Name as it appears on the ballot: Kirk deViere
Party affiliation: Democrat
Previous elected offices held: State senator, two terms; Fayetteville City Council, one term
Age as of Election Day: 54
Immediate family members: Jenny deViere (wife), Greyson deViere (son)
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): 219 Group – advertising, marketing & PR – president & owner
Website and campaign social media: kirk@kirkdeviere.com; kirkdeviere.com; Facebook KirkDeviere; X (formerly Twitter) @kdeviere; Instagram @kirkdeviere
1. What three projects or proposals will you present to the board, and to county residents, if you’re elected? And what (if any) projects or proposals would you seek to eliminate and why?
As a former state and local elected official, I understand the importance of collaboration in creating effective policies. These are three critical areas that I would look to address:
Clean, Safe Drinking Water: I will advocate for a comprehensive countywide water plan that addresses residential, commercial and government needs. This includes funding strategies for infrastructure improvements, immediate solutions for contaminated wells, and a long-term strategy for expanding water access countywide.
Affordable, Quality Childcare: I’m committed to making childcare more accessible by increasing financial assistance, implementing a flexible voucher system, securing funds for facility improvements and staff training, and fostering partnerships with businesses. This will support child development and help parents balance work and family.
Affordable Housing: Working with developers, nonprofits, municipalities and community leaders, we’ll increase housing availability through innovative funding, updated zoning regulations and rehabilitation of existing homes. We’ll also support first-time homebuyers to ensure all residents have access to quality, affordable housing.
These initiatives are crucial for Cumberland County’s growth and the well-being of our residents. I’m dedicated to creating practical solutions that benefit our entire community.
2. The two Republican commissioners, Jimmy Keefe and Michael Boose, will move off the board in December. They’ve said it’s difficult for Republicans to accomplish much on the board as it’s presently constituted. What’s your response to that, and how would you answer a claim that this board doesn’t promote bipartisanship?
My record demonstrates a consistent commitment to working across party lines for the benefit of our community, even when it came at a personal political cost. In today’s climate, we need leaders focused on uniting and strengthening our community, not dividing it.
Throughout my service on the Fayetteville City Council and as a state senator, I have always prioritized community interests over partisan politics. As your county commissioner, I will continue this principle of putting our community’s needs first.
3. Discuss how you and this board would address PFAS contamination and the other environmental-related problems facing Cumberland County.
Clean, safe drinking water is essential for our county, and as your county commissioner, it is my top priority. This isn’t new territory for me; as your state senator, I secured funding for clean water infrastructure and health studies while strengthening regulations to hold polluters accountable. With over 5,000 confirmed GenX contamination cases, we face an urgent health crisis. I’m committed to using my experience to implement both immediate actions and long-term solutions.
My approach will focus on several key areas: expanding clean water access to all affected areas by securing federal and state funds; launching a targeted public education campaign to inform residents about available resources; enforcing stricter adherence to the Chemours consent order; developing and funding a comprehensive, countywide water infrastructure plan; and fostering strong collaborations with state agencies and neighboring counties, recognizing that environmental issues cross county lines.
We must address both urgent needs and long-term challenges. Investing in these improvements is crucial for our community’s well-being. By implementing immediate solutions while planning for the future, we can secure clean water for Cumberland County now and for generations to come. As your county commissioner, I am committed to delivering real results, not just talk.
4. Declining enrollment and the end of COVID-related federal funding present Cumberland County’s public school system with some significant fiscal challenges. How will the board of commissioners help mitigate those challenges?
As a parent with a child in our public school system, I feel the urgency of this issue personally.
We need a sustainable local supplemental teacher pay plan. The school board must develop and recommend a practical plan that prioritizes directing resources into classrooms, where they have the greatest impact. As a state senator, I fought for and secured increased teacher pay, with additional percentages for low-income counties like ours.
Our school facilities need immediate attention. According to a 2021 assessment, Cumberland County schools require $589.7 million over the next five years for essential repairs, renovations and new construction. We must create a realistic, actionable plan to address this need, including redistricting to optimize the use of existing space and resources.
The school board must stop relying on its “savings account” for recurring expenses and focus on sustainable, long-term funding. As a county commissioner, I would only support school funding models that offer fiscal sustainability and commit to reviewing the current general fund allocation to ensure it adequately supports K-12 education. At the state level, we should push for adjustments to the Average Daily Membership (ADM) formula, allowing for mid-year recalculations to better align funding with enrollment changes.
5. What role does the board have in cultivating better collaboration with the other governmental bodies in Cumberland County, such as the Fayetteville City Council, and what are some examples of synergy that could be produced with more collaboration?
By actively building partnerships, the board can drive impactful solutions that benefit the entire county. For example, collaboration on clean water initiatives can improve water quality and infrastructure, ensuring safe drinking water for all residents. In public safety, joint planning between the county and city would optimize resource allocation, strengthen emergency response and enhance crime prevention.
Working together on affordable housing and homelessness can create a unified approach, combining resources for shelters, housing and support services to better address these critical issues. Streamlining planning and development policies across the county and city would increase efficiency in zoning, permitting and land use, laying the foundation for stronger economic growth.
Deeper, more balanced investments in economic development would further enhance collaboration, attracting businesses, creating jobs and boosting quality-of-life projects like parks, recreation and the arts. These initiatives strengthen the community’s well-being and make Cumberland County more appealing to residents and visitors alike. Through cooperation, governmental bodies can maximize their impact while ensuring a more effective use of tax dollars and a fiscally responsible approach that benefits everyone in the county.