Shaun McMillan walked onto the stage Monday evening with a self-assured gait and presence unseen in Fayetteville City Council inaugurations. “I want to first just thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to walk in my purpose while serving the people in the community I love,” the 49-year-old McMillan told the audience at J.W. Seabrook Auditorium on the Fayetteville State University campus after taking his oath from Judge David Hall of Durham to represent District 8 on the council. “Rest assured that together we arrived here guided by the enduring African principle of Ubuntu, which translates to ‘I am because we are.’ That truth is that together we are building and creating the foundation that will support every step we will take in the future … Ubuntu is not simply a philosophy. It is our blueprint for governance. True and lasting strength comes only from shared power and collective vision. My prayer for commitment extends to this entire council, each and every one of my colleagues on this stage, that we ground our work not in ego but in service, not an image, but in outcomes. Not in a tired sense of incrementalism, but in inspired and aggressive action. Nor in personal ambition, but in material change for the people who need it the most. Let us hold to the principle that the first must be last and the last shall be first … Finally, our mandate is unmistakable. We must rebuild public trust through systems of true accountability and real transparency.” His was a presence of a confident resolve of commitment this City Council has not seen lately.
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“This invoice is outrageous, and I would ask this board not to support giving him this much money,” former Hope Mills Commissioner Jerry Legge said Monday in his final official word after 27 years on the board about a $17,762 bill from a Charlotte attorney, who investigated alleged racist remarks by outgoing commissioner Elyse Craver. The lawyer’s report said the 78-year-old Craver more likely than not made a racially discriminatory comment about “too many Blacks running” the town. Craver, who always has denied saying such, along with Legge, voted against paying the full amount of the invoice. Outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Kenjuana McCray and Commissioner Bryan Marley voted for it. Mayor Jessie Bellflowers broke the tie in the absence of outgoing Commissioner Joanne Scarola. A lot of money spent over a lot of “he said, she said” hearsay.
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Seems to some of us that Bryan Marley, who has served on the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners for six terms, should have been the choice as the mayor pro tem. Just saying.
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Seems to some of us that Deno Hondros, who has a good way with people, should have been the choice for mayor pro tem of the Fayetteville City Council. And Hondros welcomes news media inquiries. Just saying.
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Folks at the Cumberland Community Foundation say they still are entering final gifts from the GivingTuesday campaign, which ended December 2, and they’re singing praise for the generosity of this community. “Huge success this year,” says Mary Holmes, president and chief executive officer of the foundation. “Not ready for final report, but the short answer is that CCF will distribute over $4 million this year compared to $2.88 million last year.”
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Call it Christmas come early as Gold Star children and surviving spouses are scheduled to board the Snowball Express on Saturday at Fayetteville Regional Airport and bound for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for multiple days of holiday fun. “Fayetteville Regional Airport is proud to welcome Snowball Express families once again,” Andrew LaGala, the airport director, says in a news release about the annual excursion sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation for families of fallen military service men and women. “This is always a special moment for our team and our community, and we’re excited to help create a smooth, uplifting start to their journey.” Families will be welcomed from 9:30-10:15 a.m. and depart at 11:05 a.m. I’ve covered a lot of stories throughout Cumberland County in my time as a journalist, and seeing the faces of these youngsters and their mothers and fathers is something you never forget.
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We’ve all heard the “You’re as slow as Christmas” adage. Nothing slow about it. Christmas is coming fast, and it’s only 21 days away.
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Fayetteville police officers responded to a shooting just after 6 p.m. on November 26, where a 47-year-old man was suffering from a fatal gunshot wound at a motel on the 3700 block of Bragg Boulevard, according to a Fayetteville Police Department news release. The victim was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died. A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in what the FPD says is the 36th city homicide of 2025.
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“Excellent article written on the service for Phil Harris,” Sandy Hurley writes in an email about my November 26 column, remembering the late Fayetteville resident. “I’m thankful for your amazing talent.” Everything the Rev. Christie Gravely said in her eulogy about Phil Harris was true, Mrs. Hurley, and every word in the column. Phillip Blackmon Harris died at age 88 on November 17.
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“Bill, loved your column,” Ann Highsmith writes in an email about my November 30 column about Dick Taylor remembering the heyday of the 100-year-old downtown Prince Charles Hotel, where his late father, Richard Taylor, was general manager from 1951-1965. “I think our community will enjoy walking back in time as they read it.” Richard Taylor died at age 80 in 1998.
“Hi, Bill, just finished reading your article on the Prince Charles hotel in ‘old downtown’ Fayetteville and totally enjoyed it,” Candice White of Huntersville writes in an email. “A special thanks for writing it. Keep ‘em coming. Still miss my home in Fayetteville.”
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“Bill, thank you for being so faithful to cover our garden club Veterans Day ceremony,” Sybil West of the Cross Creek-Briarwood Garden Club writes about my November 12 column of the annual Blue Star Memorial Veterans Day event at North Carolina Veterans Park. With so many active duty and military veterans in the Fort Bragg and Fayetteville community, Mrs. West, it is a patriotic calling we cannot turn a blind eye to every Veterans Day.
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Arnette Park at 2165 Wilmington Hwy. is ringing in the holiday season with its annual Christmas in the Park, which kicks off from 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, according to a news release. The holiday drive-thru also is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. December 14-18 and December 21-22. No charge for admission.
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‘Tis the season at the Poe House, where the Coventry Carolers, Fayetteville Sound, and Sweet Tea Shakespeare will be celebrating the holidays with the annual Holiday Jubilee at the 1897 Poe House from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the historic home at 206 Bradford Ave. in Haymount. “Holiday Jubilee is truly the most magical time to visit the 1897 Poe House,” Victoria Peck, the house coordinator, says in a news release. “Visitors can wander through rooms dressed in Victorian Christmas décor while discovering the traditions of the era.” Concerts take place every 30 minutes on the front porch. The home will be decorated for Christmas through January 11. No charge for the jubilee or touring the home.
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All of us have those outdated and unwanted electronics in our homes, and you can rid yourself of those old printers, copiers, laptops, televisions, video game systems, and cell phones from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, per the Community Electronics Waste Recycling Drive at the Ann Street landfill, according to a news release. Proper disposal of electronic waste helps protect the environment and prevents harmful materials in landfills. Visit cumberlandcountync.gov/solidwaste for more information.
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You never know for sure what old Saint Nick will be delivering under the tree for Christmas, but if you’re thinking about a family pet, Cumberland County Animal Services is participating in the nationwide BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters through December 15, when you can adopt a dog or a cat at no cost. Adoption fees of $100 for canines and $70 are being waived. Adoptions include rabies vaccination, deworming, flea treatment, combo vaccines, a microchip, a heartworm test for canines, and spay or neuter surgery. Cumberland County Animal Services at 4704 Corporation Drive is open for adoptions daily from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays. Visit cumberlandcountync.gov/animals or call 910-321-6852 for more information.
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Coming Sunday: ‘Tis the season for holiday shopping, and thieves on the prowl
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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