….cause I’m movin’ out! – B. Joel
According to the University of North Carolina Population Center (yes, this place really exists), Cumberland County had the state’s highest rate of population loss from 2016 to 2017, losing roughly 1,000 residents.
Author Archives: Matt Richardson
Blue Wave or Ripples in November?
A picture is all this post really needs, so here it is, from the special election for a congressional seat in Pennsylvania yesterday.
As you can probably tell, there’s not a lot of red on that map. A district that Trump won by 20 points a year and a half ago has now gone to a Democrat.
One theme of this site is whether all politics is local. This is a prime case study of that question, and your answer depends on which way you spin it.
Ballpark Time Machine
The plans for the commercial space beside our new baseball stadium have been re-designed, and a proposed building, if finished, will be the tallest in Fayetteville. Is it just me, or does the concept art look a lot like Cape Fear Valley or any other hospital in the South?
C.F. Valley – c. 1956
“Tallest Building in Fayetteville” – c. 2020
“I’m not concerned. This is what we go through every year.”
Recently Mayor Pro Tem, Ted Mohn, warned fellow city council members of what he considered to be an “apocalyptic” budget shortfall that was rapidly approaching. Apparently, Fayetteville’s tax revenue is decreasing while spending is increasing. No surprise there: our local economy is fairly stagnant, we are adding multi-million dollar projects to our budget, and the cost of everything is rising.
Will Environment Matter in 2018?
For the first time in my memory, Cumberland County residents are coming face to face with the environmental impacts of industrial expansion. The two making headlines are the GenEx disaster and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. 
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline has drawn major criticism in this County, which prompted industry leaders to change to route of the pipe further to the east across the river. Presumably, this would cause fewer interactions with residential areas. Still, the pipe is on its way, angry landowners are losing property to make way for the pipe, and environmental groups are holding demonstrations. Governor Cooper is taking heat for his apparent support, among other things.
Cross Creek Divide 