Kirk deViere's letter below reflects not only his heartfelt commitment to the people of Cumberland County but also the same exuberant sentiments of the majority of our readers.
His Promises Made-Promises Kept commitment is resonating positivity throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County, and deViere articulates so precisely the kind of leadership Cumberland County needs, wants, and has sorely missed in the past decade.
It echoes my feelings that politics and politicians have become too polarizing, causing misguided priorities and resulting in governmental abuse, waste, and blatant disregard of the citizens they are supposed to represent.
We congratulate Commissioner-elect deViere on his impressive November 5th win and applaud his dedication to the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community.
Local voters have mandated intelligence, integrity, and common sense in the management of our county. Now, they have it.
"Now, let's get to work!"
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.
— Bill Bowman Publisher

Moving from campaigning to governing

As we transition from campaign season to governing, I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by the people of Cumberland County. I don't take this trust lightly.
While campaigns are about contrasts and choices, governing requires finding common ground and working together to deliver results.
I commit to being a leader for everyone — those who supported me and those who did not. The challenges facing our community don't care about party labels. Creating good jobs, clean drinking water, improving our schools, ensuring public safety, and housing that working people can afford require us to move beyond campaign rhetoric to find practical solutions.
I've always believed that the best ideas come from listening to the people we serve.
Please know that moving forward, I will continue to "show up" just like I have for many years and keep my "boots muddy," as this is the best way to understand the things that matter, not what we may think is important.
I'm also reaching out to colleagues on both sides of the aisle to discuss the priorities we shared on the campaign trail and in the community leading up to this election. While we may not always agree on the path to achieving these priorities, I believe we can find common ground to achieve them.
The real work begins now. Campaign promises must become concrete policies and results.
This requires careful analysis, thoughtful debate, and a willingness to compromise. I am committed to approaching this work with humility, integrity, and an unwavering focus on delivering results for the people who sent me here to serve, just as I did when I served in the state senate.
Together, we can move beyond the political rhetoric and labels to build a stronger, more prosperous community that works for everyone.
That's my commitment as we turn the page from campaigning to governing. Now, let's get to work.

(Photo: Kirk deViere has served North Carolina and Cumberland County in several capacities. He was elected as Cumberland County Commissioner on Nov. 5. Photo courtesy of Kirk deViere's Facebook page)