The parking deck was in the news today:

It’s more of the same. Our local leadership has failed to hold the private developers accountable, and we’ve wasted almost 20 million tax dollars in the process. We’re stuck with a massive reminder that Fayetteville just isn’t good enough for a Hyatt Place Hotel, fancy apartments, or even the steakhouse they promised on the first floor. It’s just a parking deck, without an elevator.

But another headline got my attention, one that’s far more important than empty brick and steel:

Violent crime is on the rise. I’m sick of it. You probably are too.

Troy Williams, of the Fayetteville Observer, had an interesting take today. He noted that funeral directors across the country are stepping in to educate and inform young people about the true cost of violence:

“Mimicking the 1970s “Scared Straight” programs used throughout the United States as a means of deterring juvenile crime by troubled teens visiting adult prisons, morticians are employing their updated version of “Scared Straight” by inviting parents and their youngsters to take a seat in their offices — and plan the youngster’s funerals. I hope it makes a difference. The senseless killings have to stop. Murder does irreparable damage to families. I know. Friday was the anniversary of my youngest brother’s murder in Washington, D.C. in 2011.”

Fayetteville is declining, and it’s time we get our house in order. Fortunately, it’s an election year, and I know one funeral home owner who’s not getting a free pass this time.

Fayetteville’s got a decision to make. Charles Evans announced that he will challenge Mayor Mitch Colvin in this fall’s election.

Dynasty?

After he was first elected Mayor in 2017, Colvin never faced a serious challenge. Here’s Colvin’s vote share in the last three elections:

• 2017: 59%

• 2019: 95% (unopposed)

• 2022: 62%

The North Carolina Constitution allows you to run for a local office as long as you want. There are no term limits. Unlike other executive offices, like President or Governor, a Mayor can keep his job as long as he keeps getting votes. It seemed as if Colvin would hold the seat for as long as he wanted it.

Ding-Ding

Enter Charles Evans. There are maybe a handful of politicians in Cumberland County with the experience and name recognition to pose a threat to Colvin. Evans is at the top of that list. He served on the City Council, was a County Commissioner for over a decade, and carries a name that is sprinkled through the history books of Fayetteville like pine pollen in April.

People know Evans. People know Colvin.

Fayetteville politics just got interesting again.

One of these is not like the other:

DPAC – Durham, NC

Seats: 2,800

Square Footage: 103,000

Cost: $46,000,000

Price Per Square Foot: $353.85

Proposed Fayetteville Crown Event Center

Seats: 3,000

Square Footage: 131,500

Cost: $131,703,300

Price Per Square Foot: $1,001.55

Our local leaders have selected Metcon, a minority-owned company out of Pembroke, to build our new Crown Event Center.

Metcon also built our jail, so we got that going for us.

A few years ago, I posted a poll. Here’s the results:

Today, this was published by the Fayetteville Observer:

Where’s Our Leadership?

One would think that if our Mayor and City Council voted to pay 18 Million Tax Dollars into a public-private partnership with a development company, and then the development company failed to develop, that our Mayor and City Council would do something to try to get our money back.

One would think.

I just voted. If you do the same and you live in Fayetteville, you’ll be asked to vote “yes” or “no” to four different questions.

The back of the ballot looks like this:

Bonds = Debt

Our city leaders want to borrow $97,000,000 for various projects in Fayetteville:

• $60,000,000 for Public Safety

• $25,000,000 for Streets and Sidewalks

• $12,000,000 for Housing Benefits

Most people are in favor of public safety, good roads and sidewalks, and affordable housing. However, is it a good idea to borrow close to $100,000,000 as we head into a potential recession? Moreover, can we trust our current leaders to spend the money in an effective and efficient way? A recent example is the parking deck across from City Hall. We borrowed close to $20,000,000 to help construct the deck and have little to show for it in the form of economic development. It just sits there, rarely used, as we continue to pay to park each time we go downtown.

Bonds have to be paid back over time, with interest. If these bonds pass, a tax increase is likely to follow. Vote accordingly.

Charter Amendment = More Representation

At-Large seats on our city council would be a tremendous benefit to our political system. The proposed change gives voters more choice and will increase interest and turnout in our local elections. It would also force candidates to build consensus and appeal to the entire city to get elected. Encourage everyone you know to vote “YES” to the last item on your ballot. This graphic illustrates the proposed change:

Early voting started today. Get out and do your part.