It takes getting used to, but the local highway road signs now refer to Pope AAF, not Pope AFB. That’s Pope Army Airfield, not Pope Air Force Base. The grounds and facilities are now part of Fort Bragg. The Air Force unit coming the closest to identifying with what we remember as Pope Air Force Base is the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group commanded by Col. Kelly Holbert, 45, a 22-year Air Force veteran. He’s a command pilot with many years of experience flying C-130 Hercules transport planes. That’s ironic because Pope lost all of its troop carriers when it was converted to an army airfield. The 43rd replaces the 440th Airlift Wing. Holbert’s unit is unique in the continental United States, he says, owing to the fact that it supports the 82nd Airborne Division. It provides army airborne support capabilities such as combat airlift, joint forcible entry and command and control. The group also serves the needs of XVIII Airborne Corp and Special Forces. Holbert served at Pope 20 years ago and says it feels no different today. He tells Up & Coming Weeklythere is an “incredible amount of joint support between the Air Force and the Army here. At our level there is tremendous interaction and cooperation,” he said. “I have personal relationships with all three brigade combat team commanders.”  Nine hundred airmen are assigned to the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group. With the inactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing in September, it will be one of four Air Force units assigned to Pope Field. Other Air Force tenants are the 19th Air Support Operations Group, 432nd Combat Control Squadron and the 21st Special Tactics Squadron. One of Holbert’s squadrons provides administrative and human resource needs for Pope’s other units which together comprise 2,000 airmen.

Col. Holbert took command five weeks ago, just in time to help coordinate an 82nd Airborne Division Emergency Deployment Response Exercise in which paratroopers were airdropped over Fort Polk, Louisiana. “It went very well,” said Holbert.  It was the first joint Army / Air Force exercise in which no Pope-based aircraft were used. A larger maneuver actually began days earlier during what’s called a Battalion Mass Tactical Week simulated military operation. Most of the planes used in the exercise were flown in from across the country. 82nd Airborne paratroopers were loaded into nice C-17 aircraft from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.  A few C-130s were also used during the exercise. Six aircraft flying in three-ship formations made roughly 96 passes over Fort Bragg’s Sicily Drop Zone, airdropping over 4,700 paratroopers, six howitzer artillery combos, two Humvees and several other pieces of heavy equipment and cargo, said Lt. Col. William McDonald, the mission commander. 

Without notice, participants had to shift their attention from the BMTW to the Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise. “This is the first time we have rolled a BMTW into an EDRE in order to test our ability to plan… inside of 96 hours,” McDonald said. Planning for the EDRE began July 12 while the MASS TAC was underway. Aircraft began launching on July 16, said Lt. Col. Ben Russo, 18th Air Force deputy chief of combat operations. The transition was significant because it doubled the teams’ work and required them to plan a larger exercise while still running another, which is no easy feat. “This highlights our commitment to the 82nd Airborne and their mission,” McDonald said.

The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau booked more than 23,500 room nights at area hotels with a direct economic impact of $8.1 million in the fiscal year that ended July 31. In what amounts to an annual report, the FACVB also says the indirect rollover impact on our economy was $20.3 million. The direct economic impact is figured by the number of attendees of the groups booked by FACVB, multiplied by overnights and then by $114, explained FACVB spokeswoman Melody Foote. The $114 is the average nightly rate. “The rollover impact is the direct impact times 2.5 since the money turns over in the community 2.5 times,” Foote added. The figures “don’t include any leisure travelers or day trippers that come here,” Foote said.

All convention and visitors’ bureaus are not-for-profit organizations primarily funded by local governments, usually through a portion of hotel occupancy taxes. An overnight visitor to Cumberland County pays a 6 percent occupancy tax and 6.75 percent sales tax. Occupancy tax revenue is divided three ways -- 1.5 percent to arts (Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County), 1.5 percent in support of the Crown Center Complex and 3 percent to the Tourism Development Authority.  According to the NC Department of Commerce, in Fiscal Year 2012 Cumberland County occupancy tax collections reached just over $5 million. Of that amount $3.6 million went to the TDA. It funds the FACVB, whose mission is to promote the long-term development and marketing of Cumberland County as a destination, focusing on convention sales, tourism and service. And, of course, the agency directly supports the hospitality industry, which generates the tax revenue. 

The FACVB secured 3,754 listings for Cumberland County events in local, regional and travel trade websites and print publications. It handled 14,047 visitor inquiries at its three visitor centers. “In the last year, we added several touch points to our data collection to get a better understanding of visitors and their interests,” said John Meroski, FACVB president and CEO. The visitor profile indicated that 23 percent of them were from North Carolina. Seven percent each visited here from New York and Florida, while 5 percent were from Virginia. As would be expected, 25 percent of visitors were visiting family and friends, many of them military. Seventeen percent were vacationers and 12 percent were here on business. Cumberland County has the eighth highest level of travel expenditures of North Carolinas 100 counties. Visitors’ top destinations included Fort Bragg, local museums, historic sites and dining. 

Cumberland County has 72 hotels, motels and extended stay properties with 5,942 rooms. Currently, the county sees 160,000 overnight visitors per month. Rates for nightly stays vary from day to day. They range from $50 a night at older motels along U.S. 301 S, to $198 for two-room suites at Embassy Suites and Residence Inn. In 2012, the Fayetteville Regional Chamber stated that leisure and hospitality is Cumberland County’s fourth largest industry.  

If and when the City of Fayetteville decides to bring a Single-A minor league baseball team to Fayetteville, the SwampDogs may find themselves in the mix. They are an amateur collegiate summer baseball team. “I don’t worry about a lot of stuff until I have to worry about it,” said owner Lou Handlesman. He declined an interview with Up & Coming Weekly, but in a brief telephone conversation said he had approached the city about the potentially competitive situation. “Can we compete, yeah probably,” he added. Handlesman has operated the local franchise for 16 years. He leases the county-owned J.P. Riddle Stadium on Legion Road. The city is currently finalizing a memorandum of understanding with the Houston Astros. If successfully negotiated, consultants don’t believe a stadium behind the Prince Charles Hotel downtown would be ready for occupancy until the 2019 season, perhaps as early as the 2018 all-star break. Astros owners want to play ball here as early as next season. City of Fayetteville Consultant Jason Freier, in a recent teleconference, dropped J.P. Riddle Stadium’s name as a possible temporary site for baseball while construction of the new park is underway. Sources say the team will likely play at Campbell University through 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chamber Endorses Local Projects  

Fayetteville’s chamber of commerce has come out in support of two major projects, including the planned minor league baseball stadium. The proposed Civil War History Center also got the nod. “We encourage the city and county to each pledge $7.5 million toward the (history center) program,” said Chamber President and CEO Darsweil Rogers. He noted that if built, “the Civil War Center would have more than 100 employees and generate $12 million in annual economic benefit.” The organization’s board asked both local governments to make that commitment. As for the ballpark, Rogers said, “If the city and county can devise an acceptable financial package and funding strategy, we believe this is an attractive opportunity for the community.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art and Entertainment District in Downtown    

The vision for what the Downtown Fayetteville Alliance and the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County have for the city center is a bit clearer following a report presented by consultants who developed a master plan and ideas for an arts and entertainment district. Matt Wagner of the National Main Street Center has completed a market study. Martin Cohen and Jerry Allen of the Cultural Planning Group have come up with draft recommendations. They presented their concepts at a community meeting last week. The consultants envision a district of entertainment, art and fine dining, plus recreation and modern technology. A proposed baseball stadium fits into their plan, but a performing arts center apparently does not … at least not yet. Arts Council Board Member Eric Lindstrum could not say when or where a performing arts center might be developed. Allen, on the other hand, urged city council to be sure an artist is on the planning and design group for the ballpark. “The stadium can be a huge draw,” said Wagner. “It helps build connectivity,” he added. Cohen praised the community for what he called the convergence adoption of the parks bond referendum, the stadium proposal, a downtown skate board park and realignment of the Rowan Street Bridge. “Political and civic leadership is part of the convergence,” he stated. The study defines the core entertainment and arts district as the downtown area bounded by Rowan & Grove Streets to the north, Robeson Street and Bragg Boulevard to the west, Russell Street on the south and Cool Spring Street to the east. The consultants said they will ask city council to adopt the plan in December. 

 

 

 

 

Fort Bragg’s Commander Is off to War 

The commanding general of Fort Bragg’s XVIII Airborne Corps will take charge of the U.S. fight against the Islamic State group in a couple of weeks. He will replace the III Corps commander as head of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend will succeed Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarlan, who has led what Defense Secretary Ash Carter called “this vitally important campaign” since September. The Pentagon announced the deployment of XVIII Airborne Corps Headquarters with about 450 soldiers to Kuwait. “The XVIII Airborne Corps has a long and proud history of constant readiness to answer the calls of our nation,” said Townsend. “Our soldiers and units are skilled, tough and stand ready around the clock to defend America,” he added. Carter visited Fort Bragg last week. Townsend and MacFarland are expected to change command this month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Military Trade Show a Success   

North Carolina’s U.S. Senators don’t get to Fayetteville often, Thom Tillis more often Richard Burr. Tillis is a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees. They, Fayetteville Technical Community College and the North Carolina Military Business Center hosted last week’s 15th Annual North Carolina Defense & Economic Development Trade Show at FTCC.  “The Defense Trade Show at FTCC brings together more major defense contractors, North Carolina businesses, military and federal agencies than any other event in our State,” said Scott Dorney, NCMBC Executive Director.  More than 100 indoor and outdoor exhibitors, military static displays and personnel from Fort Bragg’s XVIII Airborne Corps and Pope Army Airfield and procurement-related educational activities took part. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fayetteville River Trail          

Total funding for Fayetteville’s Cape Fear River Trail from N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) has reached $2.3 million. The city last week was awarded a $125,00 grant from DOT for the project. Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation also received a $161,000 award from the state’s Transportation Alternative Program. These funds will pass through DOT from the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for the connector trail from Linear Park to the Cape Fear River Trail.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colonial Media Hires New Assistant Operations Manager

Colonial Media and Entertainment announces Aaron Brodie has been hired as Assistant Operations Manager of its Fayetteville radio stations. Brodie joins Colonial from Townsquare Media in Lubbock, Texas, where he anchored news and sports, guest hosted a local sports talk show and served as play-by-play talent. Among Brodie’s responsibilities is serving as afternoon drive talk show host on ESPNFayetteville.com and 92-5 FBX.

