City and County elected officials are watching as the new President and CEO of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation digs in. Robert Van Geons comes to Fayetteville from Salisbury where he earned recognition from Consultant Connects as one of the 2017 Top 50 North American Economic Developers. Also listed is Fayetteville’s Juawana Colbert Williams, Economic Development Director of the FCEDC. Consultant Connect is a Michigan-based consulting firm that works with developers and site selectors.  In his nine years as a business hunter in Rowan County, Van Geons is credited with having direct involvement in nearly $2 billion of announced projects and was directly responsible for creating or retaining more than 4,500 jobs.

He’s in his fourth week on the job in his office at Fayetteville Technical Community College. He tells Up & Coming Weekly in an exclusive interview that he’d been intrigued with Cumberland County on the few occasions he passed through here. Since settling in, Van Geons believes Greater Fayetteville has what he calls “a great balance of opportunity, affordability and accessibility,” which many cities lack. He’s especially excited about the 6,500 soldiers who leave the service at Fort Bragg each year. They are mostly young, experienced and disciplined people who should be persuaded to settle here. “We should leverage Fort Bragg to make our community better,” he said.

Van Geons sees Cumberland County as a whole, from Spring Lake to Hope Mills. When told Spring Lake is often seen as “that town on the other side of Fort Bragg,” he responded that Spring Lake is the northern gateway to Cumberland County and should be treated as such. Hope Mills is the southern gateway. He wants all of Cumberland County to come together to promote itself. 

The first thing he’d like to change is “the poor self-perception” many local people have. He all but echoed the words of the City of Fayetteville Business Development Director Jim Palenick in a recent interview, saying that from what he’s been able to discern, community leaders “lack a hunger for a unified purpose.” 

“I’m about closing deals,” Van Geons told Up & Coming Weekly, “using a numbers-based, results-driven philosophy.”  He says business brokers and site selectors start with a list of prospective locations. They begin a “site selection process of elimination from the bottom up.” Geons notes that Fayetteville and Cumberland County have often been in the mix among major site selectors. 

Van Geons has learned about some of the community’s failures to attract business in recent years and says we can learn from the past, but must put it behind us. “Tangible results are achievable,” he insists. “I wish everyone could see the community with fresh eyes.”             

Judicial Icon Dies

A beloved Fayetteville jurist, E. Maurice Braswell, has died. He was 94. Judge Braswell served for 16 years on the North Carolina Court of Appeals following a 20-year career on the Superior Court bench. Braswell was born in Rocky Mount, N.C. As a young man, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and because of his excellent eyesight, was assigned as a tail gunner on a B-17 “Flying Fortress.’’ After flying in more than 40 combat missions, his plane was hit and burst into flames. Braswell parachuted safely but landed behind enemy lines and spent two months as a POW in a Romanian prisoner of war camp. After the war, he studied at the University of North Carolina Law School and came to Fayetteville to practice law. In 1955, he was appointed district solicitor (now district attorney) by then-Gov. Luther Hodges. Braswell was elected a Superior Court judge in 1962. In the 1970s, Braswell signed one of the last outlaw warrants issued in the state prior to the statute’s repeal. It gave lawmen the authority to shoot to kill wanted fugitives. In this case, the ‘outlaw’ was a Cumberland County jail escapee. He was apprehended without incident. In 1982, Braswell ran for a seat on the state Court of Appeals and received more votes than anyone running for statewide office that year. Braswell is survived by his three children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth.

Rowan Street Bridge Construction Underway
Preparation work is underway for construction of the new Rowan Street Bridge and realignment of city streets in the vicinity. Timber in a city park and areas where the replacement bridge will be built has been cleared. The off ramp from the existing Rowan Street bridge to Murchison Road has been closed and sections of W. Rowan and Hillsboro Streets have been barricaded. Some streets have marked detours. Others do not. Inbound traffic on Hillsboro Street now must turn left onto Moore Street. No detour is posted. S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson, N.C., is the general contractor for the $24 million project. Construction will take three years, said DOT Division Construction Engineer Randy Wise. Two new overpasses will be built immediately adjacent to the existing structure. Rowan Street, Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road will be realigned to join one another at a single intersection.

City Code Being Enforced Again
With Hurricane Matthew four months behind us, the City of Fayetteville has decided it’s time to resume enforcement of the city code. The city’s Code of Ordinances governs everything we do and shouldn’t do as citizens of Fayetteville. The city “responds to concerns from citizens and oversees nuisance enforcement and ongoing compliance with City codes and regulations, such as overgrown lots or yards, inoperative vehicles, maintenance of structures, illegal signs and public nuisances.” says the city’s website. Downed trees from the hurricane are also covered. Officials say there are still about 300 homes with storm debris that hasn’t been disposed of. Letters giving those homeowners 30 days to complete the cleanup are in the mail, says city spokesman Nathan Walls, after which code enforcement will resume.

I-95 Business Closed Temporarily
The N.C. Department of Transportation has closed I-95 Business/U.S. 301 in Cumberland County for routine maintenance. Both the northbound and southbound lanes are closed between N.C. 24 (Grove Street) and I-95, exit 55 at Eastover. The road will remain closed through Friday, Feb. 24, said DOT spokeswoman Peggy Beach. Motorists are advised to take the signed detour route that involves I-95, Murphy Road, Dunn Road, Grove Street and Eastern Boulevard. This section of U.S. 301 was closed once before for more than two years while new bridges were constructed over the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek.

Police Ball Needs Community Support
The Fayetteville Police Foundation hopes the business and civic communities will chip in to sponsor tables and defray the cost of officers and their guests at the annual Police Ball. It’s scheduled the evening of May 12 at Highland Country Club. The ball features dinner and dancing as well as a silent auction. The Police Foundation raises money to augment the needs of the FPD. It was instrumental in raising much of the money that allowed the department to equip uniformed patrol officers with body cameras. Sponsorships vary in cost and the foundation gladly accepts donations in any amount. For more information, contact Executive Director Cindy McCormic at 433-1746 or 988-0797.

My writings and speeches often address the disturbing condition of far too many black males in America. From high incarceration rates, dumbfounding unemployment rates, totally out-of-control black-on-black homicides, to unbelievable levels of poverty, this is a segment of our population in need of informed attention. Obviously, what is being done is failing … even moving backward. In what follows, I encourage that we hear from people who, by their living, demonstrate an understanding of the causes of these horrible conditions and know the way to solutions that work. Markeysha Hawthorne and Dekeim Mott are two people who know the way.

I met Markeysha Hawthorne when I was a pastor in Stafford County, Virginia. This was in the early 1990s and she was just a youngster. I was still her pastor when she graduated from high school and went on to college. A few years prior to my leaving the church, Markeysha became pregnant out of wedlock and gave birth to Dekeim Mott. I remember him around the church as a happy little fella. He called me “Uncle Karl” because I was a very close friend of his grandparents, Linda and Zolly Hawthorne. Then, and across the years of Dekeim’s life, his father has had extremely minimal involvement with his son.

Consequently, Dekeim Mott is a black male who grew up in a single-parent household headed by a black female, his mother, facing the financial strain that often comes with this circumstance. He did not have the benefit of a father in the home, providing a positive male role model. These conditions, by no means, are presented as a guarantee of failure for him, but they do make succeeding in life far more difficult for any person, especially black males. In my estimation, at 20 years of age, Dekeim Mott is already a sterling success and rapidly moving toward even greater success. The question now is: what might we learn from Markeysha and Dekeim about snatching success from the jaws of difficulty and challenge?

I talked with Markeysha to glean some insight regarding her parenting approach that clearly tremendously influenced Dekeim’s successful journey to this point and her preparation for continuing in this right direction. This is a young lady who completed two years of college while, during that time, earning spots on the dean’s list. Certainly, leaving college short of graduation was not a pleasant experience. However, she moved on to gain employment with GEICO Insurance and has worked there for 19 years.

Although comfortable in the position she had held for several years, Markeysha recognized remaining in that job would not allow funding of Dekeim’s college education. Her response was to prepare for, seek and acquire a better paying position at GEICO. When it became obvious that income, beyond even the new position, was required, she simply found a second job. The result is that Markeysha works five days a week, from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at her primary job and then 4 to 8:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday, at a Subway. She never mentioned depending on any governmental entitlement programs. Instead, Markeysha’s comment was, “I know what has to be done, what has to be paid, and the struggle is all worth it.” Amazingly, in the midst of all this, she has started taking college courses.

