County Commissioner Glenn Adams and the old guard on the Board of Commissioners, Marshall Faircloth and Jeannette Council, will experience a sea of change in leadership and power in the Cumberland County's future as Commissioner Veronica Jones cast the fourth and deciding vote on Dec. 2. Newly elected Commissioner Kirk deViere was installed as Chairman of the board, in a decisive move that shocked no one except veteran Commissioners Marshall Faircloth and Jeannette Council. It dumbfounded former Chairman Glenn Adams. This was the first sign that deViere and newly elected Commissioners Henry Tyson and Pavan Patel had a predetermined vision of how Cumberland County would serve its citizens in the years and decades ahead. Commissioner Veronica Jones had obviously bought into that vision since she nominated deViere for the chairmanship. Commissioner Patel then nominated Jones for the Vice Chairman's position, which she won unanimously.
Without a doubt I am excited about this new leadership. I know all three newly elected commissioners personally, and the personal traits they have in common will prove beneficial to Cumberland County. Honesty, integrity, love of God and the community, and fiscal financial business expertise and knowledge are vital in building and maintaining a healthy government body. In addition to those qualities, their Cumberland County priorities are in order. The citizens first! Below are excerpts from Kirk deViere's first address to the community as Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman.
"I am honored, grateful, and blessed to stand before you today to begin my term serving the people of our county as your County Commissioner…. I am grateful to everyone who put your trust in me with your vote. And to those who voted differently, I want you to know I'm here to serve our entire community, and I hope my work as your county commissioner will earn your confidence.
"Looking ahead as the Chairman of County Commissioners, we've got some big decisions to make in the next few years. Our county's growing and how we handle that growth matters. We need to get it right as our community and our children deserve nothing less. We must stay persistent and focused on the things that matter, which, with consistency, will create a better life for the people in our community.
"Clean water is my top priority. Ensuring clean, safe drinking water is non-negotiable. We must provide a clean water source to our community and be prepared to fund it. We need to have a clear understanding of the water needs across the entire county including residential, commercial, and government.
"We will invest in our public school children's education, ensuring every child has a fair start in life. Our partnership with the school board will provide essential resources for student success, including investments in schools and classrooms.
"We face real challenges with affordable housing that require real solutions that are sustainable. We can no longer talk about it — we need to act and this board will.
"We must also focus on the needs of our workforce by creating better ways to make childcare more affordable and accessible while understanding the funding challenge this industry will face at the end of the year.
"I know times are tough for a lot of folks. We need to be smart with taxpayer money and find ways to keep more of it in your pockets while still delivering the services our community needs.
"We will be better partners with our local cities and towns understanding that our community is only as strong as our weakest link. We will foster our relationships at the state level in the general assembly and with the new governor for investments back to our community. We will work to ensure our congressmen and us senators remember that Cumberland is the gateway to eastern North Carolina and federal investments are needed here.
"In my time on the City Council and in the state senate, I learned that governing is about finding common ground. Every Commissioner at this table brings something valuable to the discussion and I assure you — your voice will be heard. We might not always see eye to eye, but I will always listen and work toward practical solutions that deliver results.
"To the community — it is time to move beyond the rhetoric and focus on what matters to you. Our community deserves nothing less.
"May god bless this community. Now, let's get to work."
"Move beyond the rhetoric…" Now, that's what I'm talking about! I hope this fresh new tour de force in county leadership will encourage other good citizens to participate in government. Fayetteville and Cumberland County have an abundance of potential and opportunity. All that is needed is leadership! Look at what former Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson has accomplished as CEO of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. That organization has grown to nearly 1000 members, adding over 150 events that enhance local businesses and economic vitality.
As the only local community newspaper serving all nine Cumberland County municipalities and Ft. Liberty for the past 29 years, it is Up & Coming Weekly's hope that the new county leadership better uses local media to enhance transparency and expand communications with citizens by promoting county services, sharing new developments, announcing new programs and celebrating achievements, programs, progress and recognizing outstanding county workers and volunteers who serve the County.
I want to thank the outgoing County Commissioners Dr. Toni Stewart, Michael Boose, and Jimmy Keefe, for their commitment and dedication to serving Cumberland County. They have all positively impacted the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

(Photo: From left are newly sworn Commissioner Pavan Patel, newly appointed Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones, newly sworn and appointed Chairman Kirk deViere and newly sworn Commissioner Henry Tyson. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County NC Government)