Fayetteville Observer Voter Guide: Meet the candidates for mayor of Spring Lake
Fredricka Sutherland, a former Spring Lake alderman, is challenging incumbent Kia Anthony in her bid to secure a second term as mayor of Spring Lake.
Here are their answers to a candidate questionnaire from The Fayetteville Observer. The answers have been edited for style and grammar.
Kia Anthony
Age: 42
Immediate family: Daughter, Nina Boggan
Occupation: Founder and CEO of Just Cactus LLC
Elected office held: Mayor of Spring Lake
Contact information: kia.anthony@townofspringlake.com; 910-703-6927; Facebook.com/MayorKiaAnthony; instagram.com/MayorKiaAnthony; tiktok.com/@MayorKia; KiaAnthony.com; secure.anedot.com/kiaanthony/reelectmayoranthony
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?
As an incumbent, I am immensely proud of Spring Lake's transformation during my time in office. I consider our most significant achievements to be the remarkable progress we've achieved in three key areas:
1. Financial stewardship and stability: Spring Lake faced significant financial challenges when I took office. I'm proud to say we have balanced the budget, adopted a robust 2023/2024 budget, and addressed audit findings. Our efforts have restored our Fund Balance and repaid misappropriated funds, setting a high standard of accountability and transparency.
2. Empowered community development: Our commitment to fostering community growth is evident in our accomplishments. The merger of Parks and Recreation has brought new recreational opportunities to residents. We've updated land use agreements to ensure sustainable growth aligned with our town's vision. Additionally, we successfully restored early voting access, preserving our residents' democratic rights.
3. Engagement and governance excellence: I believe in the power of citizen participation. By reactivating Advisory Committees, we've harnessed the collective wisdom of our community to shape our shared future. We've brought top-tier talent, including a police chief, town attorney and town clerk, ensuring efficient operations. Our strategic planning sessions have charted a clear path for Spring Lake's continued success.
These accomplishments represent a collaborative effort that involved our dedicated community members, stakeholders, and partners. Each success has contributed to Spring Lake's growth, vibrancy, and prosperity. I am committed to building on these achievements and leading our town toward a brighter future.
What do you consider to be the top three to five challenges facing the town of Spring Lake?
We must candidly acknowledge the challenges in charting Spring Lake's future course. The top priorities demanding our attention and innovative solutions include the following:
1. Infrastructure enhancement: Our town's infrastructure forms the backbone of our community. Addressing aging roads, utilities, and public transportation systems is essential. We can embark on projects that improve our residents' connectivity and overall quality of life through strategic partnerships and securing the necessary funding.
2. Economic development: Stimulating economic growth is vital to Spring Lake's sustainability. We can create job opportunities and bolster our local economy by attracting businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs, and nurturing industries aligned with our town's strengths.
3. Youth empowerment and engagement: Our young residents are the future of Spring Lake. By involving our youth, we can allow them to participate in our town's growth.
4. Affordable housing: Ensuring that Spring Lake remains where all residents can afford to live is paramount. Collaborating with developers, organizations, and agencies, we can create affordable housing options that cater to the diverse needs of our community, fostering an inclusive and equitable environment.
5. Public safety workforce: A robust public safety workforce is fundamental to maintaining the safety and security of our town. Through competitive recruitment strategies, investing in training, and fostering community engagement, we can ensure that our police and fire departments are staffed by dedicated professionals who share our commitment to protecting Spring Lake.
These challenges may be complex, but they are manageable. With determination, collaboration, and a shared vision, we can address each challenge head-on and chart a brighter future for Spring Lake. By acknowledging these obstacles, we can demonstrate our dedication to progress and our community's well-being.
What are your ideas for attracting new investment and new residents to the town, especially young families?
