A Black man is smiling while looking into the camera.
Credit: City of Fayetteville

Name as it appears on the ballot: Mitch Colvin

Previous elected offices held: 2 Term Fayetteville City Council, Mayor Pro Tem; 4 term Mayor of Fayetteville

Age as of Election Day: 52

Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Funeral Home Owner

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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?

To ensure continuity and stability of the city council. I am the only candidate that has done the job and I feel more than ever experience day one is extremely important. My record is both stable and proven.

2. What do you view as the three most pressing issues facing your district (if applicable) and the city as a whole? How will you address them as mayor or as a city council member?

1-Continuing to build a wholistic Public Safety System, hiring and supporting our law enforcement officers with both compensation and technology.
2-Building and training our workforce to be competitive in the ever changing new world of technology and innovation.
3-Commitment to collaboration and building a long term plan for our community with the county, schools, community colleges, military, universities and health care systems.

We must prepare our community for success In healthcare, education and infrastructure county wide.

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.

Most importantly- Built a robust homeownership program to include all local government employees and city residents. Creating homeownership supports our housing and real estate market, creates sense of ownership in our neighborhoods and helps our citizens build wealth.

The one thing I wish council would have handled differently was to support the joint 911 operations with the county. This collaboration would not only save taxpayers $30M in duplication of services, but create a seamless process for emergency response.

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?

We have made it a city policy to hire project managers to oversee and assist in the vetting of any contractors who are awarded projects. In addition we have instructed the management to change the verification process for valid insurance and bonds. Finally, we have verified that the state law which mandates contracts be awarded to the lowest bidder must also proves responsible and or capable of completing the job.

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?

I brought this item to the council and certainly would vote again for its implementation. Although we voted in May to implement it, it did not go into effect until July 1st. We are seeing positive responses from parent compliance. I will work to continue expanding partnerships with organizations and nonprofits who focus on youth related initiatives. Finally continue to equip the police with the latest technologies available from cameras, drones, and other tools to assist in keeping our community safe.

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.

I initiated a next generation workforce initiative which began a collaboration of schools, community colleges, universities, hospital and county to build and retain a strong workforce. This was one of the main attractions companies are looking for in communities.

Secondly, getting a county wide plan to expand water, sewer and electricity throughout our county. This is critical for our housing availability for future employees, as well as readiness of our sites for industry.

Finally, building a plan for innovation and connecting our community to RTP and The Triad in areas of alignment which are medical and defense. These strategic partnerships give us a competitive edge over most other communities.

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?

We must play a vital support role in homelessness. From funding the Day Resource center which facilitates services, to supporting the Salvation Army for overnight shelter to being a funding partner for transitional housing or overnight shelter like we have with Manna Church currently.