Fayetteville City Council to select new member to represent District 3 on Dec. 13

The Fayetteville City Council did not select a replacement for the vacant District 3 seat on Monday, but did settle on a selection process and heard from each candidate.

At a special meeting intended to appoint the new council member, City Council members voted to delay the appointment to Dec. 13. A public hearing will be held then to get input from residents.

Now, the new council member will be selected at the council's Dec. 13 regular meeting and sworn in on Dec. 14. Originally, the District 3 member would have began their duties next Monday after being selected Monday. The new member is expected to serve in the position until April when the City Council elections will be held.

Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram made the recommendation and motion to have public input in the selection process and asked for clarification on the appointment.

The council was legally required to select a new member by Dec. 13, about a month after former Councilwoman Tisha Waddell resigned from the District 3 seat on Nov. 9. In her resignation letter, Waddell cited what she felt was a lack of transparency and unity from the board.

The change on the vote prompted some discussion about the logistics of appointment including the absence of Councilman Johnny Dawkins next week. He said at the meeting that he would try to call in to still vote on the new member. City Attorney Karen McDonald said the council would still be within their timeline to appoint a new council member next week.

A word from the candidates

Eleven people applied for the District 3 position and met the qualifications required to be selected including being registered to vote and being a resident of the district.

Each candidate had three minutes to speak at the meeting Monday to further express their interest in the position. Colvin called each candidate to the podium and council members each could ask one question following the speeches.

Both Ingram and Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen were physically absent from the meeting but called in.

Related: Here are the 11 candidates in the running to fill Fayetteville's District 3 seat on City Council

Antonio B. Jones

Jones said he had a desire to serve people and is engaged in his community. He said at the meeting that he is a Six Sigma Black Belt which does not have to do anything with martial arts but speaks to a specific skill set that helps him make processes more efficient.

He is currently a broker for Jones Realty in Fayetteville and said that top priorities for him are the issues of homelessness and youth delinquency in the city. Jones said he plans to run for the District 3 seat if not appointed for the seat next week.

Cynthia Swinson Leeks

The Fayetteville native said at the meeting that she moved back to District 3 after 30 years to care for her aunt. Leeks said she hopes to communicate the needs of the area to the City Council and has already had community conversations at her home to learn about the needs of her neighbors including the issue of violence.

A top priority for her is the growth of Murchison Road, serving as an ambassador for the city's Murchison Choice Initiative, and said she supports the council's 2021 Strategic Plan and its goal to improve the area. Leeks said she hopes to run in the April election if not selected next week.

Guillermo J. Ayerbe

Ayerbe said his experience as a musician with a political science major background will help him in his role on City Council. He said is not afraid to make tough decisions and address the needs of the community.

He came to Fayetteville in 1991 as a soldier at Ft. Bragg and wants to get more involved in the community. Ayerbe said he has not voted in every election but wants to help educate the community about elections and other matters. A top priority for him is infrastructure.

Jesse Brunson

Homelessness, jobs and education are a top priorities for Brunson, who he said he plans to work with the council to tackle the issues. As a former United Methodist pastor, Brunson said he always begins with prayer and wants to get feedback from residents on all decisions.

Brunson retired from the United Methodist Church in 2017 and also worked as an adjunct professor at Shaw University. He said it is important to build relationships within the City Council and though everyone will not agree on all decisions, a consensus should be a goal.

John Zimmerman

Zimmerman is a small business owner and retired from the military in 2016. If selected to serve District 3, he said a top priority for him is to learn the procedures and policies as much as he can in the four months of service.

He filed to run for the District 3 seat Monday regardless if he is selected to serve in the position. Like Jones, Zimmerman said he is a Six Sigma Black Belt and this helps him in streamlining processes. He and his wife are members of their neighborhood watch group.

Kathy Harrington Gibson

For Gibson, data is important and she plans to use it to find ways to improve the city. She said she is not afraid to take action or take a risk when it comes to decision making. As a former superintendent and principal, Gibson said the city's strategic plan is essential.

She has been working in different leadership and educational roles for 40 years. If selected to represent District 3, Gibson said she plans to assess the needs of the city to determine what decisions should need to be made to make improvements.

Kurin Keys

Keys said he wants to bring his experience in small business ownership to help City Council grow the city's economy. He currently owns Need T-shirts Printed, Inc. in Fayetteville and makes shirts for people in the community for various events.

He said jobs are an integral part to improve safety and violence in Fayetteville. Keys said he plans to hear from constituents to understand their concerns in District 3 and bring them back to the council. Regardless of his selection, Keys said he plans to run for the District 3 seat in the election.

Mario Benavente

Benavente filed to run for the District 3 seat on Monday and said he wants to serve in the position to be a voice for underrepresented communities including Latinos, Asians, immigrants and business owners in the district.

He said he understands the priorities for the City Council because he watches nearly every broadcast of the meetings. For Benavente, the eviction crisis in Fayetteville is the most urgent issue. He is a third year law student at North Carolina Central University and works with clients dealing with housing issues through a civil litigation clinic.

Melesia Lane

Lane said she has a tenacity and commitment to serve District 3 on the council by giving her time to work with the community. She said she wants to work with the council and suggested the city work as a liaison between the Police Department and Cumberland County to address mental health.

She wants to be sure the community understands where they can find resources in the city. For Lane, the city's 2021 Strategic Plan is "paramount" to her decision making if selected to serve on council. Lane said she plans to apply to run for the position if not selected.

Mike Dobs

Dobs and his family live in the Cottonade neighborhood of District 3. He said he ran against both Waddell and Colvin for District 3 in the past and while running, he learned more about the varied community groups in the district and their individual needs.

Dobs is also a Six Sigma Black Belt and performs analysis for Special Forces on Fort Bragg. A priority for him is safety in the community and said at the meeting that he wants to invest in the youth of Fayetteville. Dobs said he is unsure if he will run for the District 3 seat if not selected next week.

Raymond J. Makar

Makar has lived in Fayetteville since 1982 in the Cottonade community. He has been involved with his community watch program and currently serves as director. He said at the meeting that he wants to build a safer community.

With an extensive military career, Makar hopes to bring his experience to the City Council. city council. He said he plans to run for the District 3 seat if not selected.

Filing for next year's candidates began Monday and ends at noon Dec. 17, according to the county's Board of Elections.

Investigative Reporter Kristen Johnson can be reached at kjohnson1@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville City Council to appoint new member for District 3