Fayetteville is a finalist for the All-America City Award, according to a city news release. Fayetteville will join 19 other cities competing for the honor sponsored by the National Civic League to be presented June 9-11 in Denver. “I was thrilled to hear our application made it through the process and we were a finalist,” says City Manager Douglas Hewett. “Especially given this year’s focus on youth that is such a critical part of our community. The engaging conversations around the Market House, painful at times, is also a reason why our recognition as a finalist has been so exciting. We know we are moving the community forward and it is gratifying to share our progress with other communities who may be facing similar challenges. I was here when we were selected in 2011 and I’m looking forward to bringing home the award again for our great city.” Other finalists are Charlotte; Davie County; Dallas, Texas; Decatur, Georgia.; Franklin Township, New Jersey; Fulton, Missouri; Gardena, California; Gonzales, California; Hampton, Virginia; Independence, Ohio.; Mesa, Arizona; Monrovia, California; Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; New York; Port St. Lucie, Florida; Redwood City, California; Saginaw, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and Wellington, Florida. The award, typically given to 10 communities each year, recognizes neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, tribes and region that engage residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges, according to the National Civic League website. Fayetteville has previously been honored as an All-America City in 2011, 2001 and 1985.
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“Paid parking is something that is needed here in Fayetteville,” Mayor Mitch Colvin was saying in a 2019 city news release. “We are a growing city, and this is the direction many growing cities with successful downtown areas are taking. We’ve seen that many of those who park downtown are not leaving their parking spots during the day, even with timed parking in effect. I am confident this plan will allow more people to come enjoy our beautiful downtown area.” All well and good, Mr. Mayor, if you can get the parking meters to work on the streets and in the Franklin Street and Hay Street parking garages. Sometimes the meters work; sometimes they don’t. I’m tired of being blocked in by an inept garage meter and a gate that won’t let me out of a parking garage. And a city police presence, as well as a parking garage attendant, wouldn’t hurt, either. If it’s a “can do” city, then do something about it.
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Fayetteville residents can meet with Police Chief Kemberle Braden, district captains, lieutenants, sergeants and patrol officers at a Fayetteville Police Department open house scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. April 12 at the Cross Creek District Station, 6147 Raeford Road.
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A 30-year-old male is the victim of the 10th homicide in the city this year, according to the Fayetteville Police Department, after a shootout on April 2 at the EV Lounge. Four others were injured. I said this last week, and I’ll say it this week: It’s an absolute disgrace that people cannot resolve disputes and disagreements unless it is at the point of a gun.
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Melissa Rogers Reid will become executive director of the Fayetteville Police Foundation, which is celebrating its 14th anniversary. “I am very excited to be working with the Fayetteville Police Foundation,” Reid says in a foundation news release. “I love our community, so I look forward to supporting our police department and promoting police-community relations.” Reid, who currently is director of resource development for United Way of Cumberland County, succeeds Cindy McCormic, executive director since 2015. “We are thrilled to welcome Melissa as our new executive director,” says Shawn Groover, president of the foundation board of directors. “She will bring her enthusiasm, great networking and communication skills as well as a wealth of knowledge in fundraising to our organization. We feel very fortunate to welcome her as a member of our team and look forward to the future of the foundation.” I’ve known Melissa Reid a long time, and Melissa Reid will lead the foundation well. Reid begins working with the foundation on April 17.
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Say what you will about this community, but you cannot argue that Fayetteville and Cumberland County are lovely places in the spring when the azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom.
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“Mr. Kirby, enjoyed reading your article on being a wanted man for jury duty,” retired Col. Carl Broadhurst writes in an email about our April 5 column on my summons for jury duty. “I was called for such duty in early March. I reported. Was escorted into the trial room. Judge (Jim) Ammons, my former neighbor, had a full jury before my name was called to be questioned. I am 81 years of age and some men of that age have to go to the restroom somewhat frequently. My planned solution for that was to wave, again and again, at the bailiff with, ‘It is me again.’ The lady asked me the same question about a two-year waiver or a permanent waiver. As a retired colonel and retired college professor, it is my duty to perform jury service as long as I am physically and mentally capable. Like you, there are a few folks that have questions about my mental qualification. Keep writing.” Bless your heart, Col. Broadhurst. You keep reading CityView, and I’ll keep writing.
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Registration is open for residents to participate in Fayetteville Beautiful, a citywide cleanup scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6, according to a city news release. Volunteers should meet at the open lot at 447 Murchison Road. Litter bags, gloves, water and snacks will be provided to volunteers. To register as a volunteer, visit www.fayettevillebeautiful.com.
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Sunday will be a sad day for this community, when the KBA printing press roars for a final time in publishing The Fayetteville Observer at the newspaper and publishing plant along Whitfield Street, and where 30 pressroom operators and 26 part-time employees will be affected, according to a published report by the Observer. Printing operations, according to the report, will move to the Gaston Gazette in Gastonia. A sad day, too, for the men and women who so proudly gave so many years of their lives to the oldest newspaper in the state.
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The Rev. David W. Woodhouse, senior pastor at Hay Street United Methodist Church, is scheduled to deliver the Easter Sunrise sermon “Do Not Be Afraid!” at 6:30 a.m. Sunday at Lafayette Park in downtown Fayetteville. “According to the Apostle Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Resurrection, both the angel who appeared at the empty tomb to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary and the risen Christ himself said, ‘Do not be afraid!’ On that first Easter Sunday and now, knowing that Jesus is alive brings great comfort and hope. Despite all the circumstances of our lives that may cause us to be fearful, i.e. death, divisions, disasters, disappointments, destructive behaviors, etc., there is a God who has demonstrated God’s great love for all of us, who has the power to set us free from death and sin, and who desires to be with us forever. Just as those first disciples were invited to believe in hope and tell others the good news of Christ’s Resurrection, we are invited to abandon our fears. Trust God, who has revealed God’s self in the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. And to share this good news with everyone.” Other participating churches include First Baptist Church on Moore Street with the Rev. Frederick Culbreth; First Baptist Church on Anderson Street with the Rev. Robert James Jr.; St. Luke AME Church on Hillsboro Street with the Rev. Orin Gill and associate minister the Rev. Sonja Deloach; First Presbyterian Church on Ann Street with the Rev. Michael Garrett; the Salvation Army; and the Highland Brass. In the event of bad weather, according to the Rev. Garrett, the service will be held in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
