State and county governments are providing citizens valuable information to encourage their willingness to vote. Voting can be confusing and, some say, disenfranchising. A typical resident may reside in as many as seven different voting districts.

The Cumberland County Board of Elections has provided registered voters an informative card itemizing the county commission, city council, school board, state house of representatives, state senate, judicial and congressional district numbers. Also provided is a resident’s precinct voting location. The North Carolina Board of Elections has mailed cards delineating election dates, registration deadlines, early voting dates and absentee ballot information.

The information provided advises voters they will not be required to show photo identification during the March 2020 primary election. The federal courts blocked the requirement which will remain in effect until further order of the court. State and county governments are providing citizens valuable information to encourage their willingness to vote. Voting can be confusing and, some say, disenfranchising. A typical resident may reside in as many as seven different voting districts.

The Cumberland County Board of Elections has provided registered voters an informative card itemizing the county commission, city council, school board, state house of representatives, state senate, judicial and congressional district numbers. Also provided is a resident’s precinct voting location. The North Carolina Board of Elections has mailed cards delineating election dates, registration deadlines, early voting dates and absentee ballot information. The information provided advises voters they will not be required to show photo identification during the March 2020 primary election. The federal courts blocked the requirement which will remain in effect until further order of the court. 


Register of Deeds team honored

For the past 10 years, the Cumberland County Register of Deeds office has gone above and beyond to help homeless students in Cumberland County Schools by coordinating an annual countywide school supply campaign. Register of Deeds Lee Warren coordinated the effort, which has donated more than 5,000 book bags stuffed with school supplies for students in need. Warren is the first recipient of Cumberland County Schools’ Committed Community Support Award. He received a plaque and was recognized at the February Cumberland County Board of Education meeting on Feb. 11. “Mr. Warren has a heart for the citizens of our community and was touched when one of his former staff members learned about the number of homeless children in the school system,” said social work coordinator Pamela S. Story who nominated him. “Through his positive influence in the community, hundreds of citizens — individually or through companies, businesses and organizations —donated funds, supplies and time to help support ‘the least of these’ in CCS.” 

County Administration restructuring

Duane Holder is Cumberland County’s first deputy manager. He had been an Assistant County Manager for Community Support Services since September 2017. The upcoming retirement in June of Assistant County Manager Melissa Cardinali provided County Manager Amy Cannon an opportunity to review her organizational structure, which had included four assistant managers. “Duane has earned the respect and confidence of the department heads he leads and will be a greater asset to the county in this expanded role,” Cannon said. Holder will continue to oversee numerous departments, including Social Services, Public Health, Child Support, Community Development and Veterans Services. He will also lead the county’s budget division. Holder earned a Master of Public Administration from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mount Olive College. 

The Wilmington Insurrection

 The Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County and the Black On Black Project will co-host a film screening of “Wilmington on Fire.” On the morning of Nov. 10, 1898, in Wilmington, North Carolina, a massive fire was the beginning of an attack that took place seven blocks east of the Cape Fear River, about 10miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. By sundown, the local newspaper had been torched, as many as 60 people had been murdered, and the local government that was elected two days earlier had been overthrown and replaced by white supremacists. Given all the violence in U.S. history, it was the only coup d’état to take place on American soil. The film documents the investigation into the race riot. A panel discussion and conversation will follow the film screening with director Christopher Everett and team members from the film. 

Woodpeckers season-opening game
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Class A Advanced MiLB affiliate of the Houston Astros, are pleased to announce the schedule for their 2020 season as well as the initial offering of 2020 half-season tickets. The Woodpeckers open the season at Segra Stadium Thursday, April 9, at 7 p.m., against the Frederick Keys. “Over 250,000 people visited Segra Stadium during our inaugural season,” said Mark Zarthar, president of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. “The response from our community was remarkable. We are eager to reward our fans by offering a 2020 season full of surprises, and hopefully, a Carolina League Championship.” Half-season packages come with a variety of benefits, including schedule flexibility, a ticket exchange program and first right to special events. Thirty-five game packages start at just $340. Full season tickets are also on sale.