Name as it appears on the ballot: Kathy A. Greggs

Previous elected offices held: Chair, Public Arts Commission, City of Fayetteville, 2016-2018

Age as of Election Day: 48

Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): USA Special Operations Recruiting Battalion; Ft Bragg, NC; SR Human Resource Manager

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1. Give us your elevator pitch in 200 words or less. Why are you running for this office? What makes you the most qualified candidate?

I’m Kathy Greggs, a U.S. Army Combat Veteran, business owner, and longtime community advocate running for Fayetteville City Council District 7. Service is the constant thread of my life—from combat zones to City Hall meetings. For over two decades, I’ve worked to advance police accountability, secure housing and disaster relief, and push for smart infrastructure upgrades.

Fayetteville is at a crossroads. We’re dealing with unsafe roads, PFAS water contamination, housing shortages, and a growing disconnect between residents and local government. My plan is rooted in transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community-first solutions: launching real-time civic technology for budget and safety updates, holding quarterly accountability forums, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

I believe public safety is non-negotiable, strong infrastructure is essential, and small businesses and working families deserve champions at City Hall. My campaign is people-powered—built on military families, faith leaders, parents, and small business owners who know it’s time for results, not excuses.

I bring the discipline of a soldier, the insight of a federal leader, the passion of an advocate and the heart of a neighbor. Together, we can make Fayetteville stronger, safer, and more accountable.

2. What do you view as the three most pressing issues facing your district and the city as a whole? How will you address them as a city council member?

The three most pressing issues facing District 7 and Fayetteville are infrastructure, public safety, and communication with elected officials.

Infrastructure & Environmental Security: Since 2016, multiple dam breaches and flooding have left families displaced, property damaged, and roads unsafe. On top of that, PFAS contamination threatens our water supply, and too many of our streets are crumbling from years of neglect. I will fight for a responsible, prioritized infrastructure plan that fixes failing dams, modernizes stormwater systems, and repairs our roads first. I’ll also pursue state and federal funding so taxpayers aren’t left footing the entire bill. Every dollar must be tracked and reported to restore trust.

Public Safety & Trust: A safe community is the foundation of freedom. Families shouldn’t fear crime in their neighborhoods, and law enforcement shouldn’t be under-resourced. I will ensure our police and first responders have the tools and training they need, while also strengthening neighborhood watch programs and communication. Public safety must be about prevention, protection, and trust.

Communication with Elected Officials: Too many residents feel ignored by their elected officials until after decisions are made. That must change. I will hold regular town halls, publish quarterly reports, and expand accessible communication so people know exactly where their tax dollars are going and how decisions affect them. Leaders should listen first, act second, and always answer to the people.

My approach is rooted in fiscal responsibility, public safety, and restoring trust by putting government back in the hands of the people.

3. What’s the best or most important thing the Fayetteville City Council has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the council should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.

The best action City Council took this past year was directing ARPA funds to crime prevention and upgrading police tools like ShotSpotter to detect gunfire. They also made the right call by implementing a youth curfew, giving parents and law enforcement another tool to keep kids safe and reduce late-night crime. Both steps showed a needed focus on prevention and accountability, essential for safer neighborhoods.

Where Council has fallen short is in budget transparency and public access. Too often, meetings are poorly noticed or rushed, leaving residents without a voice. Worse, there have been closed sessions that were not confidential or required by law. That should never happen. When public meetings aren’t properly announced or doors close unnecessarily trust erodes. Once trust is lost, it’s hard to rebuild.

In a Tier 1 community like Fayetteville, every tax dollar and decision matters. My priorities are clear: fund public safety first, repair failing infrastructure, and ensure full transparency. Government should always serve openly and honestly, never behind closed doors.

4. Last year, the City of Fayetteville sued a contractor for abandoning over $6 million in construction projects. The city has since hired new contractors to finish the projects. What steps will you take to ensure Fayetteville is able to successfully complete capital projects in the future?

The lawsuit over abandoned projects showed exactly why Fayetteville needs stricter accountability in contracting. To prevent this from happening again, I will ensure every contract is fully vetted by an independent third party before approval. This means verifying that contractors have the financial stability, performance history, and resources to deliver on time and on budget.

Residents also deserve full transparency. That’s why I will push for clear communication to the public about what is included in the entirety of every project. The timelines, costs, and deliverables should be accessible from the start. When people know what to expect, they can hold both the city and contractors accountable.

