A fledgling civic activist group notes that “a couple of weeks ago, some people were talking about metro policing on social media.” It’s a concept whereby community law enforcement is unified under one agency. The Cumberland Community Awareness Network is surveying residents on their opinions regarding metro policing via emails and social media. CumberlandCAN is a non-partisan public awareness forum. 

In North Carolina, only two counties have adopted the unified idea, most notably Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The police department is a countywide force and the sheriff’s office has been reduced to performing only its constitutional duties. It’s done differently in Jacksonville, Fla. Fifty years ago, residents there voted for metro government, but the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer. The police department patrols all of Duvall County but it’s part of the sheriff’s office. You can take the survey on the Cumberland Community Awareness Networks page on Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Thoroughfares to Be Widened

Some busy local roads are included in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s draft of a 10-year plan to be released next month. The plan includes plans for DOT’s Division Six for the years 2018 through 2027. “The new funding formula allows us to make smart decisions that keep North Carolina moving and these projects demonstrate the process is working as intended,” said Gov. Pat McCrory. DOT Division Six, headquartered in Fayetteville, includes Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett and Robeson counties. Projects include widening of Ramsey Street, Bunce Road, Cliffdale Road and Camden Road to multiple lanes. Under the new funding formula, projects are evaluated based on a combination of data and local input, rather than politics. A complete list of projects can be found at NCDOT.gov/STI.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beware the Speed Humps

Residents of McPhee Drive in the Highland Village neighborhood are happy with a project designed to slow traffic down. Over the years, McPhee has become a shortcut off McBain Dr. between Pinecrest Dr. and Raeford Rd. The belief by many is that McPhee is faster because it avoids a stop sign before arriving at Raeford Rd. Not any longer though. Early this month, the city installed a pair of speed humps along McPhee. They’re designed to slow traffic down to the 25 mph speed limit, says City Engineer Lee Jernigan. Motorists may want to reconsider using McBain Dr. because its speed limit is 35 mph. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tillis on GOP’s Need to Exercise Caution

North Carolina’s junior U.S. Senator is vowing to work across the aisle in the next Congress. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis says he wants his party in Washington to exercise caution in interpreting its mandate from voters in November. He makes his point by noting the outcome of North Carolina’s gubernatorial race. “The electorate of North Carolina really is a microcosm of the U.S. electorate,” he said. Tillis seemed to refer to Governor Pat McCrory’s support of House Bill 2 saying that the Tar Heel State is “barely right-of-center. When you wade too far into some of the more controversial social issues, you begin to see an increasing amount of opposition.” McCrory was defeated by Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper.