Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin has been appointed by Gov. Josh Stein to the N.C. Board of Transportation’s Division 6, which is headquartered in Fayetteville and covers Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, and Robeson counties.
“I’m grateful to Governor Stein for the appointment,” Colvin said. “Having a seat at the DOT table means Fayetteville’s transportation needs get heard at the state level. That’s critical for our economic development agenda and competitive positioning.” Colvin replaces Fayetteville business owner Ralph Huff, who resigned in June after one year. That’s good news, because we always need a voice when it comes to transportation and roads in this community.
Downtown Fayetteville will be busy this weekend with the International Folk Festival, and you can include the 910 Future Festival Week to the list of activities that includes today’s Lunch & Learn from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Segra Stadium and a concert from 6–10 p.m. on Saturday at the baseball stadium. “910 Future Festival Week is ultimately about Fayetteville investing in Fayetteville,” Nathan Cuffee, chair of the Fayetteville NEXT Advisory Commission, said in a news release. “We want people to see the talent we grow here, the businesses we build here, the opportunities we create here and the culture that makes this city ours. We also want people who call Fayetteville home to feel proud of what is happening in their city and excited about where we are going.”
The luncheon includes representatives from the Fayetteville Public Works Commission and the city’s economic development team. Registration is required to attend. The concert includes R&B artist Lloyd and hip-hop artist Waka Flocka Flame along with a diverse lineup of local and regional performers.
“Bill, while not surprised, I’m saddened to hear the news of the closure of my favorite dinosaur, the old Cumberland County Memorial Arena and Theater,” Phil Barnard wrote in an email about my September 20 column referencing the closure of the aging facilities because of structural and safety issues. “I have to agree with Commissioner (Henry) Tyson in regard to why wasn’t the level of structural concerns brought up in previous assessments of the buildings? Nevertheless, as the saying goes, it is what it is.
“There have been many coliseums and entertainment venues demolished throughout the country that weren’t as old as our war horse on U.S. Business 301. It has definitely seen better days, and it has served our county well for almost 60 years. It just saddens me whenever a place of such historical importance is reduced to rubble. I know that many people who weren’t around for the hundreds of concerts and performances by legendary artists could care less about preserving the old buildings. And the numbers suggested for modernizing the structures are staggering, to say the least.
“What is the answer? I don’t know. I do know it would make no sense to spend over $100 million to make the buildings sound again. And I do know I’ll hate to see the day the bulldozers and wrecking balls are brought in to remove such a huge part of history. I’m just glad I was around to enjoy many of its glory years, even if I didn’t get to see Elvis before he left the building. I certainly enjoyed the tour of the arena my wife and I took back in ’23. I stood in amazement thinking of all the different performers that sat in front of that dressing room mirror… including Elvis,” Barnard said.
“Bill, I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful piece in Sunday’s CityView,” Kennon Jackson Jr., president and chief executive officer for the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County, wrote in an email about closure of the Crown Theatre and Arena. “’Elvis Has Left the Building’” was a thoughtful and beautifully written reflection on The Crown and what it has meant to this community over the years. I especially appreciate the way you bring Fayetteville’s history to life—not simply recounting what happened, but capturing the people, memories and sense of place that give that history meaning. That kind of journalism is important, particularly as our community thinks about The Crown’s legacy and what comes next. Thank you for continuing to tell these stories with such care. I really enjoyed the piece and wanted you to know how much I appreciated it.”
Hard to believe, but it has been 69 1/2 years since Fayetteville resident Joe Quigg converted two free throws with six seconds left in the third overtime to give the University of North Carolina a 54-53 victory over Kansas. It gave UNC the 1957 National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball title and a 32-0 season.
He was a 20-year-old, 6-foot, 9-inch junior center for the late Frank McGuire’s team of New York City standouts to include the late Lennie Rosenbluth. Now a retired dentist, Quigg celebrated his 90th birthday on September 22.
Keep life simple, and you’ll find yourself ahead of the game.
No, Mr. President, you cannot ban the free press from access to the White House because of what you describe as “fake news” and find objectionable. It’s a violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and framers of the document (circa September 17, 1787) like James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton would be among the first, Mr. President, to tell you so.
If you don’t plan to be at the International Folk Festival today, you may wish to attend The CARE Clinic’s 26th Annual Toast of the Town fundraiser. The event takes place from 6–10 p.m. at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. It’s an evening that includes wine, beer and “spirits tasting,” hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. The CARE Clinic (circa 1993) provides free healthcare to low-income and uninsured adults of Cumberland and bordering counties. Tickets are $100 in advance.
Coming Sunday: “Help is coming our way,” Hope Mills mayor says about finance issues.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
