Overview
• Four candidates are running for two at-large seats on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
• CityView asked each candidate the same questions about their priorities and county issues ahead of the November 3 election.
• The voter registration deadline is October 9. Early in-person voting takes place October 15–31, and same-day registration is allowed during early voting.
• Check CityView’s 2026 Voter Guide for more details on voting, candidates, and ballot measures.
Community activist Ron Ross of Gray’s Creek is one of four people seeking the two at-large seats on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
A Republican, Ross faces Democratic incumbent Veronica Jones, Democratic former County Commissioner Charles Evans, and Republican Greg West, a member of the Cumberland County Board of Education. The ballots list all four candidates as a group, and ask the voters to choose up to two of them. The two with the most votes will win.
CityView sent an electronic questionnaire to the candidates to learn more about them and gather their thoughts on issues they will face if elected. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Ross will be 76 on Election Day. He has one child, three grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He has run for office a number of times, but has not been elected before. He is retired from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
How can voters reach you? 910-494-3162
What are your top three topics or goals if elected?
- Financial responsibility. Every tax dollar should be treated with care and accountability and be transparent.
- Stronger communities. I will champion programs that support youth, strengthen families and safe neighborhoods for all
- Smart growth and opportunity. I will support policies that encourage economic development and create good jobs.
What sort of regulations do you want to see imposed on data centers in Cumberland County?
Data centers are energy hogs. Until they become environmentally friendly, the answer is no data centers.
As the county’s population grows, it will need more housing, commercial areas, and industrial development. Property owners in rural areas have sought to rezone their land to meet those demands and have met resistance from neighbors who want to maintain the rural character of the community. How would you address these competing perspectives?
Smart growth. Plan communities while we listen to the people with open meetings.
Some people are upset by the use of automated license plate readers, such as Flock Safety brand cameras. Meanwhile, county commissioners have discussed the use of speed cameras to automate the ticketing of speeding drivers in school zones.
What are the best policies and practices in the deployment of government surveillance cameras?
For surveillance cameras and speed cameras, have open meetings with law enforcement educating the public on the need. Then have a vote on the issue by the people of Cumberland County.
What are your thoughts on the initiative to extend public water throughout the county? And if you support the idea, what is the best way to make it happen?
The cost always falls on the taxpayer, not the company that caused the problem.
What are your thoughts on the cancellation of the Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville, and now the push to instead rehabilitate the Crown Theatre and Arena and pursue a “Crown Corridor” district? If you would do things differently, what would you do?
We wasted $30 million to create a parking lot. We should be and are going in the best direction with the Crown project.
Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.