Now, let us praise famous Glutens. Once upon a time in America, we didn’t know Glutens existed. We now know there are many things seen and unseen. We blissfully ate Glutens without realizing they were minions of the evil Lord Glutomon. Who knew Pokemons surrounded us ? Pokemon-Go’s creation resulted in herds of zombie-like Pokemon hunters wandering city streets and falling off cliffs. The Haldron Super Collider confirmed that the universe is filled with invisible Dark Matter. Dieticians determined Glutens are everywhere and they are bad for us.

The great Smokey Robinson was first to warn America about the dangers of Glutens clogging up our intestinal tracts in his song, “The Tracks of My Tears.” Because of the great power of Lord Glutomon, Smokey had to put his musical warning in coded language to avoid being smitten by the forces of Gluten. Recent archeological digs in Motown unearthed the original lyrics to “The Tracks of My Tears,” which clearly reveal Smokey’s warning to us. Read and learn: “People say I’m the life of the party/ Cause I eat a pizza or two/ Although I may be laughing loud and hearty/ Deep in my small intestine, I’m blue/ If you see me with a gluten-free ice cream cone/ Acting like I’m having fun/ Although the cone may be cute/ It’s just a substitute/ Whole wheat, you’re the only one/ Take a good look at my plate/ You’ll see my ham on rye looks out of place/ Now look closer, its easy to trace/ The gastrointestinal tracts of my tears.”

Consider the fate of dinosaurs. They were here yesterday, gone tomorrow. Paleontologists in league with Lord Glutomon promoted a cover story that dinosaurs were wiped out by a comet striking the earth, creating a global ice age. Dinosaurs, not being equipped with anti-freeze, fell over in the cold like so many Republican candidates for president facing the wrath of “The Donald.” As Sportin’ Life sang in Porgy and Bess, “It ain’t necessarily so/ The things that you’re liable to read in the Paleontology Bible ain’t necessarily so.” It was Glutens that killed the beasts. Remember the scene in King Kong after our big ape fell off the Empire State Building? The cop standing over the body of the King, said “Well Denham, the airplanes got him.” Denham replied, “Oh no, It wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty that killed the beast.” Oh no, it wasn’t the comet. It was Gluten that killed the dinosaurs.

If Glutens can kill off the mighty T-Rex, what might they do to the innards of unsuspecting Americans? An entire food industry has sprung up to promote and produce Gluten Free food.

Grocery stores have aisles full of Gluten Free food. What is happening to the Glutens that are being removed from the foods? Where are these free range Glutens ending up? An unsubstantiated rumor says that large quantities of extracted Glutens are being dumped into Duke Power’s coal ash ponds. The Glutens then bond with 

the arsenic, heavy metals and general cooties produced by Duke Power. North Carolina’s environment, after years of neglect by the Republican General Assembly and Governor McCrory, has become a Gluten for punishment.

Like any movement, the Anti-Gluten crowd has spawned an opposition group. The pro-Gluten advocates formed Gluten Lives Matter to promote equality for Glutens. GLM has been holding rallies in favor of donuts, wheat bread and porcupine meat balls. The GLM’s goal is to fight culturally insensitive attacks on Glutens by raising Gluten’s image through the use of social media and civil disobedience. America’s medical establishment is doing its best to discriminate against Glutens. The sense of self worth for Glutens has been severely damaged by a constant barrage of micro aggressions by the Gluten Free bigots.

In an effort to raise awareness of the value of Glutens, the GLM has begun personal empowerment classes for Gluten based foods. These classes are designed to raise Glutens to a level of universal equality with the five basic food groups: Salt, Fat, Nicotine, Caffeine and Sugar. GLM is seeking recognition from the U.S. Justice Department as a federally protected class. Such a designation would allow Glutens to be able to require safe spaces on college campuses where hurtful speech about Gluten free diets would be prohibited.

GLM’s slogan is “No Pizza, No Justice.” GLM will soon be blocking the organic produce aisle of your local super market. You can contribute to the important work of GLM through its Go Fund Me campaign. Or you can turn the page. Only you can prevent Gluten discrimination. Free the Gluten, not Gluten Free. 

The 2016 Republican and Democratic conventions have come and gone and are fading into our shared political history. After all the rhetoric, all the name-calling, all the lines drawn in the sand, we the American people are facing as stark a choice for president as we have ever had. We can only pray that we get it right.

As we look forward with both hope and trepidation, we are also looking backward as Barack Obama’s presidency winds to a close and his public approval polls rise, as do those for many but not all outgoing presidents. Historians will assess his presidency’s effectiveness on many measures — economic, foreign relations, crime, race relations, national security and others, but I am looking more toward the role he and his family have played in our national life.

Illinois may have known Barack and Michelle Obama in 2004 when Barack began the rocket ride from state legislator to U.S. Senator to leader of the free world, but most Americans did not. The family of four we got to know during the presidential campaign of 2008 included two highly-educated professional and focused parents and two young daughters, 7 and 10, when the family moved into the White House. Knowing that the responsibilities of governing would take them away from their children at times, the Obamas brought along Michelle’s mother to ensure stability in the fishbowl lives they knew their young children were going to experience.

The president got right to work, and his family settled in. From the outset, Michelle was both a traditional and untraditional First Lady. She has not worked outside the White House, and she seems to have been both a devoted wife and mother and a woman committed to making America better, notably through childhood obesity prevention, by supporting military personnel, veterans and their families and by promoting education for young people, especially for girls all over the world.

 Michelle Obama has not been shy. 

She has made her causes fun by planting with children, dancing with students and playing with fashion in ways that thrilled both that industry and fashionistas worldwide. She has spoken her mind on more contentious issues, including long-standing inequalities in American life, particularly in education, and on the gun violence epidemic in our country. Most recently at the last week’s Democratic convention, she addressed our nation’s enduring and devastating racial divide, noting that she and her family, the first African Americans to live in the White House, wake up every morning in a home built by enslaved black people.

Think about that.

Think, too, about the insults, indignities and falsehoods that have been leveled at this family over the last eight years, the most offensive — to me, at least — being a U.S. Congressman shouting, “You lie!” to the president of the United States inside the U.S. Capital. 

The Obamas will leave the White House in January a different family than the one that entered it. The president will always be a past president, a leader whose counsel will be sought by both Americans and people from other nations. The children have become young women, with Malia taking a year off before entering college and Sasha just a few years behind. Michelle will be only 53, a Princeton and Harvard- educated attorney whose own credentials can take her places even a former First Lady might not go. Americans will watch as she writes her next chapter, which will surely be one of smart and thoughtful service.

I was in northern Africa the night President Obama was re-elected. It was almost morning there before the results were clear, and my friends and I were surrounded by the cheers of Moroccans as the news spread. No matter what you or I may think of President Obama, his legacy and his family, it is clear that the rest of the world has been entranced by the Obamas and by the fact that the United States elected a man of African heritage not once, but twice. 

You and I will never know what Michelle Obama has said to her husband in private about their experience in the White House — how it has affected them, their daughters and the nation they serve. We will never know how the lives of their children might have been different had they not grown up on the world stage. We will never be privy to the hurts any of the Obamas endured as they lived the reality of being “firsts.”

Maybe it is because I, like Michelle Obama, have been a wife and a mother and understand how those experiences mark a woman’s life forever that I admire how she has handled her role as First Lady. She guided and guarded her family and became a force for healthy, educated children and families of all stripes.

Some other woman might have done it better, but I don’t know how.

Editor’s Note: By the time you read this, our publisher, Bill Bowman, will be on his way to Sturgis Rally 2016. It is the one time a year that he takes to get away and recharge before our Best of Fayetteviille celebration, which is on Sept. 13.

Best of Fayetteville is a party you won’t want to miss as we celebrate the very best that Fayetteville has to offer. And it is you, our readers, who declared the winners.

While we wish Bill safe travels, here is a recent article he wrote that was well received and that we think is worth another look.

Wow! What a great weekend we had. Celebrating our country’s birthday always makes me recognize and appreciate  the great country we live in. Though I think we have a tendency to take our freedoms for granted, especially in times like these when we seem to be straining and stressing under the weight of our own governance. Well, I’m not really worried about it. Americans have always proven their resilience time and time again when it comes to defending our rights and the American way of life. I love Fayetteville. Life here is good. Could it be better? Absolutely. But, then again, we suffer from too much governance locally where old habits, unilateral motives and conflicting priorities hinder and stifle our progress and growth.

Recently, a former resident of Fayetteville returned for a visit after a 30-year absence. He was amazed and pleasantly surprised and even impressed with our city’s transformation - especially downtown. He hardly recognized it. Taking pride in his compliments and observations, I couldn’t refrain from making the comment, “Yeah, but we’re not where we should be or could be. If only we could get out of our own way.”