Regarding her relationship with Dekeim, she describes it like sister and brother who talk about issues and work through difficult times together. Do not misinterpret the “sister and brother” comment; Markeysha Hawthorne is, and has been, a parent of the highest caliber. She related that she and Dekeim were in a store and a kid was “acting out” in the presence of the child’s mother, who was not succeeding in gaining control. Dekeim observed this situation and commented to his mother that it would only take her looking at him to get control.

Dekeim got involved in several sports during middle school and continued throughout high school. Markeysha made it a point to attend every one of his sporting events, even when doing so was difficult due to her work schedule and other demands on her time. Unlike too many parents, this is not a mother who failed to properly balance sports and academics. If Dekeim’s grades declined below his mother’s standards, involvement in sports was immediately suspended by his mother before coaches had to take any action. Further, Markeysha had Dekeim understand the need for an education, a fallback position if sports did not provide a livelihood.

Without a doubt, the people with whom we associate influence our thinking and actions. Recognizing this to be true, Markeysha made her home available as a gathering place for young people with whom Dekeim associated. That gave her an opportunity to not only assess his associates, but also help him learn to successfully do this assessing.

She also modeled this assessing process in her potential romantic relationships. There were two primary guiding principles: (1)”If you come with a knife and fork, but bring nothing to eat, you will starve;” (2) She and Dekeim are a package deal. The message is that she needs, and is only interested in, a man who will put forth the effort to provide for, and lead, a family while not simply looking to her for financial support.

Markeysha Hawthorne is a parent who loves and encourages her son while modeling a positive outlook, the value of hard work, academic achievement, goal-setting, wise choices and individual responsibility.

Now to the outcome. Dekeim Mott is a student at Radford University in Radford, Virginia. He is on track to graduate in May 2018 and has never been arrested, nor had a negative encounter with law enforcement. Over the course of middle and high school, he played varsity football and baseball, along with being on the varsity track team. He said, “I loved sports. It was my life.” However, when the time to choose a college came, Dekeim concluded it was unlikely he would receive a football scholarship because he was too small to play his high school position in college. That conclusion led him to choose a university that does not offer varsity sports. He decided to focus on academics. Even though he has earned 3.0 grade point averages previously, he repeatedly fell short of the 3.4 requirement to make the Dean’s List. That is, until last semester when, like his mother, he made it. Every indication is that Dekeim quickly adjusted to university life. He credits three summers of participating in the James Farmer Scholars Program as helping him successfully transition to college. This program assists black students in gaining college admission and succeeding once enrolled.

Sports and academics did not allow Dekeim to escape what it means to hold a job. One summer, he worked two to three months at Kings Dominion Amusement Park, just north of Richmond, Virginia. In that short time, he was selected employee of the week twice.

Regarding the future, Dekeim wants to earn a master’s degree and get involved in real estate, but also work with young people to help them “avoid the wrong he sees.” His major is Sociology with a minor in Communications.

Regarding Dekeim’s future, Markeysha said, “We have agreed that six months after graduation, Dekeim will start working toward a master’s degree.” Note the “we” in that statement. This is about working together and goal-setting.

When asked what he sees as important factors contributing to successful living, Dekeim’s response was, “individual responsibility and holding on to a positive attitude.” There is no doubt where he learned this great truth, or where he saw it applied day in and day out. Above all he has been exposed to, Dekeim Mott credits his mother with preparing him for successful living.

I contend this young man represents the outcome we desire for black males across America. Even a cursory reading of what is presented here says we should learn from the Markeysha Hawtornes and Dekeim Motts of America; how to make this outcome happen. First and foremost, we will learn that the absolutely essential factor is quality parenting, as demonstrated by this loving mother. The problem is that our society is not willing to take those actions required in order to develop much greater quality in parenting. Doing so is neither politically correct nor politically profitable.

Angst seems to be the order of the day in both our state and our nation, and in many parts of the world for that matter. It feels like we are constantly at each other’s throats about our differences—social, political, educational, economic and just about every other category we can we give a name. Our operative attitude is a snarling grrrr…

Let’s take a little break.

Public Policy Polling a North Carolina operation known for its accuracy in political forecasting, has a little fun every year polling us North Carolinians on what we like best about our state and what we don’t much like at all. Here is some of what we think about where we live and what goes on here.

No one is going to die of shock when we say North Carolinians love our basketball. A whopping 33 percent of us identify as UNC Tar Heel fans, and 81 percent of that group think Coach Roy Williams is doing a great job. Count me in that club. Down the road at Duke, 84 percent think Coach Mike Krzyzewski is terrific, but there are fewer folks in Duke’s fan base — 19 percent of North Carolinians cheer for Duke. It is downhill from there for other schools. N.C. State lays claim to 16 percent of our hearts, but Wake Forest earns the loyalty of only 5 percent of us. The worst ranking I have ever seen goes to Duke player Grayson Allen, the fellow with a penchant for tripping other players on the court, who earns an actual negative rating at -16. That guy might consider hiring a public relations firm.

Still regarding sports, though not our favorite one, the Carolina Panthers have taken a hit in the popularity department. Last year, 55 percent of us claimed to be Panther fans — although I know at least one person who could not care less, while only 44 percent do now. That is almost certainly because of a poor season, but the Panthers should not worry too much. North Carolinians do not like any other professional football teams much either. Nary a one even hits double digits.

We also have definite opinions about iconic North Carolina food.

We much prefer our native Krispy Kremes to Dunkin Donuts, 64/34 percent. This number goes down a bit when those polled came here from somewhere else, possibly up North. Those folks prefer Krispy Kremes by only 10 percent. Poor babies just don’t know any better yet, but I am confident they will learn. When it comes to barbecue, North Carolina’s long-running and unresolvable debate, we correctly prefer eastern (vinegar) style to western (ketchup) style — who doesn’t!?! PPP notes that barbecue is a rare issue on which Democrats and Republicans hold virtually identical opinions, probably because they all eat a lot of it and know whereof they speak.

I wish PPP had asked about oysters, clearly a love ‘em or loathe ‘em category. Put me in the first group.
And which of our cities do we love the most? Wilmington tops our list — hard to beat the beach, I guess, followed by Raleigh — the General Assembly cannot be the cause of Raleigh’s popularity, and Asheville — arts in the mountains are apparently a big draw. The list continues in descending order with Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Cary, Charlotte, Greenville, Carrboro, Durham and concludes with — so sorry to say — Fayetteville. The poll did not ask why people rated our cities this way, but the good news is that Fayetteville’s favorability has a positive net change of 8 points since 2012. Let’s think of that as progress.

Carolina! Carolina! Heaven’s blessings attend her!
While we live, we will cherish, protect and defend her!

Anyone recognize the opening lines of “The Old North State,” North Carolina’s official state song since 1927? Apparently, not many of us do, because 44 percent want to ditch “The Old North State” in favor of James Taylor’s “Carolina in my Mind.” At least we know the words and can sing along with that one.

And, finally, what with global warming and all, this may not matter a whit, but a fourth of us think North Carolina gets too much snow, a fourth of us think we get too little snow, and half of us think we get just the right amount. My guess is that some of our youngest Tar Heel citizens may not see snow in their lifetimes, or at least not in eastern North Carolina.

As a Tar Heel born and bred and who has been here for almost all my life, I adore and guard our little quirks as part of what makes us love calling North Carolina home. Despite my personal angst about much of what has transpired here lately, I would not want to be anywhere else, and I have faith that life will get better.

I just hope I am not a Tar Heel dead before that happens.

The Fourth Estate in Shameful Disarray

This week, Publisher Bill Bowman yields this space to community advocate and former Associate Publisher at Up & Coming Weekly, Janice Burton.

In 1841, Thomas Carlyle wrote, “Burke said there were Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters’ Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all.”

That Fourth Estate Burke talked about was the media and its power to effect change through words. Just words. Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer. But while at Campbell University, I saw the power of the media in the work of dedicated student journalists who took a stand to defend the right of an author. That author was Clyde Edgerton, then a professor at Campbell. Edgerton released his highly successful book Raney, which poked fun at some traditional Baptist beliefs. The Baptist institution did not look fondly at Edgerton’s work and dismissed him. (They are much more open now.) The students, particularly the editors of the paper, went to bat for him. While it didn’t change the outcome, Edgerton was still dismissed, it showed me that the media could make a difference.

