Fayetteville Observer Voter Guide: Meet all four candidates for mayor of Fayetteville
Four candidates running for mayor of Fayetteville will compete in a primary election Oct. 10. The top two vote-getters will head to the Nov. 7 election.
Incumbent Mitch Colvin, who is seeking his fourth term in office, faces challenges from business owner and former mayoral candidate Freddie de la Cruz; former Fayetteville City Council member and Cumberland County Commissioner Charles Evans; and former mayoral candidate Quancidine Hinson-Gribble.
Here are the mayoral candidates' answers to a candidate questionnaire from The Fayetteville Observer. They have been edited for style and grammar.
Mitch Colvin
Age: 50
Immediate family: Three daughters
Occupation: Funeral home and business owner
Elected office held: Mayor
Contact information: hmitchellcolvin@gmail.com; www.mayormitchcolvin.com; 910-987-0590
For incumbents: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement or achievements in office?For challengers: What issue or issues compelled you to seek office?
Economic policies that have created nearly $500 million in new investment and nearly 5,000 jobs since 2017. To include a more diverse and inclusive economy.
What do you consider to be the top three to five challenges facing the city of Fayetteville and/or your district?
Proliferation of guns caused by our change in policy of our state lawmakers. Lack of mental health resources and the increased pressure for the city to deal with this new challenge. Affordable and workforce housing availability. We have approximately 20,000 residents living in housing they can't afford.
Although Fayetteville’s reputation has come a long way, there are many people who still see the city in a negative light. What are your ideas as to how to change that perception?
We have to continue to continue to share the progress and the positive accomplishments of the city.I am proud to have participated in the new Can Do City rebranding.
What are your ideas for attracting new investment and new residents to the city, especially young families?
I led the effort to establish a policy board, Fayetteville Next, which advises the City Council on issues to improve the retention and attraction of young adults. We must continue to invest in cultural arts, parks and recreational projects, infrastructure and solidify our economic opportunities with next-generation jobs.
How have you or how will you engage with your constituents?
I am continuing to meet regularly with citizens and citizen groups to update them on the latest city initiatives and to get ideas on how we can make improvements to our community.
Freddie de la Cruz
Age: 61
Immediate family: Spouse, Venus; and children, Calista, Miranda, Sarah, E.j., Ethan and Olivia
Occupation: Retired Army lieutenant colonel; business owner
Elected office held: None
Contact information: 910-568-9699; Facebook: Freddie for Fayetteville - Mayor; FreddieForMayor.com.
For incumbents: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement or achievements in office?For challengers: What issue or issues compelled you to seek office?
Improve public safety: Fully support law enforcement, fire department and emergency services; Fairly enforce the law to reduce crime; Support effective community policing that makes you safe in your home.
Focus on economic development: Streamline permitting to reduce wasted time and money for businesses; Reduce barriers between the City and the County to better attract businesses; Actively support and work with the Fayetteville and Cumberland Economic Development Council (FCEDC) to attract new businesses and support current businesses.
Re-envision Fayetteville transportation system: Rework our city system so it actually serves the people who rely on it; ensure that the aged and disabled have convenient access to transportation.
What do you consider to be the top three to five challenges facing the city of Fayetteville and/or your district?
Unity: Work with the County Commissioners to solve serious problems affecting our citizens, i.e. 911 call center and homelessness housing.
Gun violence: Educate people on gun safety and gun laws, consistent buyback programs.
Homelessness: Help create job opportunities for homeless with the city and local businesses.
Re-envision of Fayetteville transportation network system: In addition to FAST, I want to create an efficient shuttle transport (EST) program designed for employees, students, handicapped and senior citizens getting to and from their destinations expeditiously (FAST-EST program).
Jobs: Bring high-paying jobs for our citizens to be able to afford housing and a decent living.
Although Fayetteville’s reputation has come a long way, there are many people who still see the city in a negative light. What are your ideas as to how to change that perception?
Start with the area beautification of our city, fixing potholes, repainting the lines, letters and curves on our streets; landscaping. Fayetteville needs a facelift that will attract businesses and people to our city, especially at the entry corridors to our city. Increase police patrols to deter and reduce crime.
What are your ideas for attracting new investment and new residents to the city, especially young families?
I would work with industries that offer high-paying jobs that will attract young families to want to come to our city.
How have you or how will you engage with your constituents?
One-on-one direct contact; door knocking; attending community events; social media; radio ads; flyers; mailers; and debates.
Charles Evans
Age: 63
Immediate family: None
Occupation: Disabled veteran
Elected office held: Fayetteville city councilman and Cumberland County Board of Commissioners
Contact information: Charlesevans180@gmail.com
For incumbents: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement or achievements in office?For challengers: What issue or issues compelled you to seek office?
Changing people's lives by bringing to the Cumberland County District Attorney the idea of having expungement clinics and witnessing over 1,000 individuals who qualified begin a new way of life.Leading the effort to raise the starting salaries to $15.00 per hour for employees that work for the county.
What do you consider to be the top three to five challenges facing the city of Fayetteville and/or your district?
Combating crime, homelessness, community
Although Fayetteville’s reputation has come a long way, there are many people who still see the city in a negative light. What are your ideas as to how to change that perception?
To be totally inclusive of all.
What are your ideas for attracting new investment and new residents to the city, especially young families?
Working with other governmental agencies and developing relationships with those bodies to provide a variety of ways to encourage families and individuals to come to our city. To work to expand transit to the county, better-paying jobs for all, and work to provide activities such as better recreational venues for all.
How have you or how will you engage with your constituents?
As I always have. I believe that the constituents should have access to their representative. I have the same cellphone number I had when I was first elected. It’s also good to attend as many events as you possibly can. I feel strongly that there’s constant interaction with your constituency.
Quancidine Hinson-Gribble
Immediate family: Widow
Occupation: CZAR, nonelected office, for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Elected office held: None
Contact information: MayorQHG@gmail.com
For incumbents: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement or achievements in office?For challengers: What issue or issues compelled you to seek office?
The ongoing bond referendums that is not benefiting our constituents.
What do you consider to be the top three to five challenges facing the city of Fayetteville and/or your district?
Our lack of compassion for our homeless population.
Our Police Department's lack of qualified police officers. The bonding issues.
Transparency, accountability, responsibility
Although Fayetteville’s reputation has come a long way, there are many people who still see the city in a negative light. What are your ideas as to how to change that perception?
We have to be the change that we are looking for.
What are your ideas for attracting new investment and new residents to the city, especially young families?
Entertainment, restaurants, small niche businesses
How have you or how will you engage with your constituents?
In person and through my podcasts. Sign up through my email: MayorQHG@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Here's who is running for mayor of Fayetteville, NC