Finally, I will require that all bidding and contracting processes include third-party oversight to eliminate favoritism and guarantee competitive, fair awards. Contractors must prove they are properly licensed, insured, and bonded before they ever break ground.

My approach is simple: protect taxpayer dollars, strengthen oversight, and ensure capital projects are completed with integrity. Fayetteville families deserve results; not excuses, delays, or lawsuits.

5. While overall crime in Fayetteville has decreased by around 13% this year, the number of homicides and incidents of juvenile crime have increased. The Fayetteville City Council recently enacted a youth curfew ordinance. Would you have voted in favor of it? How will you work to improve public safety and reduce crime in the city?

Yes, I would have voted in favor of the youth curfew. Parents and law enforcement need every tool possible to keep our kids safe and reduce late-night crime. A curfew is not a cure-all, but it sets boundaries, encourages accountability, and helps prevent young people from becoming victims or offenders after dark.

Beyond the curfew, improving public safety requires a four-part approach:

Support & Strengthen Law Enforcement – Increase recruitment and retention by making Fayetteville a place where officers want to serve. I will also promote partnerships with U.S. Army Special Operations to share expertise in training and crisis response.

Modern Tools – Expand technology like ShotSpotter and adopt additional AI-powered tools to track crime trends, improve response times, and enhance investigations while protecting civil liberties.

Invest in Prevention – Partner with schools, churches, business owners, and nonprofits to expand mentorship, after-school programs, and job opportunities. I will establish a monthly Public Safety Roundtable to coordinate efforts to prevent human trafficking, gang affiliation, and drug abuse, while collaborating with county programs for diversion and foster care support.

Transparency & Trust – Hold regular safety forums so residents can voice concerns, see crime data, and strengthen community-police trust.

I believe safe neighborhoods are the foundation of strong families and a thriving city.

6. How will you work to attract and retain new businesses and other development to Fayetteville? Name another municipality you believe has made smart decisions about sustainable growth and development, and describe what it has done that could be implemented in Fayetteville.

Attracting and retaining businesses in Fayetteville means building a city where entrepreneurship thrives and families can create lasting stability. That starts with cutting red tape, streamlining permits, and investing in reliable infrastructure. Businesses are dependent on the roads, water, stormwater, and broadband infrastructure. Public safety also plays a role, because businesses grow where communities are safe and stable.

I want Fayetteville residents, not just visitors, to see what owning a business looks like and to have clear pathways to achieve their entrepreneurial goals. That includes supporting small, veteran-owned, and disability-owned businesses. Opportunities must be available for residents who are blind, deaf, or living with other challenges. We should also equip new entrepreneurs with AI-powered business tools to compete in today’s economy.

We must vet businesses requesting to build in Fayetteville to ensure they provide livable wages and safe workplaces. Those who fail to meet standards should face a penalty system. Growth must not come at the expense of workers’ rights or community values.

By pairing this with education on building generational wealth and expanding resources into all neighborhoods, not just downtown, we create opportunity for young and old alike. Cities like Greenville, South Carolina show how smart, accountable growth can strengthen an entire community.

7. The county and city have often struggled to determine who is responsible for addressing homelessness. How would you work with the Cumberland County government and other community partners to decrease homelessness in the city?

Homelessness is not just a city issue or a county issue, it’s a shared responsibility that requires collaboration. Too often, Fayetteville and Cumberland County point fingers instead of working together. That has to change.

As a City Council member, I will push for a formal partnership agreement between the city, county, and community organizations so roles and responsibilities are clear. The city can focus on transitional housing, zoning, and public safety, while the county provides healthcare, mental health, foster care, and social services.

We must also partner with faith-based groups, nonprofits, and business owners to expand re-entry programs, job training, and apprenticeship opportunities. Homelessness won’t end with shelter alone, it requires pathways back into the workforce and stable housing.

I also support creating a joint city-county Homelessness Task Force with quarterly public updates so residents know what progress is being made. Transparency ensures accountability.

Finally, prevention must be a priority. By coordinating with county diversion programs, supporting foster youth, and addressing human trafficking and addiction, we can reduce the number of people who fall into homelessness in the first place.

I am Kathy Greggs—no titles, no party affiliation—just accountability, partnership, and solutions, not politics.