And, it’s true. Everyone I talk with loves Fayetteville/Cumberland County. The problem is, they love “their” community. A common theme runs through every conversation I have with Fayetteville and Cumberland County residents. That one single thing that everyone mentions and agrees with consistently is: we are a community that fails to communicate or cooperate with each other. It is amazing. Everyone agrees that we should communicate and cooperate, but, openly admits that we don’t. Go figure. This is sad and not necessarily the type of thinking that inspires, energizes and motivates a progressive community.

We seem to be in a perpetual circular firing squad. 

At least everyone recognizes the problem, and they say that’s 50 percent of the solution. I agree, we have made great progress over the past three decades. However, we still have plenty of work to do - and with several awesome opportunities on the horizon, let’s all hope that our collective community communication improves. After all, we could talk ourselves into a future baseball stadium, a performing arts center and a North Carolina Civil War Education Center. It could happen! What do you say? Can we talk about it?

Thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly.

The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is a quarterly luncheon designed to inspire, educate, empower and celebrate the women of our community. And there is plenty to celebrate. The women of Fayetteville are unique. They are strong. They are innovative. They are community leaders, business women, daughters, wives and often mothers, who strive every day to make a difference in this community and in the world. This is who you will find at the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch. And when these ladies gather, magic happens. Not only is there networking, brainstorming and information sharing, there is laughter, learning, connecting and even some shopping. The next Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is on Aug. 11 at the I-95 Holiday Inn. 

This luncheon started several years ago after a group of women from Fayetteville attended the Triangle Ladies Power Lunch. As they carpooled home, they made plans to bring this phenomenal experience to our community. Not only has the event prospered, it has grown into a unique experience that reflects the members as well as the community. The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch celebrates the women throughout the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community who have faced life’s challenges with courage and determination and who want to create a powerful and fulfilling life dedicated to leaving the community better than they found it. The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is dedicated to motivating and empowering women from all walks of life. Since its inception, the event has grown into a powerful resource.

 Each event includes some time for shopping before and after lunch, a keynote speaker with a powerful message, door prizes and a donation to a  local nonprofit organization that has an impact on our community, The Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation. The Shopportuniy Expo begins at 10 a.m. and includes not only vendors, but a wine tasting as well. The program officially starts at 10:45 a.m. and includes lunch and a keynote addres. There is more shopping from 2-3 p.m.

At the Aug. 11 luncheon, keynote speaker Margaret Dickson, former North Carolina Senator and State Representative, will address the attendees. Dickson has a heart for service and has spent countless hours volunteering for local organizations in the community in addition to  investing in the community as a business leader. Her commitment to the citiznes of the greater Fayetteville area is impressive, as is her belief that everyone has something to give to make Fayetteville a better, stronger place for the next generation. “Community service, in whatever form it takes strengthens our community and broadens the views and experiences of those who do it,” said Dickson. “It is also true that important decisions about both public and private policies and spending are going to be made whether we participate or not.  I choose to participate.” At the luncheon, Dickson will speak on a nonpartisan level about why it is important to get involved in the community. 

 Events of this reach and magnitude don’t happen on their own. It takes teamwork and dedication, and there is no shortage of people and businesses who believe in and invest in this cause. This event would not be possible were it not for the sponsors that support it. Fayetteville Women’s View Magazine, Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union, The UPS Store in the Westwood Plaza, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop, Biz Card Express, Omni Plaza, Premier Cardiovascular Center, J&J Desktop Publishing, Only N Door Digital Billboards and Methodist University are ongoing sponsors. The advisory board works diligently year-round to put each event together and make sure it all runs smoothly. The board is a dynamic team of women who work and or live in this community: Peggy Manning, Kia Walker, Cely Graham, Chi Chi Okoroafor, Jill Merrill, Joan Richter, Dr. Mary Kansora, Dr. Belinda Wilkerson, Jasmin Brown, Tracey Pearson, Natasha Barone and Keri Dickson.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. They are $35 to attend and $75 to be a vendor. Register online at www.FayettevilleLadiesPowerLunch.com. Next quarter’s lunch will be held Nov. 10, and Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard is scheduled to speak. 

To become a sponsor or for additional information, contact Keri Dickson at 584.4121.

For early settlers having a river was a key to the success of a city. It connected the town to the outside world and provided a means for trade. The rivers brought wealth and news to small towns from around the world. This ability made rivers one of the most important features of a landscape for centuries. This was true for the Cape Fear River as well. The Cape Fear River spreads throughout the Coastal and Piedmont regions of North Carolina. The river is 202 miles long and flows through 27 counties. The river helped to create Wilmington, a wealthy and busy port city. On Aug. 6, the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum will offer a Cape Fear River Presentation and Boat Tour.

The river was first discovered by the French explorer Giovanni da Verrazano in 1524. Over the years explorers continued to travel along the river and map it. Eventually, they also began to establish settlements along its banks. Brunswick, founded in 1726 by Maurice Moore, was the first permanent settlement along the banks of the Cape Fear. In fact, it was only 12 miles from the mouth of the river. Many settlements rose along the riverbanks, but almost as many failed. Wilmington and Campbellton were the most successful and long-lasting of the settlements. 

It is clear that the history of the Cape Fear River is varied. The river has influenced the path of cities as they have grown up around the banks. Millions of people and hundreds of years have imbued the region with countless stories. Entire lives have played out on the banks of this river. Even now, 27 percent of the state’s population are within the Cape Fear River system.  This basin is one of the most industrialized portions of the state. Ironically the Cape Fear River basin, a 35-mile section, also boasts an incredible amount of wildlife. The estuary is brackish, so it provides saltwater animals both habitats and breeding grounds.

 The history if the Cape Fear is long and varied and Fayetteville has certainly not escaped the river’s pull. The river has shaped Fayetteville’s history through wrecks, floods and economics. On the Cape Fear River Presentation and Boat Tour, a  knowledgeable guide will present an engaging history of the Cape Fear River. This will include boats, ships and events on the river that have intersected with North Carolina’s and Fayetteville’s history.  After the presentation, which will take place at the museum, guests will drive to Campbellton Landing. At the Landing, attendees will board a boat and take a tour of the Cape Fear River.  

This is a family-friendly event. Children above the age of 10 are welcome to attend. Registration is required prior to the event in order to participate. In order to register, call 910.433.1944. More information can also be found at the website http://www.fcpr.us/home.aspx. The boat tour will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. 

Fayetteville Technical Community College has a long history of providing educational programs to citizens of the community. Fort Bragg is one of those important communities that FTCC serves. FTCC has had an office at Fort Bragg and has provided high-quality vocational, technical and curriculum courses since 1970. FTCC’s purpose statement is as follows: “To improve the educational base of society, FTCC encourages life-long learning and strives to prepare students for further workforce and educational experiences.” This purpose guides FTCC in working hard every day to improve its educational programs and the delivery of them. 

FTCC takes to heart the opportunity to provide two-year associate programs tailored to fit the busy schedule of its military service members, veterans and dependents. As a leader on the cutting edge of providing credit for prior learning, FTCC ensures that our military members are awarded the college credit for their military occupational specialties, military education and work experience. Credits are awarded in accordance with the American Council on Education and FTCC Deans of Academics. FTCC is committed to jump-starting the service member’s education as quickly as possible and providing them with an educational plan that will lead them to academic success. 

One of the quickest routes to a degree developed by FTCC is the Associate in General Education. Sixty-five credit hours are required to earn an Associate in General Education or specialty degree. Up to 48 hours can be satisfied with ACE and Prior Military Learning Assessment credit. Seventeen hours, or 25 percent of the degree must be completed through FTCC on site or online. FTCC fulfills the requirements for an associate’s degree that is regionally accredited, nationally recognized and fully transferable to various four-year bachelor’s degree programs.

FTCC provides multiple platforms for the service member to attend classes. The classes are provided in the traditional 16-week format and shortened 8-week class format. These classes are delivered as face-to-face, online, hybrid and flexible, self-paced courses.  FTCC self-paced courses allow service members the most flexible option to complete studies and assignments around the military schedule. With over 200 educational programs to select from, FTCC has something for everyone. 

To ensure that our service members’ college credits are transferable upon reassignment, FTCC became part of the Service members Opportunity Colleges degree program for the Army. SOCAD consists of colleges that offer associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs on or accessible to Army installations worldwide. SOCAD colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others. SOCAD guarantees that soldiers and their adult family members can continue toward completion of degrees even in light of multiple transfer assignments by the Army. 

Whether a service member is starting a career in nursing, gunsmithing, automotive collision repair, criminal justice, business, humanities, computer technology or any of our other program areas, FTCC has something for you. Call 678-1050, visit our website at www.faytechcc.edu, or visit us at the Bragg Training and Education Center for help in setting you on the path for success! 

There is a wonderful new growth at the Museum of the Cape Fear. The historical complex is comprised of Arsenal Park, the 1897 Poe House and the Museum. These three historical sites have exhibits that explore the local history in engaging and interactive way. 

The newest addition to the complex is an exhibit in the museum called Parlor to Parlor. “People should expect to see an in-depth look at funeral traditions and practices in the Cape Fear region. This includes some unsettling images and artifacts for some people, such a child’s coffin with a window opening for viewing the body,” Heidi Bleazey the museum specialist explained. Parlor to Parlor explores a cultural aspect of history that we don’t often see in permanent exhibits. It fits into the overall story of the Museum of the Cape Fear because it specifically looks at funeral practices in our region, using photographs and artifacts from the area.”

Death has been a constant in human history, but the way that it is handled has changed and evolved through years and cultures. “I think the most surprising tradition/information in the exhibit is the early embalming table and equipment,” Bleazey said. “Embalming started during the Civil War in an effort to preserve soldiers’ bodies so that they could be returned to their families for burial. Another somewhat ‘creepy’ tradition is the hair jewelry and wreaths. Most people today are squeamish about using hair from a deceased loved one in a crafty display or wearing it as a piece of jewelry.”

