Fayetteville area contributors talk Fort Liberty name, fentanyl, guns in Top 10 Opinion
With pleasure, we present our Top 10 Fayetteville Observer Opinion of 2023, based on reader responses in our digital space.
In 2023, our opinion contributors wrote about everything from the name change at Fort Liberty to a veteran and businessman's journey to success to the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina’s long roots in Cumberland County and its quest for state recognition.
As we say in our mission statement: “We believe the page should reflect the community as much as possible. When the section encompasses state and national issues, it is with an eye toward their local impact.”
We encourage folks to submit their own opinions to Community Conversations, in the form of a letter or longer opinion piece, also called op-eds. Our preferred length is 400 words or fewer for letters, and 800 words or fewer for op-eds. If you have something to say, let us know at eletters@fayobserver.com.
Who knows? Maybe your voice will wind up in next year’s Top 10.
— Myron B. Pitts, Opinion Editor
No. 10: Memories of Fort Bragg
In July, retired Army Col. Joe Buccino, a former spokesman at Fort Bragg, shared fond memories and had thoughts on the name change to Fort Liberty.
He wrote: “I left Fort Bragg in the spring of 2021, just as the Congressional Naming Commission was identifying a new moniker for the installation. I privately advocated for Fort Ridgway …”
More: ‘Fort Ridgway’ memories: In Fayetteville, I found a great community
No. 9: A night with Fayetteville’s homeless
Justin Herbe, who was a candidate for Fayetteville City Council, wrote in August about spending the night with homeless people who were protesting at the city’s new Day Resource Center.
He wrote: “ Over the course of the night, I had the chance to speak to multiple individuals and hear lots of personal stories about how they ended up living on the streets. Over and over again, what I heard was they don’t want to be here. They did not ask to be homeless, and they need help.”
More: I spent a night with Fayetteville's homeless. Here is what I learned.
No. 8: The dangers of fentanyl
Former Congresswoman Renee Ellmers, a nurse from Harnett County, wrote about the continuing danger of fentanyl and what lawmakers can do to address the problem.
She wrote: “While fentanyl is responsible for driving up overdose deaths across the country, the Tar Heel State has felt its wrath more than most states have in recent years, where fentanyl overdoses have more than doubled since 2019.”
More: Fentanyl deaths in NC have more than doubled. What we can do.
No. 7: Tuscarora quest for recognition
In August, Donnie Rahnàwakęw McDowell of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina wrote about the tribe’s longtime Cumberland County ties and its quest for recognition by the state of North Carolina.
He wrote: “Investigations into the Indian groups that remained in Robeson, Cumberland, and adjoining counties in the late 1800s confirmed that Tuscarora communities resisted colonial notions of authority. Evidence regarding the life experiences of Tuscarora ancestor, Henry Berry Lowry, highlights that Tuscarora communities remained self-determined and active in defending the basic human rights of the Tuscarora People.”
More: Tuscarora Nation has long roots in Cumberland, deserves NC recognition, says tribe
No. 6: Serving together
In January, Amy Munn wrote about a special bond between two veterans, a son and his now 92-year-old father.
She wrote: “When Sgt. Major John Rhoden and Spec. Edward Rhoden were stationed at (Fort Liberty) together, the elder Rhoden thought Edward was not taking his physical training seriously, so as a leader and a father, he had his son come do PT with him. He was determined that his son would be a positive reflection upon his own reputation in the military.”
More: The sergeant major and the specialist: Fayetteville father and son share Army and Bragg connection
No. 5: Direct flight from Fayetteville to D.C.
Fayetteville City Councilwoman Kathy Keefe Jensen talked about obstacles to Fayetteville fliers obtaining a direct flight to Washington.
She wrote: “Authorizing additional flights at DCA will make travel from our state to our nation’s capital more affordable and more efficient overall. As North Carolina continues to grow in prominence, our business leaders require stronger access to federal policymakers and regulators. And considering the strong presence of federal military contractors in our area, our local economies would benefit through heightened business development opportunities.”
More: Fort Liberty, Fayetteville fliers should get a straight shot to D.C. but old rule an obstacle
No. 4: Dangerous emissions
Lisa Sorg, of NC Newsline, looked into emissions of the chemical vinyl chloride in our state and found some big numbers.
She wrote: “The Sampson County Landfill, which already carries the dubious distinction of ranking second in the nation in methane emissions, also led the state in vinyl chloride air releases: 3,224 pounds — or 1.6 tons. That figure is a 61% increase since 2017.”
More: More than 5 tons of vinyl chloride are emitted into the air in North Carolina each year
No. 3: A veteran's confession
Writer Troy Williams in November told the story of Kelsey Battle, a Gulf War veteran and businessman who revealed a long-held secret and changed his life.
He wrote: “After Battle completed the ASVAB, a recruiter confronted him and asked if he had graduated from high school. Battle was emphatic that he had and had hand-carried his diploma to the recruiting station as proof.
“But the recruiter wasn't impressed based on Battle's scores, and Battle had to confess.”
No. 2: Fayetteville hip-hop artist’s journey
In October, writer Rakeem “Keem” Jones wrote about a Fayetteville woman’s journey as a female hip-hop artist.
He wrote: “Halle Barrett was used to being surrounded by her family in Sampson County. Her biggest challenge was making friends because she considered herself to be socially awkward.
More: Fayetteville rapper, E.E. Smith grad wary of typecasting for female hip-hop artists: Keem Jones
No. 1: North Carolina has a gun problem
In February, regular contributor Jack Bernard wrote that North Carolina politicians should not be pointing the figure when it came to a problem with guns.
He wrote: “North Carolina’s age-adjusted death rate is 16 per 100,000 vs. Illinois — where Chicago is the largest city — at 14.1 per 100,000. In other words, there are slightly more gun deaths per capita in NC vs. Illinois.”
More: Don’t look to Chicago; NC has its own gun problem
Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville Top 10 Opinion: Guns, ‘Fort Liberty,’ homelessness
