show trends and hotspots of criminal activity.
Help bolster community watch groups.

How will you reduce property crime in the county?

Implement a 4-10 work schedule for patrol deputies.  This will place more deputies on the road during peak hours of the day and night.

Have the sheriffs office be more proactive than reactive when it comes to crime.

Start up a fulltime community watch/crime prevention unit to assist with homeowner safety/security.

Work closely with other law enforcement agencies in this county and for a joint task force to deal with the increase break-ins and larcenies.

Implement GPS tracking on repeat offenders when released from jail.

What are your thoughts on a new parks & rec bond referendum?

I think parks and recreation is a very important part of this community and gives families a place to go to build relationships in the family and grow community bonds.

A simple park could be a community saver if placed and developed properly.

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

Instill a work ethic in the department that has been missing for years.

Change mindset to be proactive instead of reactive.

Push community policing for all sheriff office employees.

Restructure the sheriffs office to make better use of the man power.  Command staff is to top heavy and we need to place more emphases on placing more deputies on the road fighting crime.

Implement a fulltime watch coordinator/crime prevention unit.

Reinforce community involvement.  Sheriffs office needs to be more involved with mentoring and working with the youth of this community.  We should partner with other law enforcement agencies in this county and form a PAL/Police Athletic League.

When we change the mindset of the youth then and only then will we have a chance in reducing crime.  It will not be a quick fix and will take years.

Changing the mindset of the community is when we will see success.

 

Hoke County News Article – NEW sewer plant to generate growth

The following article was printed September 3rd in the News-Journal published in Raeford & Hoke County

Sewer plant will address Hoke growth

By Catharin Shepard

Staff writer

 

It took more than six years of meetings, phone calls and paperwork to get the golden groundbreaking shovels in Hoke County officials’ hands at the site of the new wastewater treatment plant, but if all goes as planned, one ceremonial shovelful of dirt could turn into much more future construction. Representatives from government agencies, engineering and construction companies and local organizations took part in the sewer plant groundbreaking last week to mark what officials have long counted on as a turning point for commercial and industrial growth in Hoke. It’s been a long road to get from the idea of building a sewer plant to seeing dirt moving on the site, County Manager Tim Johnson said. “Next Thursday will be exactly six years since the first sewer meeting I had in Hoke County,” he said. In the beginning the county had high hopes that the project could move quickly, the county manager recalled .“I remember there were two board members that were in that meeting, Commissioner (Tony) Hunt and Chairman (James) Leach, and they said, we want to get this done in the next year-and-a-half or two years. I remember saying that shouldn’t be a problem. I apologize,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd of dignitaries at the groundbreaking. Many elected officials and government agencies worked on the project to help the county secure funding and permission to build the plant.

There were also many other sewer line improvements that had to be made before the treatment plant could become a reality, Johnson said.“We’ve worked hard and we’ve had to do a lot of little sub-projects in the way to keep things moving. It took a long time and we had to do a lot of modifications, but with a lot of help from our friends, we’ve got this thing going,” he said.The project as a whole has a price tag of about $18 million. Around half of that is for the treatment plant itself while the rest goes to pay for the lines and pump stations. “That’s a big project for a county the size of Hoke,” Johnson said.The sewer plant will work using a system design called a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). SBR plants work by using mechanical and biological methods of separating, removing and disposing of sewage sludge. One part of the plant, known as the digester, uses microorganisms to break down the sludge after it’s mechanically separated from the wastewater.

The plant will be able to process 1.5 million gallons of wastewater a day, which is more than enough to handle Hoke’s current needs, officials said. The idea is to leave room for additional customers to hook up to the system in the future, whether they are new subdivisions using sewer service instead of septic tanks or businesses setting up shop in the county.Hoke’s zoning ordinance has stipulations that require certain projects, like subdivisions, that are built in particular areas to agree to hook on to the sewer service. The plant will also provide service for several large facilities, including the new Sandy Grove Middle School and both the Cape Fear Valley and FirstHealth hospitals.The finished system will include 25,000 feet of 8-inch and 14-inch force main pipes and 30,000 feet of 24-inch and 30-inch gravity sewer pipelines. That represents a pipe system of over 10 miles in the current utilities project alone, not counting any of the previous water line expansions.

Candidate Juanita Gonzalez – At-Large Cumberland County Commissioner

Candidate:  Juanita Gonzalez
District:  At-Large Cumberland County Commissioner
Opponent:   Michael Boose

What endorsements have you received for your current candidacy?

None at this time.

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

Yes

What are you going to do for homewoners/property owners in Cumberland County if elected?

I have done quite a bit for homeowners/property owners in the past years as a County Commissioner and as a City Councilwoman.  I have protected homeowners in rezoning cases and have supported property owners in their endeavors to improve their land.  I have worked on committees that have planned neighborhoods and that have envisioned land development in our city and county.  Because of my tenacity to improve our neighborhoods where we make our homes, build are schools and raise are children, we now have sidewalks, green spaces and a better quality of life.  I AM COMMITTED TO BROADENING OUR TAX BASE BY SUPPORTING A MORE EQUITABLE SALES TAX TO TAKE THE BURDEN OF BALANCING BUDGETS OFF THE BACKS OF PROPERTY OWNERS.

How will you reduce property crime in the county?

I always have and will continue to support our law enforcement agencies.  I believe we must eliminate turf battles and work together to solve our crime problems in both the city and the county.  Partnerships are a must between community watches and law enforcement.  I also will support partnerships between parks and recreation and our schools to provide our youth with quality activities between those critical hours of three and seven o’clock.  I also support offering parenting classes and mentoring programs which will help strengthen our families in need.

What are your thoughts on a new parks and rec bond referendum?

