With an impassioned and sometimes teary-eyed State of the County Address, Cumberland County Commissioners Chair Kirk deViere on Tuesday said the county is full of talent and promise, and that by working together, its people will have a strong, bright future.
He highlighted numerous issues facing the county, from public safety to safe drinking water, from care for the needy to childhood and adult education, ties to Fort Bragg, and opportunities for growth and success.
He also said the county will work to lower its property tax rate. The tax rate has been of high concern this winter and spring after property values spiked in the most recent tax revaluation. He spoke before about 120 people — local elected officials, county staff, community activists and others — in the courtroom of the Historic Courthouse.
“I have always believed that the best ideas come from listening to the people we serve,” deViere said.
DeViere cited his conversations over the years with Liz Bolton of the low income but pride-filled B Street community near downtown Fayetteville. These date back to when deViere first ran for public office, for the Fayetteville City Council in 2015.
At times, deViere had to pause, choked up, at the memories. A week after he and Bolton first met, he said, she sent him a letter. He still has it.
“Her powerful message challenged me to envision a vibrant community where every neighborhood is safe, where economic opportunities reach all residents, and where everyone can pursue their dreams regardless of where they live.
“Our decisions today will shape our community for generations,” deViere said.
“We need honest conversations about our real challenges, shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration and the courage to make tough choices when necessary. We cannot afford to keep pace. We cannot afford to keep pace with change. We must drive it.
“Tonight I want you to look out this window with me and see the community we deserve and we can build together.”
Video: State of the County Address
Some of the things that deViere said the county is focused on:
- Clean water. In the face of the PFAS contamination of the drinking water wells, the county is installing a filter system at two schools, bringing municipal water to Gray’s Creek, and starting down a long road to bring municipal water countywide “that ensures every family has access to safe, regulated drinking water.”
- Education. DeViere said Cumberland County will pay teachers competitively, more than those in surrounding counties, will address overdue needs to rehabilitate and modernize schools and, when necessary, build new schools. And it will strengthen its relationship with the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County to boost early childhood education and help children with special needs.
- Public safety. In addition to supporting the Sheriff’s Office, which has had a staffing shortfall, deViere promised efforts to help people with mental health and substance abuse issues, “that treat mental health emergencies as health care issues rather than criminal matters.” Emergency services will get better equipment to speed response times, and he said the county will have a “unified 911 communications center.” Fayetteville and Cumberland County currently have separate 911 centers.
On the horizon, the county will have a regional aquatic center for local swimmers and regional competitions, and a children’s museum, he said.
During his 23-minute speech, deViere never mentioned the downtown Crown Event Center, the $145 million performing arts venue that started construction in October, but that now is being assessed for its costs. However, deViere said, “Cumberland County’s diverse art scene, from live theater production to spoken word performances, from live concerts to visual exhibits — they all deserve bold expansion.”
The county will build a support center to help homeless people, and develop a safety net with nonprofit organizations and Fayetteville Technical Community College’s HOPE work skills education program to catch people falling into crises and help them recover.
By working with Fort Bragg and its 52,000 personnel, their families, and local military retirees, “We are becoming America’s premier military connected community by tackling spouse unemployment, and transforming veteran leadership into entrepreneurial success,” he said.
DeViere cited Cumberland County veteran Jim Hartman, who built a successful honey farm after leaving the Army.
“The state of Cumberland County is strong and our potential is boundless,” deViere said. “We are grounded in our shared values of service, transparency and respect. By focusing on the future we want to create, not just the challenges we face, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”
Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.
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