Fayetteville Observer Voter Guide: Meet the candidates for City Council Districts 6, 7 and 8
Three Fayetteville City Council members won't face opposition in the Nov. 7 election.
Freshman Councilman Derrick Thompson, who represents District 6, and freshman Councilwoman Brenda McNair, who represents District 7, are unopposed in their bids for a second term.
District 8 City Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLaughlin, who was first elected in 2019, also faces no challengers in her bid for a third term in office.
Despite the lack of opposition, The Fayetteville Observer wanted to give voters in their districts a chance to see where they stand on the issues. Here are Thompson and McNair's answers to a candidate questionnaire from the Observer. The answers have been edited for style and grammar. Banks-McLaughlin did not respond to the questionnaire.
District 6: Derrick Thompson
Age: 62
Immediate family: Wife Francine; and kids, Vanessa Michelle and Derrick Jr.
Occupation: City Councilman District 6
Elected office held: City Councilman District 6
Contact information: Derrickthompson@Fayetteville N.C.gov; Facebook: Derrick Thompson; Instagram: Derrick Thompson
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?
I have been honored to serve on mayor boards in the city of Fayetteville. The stormwater committee, policy committee, audit committee and appointment committee are what shapes the city structure. I’m pleased to be a part of moving the city in a direction that serves everyone.Of course resolving stormwater issues in my district, appointing respectable and well-educated persons to the PWC commission, MULTIPLE decisions concerning gun control, economic development, housing, streets and sidewalks, advocating federal legislators for funding to help our city grow are all things to be proud of. We have more to accomplish and with a good sound mature leadership, we will continue to move in the right direction.
What do you consider to be the top three to five challenges facing the city of Fayetteville and/or your district?
Housing, we need to prepare for the city's growth by developing affordable housing if we want to keep our youth here in the city of Fayetteville. If we create economic development people need a place to live, work and play. Annexation in my district has been on the forefront of all my residents with street repaving, construction work, widening of Stoney Point Road, water and sewage problems, assessment fees, etc. New housing is being built throughout District 6 and I want them prepared for what’s next, I want them to be ready so they don’t have to get ready. The Big Bang as I call it is coming. The 295 extension and the seizing of property, road closures, and access to property, all of these are just a few of the priorities I will be focusing on during my term in office.
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 need to communicate better to tell the residents what Fayetteville has to offer. We have spent millions in the past 5 years providing activities for our city. We have updated the Mazerick Park, tennis courts, pickle ball court, senior centers east and west, updating the river walk, baseball stadium, plenty of activities at Festival Park year-round. We are expanding Parks and Recreation Bond projects to expand services and amenities. We are extending an express transit route to the West Fayetteville area to service residents in districts 6,7 and 8. We are providing funding for New Year's Eve, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Dogwood and other community celebrations. Residents passed the $97 million general obligation bond to improve safety, housing, streets and sidewalks making Fayetteville an ideal place to live.
What are your ideas for attracting new investment and new residents to the city, especially young families?
We have made great strides in creating almost 5,000 new jobs in the city of Fayetteville. We are bringing major companies into the city, we have over $500 million in new investments. We raised all city employee salaries to at least $15 an hour. We have invested over $33 million into new affordable housing development. We have to prepare our youth for the future; the way we see the city structure now will not be the same 5 years from now. We have to expand our transit, expand our airport, expand our railroad, and capitalize on our expanded highway system. All these things make it easier for anyone developers, companies, and technology to come to Fayetteville and help us expand our city.
How have you or how will you engage with your constituents?
I constantly engage with my District, I have a monthly Chat and Chew held on the first Tuesday of every month. (IHOP, 7821 Good Middling Drive, 8-9:30 a.m.) I engage with 17 community leaders and others keeping them up to date on activities in the district. I invite city officials mayor, city manager, code enforcement to address your concerns. I held town hall meetings, I attend every community watch that has one and working towards creating others to help keep communities safe. I still canvass neighborhoods engaging residents about community signs, code enforcement problems, solid waste, speed humps, whatever there are concerns I try to address them. I also have a radio show Candidate Conversations on WIDU the second Monday of every month at 9 a.m. answering questions from residents across the city. I tell people all the time I’m here to serve to make Fayetteville a better place for all. Be positive, be informed, be empowered!
District 7: Brenda McNair
Age: 62
Immediate family: Children
Occupation: Business owner
Elected office held: City Council
Contact information: brendamcnair@fayettevillenc.gov
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?
Brought attention to the gun violence in the city of Fayetteville by way of a news press and community engagement. Also, I presented a gun safety ordinance. Lack of public support, violence, affordable housing and school services.
What do you consider to be the top three to five challenges facing the city of Fayetteville and/or your district?
Mental health; opioid sales, use and deaths; public safety declining by the increasing of gun violence; housing shortage
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?
First, we must get the details of how people see Fayetteville in a negative light and the demographics of those people. When that data is gathered, I can give ideas and plans on how to change that perception. And most importantly, the implementation of that plan. Also welcome the suggestions and input from private sectors, government service societies and other partners.
What are your ideas for attracting new investment and new residents to the city, especially young families?
Strategic plan to realize vision, growth rates of businesses and jobs, improve city environment and liveability. Feature amenities that serve residents of all ages, security advancement, public common space and engage playgrounds can significantly increase the value of our housing development and attract more families to the community. Plan for safe environments. Upgrade playgrounds and plan upgrades on existing playgrounds to housing developments. Improve marketing focus listing all available units on the city’s website and across multiple platforms, including real estate sites, social media, rental listing services
How have you or how will you engage with your constituents?
Hosting town hall meetings monthly; HOA meetings; community watch meetings; community block parties; quarterly mailings and robocalls; faith-based groups; local schools and staff; colleges. To avoid a lack of transparency through the use of city products in a quick and efficient manner such as spreadsheets and email threads to manage communication and outreach. Gain media coverage through methods like sponsoring local events, joining local Chamber of Commerce, employing local paper magazine to cover vacancies, donating to local charities, and paying for radio advertisements.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Thompson, McNair, Banks-McLaughlin run for Fayetteville City Council