I believe we must be clear to the citizens of what voting for the bond referendum would entail.  The referendum may need to be pared down or broken up on the ballot as to what citizens really want and/or need.  Citizens need to understand their taxes will increase if this referendum is passed and that operational costs are not included, therefore adding to that tax increase.  We do have a lot of parks already and the possibility of enhancing and improving what we presently have may be a better alternative.

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

I am committed to broadening our tax base by supporting a more equitable sales tax while reducing property taxes.  I am committed to partnering with other agencies to provide quality activities for our you after school to keep them occupied in a positive environment.  I believe in offering workshops for parents where information can be shared and provided to help with discipline, curfews, morale building and child rearing.  I also believe we should plan for a vocational school for our students which will help develop a better trained, more effective work force in our county.  I am a mother, a grandmother, and a former educator and I believe we must invest in our you to turn this county’s crime and unemployment around.

Candidate Larry Lancaster – At-Large Cumberland County Commissioner

Candidate:  Larry Lancaster
District:  At-Large Cumberland County Commissioner
Oppenent: Charles Evans

What endorsements have you received for your candidacy?

non at present but expecting several.

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

Yes, if permitted by law.

What are you going to do for homeowners/property owners in Cumberland County if elected?

Realizing that property tax is very unpopular among taxpayers I will make decisions with only one goal in mind:  to make responsible decisions in the best interst of the residents of Cumberland County.  I believe that carefully planned economic devilment strategies will enable our commissioners to grow our tax base to keep our tax rates as low as possible.  In addition, I believe the strength and legitimacy of county government is most evident when it is closest to our residents.  I will promote continued quality in education, senior citizens services and effective health care.  The safety and well-being of residents can never be compromised.  I am committed to those quality of life issues that impact our residents and county.

How will you reduce property crime in the county?

Public safety is the number one quality-of-life issue!  I will support the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department with funds necessary to combat crime.  Lobby lawmakers to enact laws to make property crime more severe.  I believe by using proven, innovative and well-orchestrated techniques a significant drop in crime can be accomplished.  Published reports seem to indicate our crime rate has dropped.  I would suggest a diversity of approaches to indlude social media devices, neighborhood watch, stron community policing efforts, which have proven to be very effective, urban or physical design and comprehensive or multi-disciplinary efforts.  These strategies may seek to engage residents, community and faith-based organizations, and local government agencies in addressing the factors that contribute to our community’s crime.  However, it will take each of us to make a difference for all of us as we battle crime together, as a community.  In short, get toughter on those committing crime!

What are your thoughts on a new parks & rec bond referendum?

As a school board member I supported the parks and recreation bond referendum.  I see numerous benefits created by such a referendum.  My support is centered in a belief that parks and recreation make communities more desirable places to live, work, play and visit there by contributing to the ongoing economic vitality of communities.  In addition, parks and recreation help to deter crime and help our youth develop into contributing members of our communities.  Finally, recreation experiences help older members of our community continue their life experiences.

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

First, I believe counties should play a larger role in state government.  As we respond to ever increasing demands/mandates for new services and improved delivery, we must find new ways to examine the role of state and local government.  As we determine necessary levels of service, funding, accountability and sustainability, local governments are often steeped in tradition.  While I applaud the safeguards of tradition, it often results in very few changes, even when necessary.  We need leaders who are willing to seek bold new ideas, turn ideas into action and make county government more open and transparent.  In this election we have an opportunity to begin building a new culture, one that says it is okay to change.

Candidate Billy Richardson – NC Senate District 19

Candidate:  Billy Richardson
District: 19 Senate
Opponent:  Wesley Meredith

What endorsement have you received for your current candidacy?

Due to the late adjournment of the legislatures, these are being determined as we prepare the document.  We anticipate with a close race numerous endorsements to include Sierra Club, Wild Life Federation, North Carolina League of Conservation Voter, Cumberland County NEA, SEIU, Police Benevolent Association

If offered, would you accept contribution from our political action committee RPAC?

Yes, I am honored to have received your endorsement in the past and welcome it again.

If elected, what are you going to do for homeowners/property owners in Cumberland County?

I would sponsor and support legislation which strengthen the middle class not just those who own jets.  I will reestablish the $50,000.00 small business taxes credit.  I will put technology in the class room and help promote a well trained work force.  I would increase teacher salaries to the national average.  I would ban netting and trawling in our river and sounds.  We are losing second home to Virginia and other states.

How would you propose to reduce or balance the state budget next year?

We are required to balance the budget by our state constitution.  I have done so twice before.  You must live within your means.

Do you see fracking as positive or negative for the real estate industry?

A big negative; there is very little gas to satisfied putting such harsh chemicals in our ground waters.  Water will bring jobs and business to our region if we keep our water clean.

If elected, what are your priorities for the long session next year?

  • Protecting our waters.  In the next 50 years. Wars will be fought over water.  Water is a precious commodity and should not be wasted.  Clean water will help promote positive long term growth in our State and region.
  • Making our teacher’s salaries competitive with other states.  Too many are leaving North Carolina for better salaries.
  • Restoring our coast to attract tourism
  • Protecting our university system and research triangle.  We have lost 27 professors to University of Connecticut and with them millions in growth.  Good schools and sustainable jobs attract people to North Carolina.  This will also help create new jobs.
  • Restoring cooperation and compromise on key issues.  This will help to create a climate for real growth across our state.

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

  • Create a congenial atmosphere with colleagues
  • Restore water quality and our fishery/oysters
  • Fully use technology in our schools
  • Use volunteer check offs on tax returns to allow tax payers to donate for the purpose to purchasing land for state parks.
  • All these policies will enhance the quality of life which promotes real, long term sustainable growth.