Fostering a vibrant community that draws new investments and welcomes young families is at the heart of my vision for Spring Lake's growth. Our approach encompasses collaboration, education, and strategic partnerships to achieve this: We're dedicated to equipping the Board of Aldermen and staff with the skills to engage in economic development actively. This collective effort ensures that everyone can play a role in recruiting new businesses, amplifying our actions, and showcasing the immense potential of Spring Lake. Our collaboration with the Greater Sandhills Chamber of Commerce is paramount. By working closely with business experts, we tap into their networks and leverage opportunities for business growth. This collaboration unites our community's strengths and expertise, enhancing our appeal to investors. Our commitment to youth engagement is central to attracting families. We'll invest in programs that foster youth development, education, and recreation. By nurturing our future workforce, we make Spring Lake a desirable destination for families, enriching our community's vitality. Strategically showcasing Spring Lake's advantages is a joint effort with the Chamber of Commerce. From highlighting our strategic location to emphasizing our quality of life, we'll communicate why our town is an optimal choice for new residents and businesses. Recognizing the importance of robust infrastructure, we're enhancing our facilities, parks, and services. By creating an environment aligned with the needs of young families, we ensure that Spring Lake remains an attractive and flourishing place to call home. With comprehensive strategies, education, and impactful partnerships, we're well-equipped to draw new investments and residents to Spring Lake. We're positioning our town as a hub of growth and a welcoming sanctuary for young families by fostering progress, innovation, and community engagement.
What does Spring Lake need that it doesn't have? This could be people, resources, organizations, business or infrastructure.
Spring Lake's journey toward continued growth and prosperity hinges on recognizing and addressing its needs for a thriving future. Here's a holistic view of what our town requires: 1. Expanded economic opportunities: Spring Lake is poised to attract new businesses and industries that align with our strengths. We need a diverse range of enterprises to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance our local economy. 2. Youth empowerment and Engagement: To secure Spring Lake's future, we need programs and resources that empower our youth. By investing in their education, skill development, and recreational opportunities, we ensure that they contribute positively to our community. 3. Enhanced infrastructure: Our town needs modernized infrastructure, from well-maintained roads to upgraded utilities and public transportation systems. By investing in these areas, we improve the overall quality of life for our community. 4. Affordable housing: Ensuring accessible housing for all residents, especially young families, is paramount. We can offer affordable housing options that contribute to the town's inclusivity and vibrancy by fostering partnerships and initiatives. 5. Healthcare facilities: Accessible medical services are crucial for the well-being of our residents. Spring Lake needs medical facilities that provide comprehensive care, ensuring that healthcare remains accessible and high-quality. Addressing these needs strategically and collaboratively will pave the way for a vibrant and prosperous Spring Lake. It's through understanding and responding to these requirements that we shape a future that reflects the aspirations and potential of our town.
How have you or how will you engage with your constituents?
Engaging with our constituents is a cornerstone of my commitment to transparent and accessible leadership. Beyond regular meetings, I've embraced various avenues to connect with Spring Lake residents:
1. Lunch with the Mayor: This program lets me interact with residents casually over lunch, fostering direct conversations and understanding their concerns.
2. Open-door policy: I maintain an open-door policy, welcoming anyone to discuss their ideas or issues. This accessibility ensures that I remain attuned to the community's needs.
3. Stakeholders meetings: Regular dialogues with stakeholders, including local businesses, community leaders, and organizations, ensure that decisions are well-informed and reflect collective aspirations.
4. Community events: I actively host and participate in community events, festivals, and gatherings, creating opportunities for face-to-face interactions and valuable feedback.
5. Social media engagement: Utilizing social media platforms, I provide timely updates, share information, and encourage discussions on pertinent topics, allowing residents to engage from the comfort of their homes.
These initiatives reflect my commitment to fostering a strong connection with constituents. While I encourage continued attendance at regular meetings, these additional efforts ensure that your voices are heard, your concerns are addressed, and our shared journey toward progress is enriched by collaboration.
Fredricka Sutherland
Age: 62
Immediate family: Frank Sutherland Sr.; Vonshiricka Sutherland Fleming; Frank Sutherland Jr.; two grandchildren, Tyra Sutherland and Angel Fleming
Occupation: Retired from Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union
Elected office held: Alderwoman for 16 years
Contact information: FredrickaSutherland@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?
Dedicated public servant for the great town Of Spring Lake, always looking out for your tax dollars.
What do you consider to be the top three to five challenges facing the town of Spring Lake?
Making sure we have qualified individuals to serve in the capacity of all positions of the town Spring Lake. Getting a qualified town manager.
What are your ideas for attracting new investment and new residents to the town, especially young families?
Getting the young people involved and listening to their concerns.
What does Spring Lake need that it doesn't have? This could be people, resources, organizations, business or infrastructure.
Sidewalks, movie theater, new school updated
How have you or how will you engage with your constituents?
Continue to work together for the betterment of the great town of Spring Lake. Honesty, integrity and accountability.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Spring Lake mayoral race: Fredricka Sutherland challenges Kia Anthony
