Dear U&CW readers,

The new year has begun, and undoubtedly, this community, our state, and the entire Nation are excited about the prospects of a safe and prosperous future.
Nowhere is that more evident than here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. More and more residents and stakeholders are stepping up into leadership positions while ineffective civic leaders are moving on, and negligent, lazy, and self-absorbed elected officials have found themselves out of office or, at best, relegated to the minority. Below is a letter addressed to all the residents of Cumberland County from the newly elected Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, Kirk deViere.
It contains an unprecedented message and commitment from that office that boldly conveys to the citizens of this community the Board’s collective commitment to prioritize and address the needs of the Cumberland County community.
It reads like a progressive movement to address the “real” needs of this community, and deViere is inviting all Cumberland County residents to get involved and participate in local government. I applaud deViere’s transparency and willingness to aggressively address and announce Cumberland County’s top priorities to the public. He has invited all citizens to participate and assist in accomplishing these goals. He can count us in, and I hope he can count on you.

Happy New Year! And Thanks for reading U&CW.
—Bill Bowman, Publisher

As we start 2025, Cumberland County faces important challenges that affect your daily life. My focus as Chairman is clear — improving the lives of our families and neighbors. We've got work to do, and we're ready to get it done.
Let's start with what matters most: clean water. Every family deserves safe drinking water, period. We're going to make the much-needed investments to ensure everyone in our county has access to clean water and we have the capacity and infrastructure to grow.
Our kids can't wait for a better education. We will work with the school board to put more resources where they count — in our classrooms and with our children. Every child deserves a fair shot at success, no matter their zip code.
Housing is tough right now, especially for folks who keep our community running. Our teachers, first responders, and hardworking neighbors often struggle to find homes they can afford. We're taking real action to partner with developers and create programs that help middle-income families move from renting to owning.
We recognize the mounting pressure on working families, particularly regarding the cost of childcare and accessibility As federal and state funding changes, we're working to keep childcare affordable and available for families who need it.
Mental health is hitting our community hard. We will work to make it easier to help when folks need it, with better crisis services and support programs that work for working families.
We're taking real action on homelessness — not just temporary fixes, but real solutions that help people get back on their feet with housing, mental health support, and job training.
Fort Liberty isn't just a base — it's part of who we are. Our veterans deserve more than just thanks — they deserve real support with mental health, housing, and jobs. We won't let them down.
Your tax dollars matter. With property revaluation coming up, we're working to keep more money in your pocket while still providing the services you count on. No waste, no games — just smart spending that makes sense.
We can't do this alone. We're building stronger partnerships with our cities, towns, state leaders, and federal representatives to make sure Cumberland County gets its fair share. After all, we're the gateway to Eastern North Carolina.
As your Chairman, I'm focused on turning these priorities into real results that matter to your family in 2025. But I need your help — come to our meetings, speak up, share your ideas. This is your community too, and together we can make it work better for everyone.

(Photo: Kirk deViere is the newly elected Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County)