I am ready to work for OUR city
The election is tomorrow, and I just finished putting out signs at 14 polling sites. I have been reflecting on the 123 days since I filed to be a candidate for City Council, District 5. The days have been filled with meetings with a great team, forums, radio interviews, walking in neighborhoods, phone calls, text messages, letter writing, blogs, and prayers. I have enjoyed meeting the voters and hearing their concerns and also answering their questions.
The first question most people ask me is “Why are you running?” I am running for City Council because it is time for a new voice for our district and fresh ideas to solve the problems that are facing our city.
For example, crime, specifically gun violence and homicide, and tax rates continue to increase in Fayetteville. We all deserve to feel safe in our homes, at work, at school, and in our community. We need more police presence throughout our city and our neighborhoods. We need to stop the street racing down our main roads that endangers law abiding citizens driving to school, work, church, etc. We need to increase funding to our police department so we can fill the 70+ vacancies. We need to invest in officer training and retention.
If we want to reduce crime, better communication between officers and neighborhoods must be established. For everyone, and particularly our youth, Fayetteville needs to improve job opportunities, skills training, and recreational activities. We need to offer opportunities to our youth that are more appealing than crime.
City Council approved significant increases to taxes and “fees” this year:
8% property tax increase (from 49.95 cents to 53.95 cents per $100)
17.8% increase in solid waste fees (from $225 to $265)
400% increase in vehicle fees (from $5 to $25)
I understand that it takes incremental increases to cover inflationary increases in payroll and supply costs to the city. My concern is how we choose to spend and collect our money. We need to collect the money that is owed to us in a timely manner. On August 31, 2023, the City of Fayetteville had $3,119,854.94 in uncollected delinquent taxes and interest. Before further burdening those who pay their taxes, we should make full efforts to collect the delinquent taxes.
It is time to INTENTIONALLY plan and strategize for Fayetteville’s future. None of the issues that we are facing occurred overnight and none will be corrected overnight. A better coordinated plan for economic growth of our city will help solve many of the problems that we are facing:
In order to attract a productive, younger population to move here and/or stay here, we need to attract more industry and businesses that offer “real” jobs.
If we don’t address our public safety concerns, we cannot expect to recruit or retain business here.
Fayetteville’s tax rates must be comparable to other cities our size to be more appealing to new businesses and their employees.
Our abandoned commercial buildings need to be repurposed and utilized.
We need people to move to Fayetteville, work in Fayetteville, stay in Fayetteville, and play in Fayetteville… so we need to invest in recruiting business, green space, cultural events, and our community identity.
As you can see, there is a lot to be done, and I am ready to work hard for you and OUR city.
I ask for your vote tomorrow, Nov. 7.
Sincerely,
Lynne