Name as it appears on the ballot: Toni Stewart

Party affiliation: Democrat

Previous elected offices held: 2020-present, Cumberland County Commissioner, District 2, current vice chairperson

Age as of Election Day: 53

Immediate family members: 4 children

Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Special project manager at True Vine Ministries

Website and campaign social media: tonistewartnc.com, Toni Stewart Cumberland County Commissioner

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?

I would propose transitional homes or tiny homes in conjunction with the Homeless Support Center, expand the mental health services to include youth that deal with secondhand trauma as well as crisis centers.

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?

Commissioners Keefe and Boose have not presented any projects to the board that they did not receive support for. I have voted with Keefe and Boose on matters that I felt were beneficial.

3. Discuss how you and this board would address PFAS contamination and the other environmental-related problems facing Cumberland County.

I have supported a working relationship with PWC for some time. The board and PWC is working on addressing the PFAS in our community. The board has also been very intentional about vetting businesses that desire to come into our community.

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?

We have to continue to speak to our delegation about the voucher program. The money in that program could be going in our public schools to assist with teachers’ salaries as well as other staffing needs. Continuing to communicate with the board of education and superintendent about the needs of our public school system and and getting ahead of things will assist in mitigating challenges.

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?

I am the chairwoman of the Homeless Support Center Committee and have worked with members of city council from the start. I believe that the COF and Cumberland County had worked well on this endeavor. Council Member Malik Davis sits on this particular committee and together we desire to see a change in our unsheltered community.