One major difference was the significance of the parlor, hence the name of the exhibit. “The concept of the funeral has always been the same, it was a way to pay your respects to the dead and the family. Funerals were conducted by the family minister, but they took place in the family home parlor. The body was dressed and prepared for viewing and burial by the family rather than funeral home staff. Another big difference was the ritual of mourning, especially the dress code. Widows were expected to wear mourning attire for two and a half years.” Bleazey said.

In many ways, the funeral traditions evolve because the society changes. Looking at how people handle death can show how they lived life as well. “I think when we look at funeral practices from the past, it becomes evident that society was much more comfortable with death and the rituals surrounding it than we are today. It would seem very odd to most people if a family were to lay out a loved one’s body in their own living room today,” Bleazey says, “People died much earlier and from a variety of diseases and causes that are preventable today, making death a regular occurrence for people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today we find it shocking and deeply upsetting if a young child passes away or even if an adult passes away before a ripe old age.”

For more information visit http://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/

Cops across America are hurt every day. A dozen officers were gunned down in a two-week period this month in Texas, Louisiana, Michigan and Kansas. The Democratic National Convention held in Philadelphia this week put a lot of pressure on the city’s police department as the Republican National Convention did last week in Cleveland. John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Philadelphia, says he thinks attacks on police officers similar to the ones in Dallas and Baton Rouge will continue until there is a political solution to the problem. 

“Unless somebody starts to do something and starts backing the police, this is going to continue,” he said. Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock agrees. “It’s terrifying,” he said, of the cop killings this month.

Like law enforcement agencies everywhere, Fayetteville police are conducting their daily lives differently since Dallas. 

“We’re doing all we can to make sure they’re safe,” said Medlock. “These officers are leaving their families every day and going to work.” 

The chief has been personally attending daily assemblies as officers prepare to hit the streets allowing them to express their concerns. 

“It’s an opportunity for me to listen to them and reassure them that the vast majority of people support law enforcement,” he added. He saidthat two more experienced officers resigned this week to go into other lines of work. There is an element of fear because, while others run from gunfire, law enforcement officers rush into the fight, Medlock said. “They fight through the fear because that’s what we do.”  

The silver lining through all the violence is that there has been an outpouring of support from ordinary citizens, and that’s gratifying Medlock said. He notes the day has come that urban police forces in the U.S. are now armed with long guns as well as side arms. Many of Fayetteville’s patrol officers are equipped with semi-automatic, high-capacity rifles. Others are assigned 12-guage shotguns. They are required to take familiarization training courses on a regular basis. The weapons are carried in gun racks in their cruisers, not in the trunks of the cars as they once were. All members of the department are required to wear body armor, including plainclothes detectives, whenever they are conducting investigations out of the office. Two patrol cars respond now to each and every call no matter how routine, which is a word Medlock doesn’t like to use. That way, he says, he keeps the same number of cars on the street but can provide immediate backup, “and there has been no decrease in response time. We’ll do that until we can go back to responses that ordinarily require only one officer,” Medlock said. 

Chief Medlock points to a statistic that he believes shows that the FPD has turned the corner on the de-escalation of police use of force, which has a calming influence on the community. “In the last 18 months,” he said, “there have been 92 instances in which people were armed with guns or were threatening us with guns, and not once did officers resort to the use of deadly force.” He attributes the change to training and the professionalism of the city’s more than 400 cops. Prior to Medlock taking office as chief of police in early 2013, there had been a dozen officer-involved shootings, most of which were fatal, in a three-year period dating back to 2010, according to departmental records.

What are opioids, also known as opiates, and why are they commonly prescribed? When an over-the-counter pain medication such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen isn’t strong enough, doctors often prescribe an opioid. They are controlled, highly addictive narcotic drugs that reduce the intensity of pain, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Depending on the nature of the pain, a physician might recommend one of these drugs: Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (Percocet), Morphine (Kadian, Avinza)or Codeine. These drugs are regulated and can be expensive. Another popular, but illegal, opioid in common use is heroin.

Morphine is often used before and after surgical procedures to relieve severe pain. It is often used to comfort patients being treated for end-stage, terminal cancer. Hydrocodone products are most commonly prescribed for a variety of painful conditions, including dental, arthritic and injury-related pain. Codeine is commonly prescribed for mild pain. In addition to their pain-relieving properties, some of these drugs — codeine and diphenoxylate (Lomotil) for example — can be used to relieve coughs and severe diarrhea, according to the NIDA. 

Heroin comes in different forms. It can be a white or brown powder or a black, sticky goo. It’s made from the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant. It can be mixed with water and injected with a needle. Heroin can also be smoked or snorted. All of these ways of taking heroin send it to the brain very quickly. Regular use of heroin can lead to tolerance, which results in users needing more and more drug to have the same effect. At higher doses over time, the body becomes dependent on heroin. Heroin is used by millions of addicts around the world who are unable to overcome their dependency knowing that if they stop, they will face the horror of withdrawal. Health problems from heroin use include miscarriages, heart infections and death from overdose. People who inject the drug also risk getting infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. 

Efforts to increase opioid use and a campaign touting the alleged under treatment of pain continue to be significant factors in the escalation. Many arguments in favor of opioids are based solely on traditions, expert opinion, practical experience and uncontrolled anecdotal observations, according to the Pain Management Center of Paducah, Kentucky (PMCP). This evolved into the introduction of new pain management standards by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. In 2000, there was an increased awareness of the right to pain relief, the introduction of consumer organizations supporting the use of opioids in large doses plus aggressive marketing by the pharmaceutical industry. PMCP contends these positions are based on unsound science and blatant misinformation, and accompanied by the dangerous assumptions that opioids are highly effective and safe because they are prescribed by physicians. 

The 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that an estimated 22.6 million, or 8.9 percent of Americans, aged 12 or older, were current illicit drug users. The escalating use of therapeutic opioids shows hydrocodone topping all prescriptions with 136.7 million prescriptions in 2011. Opioid analgesics are now responsible for more deaths than those resulting from both suicide and motor vehicle crashes. Sixty percent of deaths occur in patients who have been given prescriptions based on guidelines set by medical boards. Forty percent of deaths occur in individuals abusing the drugs obtained through multiple prescriptions and doctor shopping. The PMCP authors of “Opioid Epidemic in the United States” conclude that the obstacles that must be surmounted are inappropriate prescribing patterns which are largely based on a lack of knowledge, and inaccurate belief of under treatment of pain.

Fayetteville City Council has decided to move forward with construction of a minor league baseball stadium. But, members have not decided on its cost, probably because there’s more to it than a ballfield. The City hopes to develop a multi-purpose sports facility to also accommodate football and soccer. Stadium Committee Chairman Mitch Colvin told Up & Coming Weekly that Council has discussed costs, but did not arrive at a figure during its closed meeting on July 19. “There is unanimous support of Council to move forward on the memorandum of understanding and develop financial models with community partners,” Colvin said in a prepared statement. He said the city will meet its commitment to have a memorandum of understanding prepared for the Houston Astros owner no later than Aug. 19. The MOU is a non-binding letter of intent. It covers an estimated dozen or so elements that Council has declined to make public. The stadium is planned for construction on City-owned property behind the former Prince Charles Hotel downtown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awareness Encourages Interest      

Longtime journalist Jason Brady is intent on changing voter apathy. He and two friends who get together for breakfast on Saturday mornings have formed a fledgling nonpartisan citizens group called the Cumberland County Awareness Network. Brady, Ed Williams and James Baker, were “amazed at people being clueless about what’s going on in the community,” he said. Their online newsletter says “They have no titles or positions…they’re just three people willing to work on informing friends and neighbors about important things going on in our community.” 

The group is holding a forum July 30 on this year’s upcoming Cumberland County Commission election. It will be in the Pate Room
of the main library downtown. “The hope is interest will encourage awareness,” said Brady, 63, who was a Fayetteville Observerreporter from 1982 to 1989. He served as the City of Fayetteville Public Information Officer from 1990 to 2006, and has been involved in civic activism ever since.

 

 

 

 

 

Cops on Bikes                            

When Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams was preparing his city for the 2016 Republican National Convention, he drew on the experience of Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock when he was a deputy chief in Charlotte. Medlock had the responsibility of providing security for the 2012 Democratic Convention in the Queen City. “We deployed several hundred cops on bikes based on the advice of Denver police in 2008,” said Medlock. Bicycle officers are not only more maneuverable, but they are seen as friendlier and less intimidating. He tells Up & Coming Weekly that Charlotte had a $50 million federal security grant to work with. Literally, hundreds of officers on loan from departments across the country were equipped with bicycles, “and they took them home with them after the convention,” Medlock added. “I recall six or eight cops from Fayetteville were among those on bike patrol.”  

He routinely uses bike patrols in Fayetteville. “The bikes also offer a less tangible benefit: making officers more approachable,” he said.

 

 

 

 

N.C. Airman dies while on deployment   

A North Carolina Airman has been identified by the Defense Department as dying while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. It’s the military operation against the Islamic State in the Central Command theater of operations. 

1st Lt. Anais A. Tobar, 25, died July 18 of non-combat related injuries in Southwest Asia, the Defense Department said in a news release. The cause of death was not made public, nor did the DoD specify the nature of the accident or where it occurred. Tobar, a native of Miami, Florida, was assigned to the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. The squadron is responsible for equipment maintenance of the largest F-15E Strike Eagle fighter wing in the Air Force. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Operations Aviation Commander      

Brig. Gen. John R. Evans Jr. is the new commander of the Army Special Operations Aviation Command at Fort Bragg. He replaces Brig. Gen.
Erik Peterson. 

