Why Veronica Jones Is Running for Cumberland County Board of Commissioners

Veronica Jones is seeking reelection to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, where she is the vice chair. She is one of four people running for the board’s two at-large seats.

A Democrat, Jones faces Democratic former Commissioner Charles Evans, Republican community activist Ron Ross, 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.

Jones, of Fayetteville, will be 60 on Election Day. She has served on the Board of Commissioners since December 2022. Her businesses include the Jones Global Consulting Group, Green Ivy Incorporation, the non-profit Jones Global Foundation, and family real estate investments.

Jones’ family members include her father, Coley Jones Jr., a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 4, her niece Syadia Vann, and her nephew Seville Williams Vann.

How can voters reach you? veronicajonesnc@gmail.com, 910-257-6156, veronicajonesnc.com, and veronicajonesnc on Facebook.

What are your top three topics or goals if elected?

My actions on this board as vice chairwoman and commissioner-at-large demonstrate that leadership must produce measurable results. My continuing priorities are public safety, education, and responsible growth and infrastructure.

I supported fully meeting Cumberland County Schools’ FY2026 current-expense request, and our FY2027 budget continues major education investments. I have also supported stronger law enforcement and emergency services resources, and the county and city framework for unified 911 communications.

Responsible growth must include clean, safe water. Our board has allocated $21 million toward Gray’s Creek public water expansion while pursuing additional state and federal funding.

Leadership must stay connected to people. As the commissioner appointed to represent our board through Social Services, Public Health, Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils, Alliance Health, and the Southeastern Economic Development Commission and boards, I remain engaged with families, youth, behavioral health, and economic opportunity for Cumberland County.

All commissioners also serve as Cape Fear Valley Health System trustees. I support our $10 million county investment in the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine and the healthcare and economic opportunities it brings our region.

What sort of regulations do you want to see imposed on data centers in Cumberland County?

I advocate through action for this board to be wise, thoughtful, and responsible when considering development of this magnitude.

I supported taking time to study data centers before major projects move forward without appropriate safeguards. Our board approved a temporary moratorium while Cumberland County evaluates this rapidly developing issue.

Permanent regulations should address water consumption, electrical demand, noise, environmental impacts, infrastructure requirements, zoning, location, and compatibility with surrounding communities. We must understand the full cost and benefit before committing public resources or changing the character of an area.

At the same time, I support responsible economic development. My approach is not to close the door on investment, but to ensure growth does not place unreasonable burdens on residents, taxpayers, infrastructure, or natural resources.

That same philosophy guides my support for broader community investment. I supported our board’s $3.5 million, four-year commitment to Cape Fear Regional Theatre and investments that preserve our military heritage. Economic development is strongest when we also invest in arts, culture, military families, healthcare, education, and quality of life.

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?

As your current vice chairwoman, commissioner-at-large, my leadership governing approach is grounded in balance, fairness, and respect for both private property rights and established communities.

I understand that land may represent a family’s lifetime investment and retirement security. I also understand residents who chose a rural community because they value open space, lower density, and a particular quality of life.

That is why I approach rezoning decisions individually and carefully. We must consider traffic, roads, schools, public safety, water and sewer capacity, environmental impacts, surrounding neighborhoods, and our long-term land-use plans.

Cumberland County will continue to grow, and growth brings a need for housing, businesses, healthcare, infrastructure, and jobs. But responsible growth does not mean approving every development or opposing every development.

Growth should strengthen the people already here. As Chair of the County’s American Rescue Plan Committee, I advocated for nonprofit investment through the Community Impact Program. In 2025, our board approved approximately $1.38 million for 63 nonprofit organizations serving needs ranging from health and human services to youth development, public safety, faith-based services, arts, and community development.

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?

Public safety is one of my highest responsibilities, but effective public safety and constitutional protections are not mutually exclusive.

Technology can be a valuable law-enforcement tool when used appropriately, but government should not have unrestricted access to the everyday movements of law-abiding citizens. I support clear rules for authorized access, legitimate purposes, data retention, information sharing, cybersecurity, audit trails, and consequences for misuse.

Our commitment to safety also requires investing in people and prevention. In FY2026, the County budgeted approximately $37.6 million for the Sheriff’s Office, $3.6 million for school law enforcement, and $5.2 million for Emergency Services. I advocated against cuts that could weaken law enforcement, Public Health, or Social Services.

I understand prevention begins with youth. As the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) liaison, I worked collaboratively with Swan Davis, president of Let’s Make It Happen Together (and JCPC Vice Chairman), and Tyshica Smith Tucker, Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council program coordinator. We three created youth initiatives.

I presented our JCPC proposal, it was fully funded and approved by the board of commissioners. Strong public safety combines enforcement, prevention, accountability, and opportunity.

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?

I have consistently advocated for investments that directly protect the health, safety, and quality of life of Cumberland County residents.

Access to clean, safe, reliable drinking water is fundamental. PFAS concerns in Gray’s Creek demonstrate why long-term infrastructure planning matters. Our board has allocated $21 million toward the Gray’s Creek project while pursuing additional state and federal funding. I support a phased countywide strategy that prioritizes communities with the greatest public-health needs and works to keep connection costs affordable.

Health leadership must also extend beyond infrastructure. I created Cumberland County’s first ever Women’s Health Summit in partnership and collaboration with our Public Health Department and Department of Social Services, focusing on women’s general health, maternal health, infant health, mental health, and resources.

I value working with DSS Director Brenda Jackson and staff, Public Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green and staff, our board members, healthcare professionals, and community partners.

Leadership means listening to experts, understanding family needs, building partnerships, and turning those relationships into practical action that improves health outcomes and quality of life.

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?

I did not support canceling the planned new Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville. The board ultimately voted 5-2 to discontinue that project, and I respect the decision of the majority. My position was that a new downtown facility offered stronger long-term opportunities for downtown activity and economic development, while I had concerns about the cost of substantially modernizing older Crown facilities.

Now that the board has chosen another direction, my responsibility is to scrutinize costs, accountability, long-term value, and taxpayer interests as the modernization project proceeds.

That same sense of stewardship guides my broader service. I advocate for veterans and military families, specialty courts, Social Services, Public Health, law enforcement, youth, seniors, arts, and nonprofits. I value collaboration with Chief District Court Judge Toni King and our justice partners, Fort Bragg military leadership, elected officials, faith-based leaders, nonprofits, educators, and business leaders.

No commissioner succeeds alone. Experienced leadership builds partnerships, respects expertise, protects essential services, and converts collaboration into action and measurable results.

Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.