The next semester, I signed on to write for The Campbell Times. It became my passion. I found I love writing. I loved digging in and finding the story. I loved taking a stand. So I pursued that passion. I can say that for more than 20 years, I have been proud to be a journalist. I have been proud to be a member of the Fourth Estate. That is no longer true.
The state of journalism in America is a disgrace. Blame it on the 24-hour news cycle. Blame it on the internet and faux media sites. Blame it on the Left. Heck, blame it on the Right. The media has lost its way and in doing so is threatening the very fabric of our nation.

It is not the job of the media to pick a side. Instead, it is the job of the media to deal in facts — nothing but the facts. If you pick a side, it needs to be on the opinion page — not the front page.

I read at least six different news sites every morning so that I can try to find a nugget of truth. Articles on the same topic are so disparate that sometimes I don’t even believe the journalists were at the same event. (And, I’m not just talking about national media. I see it in within our own local media as well.)

The latest news dominating the headlines is about President Trump’s immigration executive order. Everyone is running around like the sky is falling down. But this is nothing new. If you deal in facts, not emotion, not hearsay, all of the past six presidents have signed executive orders limiting or banning the immigration or travel to America by certain groups of people. Again this is fact. You can find it in the National Archives if you take the time to look … which is what any self-respecting journalist would do before writing a story.

So, let’s do that. Let’s look at facts:

• In April 1980, as the U.S embassy in Tehran was under terrorist control, Carter signed an order invalidating “all visas issued to Iranian citizens for future entry into the United States.” The order said that the U.S “will not reissue visas, nor will we issue new visas, except for compelling and proven humanitarian reasons or where the national interest of our own country requires.” (Sounds an awful lot like what Trump just did, except he included seven countries.)

• In September of 1981, Ronald Reagan barred the entry of “any undocumented aliens arriving at the borders of the United States from the high seas.” In August of 1986, Reagan signed an order “barring entry for any Cuban nationals or immigrants except in certain cases.” These “certain cases” included Cuban nationals who had applied for entry into the U.S. as immediate family members and those who under the law were “special immigrants.” (Kind of sounds like special groups Trump’s order talks about.)

• President George H.W. Bush only used this executive authority to undo a previous executive order by President Ronald Reagan that suspended entry of officers and employees of the Nicaraguan government.

• In May 1994, President Bill Clinton signed an order “barring entry for members of the Haitian military, their immediate families, any major participants in the coup d’état of 1991.” And again, in January 1998, Clinton signed an order “barring entry for members of the military junta in Sierra Leone, and their families.”

•In January 2004, George W. Bush signed an order “barring entry for public officials who solicit or accept bribes in exchange for any act or omission in their public duties that has serious adverse effects on the national interests of the U.S.; anyone who provides or offers to provide such a bribe; any current or former public official whose misappropriation of public funds or interference with public processes has had serious adverse effects on the national interests of the U.S.; or the immediate families.” Specifically, the groups Bush barred from entry included members of the Mugabe government in Zimbabwe and the Lukashenka government in Belarus.

•Not to be left out, in July 2011, President Barack Obama barred the entry of “anyone under a UN travel ban; anyone who violates any of 29 executive orders regarding transactions with terrorists, those who undermine the democratic process in specific countries, or transnational criminal organizations.” And again, in 2012, he barred the entry of anyone “facilitating computer or network disruption that could assist in or enable serious human rights abuses by or on behalf of the government of Iran and Syria; anyone who have sold or provided goods, services, or technology to Iran or Syria likely to be used for such purposes; or to have materially assisted anyone whose property or interests are described.”

Each of these executive orders left it up to the executive agencies like the Department of State, Homeland Security, etc., to make special exemptions, as does Trump’s order. So, instead of painting Trump as a power-grabbing president who is breaking American law and dealing the death blow to the Statue of Liberty, the media should have reported this not uncommon practice as just that, along with the fact that there are numerous agencies that have the ability to make decisions about who gets in or out. This is a presidential practice that crosses both party lines and that has affected numerous classes of people.

But that’s not what the media has done. Because that would be reporting the news, not making it. And that is why I am ashamed of the Fourth Estate. Not because I am a conservative or a liberal, but because I am an American, and I am a journalist. The media is wreaking havoc on all Americans, and quite frankly, we deserve better.

Editor’s note: Fayetteville’s lack of a TV station has had an impact on this community. The cover story on page 15 has more details.

“What’s missing?” Bill Bowman set the “Vision 2026” brochure in front of me.

With the express goal of “working together for co-operative solutions” the nonprofit identified the following projects as critical to moving Fayetteville and Cumberland County forward:
the Baseball Stadium
the N.C. Civil War History Center
the Downtown Performing Arts Center
Storm water
Countywide water

Acknowledging the success of the Parks and Recreation initiative, the list looked reasonably complete until Bill said, “A television station. Fayetteville needs its own television station.”

Bill is right! It is so deplorable that a community with a population of over 300,000 has no television station. Maybe part of the reason that we have been so unsuccessful in attracting new business is nobody knows we are here.

For years Fayetteville/Cumberland County supporters have sat passively by accepting a verdict from the FCC made 30 years ago that a Fayetteville TV station would interfere with the Raleigh/Wilmington broadcast markets.

Right! And how many new stations have been added to those locations? Technology has moved so rapidly that soon radio will be able to own television stations and local newspapers. We already watch TV on our smartphones, and approval has been given to listen to FM radio on them, too. Broadcasting and apps are the new state-of-the-art.
WRAL and WTVD provide limited coverage of local news in the Fayetteville market, but it is usually “bleed” stories and sound bites. And like Brigadoon, Fayetteville appears every 100 years as a newsmaker worthy of coverage.

As a television market we are taken for granted, and that has not served us well. How often are we shocked that the rest of the state and the nation have no clue about the level of our military involvement in the Middle East and the continuing stress placed on our military and their families?

Why are we passed over with major state initiatives such as the domestic violence centers established in several cities around the state? Because outside a 35-mile circumference, we are invisible. We have no identity outside of Fort. Bragg.

And if you don’t believe it just ask why our Cumberland Co./Fayetteville Economic Development organization is struggling to develop a “brand.” (again) Newspapers and radio will always have a special niche that cannot be
replaced by television. But a picture is worth a thousand words and most of us (archaic as it is) still tune into the local news. It is the local reporters that deliver the information and stories that bind us as a community.

And it warrants addressing the local television issue. After all, if  the vision promoted by the “2026” supporters comes to fruition if we build it, how will they come if they don’t know we are here?

CCKVN0217001.png

Really?

Did our newly-elected North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance actually say that?

Did a two-term state Senator really say what was reported?

Indeed they did.

In fact, they did not just say it, they posted it on social media for all the world to see and where it will never, ever go away.

And what exactly did they say?

Following the recent women’s marches across our nation and the world involving millions, Commissioner Mike Causey posted this on Facebook. “In one day, Trump got more fat women out marching than Michelle Obama did in 8 years.” The Commissioner compounded his insult by linking it to his Twitter account to distribute even more broadly. Shortly thereafter Senator Joyce Krawiec of Forsyth County tweeted, “Message to crazies @ Women’s March — If brains were lard, you couldn’t grease a small skillet. You know who you are.”

Really?

In fairness, both offenders have apologized, repeatedly and profusely in Krawiec’s case. Said Causey about his comment on people exercising their Constitutional rights, it “was a momentary lapse in judgment for which I am truly sorry.” Then he deleted the offending comment, from social media but not from people’s minds.

Krawiec seems even sorrier. Tweeted she within a brief 45-minute window, “BTW I was speaking only of those DC protesters dressed inappropriately and spewing foul language. Disrespecting women. Not representing women.” Within a minute came this. “I applaud those women who were there for the cause and were respectful. They know who they are.” Thirty minutes later came this. “I apologize to those women who marched for the right reasons. I was only talking about those I described. They didn’t speak for all women.” Six minutes later came a final wail. “I apologize. I apologize. I was only talking to those who acted inappropriately. Forgive me. Please. Twitter Lesson learned.”

Recovering a shred of dignity, Krawiec issued a statement later the same day, saying, “Like many other Americans, I was deeply offended by vulgar language and graphic imagery used by some protesters. I have apologized for the words I used to express those frustrations, which were unfair to the many women who advocated for their beliefs in a respectful way.”

Thanks, Commissioner and Senator, but that toothpaste is out of the tube forever.

