City Councilman Mario Benavente gets it when it comes to appointing Josef Hallastchek as a member of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission to replace Wade Fowler. So does Kathy Keefe Jensen and freshman council members Deno Hondros and Brenda McNair, who all voted for Hallastchek on Feb. 13, with Benavente leading the way. Voting in opposition were Mayor Mitch Colvin, Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Dawkins and council members D.J. Haire, Courtney Banks-McLaughlin and Derrick Thompson. Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram was absent. “Could you please explain to all of our readers exactly what happened when they were trying to appoint a PWC board member?” asks Jay Wyatt, a Fayetteville businessman. “They abruptly adjourned the meeting. We rewatched it and still have questions. People in Fayetteville need to be aware of our City Council and what is going on.” Yes, Mr. Wyatt, I can answer your question. Apparently, some council members — Haire, Thompson, the mayor and the mayor pro tem —don’t know the difference in Hallastchek, who has nearly a quarter century experience with utilities, and the good-old-boy system. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure all of it out. The council is scheduled to meet Monday and, according to the city, the appointment to PWC is not on the agenda.
• • •
Folks who call Hope Mills home can take some satisfaction in having Joanne Scarola representing them on the town Board of Commissioners. A retired Army staff sergeant who served military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Scarola is animated, engaged and not afraid to tell you what’s on her mind in a board meeting. She is a commissioner with moxie. “I am totally on the citizens’ side,” Scarola said Monday night as commissioners discussed the topic of changing commissioners’ terms from two years to four-year staggered terms. “I’m not going to take away the voice of the people.” That’s an elected leader you always want representing you and your town.
• • •
Speaking of Hope Mills, the new public safety building that will house the town police and fire departments is changing the landscape along Rockfish Road, and it’s something residents can be proud of for years to come.
Your support for CityView helps ensure a more informed community. Donate today.
• • •
If you are into health care, a Coordination of Care hiring information session is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Rehabilitation Auditorium of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Cape Fear Valley Health System, according to a news release, is looking for registered nurses, case managers, social workers and discharge planners. To learn more or to register in advance, visit https://www.capefearvalley.com/careersx/events.aspx
• • •
“Mr. Kirby, many thanks for the excellently presented article highlighting the department and its heroes recognized during last week’s ceremony,” Fayetteville Fire Department Chief Mike Hill writes in an email about our Feb. 19 column and coverage of the annual Fayetteville Fire Department recognition Ceremony at Aevex Veterans Club at Segra Stadium. “Humbling, to say the least. I believe you captured the moment perfectly.”
• • •
When it comes to sound thought and common sense, you can always count on Karl Merritt. “Bill, I just read your Dogwood Festival piece in CityView,” Merritt writes in an email about our Feb. 17 column and coverage on plans for the 41st annual Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. “Trust me, if your point is that (City) Council has taken the festival over while contributing very little to making it happen, I totally agree. Further, I would contend that they have taken over an event that should be defined by the people who work hard to plan and carry it out. As I understand the history, country music was the focus at the beginning. The lineup this year, and in recent years, is lightyears removed from that focus. In my opinion, this kind of messaging is dangerous for the future of this city. This is an issue of great concern to me. In fact, I wrote about it way back. You may see my assessment at Karl Merrit’s website. Thanks for all you do and the forthrightness with which you speak.” Not saying, Mr. Merritt, the council at large is attempting to take over the festival scheduled for April 27-30 at Festival Park and other downtown streets. But Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram and Mayor Mitch Colvin sure gave Sarahgrace Snipes Mitchell, the festival’s executive director, an earful about a lack of diversity in June 2022, when Mitchell appeared at a council work session asking for $15,000 to assist in operational costs. Even the city manager stood up for Mrs. Mitchell. This year’s festival, with two country music entertainers, two heavy-metal bands and a Michael Jackson tribute band, isn’t overly impressive. Fact is, the festival board of directors isn’t skilled at booking musical acts. Or just doesn’t have the funding. But the festival is more about the street vendors, crafts, cotton candy, snow cones, candy apples, funnel cakes, hot dogs, corn dogs, sausage dogs, burgers and welcoming the spring season than anything else.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