Evans is a distinguished special operations aviator with ties to North Carolina. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 1988 and spent his early Army career at Fort Bragg, where he served as an aviation liaison officer in the 82nd Airborne Division. 

He most recently was deputy commanding general for support of the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. USASOAC is a subordinate unit of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, providing command and control for all of the Army’s special operations aviation units. Peterson was promoted to major general and now serves in the U.S. Army Office of Deputy Chief of Staff in Washington D.C.

If confession is good for the soul, I have one to share with you to keep my soul on the up and up.

I am a Facebook voyeur. 

That is a term I recently learned, referencing people who enjoy reading others’ posts but who rarely, if ever, post anything themselves. All I ever do on Facebook is wish a friend “Happy Birthday,” and I do that sporadically. I am not interested in sponsored posts or pictures of other people’s lunches, but I do enjoy seeing what my friends are up to and what is being said on issues of the day.

Earlier this month, I came across a post by a blogger, Samantha Metheny, who came to our Fayetteville/Cumberland County community with what sounds like trepidation. She worried that there would not be enough to do — that she and her family would have to drive to find culture and entertainment as we say in the South, “up the road.”

Now resident Samantha has changed her tune.

On Facebook, she addresses others who are coming to our community and offers a list of community highlights and notes, “There are tons of things that could be added, but this is a great starting point.” She features community institutions, among them the Cape Fear Regional Theater, the Cape Fear River Trail, the downtown Farmers Market, the Field of Honor, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and Fascinate-U Children’s Museum. She is also complimentary of community festivals — Dogwood, Blues and Brews, International Folk, When Pigs Fly, as well as various commercial enterprises offering produce picking, ice cream licking, wine tasting and outdoor adventures.

A quick Google turns up other offerings from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Trip Advisor and several organizations and individuals. 

Margaret to Samantha. Thank you.

I celebrate all of this and have enjoyed quite a bit of it myself, including zip lining. Shocking, even to me, although the berries and wine are right up my alley. I also love the fact that our community offers every ethnic and national cuisine most of us can think of, even if some of those restaurants lack ambiance beyond bare countertops and florescent lighting.

That being said, there is room for improvement. 

I am not alone in wanting civic and political leadership that is more diverse and more willing to take reasonable risks for long-term gain. 

One way to encourage this goal may be for younger citizens to step forward and run for public office. By young, I mean the 30 – and 40-somethings whose ideas and energy levels are certainly different than those of us who have been around for a bit longer than that. I see reluctance of younger folks to engage in leadership and/or governing in many aspects of our community life — in nonprofit organizations, in faith institutions and certainly in elective office. 

Many younger folks have told me that their careers are demanding and time consuming, that their children are involved in sports teams requiring parental time and travel and that, frankly, their families come first.

I understand all of that. Our family of five had two working parents and three active children, and there is no question that both work and family life can be challenging. Together they can be overwhelming, and our first responsibilities are always to those whom we love. 

There is also an “ick” factor attached to elective politics, more so in presidential election years and especially in this ugly and divisive cycle. Many people have an instinctive negative reaction to the thought of jumping into the political process, memorably expressed to me by one of my friends who, when I told her I planned to file for public office, exclaimed, “Eew! Why do you want to be with ‘those people?’”

The reality is that there will never be a perfect time or avenue for anyone to step into a leadership role, whether in an organization or in political office. Life is messy and complicated, and it is always easier to let someone else shoulder the responsibility. It is always easier to tell ourselves we will do that “when the children are older” or “when life slows down.”

The danger — and I see this far more often than is comfortable in our community — is that when capable, creative and courageous people do not offer themselves for public service in some way, we all suffer. Decisions that affect all of us are going to be made one way or another, and our community is going to be better off if decisions about schools, spending and public policies of all sorts are made by people from all walks of life, of all ages and with varied skills and life experiences.

The hard truth is that in community life — like all other aspects of life — we get out of it what we put into it.

Golf has long been a popular recreational sport here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. At one time, Fayetteville was actually a popular destination for northern golfers fleeing harsh winters and seeking to get a head start on their home course competitors. 

Today, local golf course owners and managers want to revive that popularity and enthusiasm for golf in Fayetteville — not just to boost business and economic development — but to make sure the local history and tradition of golf in Cumberland County is not lost. After all, Scottish-born Donald Ross, one of the most renowned golf course architects of all time, left his mark here in the mid 1940s when he designed not one, but two local golf courses in Cumberland County: the popular private Highland County Club and the lesser- known public Stryker Golf Course at Fort Bragg. With the exception of golf resorts like Pinehurst, I  doubt if any communities our size  nationally can boast of having two Donald Ross courses.

One of the ways the local golfing tradition is maintained is by the preservation of the Cumberland County Golf Classic Championship. Created in 1968, this 48-year tradition is preserved and maintained by golf course managers who love the sport and the Fayetteville community. Bringing Stryker Golf Course and military golfers into the tournament is a great start to preserving its heritage. This is what this week’s cover story is about. The tournament, the game, the players, the history and tradition. Tee it up and enjoy! 

Thank you for reading, Up & Coming Weekly.

Back for its 48th year, the Cumberland County Golf Classic/Championship is hosted by Cypress Lakes Golf Course, home of the late L.B Floyd and PGA Hall of Fame inductee Raymond Floyd and sibling LPGA golfing notable, Marlene Floyd. This is the annual tournament young, aggressive, upcoming golfers, casual golfers and competitive “seasoned” veteran golfers have looked forward to every year for nearly five decades. It’s the end of summer finale that will determine who claims the 2016 title of Cumberland County’s best golfer. 

The competition is stiff, and even though there are many other tournaments locally and across the state, it is the Cumberland County Golf Classic/Championship that matters most to local golfers. It is the tournament people talk about around the water cooler at the office, before and after church and when they see each other at the grocery store. It’s the tournament they remember because it has become a golfing tradition. This event is about much more than golf; it’s about spirited competition. It’s about community, excellence, camaraderie and witnessing local golf history in the making. PGA Tour professional and local Fayettevillian Chip Beck won the Cumberland County Championship title in both 1974 and 1976 before he turned 20 years old. The tradition continues on this year with a new and exciting twist.

For the last several years, the responsibility of hosting this grand tournament has fallen solely on the shoulders of the host golf course. And, even though the local courses have accepted the responsibility on a rotating basis each year, the course managers and PGA pros saw participation and attendance steadily dwindling. They decided to work together to ensure that the tournament, not only remains a highly anticipated event, but also to reestablish the integrity and prestige of the tournament assuring that this golfing tradition continues and remains a part of Cumberland County culture.

Gates Four Country Club Manager Kevin Lavertu, along with PGA golf pros Robert Wilson of Cypress Lakes and Mike Monk of Kings Grant decided to come together to form a golf tournament coalition for the purpose of jointly organizing and planning the 48th Annual Cumberland County Golf Classic/Championship. It was a game changer with the biggest change being that they have involved all five of the county’s golf courses in the planning and execution of this year’s event. This year, they take full responsibility for it with each course committing itself to being all about teamwork, cooperation and coordination, assuring a first-class, high-quality and well-run tournament where they can treat local area golfers to great golf and a good time. 

According to Monk of Kings Grant, which hosted the 2015 event, this effort and subtle changes are going to make a world of difference. He is passionate about the game of golf and sees this tournament as an investment in the community as a whole. “In the past years, we have seen participation dwindle down as much as 60 percent. Obviously, these are dangerously low numbers to maintain a quality event. We see this as a way to promote play in Cumberland County and to accentuate golf in Cumberland County. We have a lot of good courses and a lot of great players who come out of Cumberland County. Gary Robinson, the Carolina Senior Golfer of the Year and Brian Dreier, 2012 Cumberland County Champion, are both members here at Kings Grant. A lot of golfers want to see this tournament survive and move forward and be the best tournament it can be. We want to put Cumberland County on the map. This year, contestants will experience great golf, a good value and a much-improved difference. We are confident they will appreciate and enjoy the changes we have implemented.” 

Monk’s philosophy is also one of inclusion. That is why he reached out to fellow Methodist University graduate and PGA Pro Jeff Johnson at Fort Bragg’s Stryker Golf Course and invited them to participate. Johnson was elated since the Cumberland County Golf Classic was a big part of his youth. He played it as a young adult and knows firsthand what a great experience it is. When he became manager of Fort Bragg’s Stryker golf course, he set about to make it the kind of course that would add a new dimension to the tournament. 

“I feel like we have finally arrived. Our conditions are on par with the other courses participating in the classic, and I am happy to be a part of that community and to be on that level.” Johnson sees this as a win-win for both local and military golfers. “I think we have a lot of really good players that don’t always play in Cumberland County and hopefully this will encourage them to try some of the other courses and meet other local golfers. Something a lot people don’t realize is that Stryker is open to the community, so we hope to see more golfers come out play on our course. Our superintendent, Craig Manning, was instrumental in turning this course around and we want to share that with local players,” added Johnson.

Lavertu was on board from the very beginning in preserving the Championship. Gates Four will host the 2017 Championship. He will also host the inaugural Pairings Party and Opening Ceremonies that are set for Sept. 15, the evening before the tournament. “The Pairings Party is a great way to get everyone excited about the tournament,” he said. “People come and we will have prizes, food, putting competitions and fun things like that to get everyone relaxed and excited about the tournament. This year the courses are working together to attract more golfers and grow the event.” 

The Pairings Party will mark the official opening of the tournament with special guests including past tournament winners and local city, county and state dignitaries.