How on God’s green Earth did we get to the point of our highest elected officials charged with making decisions that affect all of us feeling free to insult us? Whatever happened to respecting the constitutional rights of others, even when we disagree with what they are saying? Is civility in our culture dead, buried and forgotten?

Truth be told, I, too, was offended by some of the signage and language at some of the marches. I am of a generation taught to “watch our language,” another concept that seems to be going by the wayside. But it never occurred to me to call protesters fat or stupid, even though I was uncomfortable with the ways some chose to express their constitutionally guaranteed opinions.
Part of this is surely the advent of social media. Unlike sitting down to write a letter — or a newspaper column, for that matter — typing a few words into a cell phone and hitting “send” can happen in a flash and with little thought, as Causey and Krawiec and zillions of other have learned the hard way. The painful truth is that while apologies can take away some of the sting, once words have been uttered, they will never really go away.

Steve Shallenberger, author of the bestseller, Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders, addressed incivility in our politics, business, and ordinary life this way. “Replacing rudeness and impatience with the Golden Rule may not change the world, but it will change your world and your relationships.” Shallenberger is telling us exactly what our mothers and grandmothers told us. Courtesy and kindness are never the wrong positions to take.

Some might argue and it is certainly true that rude people enjoy the same constitutional protections the rest of us do. My mother and grandmother told me something else that is also true. Rudeness, incivility, and unkindness say more about the people dishing them out than the people on the receiving end.

That message is not flattering.

Dreams. We all have them. Sometimes they get put on the back burner or are forgotten because, well, life happens. That doesn’t have to be the end of the story, though. It’s never too late to change your path, to chase your dream, to push yourself in a new direction. Sometimes it’s hard. And scary. Those aren’t reasons to shy away from forging your own destiny. Military spouses often face additional challenges when it comes to building careers, owning businesses and pursuing higher education. On Feb. 10.

American Dream U and the Fort Bragg have put together an event designed to inspire and motivate military spouses to chase their dreams. The Fort Bragg Military Spouse Business & Career Dream Conference runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The conference is not a vendor show or trade conference. It is an interactive, inspirational experience showcasing 19 – 20 (many of them local) military spouses who have started and are running successful businesses, who have successful careers, who pursued or are pursuing educational degrees and certifications. They’ve weathered the deployments, PCS moves and crazy training schedules that every military family faces and still made their dream work. And they are sharing their stories, lessons learned and advice at this conference.

Speakers include Candy Sugarman, founder of Gun Powder Girls; Melissa Swire, CEO of Can Cuddlers; Tammy Tuttle, founder of T. Tuttle Cakes and participant on Food Network’s Cake Wars; Elizabeth Boardman, founder of the Milspo Project; Crystal Wambeke, founder of Crystal Wambeke Accounting; Dianna Potts, consultant; Ashley Thompson, founder of Pressed: A Creative Space; Hana Ehrenrich, ED Sustainable Sandhills; Cameron Cruse, co-founder of R. Riveter and competitor on ABC’s Shark Tank; Robin Matthews of A Bit of Carolina in addition to other presenters.

“It will be a conference that is free-flowing,” said ACS Training Specialist Dee Ann Rader. “We will have two rooms with speakers. So participants can take a look at the schedule, and even if they want to hear more than one speaker at the same time, they will still have access to both of them. After the speakers are done there will be an opportunity for one-on-one questions. Or possibly time in a smaller group setting.”

Rader stressed that this is not about services or products, it is about successful military spouses sharing their stories and experiences on their paths to success. “There are so many military spouses who have talents,” said Rader. “There are times where spouses are not working or can’t find work. This is a way for them to see that they can do something and make their dream or goals work.”

Inspiration is just part of the formula, though. Putting a dream into action takes planning, resources and tools. And there will be plenty of those at the conference, too. Army Community Services is bringing a wealth of information and representatives who can talk to participants about everything from finances to stress management. Fort Bragg’s Ready and Resilient program will be in attendance, too. The Education Center will be there representing local higher education institutions. The N.C. Center for Economic Empowerment and Development will also have representatives on site.

Registration runs through Feb. 7. This event is exclusively for military spouses. Register online at http://bit.ly/ADU_DreamConference, or call (910) 908-4459.

The newest body of work being exhibited by photographer Gray Lyons in Rosenthal Gallery on the campus of Fayetteville State University is simultaneously physical and ethereal. Before reflecting on the meaning or reading the artist’s statement, I was compelled to “just be” with the work. The persistence of its material and immateriality evokes a state of transcendence.

The exhibit, titled Wavelength, includes nine cyanotypes (a process that dates back to the 1800s). Working in units, Lyon has created large-scale images of a female in states of an activity. We sense the graceful movement of the figure within the depth of an indigo blue space by the layering and effects of light. The scale of the work, measuring approximately 88”x 30,” contributes to the overall meaning.

In viewing Wavelength I was mindful of the variety of approaches a photographer can undertake in the medium. Yet Lyons selected this process and this subject. Are both a metaphor for something that is beyond the subject being captured, using the visible to reveal something invisible?

The artist stated the following: “My work addresses themes of memory, history and sexuality and self … images are narrative-based self-portraits, focusing on issues of identity. The photographs in this exhibit are an examination of the female body and the self. It is my intention to unify the functioning and experiential body and the remnants of the body’s story. Through investigating its surface and boundaries, I interrogate desire, compulsion, imagination, gender and ritual. These enactments are a way to understand an experience through the use of the body rather than the use of the mind — a physical resolution rather than an intellectual one … I seek to interpret and reframe these narratives, in an effort to expand the dialogue that surrounds the female body.”

In that the materiality of the process equally lends itself to meaning, Lyons was asked to explain the process. She stated: “The body is used as a photographic negative and is exposed directly onto the paper. The cyanotype is created by hand-coating a surface (in this case, paper) with a light-sensitive solution, then exposing the coated surface to the sun. An object resting on the coated surface blocks portions of the light, which creates an impression of the object. After the exposure, the image is washed with water, which makes it safe to be viewed in daylight conditions. This is an antique photographic process (circa 1840).”

The artist continued, “For this exhibition, I was interested in making images using primarily things that leave a visible trace on the paper, but do not have a clearly defined physical presence. To achieve this, I began exploring what effects a sudden rise in humidity, or a differently-timed water wash, or a change in temperature partway through an exposure would have on the resulting tones of the image. As someone who tends toward precision whenever possible, it was both terrifying and exhilarating to disrupt the tightly controlled, carefully timed and measured conditions under which I normally proceed, in order to achieve results that I could not predict or replicate.”

Wavelength is free and the public is invited to see the exhibition at Rosenthal Gallery until it closes on Feb. 18. In viewing Wavelength, visitors will be seeing a body of work by an artist who has earned degrees from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Savannah College of Art and Design and Towson University. Her work has been exhibited and published nationally and internationally and can be found in the collections of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, the Siena Art Institute Library, the Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur and the Brauer Museum of Art. Ms. Lyons has been a visiting artist at the Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, Georgetown College, Goucher College and other venues. Her studio is in South Bend, Indiana.

Rosenthal Gallery is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the campus of Fayetteville State University. The public is also invited to attend a Skype session with the artist and FSU art students on Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. in the gallery. Please check the FSU Area of Art Website for information: http://www.uncfsu.edu/arts/visual-arts-home.

Inspiring. Educating. Empowering. Celebrating. These are all good things. Things we all need. Fayetteville has an organization that was created just for that. It’s the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch, a quarterly event designed for just for women.

The 2017 lunches are scheduled for Feb. 9, May 11, August 10 and Nov. 9. Each event opens at 10 a.m. with a shopportunity and wine tasting featuring a variety of vendors. The lunch portion starts at 11:45 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. and includes a keynote speaker along with prizes and networking opportunities. The shopportunity ends at 3 p.m.

The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is run by an advisory board that collectively works to make each power lunch interesting and purposeful — and fun. The board consists of local businesswomen Keri Dickson, Peggy Manning, Chi Chi Okoroafor, Jill Merrill, Cely Graham, Belinda Wilkerson, Dr. Mary Kansora and Joan Richter. “We want everyone who comes to the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch to leave feeling empowered and inspired. We try to bring in speakers from different backgrounds and professions to share their insights with the group.”

Dr. Sandhya Thomas-Montilus M.D. is the first speaker of the year. She’s lived in North Carolina since 1997 and practices internal medicine in Lumberton and Fayetteville. Montilus practices integrated medicine, which treats the cause of an illness not just the symptoms. She also practices pain management and addiction medicine.

