How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
As I write this, less than 1300 residents have made it down to the Board of Elections on Fountainhead Lane in downtown Fayetteville. Observers say that is disappointing and pathetic, but I say it's engineered and self-inflicted! It makes you wonder what the Cumberland County Board of Elections were thinking when arranging the Early Voting period or if they were thinking at all.
Many others are speculating such negligence could only be intentional with the intent to design and engineer a voting period that fosters low turnout to shore up and protect the incumbents. This would make a great debate, with plenty of evidence substantiating this notion. Our current nine districts form of city government and the Board of Elections couldn't have made it more difficult for Fayetteville residents to participate in one of America's most cherished rights, the right to vote.
Voting disincentives are many. There is only one inconvenient Early Voting location in Downtown Fayetteville. Some residents in outlying districts must travel 12 to 15 miles and 30 to 45 minutes to reach the polling location. Voters only get to vote for two out of 10 candidates, not making the journey downtown worthwhile. The only (inconvenient) Early Voting location in downtown Fayetteville closes at 5 p.m. and does not provide those voters who are getting off work at 5 or 5:30 in the evening an opportunity to vote. However, 5 p.m. is when the county election officials get off work.
There were too few relevant candidate forums and no debates, especially at the district level. Consequently, voter awareness of the candidates and the critical issues that impact the residents of Fayetteville is lacking.
During the past several weeks, I have fielded many personal calls and requests from friends, family and residents asking me, "Who should I vote for?" Even though many newspapers and media outlets across the country endorse political candidates, Up & Coming Weekly does not.
However, here are my assessments of all 20 candidates. These are based on their achievements, community involvement, work ethic, integrity and overall willingness and desire to represent all Fayetteville residents of all districts. These candidates know and love this community and have demonstrated their advocacy for doing what's in the best interest of Fayetteville's citizens, businesses and organizations while enhancing our quality of life through better and more efficient government.
I have bolded the candidates demonstrating the values I feel Fayetteville needs to move successfully into the 21st century.
Mayor
• Mitch Colvin - incumbent
• Freddie de la Cruz
District 1
• Kathy Keefe Jensen - incumbent
• Alex Rodriguez
District 2
• Shakeyla Ingram - incumbent
• Tyrone A. Williams
District 3
• Mario (Be) Benavente
• Antonio B. Jones - incumbent
District 4
• Thomas C. Greene
• D.J. Haire - incumbent
District 5
• Johnny Dawkins - incumbent
• Frederick G. LaChance III
District 6
• Peter Pappas
• Derrick Thompson
District 7
• Brenda McNair
• Larry O. Wright, Sr. - incumbent
District 8
• Courtney Banks-McLaughlin - incumbent
• Michael Pinkston
District 9
• Deno Hondros
• Yvonne Y. Kinston - incumbent
Most of my preferred candidates, not all, favor term limits and adding four at-large seats to the Fayetteville City Council. This would give Fayetteville citizens six votes when choosing municipal leadership, rather than only two (one for Mayor, four for at-large council members, and one for their district).
Many pundits are calling this a "friends and family" election, meaning that because of the collective barriers to voting mentioned above, the winning candidates will be determined by how well they turn out the vote. One thing you can count on, and I have said this many times before, is that we will ultimately end up with the Fayetteville leadership we deserve.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.