This year Cypress Lakes has the honor of hosting the first Cumberland County Championship in its new format under the direction of PGA Golf Professional and Course Manager Robert Wilson. Played over a three-day period from Sept. 16-18, it will remain a 54-hole stroke play event. The U.S. Golf Association rules of golf and etiquette are in effect. As in previous years, there are four divisions: A Championship Division, Open Division, Senior Division and Super Senior Division. The tournament remains one of the best values for Cumberland County golfers because, in addition to the guaranteed three rounds of golf, each participant receives a free practice round at the host golf course, food and refreshments all three days of the tournament provided by Healy Wholesale and Pepsi, the Pairings Party and a gift package. All for an entry fee of $150. Contestants who register before Sept. first receive a certificate for a free foursome (excluding cart fee) at each of the five participating golf courses. Wilson couldn’t be happier. He expects these changes not only to reinvigorate the loyal local competitors but to draw in a healthy crowd of new golfing participants as well. The staff at Cypress Lakes is excited and on point. Wilson promises the course is in great shape with the grounds well-groomed and ready for first-class golfing excitement come tournament day. 

“Our superintendent, Ed Drake, is in charge of keeping the course ready for play and he is really on top of the day-to-day maintenance and responsibilities that go into having the course ready for competitive play,” said Wilson. “I just don’t see anything but positives coming from the way we are doing things this year. We should be able take better care of the golfers, feed them better during the tournament and build up the golfing community here in Cumberland County. We even hope to be able to make a financial donation to a local Cumberland County charity at the end.” 

Champions in the making

Not only are the golf courses looking forward to a great golfing experience this fall, but the players are, too. Fayetteville native and businessman Gary Robinson holds the record for the most Cumberland County Golf Championship titles with a total of eight victories. His first title was in 1982. 

“Of all the amateur tournaments I play, this one holds a special place for me,” said Robinson. “People will stop you and talk with you about it. The community is very supportive. I’ve been lucky enough to win it eight times so far. I hope to make it to 10 wins before I am done, but I’m 57 years old, so I am not sure it will happen.”

Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West, 42, is the tournament’s second-biggest winner with six championship titles. West grew up admiring Robinson’s skills on the course. 

“He has always been the Jack Nicklaus of the tournament to me,” said West. “He set the standard. I looked up to him, and as I began to play in the tournament, we developed a real friendship and camaraderie.”

West shares Robinson’s dedication, enthusiasm and loyalty to the Cumberland County Golf Championship. 

“The Cumberland County Golf Championship is my favorite tournament. It is the most important and always has been for me because of the community support,” said West. “I used to play a lot of state and national tournaments, and it was an honor when I would win, but when you win or compete in the Cumberland County Championship, you get stopped around town or at work or church and that is what made it special. It always had a unique place among golf tournaments here in town. There aren’t a lot of places that have special tournaments like this one that mean that much. Some of my very good friends came out of this competition; in fact, they are some of my best friends. I am friends with their families and have been for a long time. I’ve been playing in this tournament for 25 years. That is a lot of time to get to know people.”

While the friendly Robinson/West rivalry is a given any time these two men are on a course together, it looks like this year things may be a little different. According to Robinson, he is committed to another tournament out of state and it is on the same weekend as the Cumberland County Championship. This news came as unfortunate and very disappointing to many in the golfing community. However, West knows that Robinson’s absence doesn’t make it a shoo-in for him to win. 

“Gary and I are very good friends and we are competitors, but I regret that he may not be there. I do think if he were there he probably would be the odds-on favorite to win. It does open the door to the rest of the field. It will definitely be different without him.” 

Not one to get comfortable with his odds, West has been keeping his eye on some new emerging talent that very well may give him a run for his money. 

“Thomas Owen is a member at Highland Country Club where I play a lot. He is a great young man and a very good player,” West said. “He won the last two Cumberland County match plays and placed in the top five of the Cumberland County Classic last year, and I think Cypress Lakes suits his game. We’ve played a lot together and he has been hard for me to beat. It is not unusual for him to hit the ball 30-40 yards past where I hit — and he has the rest of the game to go with it. He would be my favorite without Gary being there, but we all know how golf can go… and then there are the usual suspects.” 

Here are a few things that are new in 2016: 

• Fort Bragg’s Stryker Golf Course has been added to the rotation of participating Golf Clubs.

• Contestants can now register at any of the five participating golf courses: Cypress Lakes, Gates Four, Kings Grant, Baywood and Fort Bragg’s Stryker Golf Course.

• Only Cumberland County residents are eligible. No longer will the tournament allow players who work inside the county but live outside the county to participate. 

• Early Registration Bonus: Contestants who register before Sept. 1 will each receive a certificate for one free round of golf for a foursome (excluding golf cart fee) at each of the five participating golf courses. 

• Each participating golf course will receive one free exemption to play in the tournament. 

• Businesses or organizations wishing to sponsor the tournament will also receive 1-4 exemptions depending on the sponsorship level. Sponsored and course exemptions must reside in Cumberland County.

• Refreshments are provided courtesy of Healy Wholesale and Pepsi. 

• Food for contestants is provided all three days.

• A pre-tournament Parings Party and Opening Ceremony plus plenty of prizes and surprises.

To find out more about the tournament or to register, contact any of the participating golf courses, or call 391-3859. You may also register using the application form on page 11.

 Summer. It’s cool drinks on a hot night. It’s hanging out with family and friends. It’s a toe-tapping tune under the stars. And dancing. And laughing. And making memories. Summer. It’s Fayetteville After 5’sspecialty. Fayetteville After 5falls on July 22 this month and coincides with 4th Friday. So after visiting the galleries, museums and other exhibits and activities, head to Festival Park and ease into the weekend at Fayetteville After 5.

This month’s headliner is On the Border, an audience favorite according to Dogwood Festival Executive Director Carrie King. 

“This makes the fifth time we’ve had them at our summer concert series. Each year their performance always draws our largest crowd. So we continue to bring them back since our patrons approve! They are also one of the best touring tribute bands on the east coast. Their performance is always outstanding,” she said.

Based in Charlotte, On the Border is an Eagles tribute band with a healthy following. In 2015, AXSTV declared them “The Greatest Eagles Tribute Band in the World.” Live Nation Venue, The “Fillmore Charlotte” sings the band’s praises as well. “ … Not just any musician can nail the harmonies of Glenn Frey and Don Henley, or pull off the talk-box guitar solos of Joe Walsh. With dedication, a surplus of musical chops and a shelf full of papier-mâché Grammys, On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute pulls it off, treating fans to an authentic concert experience while journeying through The Eagles’ songbook. The band covers every hit, from ballads such as “Desperado” and “Lyin’ Eyes” to rave-ups such as “Life In the Fast Lane” and “Heartache Tonight” with such accuracy, that listeners may permanently confuse On the Border with the real Eagles. It’s truly a masterful sound of witness for yourself.”

Music is always king at Fayetteville After 5,but because the gates open around 5:30 p.m., offering good grub just makes sense. So far it’s been a hit. 

“We will have 15 food trucks for this event,” said King. “… everything from gourmet burgers, slow cooked meats and savory sides to event staples like funnel cakes, lemonade and ice cream. Because this is such a popular event with a larger crowd we will expand the beer service areas to include one large beer caddy with 10 taps and five beer selections and two satellite stations — one at the bridge and other at the stage offering aluminum cans of Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and Bud Light Lime. We will have roving hawkers selling aluminums and bottles, too. All products are $5.”

The gates open around 5:30 p.m., music starts around 7:30 p.m. For more about Fayetteville After 5, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com/p/Events/211.

Fayetteville City Councilman Chalmers McDougald read an article in Up & Coming Weekly recently about retired Fayetteville Fire Chief Benny Nichols’ efforts to create a fire service internship program 15 years ago. The concept was one whereby students at E.E. Smith High School, Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fayetteville State University would pursue a career in fire science. Nichols’ idea resulted in the construction of the multi-million-dollar Fire Station 14 on Langdon Street in the heart of the African-American community. It was much more than a fire house. It contained classrooms and dormitories for student interns enrolled in the program. 

With the advent of internet studies, the idea as Nichols envisioned it, never got off the ground. The program of classroom and online studies is still available to students at all Cumberland County high schools. But the hands-on elements never came to pass. According to Deputy Fayetteville Fire Chief Hieu Sifford, the program has not yet yielded an applicant who has been hired by the FFD – even though Nichols established what is now a $30,000 scholarship fund with the Cumberland Community Foundation. A year or so ago, the Langdon Street fire station was renovated into fire department headquarters, and a meeting room is still available for use as a community center. 

McDougald is as disappointed as anyone that Benny Nichols unique idea never developed as he envisioned. “Now we’ve got to try something else to recruit African Americans,” said McDougald. Fewer than a dozen of Fayetteville’s 331 firefighters are black, according to Fire Chief Ben Major. The department is recruiting now, and the hope is that young black men and women will apply. Applications are only accepted during open enrollment, which is getting underway. Typically, as many as 400 people apply. Following physical agility and written tests as well as drug screening and background checks, that number is usually reduced to 150 or so, according to Major. But only 30 can be enrolled in the training academy at FTCC. Of that number, this time around only five firefighters will be hired. That’s the number of retirees leaving the force during the next three months. There are no other vacancies. “We’re always fighting a losing battle,” said Major of the numbers game. 

What he characterizes as lack of interest among African Americans limits even further the likelihood of any blacks being hired this time. “We can’t get them in the door until we get them on the doorstep,” observed the chief. “We have to let people know who we are and that we want talented folks to apply,” Major added. 