On May 1, Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s founding Artistic Director, Bo Thorp, is scheduled to speak. In 1962, Thorp along with a small group of local thespians, performed two shows: A Christmas Carol and The Night of January 16. From this modest first season the Fayetteville Little Theater was born. Later, the group changed its name to Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Thorp has been honored for her work with several awards including the North Carolina Award, which is the highest honor the governor can bestow on a civilian.

Fayetteville native Melody Chalmers has come full circle in her career. She is scheduled to speak at the August luncheon. Chalmers graduated from E.E. Smith High School and was a North Carolina Fellows Scholarship recipient. She received a degree in English Education from North Carolina A&T State University. Chalmers returned to E.E. Smith as an English teacher in 1998. She earned a master’s degree, served as principal of Cross Creek Early College High School and is now the principal of E.E. High School, In 2016, Chalmers was named the Wells Fargo N.C. Principal of the Year.

Colonel Marsha Lundt will speak at the November Power Lunch. She served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for 30 years before transitioning to serve as the Emergency Manager for Womack Army Medical Center for 15 years. Since she joined the military, she has succeeded in the high pressure, high profile, male-dominated profession accomplishing many “firsts.” Although this is admirable, her role as a mentor to other women in the military is one she finds the most rewarding.

Tickets to the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch cost $35. Register at www.fayettevilleladiespowerlunch.com.

The Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina announced last week that Mr. Carl Mitchell, a Fayetteville resident and longtime BBB board member, has been named the Chairman of its Board of Directors. Mitchell has served in various leadership positions with the BBB over the year, including Secretary and Chair-Elect. Mitchell is employed at Fayetteville Technical Community College where he serves as the college’s Vice President of Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness. He is very active in the Fayetteville community also serving as the Chairman of the Fayetteville Personnel Review Board, Board Secretary for the Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union and former Chairman of the Cumberland-Fayetteville Human Relations Commission. Mitchell is also a member of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club.

“Carl Mitchell’s commitment to the BBB’s mission of creating a community of trustworthy businesses and setting standards for marketplace trust, along with educating consumers and businesses, noting and celebrating marketplace role models has been a hallmark of his previous positions of trust on the BBB Board. The BBB staff and the Board of Directors were honored to have him accept his new role as our Chairman,” said BBB President Dr. John D’Ambrosio. He added, “Carl is the type of leader that calmly listens to others and has the unique ability to openly welcome suggestions, recommendations and counsel from others. He uses that information to make reasoned decisions. The BBB Board has long relied on his professional talents, calm demeanor and superb professional expertise. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber and talents accept this leadership role as we continue our mission of marketplace trust. We look forward to supporting him as the new Board Chairman as we sustain a community of trustworthy businesses and organizations operating in our service region.”

Former Cumberland County Commissioner and founder of Ed’s Tire, Ed Melvin, has spent over two decades serving on the BBB board of directors. His position was also elevated last week when they named him Chair-Elect for 2017. Melvin and Mitchell are long-time friends and business associates. “Carl Mitchell has our full support and dedication in assisting him with the great work of the BBB. This is the first time in the 30 year history of the Coastal Carolina BBB organization that they have elected both a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from the Fayetteville/Cumberland County region. This is a great honor for me and for our community and one that is long overdue” said Melvin. “Carl Mitchell has the full respect, commitment and loyalty of his fellow Board members, and we look forward to working with him as our Chair. He will do great things for the businesses, organizations and consumers residing in the 15 counties served by the BBB.” He concluded.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve my fellow BBB Board Members who represent the thousands of businesses and consumers across Coastal Carolina’s service area. I appreciate their trust and confidence in me. I will work to the best of my ability to provide the excellent and expected service honoring the long BBB history and tradition of building trust. It is my personal goal to encourage BBB accredited businesses, which serve consumers across our 15-county region, to professionally share their best practices with other businesses operating in our region. With a goal of continued improvement, we can all learn from one another. It will be the businesses and consumers who will be the recipients of those shared best practices. I feel privileged to work with such a great group of professionals who faithfully serve the businesses, organizations and consumers of the Coastal Carolina region. I look forward to the future and to the continued great work of the BBB” said Mitchell.

The Coastal Carolina BBB is headquartered in Conway, S.C., and covers a region of 15 NC and SC counties to include: Cumberland, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson and Sampson, Counties Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Dillion, Darlington, Florence and Marion Counties in South Carolina and Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus. Seventy-five percent of the BBB directors represent the private sector while the other twenty-five percent represent the public sector. Dr. John D’Ambrosio is the President and CEO of the Coastal Carolina BBB. Contact him at drjohn@coastalcarolina.bbb.org, or visit him at the BBB central office located at 1121 Third Ave., Conway, S.C.

The BBB will hold its mid-year meeting Board in Fayetteville on May 25. The 2017 annual meeting for all accredited BBB member businesses in the Coastal Carolina Region will be held in November or early December in Conway/Myrtle Beach area (date TBA).

Fayetteville saw a dramatic 30 percent increase in violent crime last year while property crimes declined for the fourth year in a row. Increases in murders and aggravated assaults in Fayetteville mirror a national trend, said Interim Police Chief Anthony Kelly. The city recorded an all-time high in annual homicides in 2016, 31. In 2015 there were 19 murders. All the cases have been cleared with arrests. “We struggle with the violence every day,” the chief said. Homicides in the African American community are personal for Kelly. He attributes black-on-black crime to “risky lifestyles and societal issues such as poverty and unemployment.”

Kelly’s annual report included demographic data showing that 85 percent of the perpetrators in the city’s 31 violent deaths were black. They were not random killings for the most part. Twenty-seven of the 29 murder cases were crimes among acquaintances. There were two double homicides in 2016. Rape cases were up 42 percent and aggravated assaults increased by 53 percent last year. Kelly pointed out that throwing a pencil at someone is categorized as an aggravated assault. “Law enforcement shoulders more than its share of responsibility for coping with a society of broken homes and lack of jobs” that the greater community should play a role in fixing, Kelly added.

Robberies went down 15 percent and virtually all property crimes also saw decreases. Burglaries and larcenies have been on the decline since 2013. Six hundred thirty-five motor vehicles were stolen in 2013. Last year, that number was reduced to 392. The FPD has engaged in a public awareness campaign in recent years, encouraging residents not to leave their cars unlocked. The chief reassured officials that there’s an upside to the war on crime locally. “There’s no leadership structure and no organized gang activity,” which is often the case in large urban areas.

Kelly also reported on vehicle crashes: There were 109 auto accidents last year, which included 21 fatalities. Five young people were killed in a single crash, making it the worst motor vehicle accident in Fayetteville in recent memory. In the last few years the FPD has kept close track of citizen complaints and compliments. Complaints have been on the decline while compliments have increased. The department’s internal affairs unit took 28 complaints last year compared with 56 in 2015 and 62 the year before that. Officers received 87 compliments in 2016 compared with 65 in 2015, the first year records were kept.

Chief Kelly is a career lawman having served with the Fayetteville Police Department for 22 years. He has not said whether he will seek the chief’s position on a permanent basis. City Manager Doug Hewett just last week told city council he intends to launch a nationwide search for a successor to recently retired Chief Harold Medlock. In Fayetteville, the police chief is hired by the city manager. Following Kelly’s presentation to city council, he received praise and support from most members of the body.

A Max Abbott Middle School teacher collapsed while attending a faculty meeting at school January 24. James Pietrowski, 27, died after arriving at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. The cause of death was not disclosed. Pietrowski was a sixth-grade math and science teacher, said Cumberland County Schools spokeswoman Renarta Moyd. “Mr. Pietrowski was … loved and respected by the faculty and students alike,” Superintendent Frank Till said. The school system informed students and parents of his passing via an automated telephone message later in the day.

Another Con Game Is Circulating
Fayetteville Police are warning about the latest scam targeting local residents. Fraud detectives have received reports that a subject calls people informing them that he is a lieutenant with the Fayetteville Police Department. He tells those he calls that police have a warrant for their arrest and that they must pay fines. The caller then asks for personal information and payments. The caller may sound professional and very courteous as he asks for names, dates of birth and social security numbers. The FPD reminds citizens that the police will not call you to request personal information over the phone or solicit money. This is the latest version of a reoccurring scam, said a police news release.

