For the next two years, all eyes will be on the Town of Hope Mills and the leadership performance of their new cadre of elected officials. Many residents will be asking: How do you improve on a town that has, in twelve years, evolved from being a hicksville tongue-in-cheek joke to one of the fastest-growing and most respected municipalities in North Carolina?

That question will be answered sooner than later, as incoming Hope Mills Mayor Jessie Bellflowers and the newly elected Board of Commissioners take command of Hope Mills' future.

Many people familiar with Hope Mills' history, culture, and politics remain cautiously optimistic and equally curious about what a post-Mayor Jackie Warner Hope Mills will look like. Questions are already starting to surface, like: "Will all the petty name-calling, crude, mean-spirited accusations, and vile slanderous anti Warner sentiments dissipate, or will the shameless social media trolls continue their attacks on Warner by posting and broadcasting misinformation that has only served to deter progress and harmony in this beautiful lakeside community?"

We hope these dark and malignant sites will be dismantled and the senseless personal attacks on Warner cease so the current Mayor and Board of Commissioners can go to work capitalizing on the achievements that have brought Hope Mills to its pinnacle of prosperity and respectability. Undoubtedly, we will find out in short order.

According to Datausa, since 2020, Hope Mills has increased its population by 9.07% to become the fastest-growing municipality in North Carolina. During this same period, the median household income of Hope Mills residents rose 4.34% to $49,800. That's measurable progress. That's a quantifiable success.

Success and progress were obtained while addressing Hope Mills' ongoing municipal challenges, such as residential and economic development, nurturing cultural and recreational opportunities, and managing infrastructure needs, including a significant ongoing traffic congestion problem.

These successes have set the achievement bar high for the new incoming administration. Now, their work begins.

Being the Mayor of a thriving, progressive town like Hope Mills will take aggressive, unbridled leadership from the new Mayor and tireless commitment from ALL five members of the Board of Commissioners. Hope Mills has a vast and honorable footprint in Cumberland County.

Over the years, this high-profile and distinguished reputation was earned by keeping Hope Mills relevant, involved, and informed on important county and state issues that impact the Hope Mills community.

This takes time and commitment from those who intend to keep the town from losing its relevance and influence. Will Bellflower and the new administration rise to the occasion? Everyone hopes so, and no one dares bet against it.

Yet, the fact remains that Jackie Warner was Hope Mills' full-time mayor.

• 12 years of perfect attendance at Mayors Coalition (Current Chairmen)

• Appointed by County Commissioners to Mid Carolina Council on Aging

• Delegate to Senior Tar Heal Legislature Delegate

• 12 years of perfect attendance at Fayetteville Area Municipality Planning Organization and prior FAMPO chairman or vice chairman.

• Hope Mills representative of FCCEDC (Fayetteville-Cumberland County Economic
Development Committee)

• Hope Mills Representative at Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce meetings, luncheons, Business Breakfast, and ribbon cuttings.

• Member of HM Finance Committee (Town Budget)

• Leader of the Mayor's Youth Leadership Council

• Member Kiwanis Club — Baldwin Elementary K-Kids advisor

• Member of Post 10630 VFW Women's Auxiliary

• Hope Mills Ministerial Committee

For those who love Hope Mills and have watched it evolve over the past twelve years to its proud and prominent position in Cumberland County and North Carolina, we wish the best to the newly elected Hope Mills Mayor, Jessie Bellflowers, and the Board of Commissioners. And we thank former Mayor Jackie Warner for setting the foundation from which Hope Mills can expand, grow, and prosper, bringing peace, tranquility, and civility back into a deserving community.

Thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly newspaper.