This is the first fiscal year in which graduates of a two-year technical school with associates degrees can earn an additional $1,500 a year over and above the starting salary of $33,280. Graduates with baccalaureate degrees earn an additional $3,000, bringing the starting wage up to more than $36,000. Major says after five years on the job a firefighter with a degree can expect to earn $42,000; after 10 years $48,000. Thanks to a new step plan, fire department employees receive guaranteed pay raises every year. And there are always opportunities for promotion. The fire chief believes a full-time recruiter, like the police department has, would greatly improve the agency’s ability to more aggressively seek out candidates from under-represented populations. Chief Major is a graduate of E.E. Smith High School and Pembroke State University. He is African American. 

In recent months the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce got bogged down with some internal disappointments and loss of momentum brought about, in part, by 10 years of frustration in the town because of the uncertain future of Hope Mills Lake. The dam on the lake was compromised twice. It was first breached in 2005, and again in 2010. The town has been without its popular lake for those 10 years and only now is the dam being rebuilt. 

New life has been breathed into the organization. The Chamber has new leadership. Longtime President Jan Spell got a new board of directors in May and a new executive director the same month. 

“We did a lot of reorganizing, and I now have a new spring in my step,” said Spell. She’s been the chamber’s volunteer president for 10 years. Jan and her husband Terry have changed the face of the town. Their company developed 16 residential subdivisions and three apartment complexes. Terry Spell is a native of Hope Mills. Jan has been a civic leader in more ways than one. She’s treasurer of the Hope Mills Kiwanis Club. She serves on the Methodist University Board of Visitors and the Southeastern Regional Medical Center Board.

A couple of months ago, Spell was introduced to Tiffany Aldridge, a recent college graduate with a business degree from Campbell University. Her parents settled in nearby Rockfish years ago. Tiffany is a native of Alabama and a military brat. She was recommended to Spell to take over the chamber’s vacant executive director’s post in the charming chamber offices on Trade Street. When they met, they clicked immediately because their personalities meshed. Spell’s friends refer to her as a dynamo. Aldridge is described as spunky. 

“I like the whole small town feeling,” Aldridge explained. “It’s friendly and feels like home.”

Spell says the chamber of commerce currently has about 190 members. She notes they enjoy a significant degree of free-wheeling independence in their zeal to promote and develop the town of 16,000. The chamber’s focus for some time has been on what’s referred to as “Area 41,” a 1,000-acre mostly undeveloped tract along both sides of I-95’s Exit 41. N.C. Highway 59 crosses the interstate there. It’s the main gateway into the town from the east. As a professional developer, Spell believes the area has unlimited potential for growth not only in the hospitality industry but with major big box companies. 

“I have a vision,” she said. 

Fayetteville Public Works Commission water and sewer are available, making Area 41 one of only two I-95 interchanges in Cumberland County equipped with utilities. The other is Exit 49 at Cedar Creek Road in Fayetteville. Also, working with the chamber of commerce, the State Department of Transportation installed half a dozen lights along the NC 59 overpass. Spell has posted a virtual flyover of Area 41 on YouTube in hopes it will attract interested developers. 

“I’m a finisher,” Spell emphasized. “Eighty percent of life is showing up.” 

Former U.S. Senator Robert Morgan was a man of public service to North Carolina like few others. He died July 16 at his home in nearby Buies Creek at the age of 90. Morgan, a Democrat, served in the U.S. Senate from 1975 until 1981. He then served as Director of the State Bureau of Investigation until 1992, when he returned to his law practice in Lillington. Morgan was a state senator for 14 years from 1955 to 1969 and N.C. Attorney General from 1969 to 1974. As Attorney General, Morgan established the consumer protection office. In 2000, he became founding President of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, a nonprofit/nonpartisan organization. Morgan graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law after earning his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University. He is survived by his wife and three children. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom Memorial Park        

Fayetteville’s “Honor Triangle” began with one man’s dream for a local war memorial park. In 1997, then City Councilman Don Talbot had an idea: Find a place to honor American veterans who served in 20th Century wars. Fast forward to July of 2016. Freedom Memorial Park is a reality on the site of what was a rundown gas station at the corner of Bragg Boulevard and Hay Street and is a testament to Talbot’s vision. The park is about to get its fifth war memorial. Monuments have been in place for several years commemorating World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Next up is a memorial to those why gave their lives during the Global War on Terror. This month, the Cape Fear Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America wrapped up its pledge to raise $25,000 for the new memorial. Association President Juan Chavez presented Talbot with a check representing the final installment. Design work is underway for the new monument. Asked about his determination to turn a dream into reality, Talbot told Up & Coming Weekly, “It’s something the community needed to do.” Talbot and his steering committee have invested a quarter of a million dollars in privately raised funds for the park, which became the anchor for the Airborne and Special Operations Museum across Bragg Boulevard, and the North Carolina Veteran’s Park down the street — Fayetteville’s “Honor Triangle.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Census Bureau to Count Deployed Military as Residents of Duty Station 

State and local officials are praising the U.S. Census Bureau’s decision to count U.S. military personnel who are deployed outside the U.S. as residents of the state where they live and sleep most of the time. The new policy also applies to those who are living temporarily outside the U.S. Previously, the Census Bureau counted deployed service members as residents of the states they lived in at the time they joined the armed services. The change for the 2020 census means that all deployed service members from North Carolina’s military installations will be counted as residents of North Carolina. The undercounting of service members cost North Carolina, the ninth largest in the nation, an additional Congressional seat following the 2010 census. And, since many federal tax dollars are distributed according to population, North Carolina will benefit from additional education, transportation and agriculture funding as a result of an increased population in the 2020 census. The proposed changes were published in the Federal Register in June. The Census Bureau is seeking public comment in writing through Aug. 1 and a final announcement of the 2020 rules is expected in 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City Says Goodbye to PWC…Sort of    

The Fayetteville Public Works Commission no longer handles the City of Fayetteville’s purchasing. With the new fiscal year, the city launched its own purchasing office and accompanying webpage. City government farmed out procurement to PWC several years ago believing that a consolidated effort would be more cost effective. Former City Manager Ted Voorhees persuaded a previous City council that it should separate itself from PWC, and, in this regard, he was successful. 

Purchasing is a division of the Finance Department according to a news release. “The City of Fayetteville welcomes the opportunity to do business with interested merchants and vendors in the community,” said Interim City Manager Doug Hewitt. “The hope is that the new purchasing webpage will help improve business opportunities for local business owners especially, and provide a more transparent process for doing business with the City,” Hewitt added. The purchasing division “is responsible for all purchases for the City including materials, supplies, services and equipment,” said Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Spivey. The webpage includes a vendor registration form for businesses so staff can reach out to them. The City encourages the participation of minority and small disadvantaged businesses. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82nd Airborne Change of Command      

Brig. Gen Michael E. Kurilla will take command of the 82nd Airborne Division on Aug. 2 at Pike Field. Clarke took command of the All-American Division in October 2014, also as a one-star general. He was promoted soon thereafter. Clarke led a deployment to Iraq from June 2015 to March 2016. There, the division headquarters served as the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command. Clarke will become vice-director of strategic plans and policy for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

Kurilla comes to Fort Bragg from the Pentagon, where he was deputy director for special operations and counter terrorism for the Joint Staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emergency Summer Heat Relief     

The Salvation Army is accepting Crisis Intervention Program applications from individuals and families who are in danger of experiencing health emergencies because of summer heat and humidity. 

Limited funds are available and households are served on a first-come, first-served basis. The CIP program is administered by the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, but applications are taken by the Salvation Army at its location at 1047 Southern Ave. 

Emergency aid is paid directly to utility providers of those approved for funding. Benefits will vary based upon the needs to alleviate the crisis. Households will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

For more information, call the Department of Social Services message line at 677-2821.

Today we shall journey into one of the darkest regions of social media. The highly excitable and overly caffeinated world of Facebook’s Politics Zone. There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man or woperson. It’s a dimension as vast as Chris Christie’s waistline, as timeless as infinity and as full of insane theories as Fox News. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between reason and irrationality. It lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his paranoia. You have just crossed over into the Facebook Politics Zone.

The Politics Zone is where people go to spout their wildest theories, end their oldest friendships and use more exclamation points and BOLD FACE CAPITAL LETTERS than the law allows. Nothing is calm in the Politics Zone. Everything is urgent and game changing. Like newspeak in Orwell’s 1984,the Facebook Politics Zone has its own language. Let us take a walk down Facebook lane and see what’s lurking behind the latest picture of Hillary or The Donald. There is a random political phrase generator that the Facebook Illuminati use to hype their most shrieking political posts.

Like Rudy Begonia, do these Political Zone phrases strike a familiar note? “Nobody saw this coming!” Trump “unleashed a BRUTALhistory lesson.” Watch the attached video because “this changes everything!” (Humble columnist’s note: the video never changes anything, but it does elevate the self image of the poster of said video.) My candidate “drops a TRUTH BOMB and boy does it smart!” A variation on the truth bomb is to drop “an EPIC truth bomb,” which is several megatons more convincing than a conventional truth bomb. My candidate ‘tells the BLUNT truth” about your candidate. The version of truth being pushed by my candidate is “BLOWING UPthe Internet!” The brilliance of my candidate’s statement has caused the opposing candidate “to STAGE A HISSY FIT!” Frankly, there is little more entertaining than watching a political opponent staging a hissy fit. After the invention of Depakote, who even knew that anyone still staged hissy fits ? Personally, I would walk a mile to see someone stage a hissy fit. As the old saying goes, “If the hissy fits, wear it.”

A Poltics Zoner who disagrees with a politician posts something that “SHUTS him down.” 

The Donald issues a statement that causes “Hillary to be ON THE ROPES.” “Hillary is FUMING!” In response, Hillary who “might not have seen it coming!,” “issues “a HUGEstatement” that “BLOWS AWAY” The Donald. In response, The Donald “slaps Hillary with a BIG surprise!” The Donald releases a “GROUNDBREAKING massive secret that could BE THE END” for Hillary. Hillary’s “response reveals everything!” Trump counters with the charge that “This woman IS NOT FITto be President!” The Democratic Party releases a “prediction that TORCHESand DESTROYSTrump’s chance to be elected.”