An Evening with Myrna Colley-Lee
From original artwork by acclaimed visual artists to smooth jazz by Reggie Codrington to an exclusive costume showcase by Myrna Colley-Lee, a pioneer in the black theatre movement, this event promises a multi-disciplinary sensory experience. Tickets are $50 per person ($45 for Arts Council members). Proceeds help keep Arts Council exhibits free and open to the public. Seating is limited for this event. To purchase tickets by phone, call (910) 323-1776.

Annual Cumberland County Job Fair
Local employers are invited to participate in an upcoming Cumberland County Department of Social Services March to Work Job Fair. It will be held on March 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crown Expo Center. The annual job fair traditionally attracts over 2,000 qualified job seekers and approximately 100 employers. The job fair provides companies to sign new employees. Job readiness experts will be available to review resumes for job seekers. Services will also include resume writing assistance, job interview tips as well as information about job opportunities for youth, older adults, veterans and people with disabilities.

As your community paper, it is an honor to share the many good things in the community and to also speak frankly about the serious issues our community faces. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing news about exciting changes coming to Up & Coming Weekly. This week, though, Dr. Shanessa Fenner weighs in on an important topic: suicide prevention. It’s a serious issue, one that our publisher, Bill Bowman considers worthy of this space.
Stephanie Crider, Associate Publisher

The struggle is real. I remember it like it was yesterday. My phone rang and a good friend was on the other end. She told me she wanted to kill herself. I immediately began talking to her and praying at the same time. It was scary but the right words came out of my mouth at the right time. I am so glad I answered the phone. Nearly 43,000 Americans die by suicide every year.
Feb. 5 – 11 is Cumberland County Schools’ Suicide Prevention Week.

“We want to raise awareness to a topic that is considered taboo and a lot of people do not like to talk about it, but the irony of that is the easiest way to save someone’s life is to ask and show that you care,” said Dr. Natasha Scott, executive director of student services for Cumberland County Schools. “It is okay to ask someone who is thinking about killing themselves if they are okay. And if you are thinking about suicide yourself, it is okay to ask for help.” Scott added this is one of the best interventions for helping someone who may be suicidal.

“Feb. 8 has been designated as Suicide Awareness Day and we are asking everyone to wear the colors purple and turquoise,” said Scott. “Those are the national colors for suicide prevention, so we are asking people to wear these colors and take a selfie holding a sign saying, 'It is okay to ask for help.'” Scott added that they are going to use all of the photos to create a photo gallery.

This is another way to share valuable information on CCS’ webpage in a neat way and continue to promote the theme. Business leaders, community leaders, educators, parents and students are asked to participate in this initiative.

Cumberland County’s district office has planned training for all of the principals and central service staff on how to recognize the signs of suicide and to know when and how to get help. Some of the signs that may indicate a person is considering suicide include giving away important possessions, doing poorly in school, not wanting to do things they used to love to do, having an unusual interest in death or violence, a change in friendships, being bullied, mood swings or a change in personality, a change in eating and sleeping habits and a struggle with gender identity. “There is a myth that if you talk about suicide it will put the idea in someone’s head and that someone who was not thinking about suicide may become suicidal because you asked,” said Scott. “This is a myth and always pay attention to the people that are around you because you never know what is going on with them and it is okay to ask.”

For more information call 678-2433. If you know someone or if you are contemplating suicide please call 1 (800) 273-8255.

August: Osage County can be an intimidating story. It is an intense drama about a dysfunctional family, and it is playing onstage at the Gilbert Theater through Feb. 12.

Anyone familiar with the story will recognize that the subject matter is intense and uncomfortable because it is so relatable. However, these uncomfortably intense stories are some of the most important ones to tell.

“A huge part of the Gilbert mission is to present work that is thought provoking and out of the box. This play is the kind of play the company was built on,” Robyne Parrish, artistic director and co-education director for Gilbert Theater said, “I am excited by this play because it is a truthful look at family dynamics. Families can be crazy! We all know that! There is a lot of love and a lot of laughs in this play, and everyone will be able to identify with one or many of the characters.”

For the show’s director, Greg Fiebig, the uncomfortable realism of the show is important but balanced. “The play is in the manner of realism. Realism is not always nice and neat with an upbeat resolution at the end. So in that sense, August: Osage County is dark. But honestly, Tracy Letts, the playwright, has unique ability to find humor in the most unlikely places,” he says, “As dark as the show may be, the audience will be entertained and for those who are engaged in the story, there is hope!”

Just as the heavy material in the show can affect the audience, it can pose a challenge to the cast of the show as well. They spend hours upon hours working with these characters’ stories and emotions. “Truth be told, I prefer plays to musicals, and drama to comedy. So, the show is not that difficult for me. I was initially concerned about the cast playing such emotional roles, but the cast is great and understands the concept of aesthetic distance. While aesthetic distance often refers to an audience’s ability to separate reality from make-believe, I think it applies to actors as well. The stories we are telling are someone else’s, not ours. As long as we approach the acting and storytelling from that perspective, the emotions are understood to be make-believe,” Fiebig said.

Fiebig also has some advice for audience members unfamiliar with the story before they come to the show. “Do a little research before coming to see the show,” he says, “You might even watch the movie version, starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, although I promise you will enjoy our live theatre production as much, or even more. There is something about the immediacy of live theater that gets lost in film. Themes of the show include: stereotyping, mother and daughter relationships, interpersonal and family conflict, addictions, etc. The main takeaway from the show is essentially that we reap what we sow. The characters are believable, the dialogue intriguing, and the action compelling.”

This season at the Gilbert Theater marks the fifth and final season for Parrish, who is headed to Pittburgh to pursue other opportunities. “It’s been an honor to steward The Gilbert for these many years,” Parrish said in her departing announcement. “This will be an exciting final season. I have worked vigorously with the board over the last six months to find what we feel is the best replacement moving forward. Matthew Overturf has been a wonderful addition to our company in both talent and administrative skill and after much deliberation, the search committee and the board feel that Mr. Overturf is the perfect fit as the Gilbert moves forward and continues to grow. The addition of Meghann Redding as Executive Director will create a power team for the future of the Gilbert!”

The search committee conducted a nationwide search before choosing Overturf as Parrish’s replacement, interviewing several applicants in the hiring process.

Overturf came to Fayetteville from Arkansas in 2014 where he worked as a successful theatre educator, actor and director working both at the high school, community and regional levels. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Southwest Baptist University (2007) and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from Arkansas State University (2014). His theatrical training also includes work through the Theatre Squared, a professional development program in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ww.gilberttheater.com.

Very soon, future medical residents will benefit from a local collaboration that’s been years in the making.

Over six years ago, an issue was brought to light within the Cape Fear Valley Hospital System. It needed more residents. Local politicians, civic leaders and those with a vision for our community worked hard to establish a viable solution through the residency program within Campbell University’s medical school.

It was a no-brainer for Cape Fear Valley Health System’s CEO Michael Nagowski. The hospital wanted to develop residencies and Campbell University wanted to develop medical students. The partnership benefits many in our surrounding community from the underserved patients needing care in the region to medical students to the University and to our community.

With former experience as the president of Buffalo General Hospital, Nagowski was no stranger to drawing in over 400 residents in the successful residency training facility in collaboration with the University of Buffalo. He was the man to bring the local vision to fruition.

The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute produces health outcome rankings by county across the United States. As expected, Orange, Durham and Wake counties with the state’s largest academic medical centers rank near the top for health outcomes. Cumberland County is ranked 73 out of 100 counties. Robeson and Bladen counties drop even lower.

“All of the counties around us that feed into CFVHS are underserved,” said Representative John Szoka, a key executor on the collaboration. “There aren’t enough doctors for the people in Bladen, Robeson and Sampson counties.”

Given the fine academic medical centers in North Carolina, it was shocking to learn that even though schools are producing a large number of physicians in our state, generally around 25 percent of our counties do not have an obstetrician, a general surgeon, a pediatrician or psychiatrist. “A quarter of our counties don’t have core services,” said Nagowski. “Some of the most basic kinds of physicians that you need.”

The economic impact that will benefit these underserved regions in our community is huge during a time when there is a recognizable physician shortage in southeastern North Carolina. “The data in studies show that the majority of residents stay within a 50-mile radius of their residency location,” said Nagowski. “When you are somewhere for 10 years, that’s home.”

We’ve already seen this happen successfully in our city and state with graduates of Campbell University’s law program. Data shows that 90 percent of graduating lawyers from Campbell practice in rural areas.

