Name as it appears on the ballot: Rodney E. Garvin
Previous elected offices held: N/A
Age as of Election Day: 43
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Entrepreneur
Best phone number and email for voters to reach you. Website and campaign social media:
- 910-257-6263
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?
Hi, my name is Rodney Garvin, and I’ve lived in Fayetteville for over 20 years. I care about this community; this is where I’ve had my career. With over 17 years of building teams and solving complex challenges in business, I know how to listen, build consensus, and get results. On city council, my focus will be on keeping our neighborhoods safe, supporting small businesses, and ensuring growth that improves our quality of life. I believe our city’s best days are ahead, and I’d be honored to earn your support in helping to lead us there.
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?
I think the three most pressing issues within my district are: PWC/Aqua, Speeding, and how tax monies are allocated within our district. PWC/Aqua has been in our district the whole time; however, they aren’t communicating with each other or the citizens. There has been a promise of sewage within our district for almost 20 years. It has now been added to some areas but not to all. We need to discover where the disconnect is. Speeding is also another issue within our district. Hoke Loop has a speed limit of 35; however, that speed isn’t being observed. We have had multiple accidents in that area, and it needs to be addressed. Also, on Cliffdale Road near the Bone Creek area, we need to address the safety of citizens entering and exiting onto Cliffdale Road. Taxes, District 8 has been annexed for 20 years. The citizens haven’t gotten anything in return for that besides trash collection. Before we had a local dump to dispose of refuse. We need to identify the disconnect between the city and the county as well.
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 think one of the most important things that the Fayetteville City Council has done is the increase in the airport. This allows for a direct flight from other cities here. Also working on the beautification of the city. This will help people want to walk more around the city, and those small businesses around there will be able to have an impact from there. One thing that does need to be increased is transportation within the city. We don’t have a bus route to the airport. Moving around this city is difficult without a car, and having other means of transportation will help increase our economy. The ability to get to work, much-needed resources, such as doctors and hospitals, are going to be essential to the city’s growth overall.
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?
I think moving forward, we have to do a better evaluation of who we hire to do the city’s business with. We have companies within our city that are capable of doing these tasks. Using the small businesses within our city will allow for the money to stay in our city and recirculate. This will help improve the current economic state here and allow for growth internally. This will, in turn, also attract other companies to want to come here and develop their businesses as well.
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?
Yes, I would have voted for it. Not only are the juveniles at risk, but so are the parents. Creating an environment that will allow for open interactions with the police and the citizens to reduce the amount of crime in general. An increase in the police department and safety services will help reduce the amount of crime. We need better rules and regulations around gun control and safety.
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.
Creating a safe and thriving environment will attract more business to our area. Projects that we are contemplating can be contracted out to local businesses. Using these businesses will increase the amount of revenue that can be spent locally, improving our economy. Continued work with the police department to help with the amount of crime in the city and help to reduce it is also key.
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?
Both entities are responsible for the unhoused individuals. The taxes that are taken from the city and county can be used to help create a solution. Using the programs that are in place should be revamped to accommodate their needs. We have some buildings in the city that aren’t being used and could be transitioned to create housing. These buildings could then be places to reeducate these individuals so they can get the necessary life skills needed.
