Voters' Guide 2022: Meet Fayetteville mayoral candidates Mitch Colvin, Freddie de la Cruz

Mitch Colvin is the incumbent mayor. Freddie de la Cruz is the challenger. Colvin has served on the City Council for nine years, including as mayor pro tem. He told the Observer that during his time in office he has tripled the stormwater fund and invested millions in parks and recreation. Cruz, in his first run for office, said he has the experience needed. In his 32 years in the Army, he served 28 as a Military Police officer. He wrote in an opinion piece: "I served in more than 20 different jobs, and I served with 12 foreign militaries, conducting training and real-world operations …”

Here are their answers to a candidate questionnaire from The Fayetteville Observer. Some Voter Guide profiles ran before the primary in May. They have been edited for style and grammar.

Read this: Fayetteville council candidates talk crime, 2020 riots, tiny homes and diversity training

Related: Community, crime and corruption: Fayetteville candidates face off in first forum

Mitch Colvin

Age: 48

Immediate family: Three daughters

Occupation: President, Colvin Funeral Homes and Cremation

Elected office held: Two terms on Fayetteville City Council and two terms as mayor of Fayetteville

How can the city address the increased number of murders? Is the Police Department doing all it can, in your opinion?

1. Work with our judicial system representatives, judges, probation and district attorney to create an action plan to reduce repeat offenders and ensure the incarceration of the most violent offenders. 2. Invest in the latest technology cameras, drones and shot detection systems. 3. Increase additional police manpower and resources in our violent crimes, narcotics and gang units 4. Increase city programming on Second Chance programs and job opportunities for those returning to the community after they have paid their debt to society.

Can the city and Cumberland County improve their relationship? What joint projects do you think might be useful to consider going forward?

There is always room for improvement, the city and county currently work jointly on parks and recreation, stadium and emergency operations. I would encourage collaborating more on community development, which includes workforce training, countywide water and sewer installation and reducing poverty and health disparities in our depressed areas. There are opportunities in water/sewer installation of “donut holes” like Shaw Heights, U.S. 301 Business and areas surrounding the airport. Finally, development of an innovative business park for company recruitment. We have learned we can’t wait until a project comes to prepare.

Downtown has received plenty of attention when it comes to economic development and new initiatives to encourage investments. What is your plan to encourage development and investment in the rest of the city?

I would continue to create a long-term growth plan for western Fayetteville and the inner city neighborhoods and communities. I would use infill development incentives to bring new development to E.E. Smith and Douglas Byrd districts. Finally, I would utilize urban planners to manage and plan for the growth in the western portions of the city.

PHOTOS: Fayetteville Observer candidate forum on Tuesday

Freddie de la Cruz

Age: Not given

Immediate family: Venus

Occupation: Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel; Owner of Venus Vogue INC & E & V Investments

Elected office held: None

How can the city address the increased number of murders? Is the Police Department doing all it can, in your opinion?

Most murders are unpredictable and usually happen in the heat of passion.  People who have motive to commit murder are mentally and morally challenged.  My number one priority as mayor is to fill the police vacancies in the Department.  Simultaneously increase police patrols throughout the entire city as to allow the police to interact with the community and maintain a command presence.  Additionally, the police need to continue to work closely with community watch groups and assist them to develop and implement threat mitigation plans for their neighborhoods.

Can the city and Cumberland County improve their relationship? What joint projects do you think might be useful to consider going forward?

The city and the county must continue to improve their relationship for the people’s sake.

The annexation of Shaw Heights and the determination of the location of the Multi-Purpose Event Center are the two projects the city and county must jointly consider going forward.

Downtown has received plenty of attention when it comes to economic development and new initiatives to encourage investments. What is your plan to encourage development and investment in the rest of the city?

Increase police patrols to reduce crime and offer tax incentives to encourage development and investment.  Additionally, we need to help our labor force with housing and transportation needs. It is a vibrant labor force that produces the productivity of goods and services. The city owns 473.75 acres of land (Pin 0419-55-7633; site address 915 Shaw Road) between Murchison Road, Highway 295 and Bragg Boulevard.  I would propose we locate the Multi-Purpose Event Center and add an amusement park at that location. These projects would influence the hospitality industry to invest on the property.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Voters' Guide 2022: Fayetteville mayor's race