“Campbell has a strong commitment to excellence and they have built a superb law school that attracts great students and professors. The result has been an enormous impact on the legal profession in Cumberland County and throughout North Carolina,” said Representative Billy Richardson.

“Campbell University has the same commitment to excellence with this program. The result of which will be highly skilled doctors and medical professionals for Cumberland County and the region.”

Economic Impact
The residents’ average starting salary is around $50,000 a year upon graduation, plus benefits. “We are chasing 350 new, well-paying, benefitted jobs,” explained Nagowski. “We believe this is at least $30 million a year of graduate education funding.”

The groundwork is laid; 157 positions are already approved. To put it in perspective, for a general surgeon, it is a five-year program that will produce 20 residents. Each year, there will be four students in that year group’s pipeline. Although the residency program is in the nascent stages, program organizers are actively working on the next wave. As far as timelines, state funding was received and the residency infrastructure development is happening now.

“These new jobs will be, quality, high-paying jobs, not to mention the support jobs and medical devices and tests they will attract along with the countless professors and mentors,” said Rep. Richardson. “This will bring numerous professionals who will be there to support the students ranging from nurses to x-ray technicians to professors.”

Program organizers have conducted over 200 interviews with fourth-year medical students from around the country from which the first class will be selected. This February, ‘the match’ occurs for the residents where they rank CFVHS in their order of desire in a national databank. Then the outcomes are released for the next week’s phase, ‘the scramble’ where the students and hospitals finalize decisions. “By the end of March, we’ll know who our first class is,” said Nagowski. “The great news for us is that we are only interviewing medical students in the top 50 percent of their class, we are going to set the standards very high.” The residencies begin in July.

Health care and reimbursements can be confusing. For Medicare and Medicaid, Cape Fear Valley was categorized as an urban hospital that brings in higher reimbursements, but the issue is that a new residency program cannot be stood up while CFVHS operates under the urban designation. By choosing to go to a rural status, the classification was changed.

Since CFVHS falls into a rural regional referral center, meaning it takes care of a rural area, it met the exception to policy and could launch this new residency program after being reclassified as a rural health system.

Look for legislative relief through Rep. Szoka and Senator Wesley Meredith, they let the federal government know the designation was changed along with securing a $7 million appropriation for the program. Not an easy task. Over the past six years, the state has agreed to fund the $7.7 million and Campbell University funded $3 million.

“The benefit to the state is huge,” said Rep. Szoka. How they sold it is that CFVHS is filling an unmet need. There are 350 doctors in the program in specialties where there are shortages in North Carolina.

CFVHS worked with Campbell University to get the funding through the legislature, Rep. Szoka took the House, and Sen. Meredith took the Senate, convincing them of the fact that the economic impact doesn’t just benefit Fayetteville, but the entire region of southeastern North Carolina.

“The economic impact of this is tens of millions of dollars every year,” said Rep. Szoka. “Not just in direct salaries, but every time you spend a dollar, 70 percent of it stays in the local area, and you get the velocity of money going around. All of a sudden, it’s worth a $60 million a year benefit.”

Not only is Fayetteville a desirable place to live, work and play, collaborations like this make both the hospital system and universities more marketable.
“It will be very much a symbiotic relationship with the residents benefiting from the City of Fayetteville as much as our city will benefit from them. The unique demographics of Fayetteville and Cumberland County will enhance the residents’ encounters as they gain experience in treating a broad range of health issues and emergencies,” said Sen. Meredith. “The citizens of Fayetteville will benefit from the infusion of high-quality health care providers. And, of course, Fayetteville’s history, heroes, and a hometown feeling will encourage these doctors to remain in our community, making Fayetteville their permanent home.”

There are many facets to this story and how this successful program is going to impact local health care and the quality of life in our community. This is cooperation, collaboration and leadership at its best. Next month, we’ll keep you informed in this three-part series featuring more updates, interviews and insights provided by CFVHS staff and management. And finally, in March, we’ll provide a snapshot of the Campbell University students selected from the first residency class.

On Feb. 4, at 6 p.m., the Crown Theater’s stage will be full of some unique performers. The circus star Gregory Popovich has turned regular house pets that he adopted from shelters all over the country into a cast of Las Vegas stars. The show combines the talents of humans and more than 30 animals to create a hilarious and fun variety show for audiences of all ages.

For Popovich, performing and animals have always been part of his life. “I am a fourth-generation Russian circus performer,” he explained. “I was born in the Soviet Union. My mom and dad were in the circus and worked with trained dogs. I grew up backstage around the trained dogs of my mom.”
Despite his early connection with animals, his own career began with a different act. He was a world-renowned juggler. In fact, he was named the world’s best juggler twice. He came to the United States in 1990 when the circus giants Barnum and Bailey invited him to be part of their circus. It wasn’t until after this experience that he started thinking about performing with animals again. “I started to think about building my own show and doing a comedy routine. A friend of mine took me to visit an animal shelter. I was very surprised that so many good-looking kitties and dogs needed owners,” Popovich said.

He describes his experience at the shelter as kind of like falling in love. “I came to the shelter with an open mind. I didn’t have any breed or anything in mind. You just see the eyes and how they act and it’s a natural chemistry. You fall in love. I can’t explain how it happens, but it happens,” he said.

Right now the show features over 30 animals. There are 14 cats, 12 dogs, white pigeons, a parrot and some geese. There is also a special guest star: Diamond the miniature horse. Working with each animal is unique. Unsurprisingly, Popovich says that dogs are the easiest to train. They are eager to obey and have abundant energy. Cats however, pose a challenge. “Cats are the opposite. With cats, it is not about techniques. I find a natural habit. They show me what they like to do. They do it in my living room. As soon as I find a natural habit I create a trick around it. It isn’t training, it is intuitive,” Popovich explained, “The most difficult step is moving it from the living room to the stage. It is all in steps. I have my family clap whenever they do the trick at home so they learn that applause will not destroy them. Or I will play some music so that they learn that music won’t hurt them.”
While the show is entertaining, Popovich also wants to highlight a serious issue in the country. There millions of animals in shelters around the country that need happy homes. Often shelter animals can be overlooked, but every animal in this show is a rescue. “Look at these ordinary pets. They are so talented and smart. If people want pets in their lives they should go visit a shelter,” Popovich said.

While the animals are a significant part of the show, they are not the entire show. It is a variety show so there are a fun mix of acts. The show also features some humans performing incredible feats like acrobatics, juggling and European-style physical comedy. The audience is also an important feature of the show because the animal and human performers are competing against each other. The audience determines the winners by applause. For tickets and information, visit http://www.community-concerts.com.

Many readers may already be familiar with The Little Mermaid either from the animated Disney movie or the original story by Hans Christian Andersen. Mermaid princess Ariel longs to be human and goes to the surface to observe them. During a storm, she rescues Prince Eric and falls in love. When her father, King Triton, forbids here from returning to the surface, she makes a deal with sea witch Ursula to get back to Eric.

Cape Fear Regional Theatre took the classic story, added stunning costumes from the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, threw in circus performers from 2 Ring Circus, flavored it with an amazing set and topped it off with a tremendous cast. Voila, you’ve got the makings of a fabulous show for all ages. It runs through Feb.12.

It is difficult to choose what I liked best about seeing Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the CFRT. Hearing the songs and being part of the audience singing along was fun. Seeing the aerialists performing a ballet in the air was terrific. By the end of the show, what I enjoyed most was seeing this musical locally produced here in Fayetteville in top-notch fashion while showcasing some CFRT regulars.

Director Melissa Rain Anderson is to be commended for pulling it all together. Lani Corson did a great job as Ariel. Her performance as the main character delivered everything we want in a lead. She’s very talented on several counts. Helen Regula was so good as Ursula, the sea witch, I found myself rooting for her. I almost wanted it to become an octopus story so I could see and hear more of her on stage. Regula portrays the big baddie under the sea with a deliciously evil passion.

The costumes by Rafael Colon Castanera make the show a spectacular sight. I could write a thousand words about how great they are and how much dimension they add to the musical. I wanted to sneak backstage afterward just to see how the costumes were put together and what they are made of (but I didn’t CFRT, I didn’t).

The way CFRT blended visiting talent with regular CFRT contributors really made it an over-the-top production. Scenic Designer Kimberly Powers and Scenic Artist David Rawlins deliver an unbelievable set that puts you under the sea and in a palace with equal attention to detail and flair.