Upon seeing a Political Zone posting, many Facebookers are so overwhelmed with anger/joy/ amazement/ stupification/sadness that they confess, “I LOSTit!” after seeing whatever it was. On Facebook, political emotions are not worn on one’s sleeve, but on one’s typing fingers. My candidate, who has “had ENOUGH” of your candidate’s stupid twaddle, just issued a statement “that DISMANTLES” everything your candidate ever said, thought or did. The last thing your opponent said “SHOCKEDthe nation!” But just wait until my candidate provides your candidate “with a NASTYsurprise!”

On Facebook, there is no middle ground. There is no room for the possibility that political opponents could be well intentioned, human or even have a logical point or two. People who think differently from you are the anti-Christ. 

Politics Zone posters adhere to Johnny Mercer’s advice, “Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between.” 

A particularly unflattering picture of your opponent is captioned “I CAN’T STOP LAUGHING!” Obama “should be EVICTEDfrom the White House!” And so it goes.

If you have managed to read all the way through today’s contribution to world literature, this column has a value added bonus in the form of a valuable stock market tip. Sell all your stocks, bonds, gold and baseball cards, and invest in exclamation points!!! and BOLD FACE CAPITAL LETTERS. It is only a matter of time before the Illuminati of Facebook use up all the known supply of exclamation points and BOLD FACE CAPITAL LETTERS. Buy printing presses that only produce digital exclamation points and BOLD FACE CAPITAL LETTERS.Once the current supply is used up, the price of these two commodities will sky rocket. If you don’t take my advice, YOU ARE A POOPY HEAD!

 

At the end of March, my family lost someone both near and dear and thoroughly unique. She left us at 90, and she was — as we say in the South — “herself” until the very end. It was a comfort to me and to others, I suspect, that she went out declaring that she had had a wonderful life and was ready for what comes next. 

Not everyone is blessed to feel that way.

Some of us live with deep regrets, and I have heard it said that at the end of life most of us regret not what we did, even if we committed reprehensive acts and delivered great hurts, but what we did not do. We regret the opportunities we did not take, the doors that opened to us that we could not make ourselves walk through for whatever reason was – often fear of the unknown. When I am honest with myself, I have to admit to several of those.

That is surely the reason that “The Top 37 Things You Will Regret When You Are Old” on the website Social-Consciousness.com caught my eye. I will pass along the ones that resonated most with me.

“Not traveling when you had the chance.” My life circumstances since the mid-2000s have allowed me to roam the world, at least parts of it, and that travel has broadened me in so many ways and changed my views about other people and other cultures. I am so fortunate to have had these opportunities and so rewarded that I did not allow experiences foreign to me to scare me away.

“Staying in a bad relationship.” Many people do this out of habit, fear of change, lack of resources, whatever. But life is short and unpredictable, and most of us will be happier and more productive if we are not burdened in this way. This category goes hand in hand with another — “Not quitting a terrible job.”

“Failing to make physical fitness a priority.” I know. I know. Getting moving is not easy, but the alternative is worse. One of my neighbors, a professional man in his 70s, has been a lifelong runner. He is much slower now than he once was, but he is still out there most mornings about dawn. He is an example that moving, however slowly, is preferable to becoming such a couch potato, you eventually cannot move.

“Letting yourself be defined by gender roles.” I used to think we Baby Boomers would cure America of this curse, but now I see that we have not. Roles have changed somewhat, but women continue to bear the brunt of childrearing and housekeeping, even though we are in the workplace just as men are. This one goes hand in hand with another as well — “Letting yourself be defined by cultural expectations.”

“Not playing with your kids enough.” I cannot count the number of Boomers who have said this very thing to me, and I plead guilty as well. The Precious Jewels remain the most important treasures of my life, but I did spend too much time in my office in doing “grown up” activities. What else can I say?

“Not standing up for yourself.” We think of bullying of children and young people, but adults let ourselves be bullied as well by friends and co-workers. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” and she was right.

“Never taking a big risk.” Our mothers would say, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Even if we fail at what we risk, we gave it a shot and there is satisfaction in that.

“Missing the chance to ask your grandparents questions before they die.” I regret this almost daily. If you have grandparents, grab your cell phone, punch record, and ask away.

“Neglecting your teeth.” Anyone with dentures can address this one for you.

“Not trying harder in school.” Most of us are guilty of this at least at some level, and most of us pay for it. In this awful election cycle, many voters are disaffected and many of those are people whose educations have not prepared them to achieve what they want in today’s workplace.

Notice that most of these are, in fact, roads not taken for whatever reasons.

And, finally, the one that resonated the most with me.

“Not being grateful sooner.“ My family member was grateful for her family, her friends and her long life and said so. She saw her life as a gift, and we who miss her are at peace that she did.

Social-consciousness.com addresses gratitude this way.

“It can be hard to see in the beginning, but eventually it becomes clear that every moment on this earth — from the mundane to the amazing — is a gift that we’re all so incredibly lucky to share.”

Amen.

Thank goodness for honest and conscientious Spring Lake residents like Rita Perry. Perry was the first citizen to finally come forward to expose possible fraud and misuse of Spring Lake’s revenues through the misuse of town-issued credit cards by Spring Lake’s Board of Aldermen and department managers. 

Perry gained access to the town’s expense records via a public records request, and the process began of verifying what many of us close to Spring Lake have already suspected: mismanagement and possible corruption have become a way of life for their small town government. Personally, I am very proud of Rita Perry. 

My relationship with Spring Lake dates back decades. By working with the town and the local Chamber of Commerce, I have seen it at its best and, unfortunately, I have watched it deteriorate to its present state. My involvement was through our community newspaper, Up & Coming Weekly, working with the Chamber of Commerce to promote the community, support local businesses, enhance economic development and create a positive image for the town. We communicated its historical perspective and assisted Spring Lake in developing a brand they could market, promote and be proud. 

Under the direction of then-Chamber of Commerce Director Jamie McLaughlin, Spring Lake was emerging alive, proud and enthusiastic. Attitudes were changing, businesses were stepping up to get involved, the Chamber was growing its membership and, working with Jamie at the Chamber’s helm, together we created the town’s own newspaper, the Spring Lake Beacon. For more than two years this publication flourished showcasing Spring Lake’s history, supporting local businesses, informing the residents of community news and upcoming events, local personalities and basically promoting Spring Lake’s personality and brand. Unfortunately, that lasted only for about two years. Then for reasons unknown, the town stopped supporting the project and the Chamber of Commerce. 

Once that happened, local businesses withdrew their support, McLaughlin resigned and took another position with the City of Fayetteville and both the Chamber and the entire town took on a “poor me” persona, always expounding on never having any money or resources to support what we all know are basic quality-of-life amenities. “What’s in it for me?” seemed to be the underlying attitude permeating throughout the Town of Spring Lake’s leadership and management as well as that of the Chamber of Commerce.

This situation was very baffling and extremely disappointing. However, like many others, we (our newspaper) work with businesses and organizations that want to work with us. In any situation, we know: “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck” it is probably “a duck”. 

In the June State Auditor report on Spring Lake’s finances, they found “the duck”. The report stated that town employees, the Board of Aldermen and possibly Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey spent more than $500,000 on questionable purchases in violation of its own policy. The report questioned other expenditures as well as sloppy, careless and faulty record keeping between 2010 and 2015. Hmmmm, so what’s the big deal? I’ll tell you what the big deal is. 

Shame on Mayor Rey and the rest of the town’s leadership for allowing it to go on. It’s common knowledge that for decades residents and friends of the Town of Spring Lake have come forward, stepped up and generously donated their time, talent and money to assist in improving local business, economic development and the overall quality of life of Spring Lake’s 13,000+ residents only to have leadership rebuff the progressive ideas, ventures and partnerships that were offered up under the guise of “Spring Lake can’t afford it,” or “We just don’t have the money,” when, what they really meant was, “What’s in it for me?” If that answer was “nothing,” then that’s exactly what the residents of the Town of Spring Lake got. Nothing. 

Again, shame on them, for selfishly mismanaging the revenues that rightfully belonged to the citizens. Resignations need to be forthcoming and charges need to be filed for robbing this innocent community and depriving its citizens of their quality of life. I certainly hope the state investigation into this atrocity goes deep. Egregious misconduct of this nature does not proliferate or endure without accomplices. Willing enablers, cooperating people, businesses and organizations aiding and abetting the situation, i.e., the relationship between Spring Lake’s management/leadership and the Chamber of Commerce and the town’s Economic Development Department.

To Rey’s credit he has gone on record and accepted the responsibility, admitting that the problem or “culture” as he called it, started before he was elected. So noted, however, he had four years to fix it and did nothing. After all, 60+ employees running amuck misusing the town’s credit cards is kind of hard to ignore. Rey’s defense that he was not aware is not going to be much of a defense. And, the resignation of former town Manager Ken Metcalf and the firing of Interim Finance Director Tina West is not going to be accepted as “problem solved.” 

Here’s what we know for sure: The state will get to the bottom of this. Rita Perry is an awesome “Shero” for her perseverance in standing up for what is right and just for all Spring Lake residents and, finally, Spring Lake is very fortunate to have the talented and hard working Tad Davis as their Town Manager. His vision and abilities can only prove to be a huge asset for the Town of Spring Lake. All he needs are the resources and support of the community. Hey, just think what he could have done for Spring Lake with more than  $500,000 of the misallocated funds. Just saying! 

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.