Name as it appears on the ballot: Gary A. Hunt
Previous elected offices held: N/A
Age as of Election Day: 51
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections
Best phone number and email for voters to reach you. Website and campaign social media:
- 910-225-1272; allenshere007@gmail.com
1. Give us your elevator pitch in 200 words or less. Why are you running for this office? What makes you the most qualified candidate?
I will always support the constitution of USA. I am not here to be your friend or enemy. I am here to make Fayetteville the city that we love and respect. With the greatest military base around in the world. I have served and protected the people of NC for 22 plus years. I’m here for all the people of Fayetteville and all districts. Your vote for me is a vote for Fayetteville.
2. What do you view as the three most pressing issues facing your district and the city as a whole? How will you address them as a city council member?
Public Safety of all citizens; Homeless of veterans and civilians; Economy.
Public Safety would be getting more police hired and give the current officers bonus for staying with the department. Place more camera’s around all areas of the city and AI can monitor.
Homeless is a terrible situation. When I see people sleeping on the streets of this city. It is totally unacceptable and I will not stand for it. There needs to be job placement, drug treatment programs and talk to these people and see what can be done to get them moving in the right direction.
Economy boost by continuing to bring in more jobs and affordable housing. Get the tech company to bring there business to us with tax breaks.
3. What’s the best or most important thing the Fayetteville City Council has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the council should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
I have no need or desire to speak on past decisions by the city council. My focus is on the now and the future of improvement and safer Fayetteville in all areas. Bringing in new business and keep the economy and tourism going forward. The city council has made choices and decisions that had to be made rather we agree or disagree.
4. Last year, the City of Fayetteville sued a contractor for abandoning over $6 million in construction projects. The city has since hired new contractors to finish the projects. What steps will you take to ensure Fayetteville is able to successfully complete capital projects in the future?
Only use contractors we have used in the past. That have completed all jobs from beginning to the end. Make these contractors held accountable for not completing the jobs they were hired for.
5. While overall crime in Fayetteville has decreased by around 13% this year, the number of homicides and incidents of juvenile crime have increased. The Fayetteville City Council recently enacted a youth curfew ordinance. Would you have voted in favor of it? How will you work to improve public safety and reduce crime in the city?
All for the youth curfew, but are the parents doing there part as well. Get parents more involved with keeping there children safe. Have a hotline to report any type of gang activity or criminal activity. improve public Safety is have more citizens involvement and more officers hired and stay. Make the public know that the officers are here to serve and protect each and every resident.
6. How will you work to attract and retain new businesses and other development to Fayetteville? Name another municipality you believe has made smart decisions about sustainable growth and development, and describe what it has done that could be implemented in Fayetteville.
Fayetteville is a city that keeps growing with population from the military. We have the American people that are here are eager to have a well paying jobs to support there families. For a company or business to come they must have the work force and we have it. Look at Raleigh area bringing in the great tech jobs with there city growing faster than most cities anywhere. This can be Fayetteville, cause they are doing bringing the high end jobs. We have enough gas stations and restaurants. We are The Can do City for a reason.
7. The county and city have often struggled to determine who is responsible for addressing homelessness. How would you work with the Cumberland County government and other community partners to decrease homelessness in the city?
Homeless must start by speaking and talking to these people. What put them here and what can we do to help them help themselves. Address the mental health problems and unemployment or drug or alcohol abuse related. We can offer different types of treatment or counseling to help our people.