Locals rounding out the cast were fabulous, bringing favorite characters to life. Deon Releford-Lee as Sebastian, the courtly crab, steals every scene he is in. His performances of “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl” brought the house down. I enjoyed watching him in last season’s The Wiz, but now, with the accent and the dance moves — I may be in love with a Jamaican crustacean who sings and dances calypso.

Also a veteran of The Wiz, Jeremiah Packer delivers an adorable performance as Flounder, Ariel’s best friend. He perfectly captures the innocence of the character and some almost-human emotions while fluttering about with Ariel on her adventures.

It is a story featuring a little mermaid, to be sure, but the supporting cast really took the production to another level. It was a pleasant surprise to see Taylor Kraft as Aquata, one of the mersisters and part of the female ensemble. Last seen at the CFRT in Million Dollar Quartet, Kraft also appeared in Ring of Fire — two of my favorite CFRT shows to date. Kudos to Christian Donnelly as Scuttle and the Gulls whose tap routine during “Positoovity” was a show highlight.

Perhaps no other moment in the show really delivered for me the reason CFRT is such an asset to our community than seeing Ken Griggs on stage as Chef Louis. I last saw him performing as the lead in It’s a Wonderful Life in December. To see that serious, powerful performance followed by his fun and silly rendition of “Les Poisson” really demonstrates the goldmine of talent we have in the local area. His turn serenading fish and chasing crabs was something else, not to mention that wig!

Don’t miss this show. Disney’s The Little Mermaid runs through Feb. 12. Visit www.cfrt.org or call 910.323.4233 for more information.

Local governments have endorsed and committed funding for the North Carolina Civil War History Center proposed for Fayetteville. Cumberland County Commissioners joined Fayetteville City Council in adopting formal resolutions in support of the proposed $65 million branch of the state Museum of History. The city and county agreed to provide $7.5 million each if the state legislature and Governor Roy Cooper approve an appropriation of $30 million from the state. Rep. Billy Richardson (D-Cumberland) is optimistic the funds will be included in the governor’s budget. State Sen. Wesley Meredith (R-Cumberland) says he believes the Senate will favorably consider funding the history center. The History Center Foundation budget asks the state for $30 million. The rest of the money would be raised statewide in private contributions. Foundation President Mac Healy says $6.5 million has already been pledged locally. The facility would be built on the site of the historic Fayetteville Arsenal in Old Haymount.

City Council endorsed the project late last year. Commissioners were asked by the foundation to make a commitment in September. They had not publicly discussed the matter since then, but adopted their resolution of support and funding last week without comment. Their vote was unanimous. Once built, the center would become a state-owned branch of the North Carolina Division of History. Neither city nor county taxpayers will pay to operate it. Healy notes the history center will be the first of its kind in the nation. It will examine the antebellum period, the impact of the Civil War and reconstruction. He describes the center as an education facility, not a museum. “It will deal honestly and factually with the entire period and will examine the events and impacts of this tragic time in our history on all who lived through it,” Healy said. City Councilman Chalmers McDougald says that can’t be emphasized too much to allay concerns of African Americans. Here’s one of the stories from the Civil War Center Foundation’s historic research:
Henry Lawson Wright was only 19 when he left his home in Tarboro to go off to war with the Edgecombe Guards. Henry was one of 88 privates in the Edgecombe unit. It had nine noncoms and four commissioned officers. This group became Company A of the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers. On June 10, 1861, the First North Carolina was in Virginia near a place called Big Bethel Church, not far from Hampton. That’s where the war began for Henry. His unit got into a skirmish with a group of Massachusetts troops. On the battlefield was a house. Inside were some of those Massachusetts soldiers. An officer decided it would be a good idea to burn them out. So, on that Monday morning in 1861, Private Henry Lawson Wyatt and four comrades crossed a field to burn the house.

It isn’t known how far Henry advanced or what his thoughts were as he and his comrades undertook their mission. None of it really matters anymore. What matters is that shots were fired from somewhere along the Federal line. What matters more is that one of those shots slammed into the head of Henry Lawson Wyatt. The Battle of Bethel Church ended after about two hours, and the Federals retreated. Henry never opened his eyes again. He died that night. He was the battle’s only Confederate fatality and was the first soldier from North Carolina who died in combat. Thirty-five thousand North Carolinians followed over the next four years.

“We need to send a clear message to the county that we won’t be caught flat-footed again,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Colvin. That was a year ago when City Council begrudgingly agreed to a temporary sales tax revenue distribution method. In North Carolina, county governments have the authority to divvy up sales tax money to cities and towns. They must use one of two methods stipulated by the state; per capita population or ad valorem property basis. The population method currently in use tends to favor the City of Fayetteville and towns.

But there’s a caveat that Mayor Nat Robertson wants done away with. The city agreed in 2004 to rebate 50 percent of new city sales taxes collected in the big bang annexation area. About 46,000 residents on the west side of the county were taken into the city, significantly increasing sales tax collections for the city. Over time, the city has refunded about $65 million, mostly to county government, with smaller amounts going to the towns. Robertson wants to phase out the rebates over the next 14 years. Under his plan, if county commissioners were to agree to it, the 50 percent revenue refund would be reduced by 10 percent a year over 14 years, after which the city would no longer rebate any tax receipts. “We just want them to do the right thing,” Robertson said.

In January of last year, county commissioners began talking about possibly changing the formula. The county threatened to adopt the other distribution method, which doles out revenue by tax district. That would benefit the county and financially hurt the city and towns. “It would be political suicide” for commissioners to make any changes,” Colvin said, noting that most of the county’s voters live in Fayetteville and the small towns. Commissioners and City Council members agreed to a truce for three years, with the condition that the boards begin new negotiations this month.

County Commission Chairman Glenn Adams is suggesting that a joint committee of local government officials meet to hash out a new deal. It would go into effect in July, 2019. His idea is that a small group of six elected officials, including two from Fayetteville, one each from Hope Mills and Spring Lake and two members representing the county’s small towns come together to begin negotiations. Adams hasn’t said how many commissioners would join in the discussions, but he hinted at three. Fayetteville decided instead to place four of its councilmen on the committee. “The problem is they would have more members on the committee than we would,” Adams said. “Clearly four is not going to work. It’s just a working committee, and it’s only about coming up with proposals,” he added.

“It’s a great opportunity for compromise,” Councilwoman Kathy Jensen said. “If they don’t want to compromise, we’ll figure it out,” she added.

The Cumberland County Tax Administration Office reminds residents that the deadline for the 2017 annual property tax listing period is Tuesday, Jan. 31. Listing forms must be updated, signed, returned and postmarked no later than Jan. 31 to avoid the 10 percent late listing penalty. Listing forms may be obtained online at co.cumberland.nc.us/tax.aspx or in person at the Tax Administration Office on the 5th floor of the Courthouse, 117 Dick St. Listing forms should be mailed or hand delivered to Tax Administration, P.O. Box 449, Fayetteville, NC 28302.

FTCC Wins Again
Fayetteville Technical Community College has been named a Top Ten Gold Military Friendly School for 2017, (https://militaryfriendly.com). For more than a decade, military friendly ratings have set the standard for companies and colleges that demonstrate positive employment and education outcomes for veterans and their families. This year, 154 employers and 541 schools have been recognized for excellence in different categories, highlighting not only “Are you military friendly?” but “How military friendly are you?” Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from the company’s proprietary survey. “All of our Military Friendly award recipients set the standard for excellence,” said Daniel Nichols, chief product officer of Military Friendly development. “They offer exceptional examples of what it means not just to build a program that meets federal requirements, but one that serves the military and veteran community from classrooms to careers.”

PWC Hires New Executive
Jon Rynne has been named Chief Operating Officer of Electric Systems for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. Rynne served as director of utilities in New Bern for five years. He replaces Reggie Wallace who retired December 30, after a 22-year career at PWC. In New Bern, Rynne managed the city’s electric, water and sewer utilities, which served 21,500 electric customers and 15,000 water and sewer customers. Rynne is a licensed professional engineer. He earned his electrical engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Radon Test Kits Available
Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas caused by the decay of naturally-occurring radium in the earth. It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Cumberland County Health Department is giving away free short-term radon test kits while the supply lasts. This is National Radon Action Month. The kits are designed to test homes for radon gas and show residents how to lower radon levels. The kits are available at the Public Health Center at 1235 Ramsey St. during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p. m. weekdays. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is providing the kits to local health departments.