1. Candidates Full Name: Janene Marie Ackles

2. Daytime Phone Number: 9108181365

3. E-Mail: [email protected]

4. Current Occupation Position: Non Profit Consultant

5. Previously Elected/Appointed Position(s):

Chairman Military Affairs Council Vice Chair Fayetteville/Cumberland Human Relations Commission President Community Watch Commander Veterans Day Parade Road Commander Wreaths Across America

6. Community Involvement:

Founder of the Cumberland County Community Watch Coalition, Deep Creek Rd Community activities with youth, voter registration drive in various places in the county, community feeding, clothing and uniform drive, home ownership program for low income

7. Community Endorsements:

I have been endorsed by the North Carolina Grassroots Government PAC

8. Do You Have an Active Campaign Account? Yes

9. Do You Accept PAC Checks? Yes

10. What’s your plan to address the need for workforce and affordable housing?

Housing is personal to me. I plan on putting resources together that will allow lower income families to become home owners. I had over 200 people attend the NACA workshop which boasts low interest and no down payment, as well as working with programs such as the CESI down payment fund and NC Home Advantage Programs. The main issue is that lower income citizens usually don’t have down payment funding. The more viable housing we have, the easier it will be to attract more businesses.

11. List three ideas that you would do if elected to attract high paying jobs and industries?

1. Get more people owning homes which is an investment in their communities. 2. The Cumberland County Community Watch Coalition has a plan to develop community watch and safety programs in areas that are less desirable to entice business owners to place their businesses in those areas. 3. Seek out business opportunities and work with them to bring larger industries to Fayetteville, enticing them with the fact that our city is the #1 place for Black entrepreneurs and business ventures.

12. What do you see as the biggest challenge in your district?

One of the biggest challenges in the district is unity. We must find a way to connect all governing bodies in Cumberland County to connect in a positive manner. Bridging a gap between the County Commissioners and City Government would allow our city as a whole to enjoy more funding opportunities. We must work together to give our citizens a better quality of life. Working together on key issues such as but not limited to housing, homelessness and wages would allow us to be a progressive city.

13. Regarding tourism, what can be done to promote a vibrant city to outside guest and even within the community?

I believe we are on the brink of our city becoming vibrant. The New Years event was amazing and people from neighboring cities attended as well. On the other hand our downtown district is more like a hobby district than a business district. There are some ordinances which need to be updated so that we can attract others to downtown and surrounding areas.

14. How do you propose to improve communications between your office and the community of REALTORS® who are becoming more engaged on issues in your district?

Once in office, I would propose to meet with realtors on a normal basis to be able to keep up with the housing market, down payment assistant programs and other issues pertaining to the housing market. Realtors would be able to give the most up to date reports that would help in developing new programs for home ownership and housing opportunities.

1. Candidates Full Name: Leigh Howard

2. Daytime Phone Number: 910 922 9369

3. E-Mail: [email protected]

4. Current Occupation Position: Retired Army

5. Previously Elected/Appointed Position(s):

District 2a Precinct Chair from 2017-2020

6. Community Involvement:

Cape Fear Regional Theater. Directors Guild North Carolina Zoo Volunteer with Three Rivers land Trust and the Nature Conservancy American Legion Post 525. Cumberland United Methodist Church Fayetteville Veterans Mental Health Advocacy council

7. Community Endorsements:

FRWC CCRWC Lt. Gov. Robinson Firefighters Police

8. Do You Have an Active Campaign Account? Yes

9. Do You Accept PAC Checks? Yes

10. What’s your plan to address the need for workforce and affordable housing?

I will work for better bus lines in district 6 to make it easier for young workers to get to work. Programs to encourage teachers, Police Officers, and public servants to own houses in the community.

11. List three ideas that you would do if elected to attract high paying jobs and industries?

Safer streets and good policing will make Fayetteville attractive to highly skilled workers. Good policing will also make insurance costs cheaper for businesses. People want to feel safe at home, at work, and at school. The planned Performing Arts center will make Fayetteville attractive to families so long as it is run with a community stake in ownership. People will stay here if there is an active arts community. Continue to reach out to transitioning service members.

12. What do you see as the biggest challenge in your district?

Lapses in Law Enforcement. Cars are always speeding in residential areas creating a safety threat to children who may wander onto a residential street. It seems police have been ignoring little things like parking in fire lanes and parking in handicapped spots. One people have stopped respecting the law speeding 70 MPH on a 25 MPH residential street doesn’t bother them. Fayetteville PD needs help from the community recruiting and retaining good Police Officers.

13. Regarding tourism, what can be done to promote a vibrant city to outside guest and even within the community?

First thing would be to take down the Black Fences around the Market House. The new Arts Center providing quality entertainment will attract some outside visitors. Adopting a sensible parking plan for the downtown area, especially during the Dogwood Festival and other high profile events. Prevent rioting and looting. Showcase the city arts scene, CFRT and Gilbert theaters, Fayetteville Symphony, and make use of available performing units from Fort Bragg.

14. How do you propose to improve communications between your office and the community of REALTORS® who are becoming more engaged on issues in your district?

I will try to make all City council dealings very transparent so everyone in the public knows what is going on. I will not make any private deals with outside lawyers. If there are any real estate transaction conducted by the City Council, I will not give any private information to an particular real estate interest giving them in advantage in city dealings. I will hold meetings with local business owners to let them know what is going on, but I will not provide insider information.

1. Candidates Full Name: Deno Hondros

2. Daytime Phone Number: 910.864.2626 or 910.802.0076

3. E-Mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

4. Current Occupation Position: Commercial REALTOR®

5. Previously Elected/Appointed Position(s):

Chairman, City of Fayetteville Storm Water Advisory Board (SWAB) CoF Uniform Development Ordinance (UDO) Task Force Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council, (former Treasurer, Asst. Treasurer)

6. Community Involvement:

Salvation Army Board of Directors LLP Legislative Committee, Diversity Committee, and RPAC Committee member Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council member

7. Community Endorsements:

LLP Board of REALTORS(R) HBAF – Home Builders Association of Fayetteville

8. Do You Have an Active Campaign Account? Yes

9. Do You Accept PAC Checks? Yes

10. What’s your plan to address the need for workforce and affordable housing?

Housing for our Workforce is complex and will be one of my priorities once I get elected. As with many complex issues, it’s usually prudent to address in multiple ways. I would advocate for the city to engage and facilitate more public/private partnerships. Another avenue other locales have used to address workforce and affordable housing is Land Trusts. I would explore the various ownership and funding mechanisms to see which models may work best for our communities.

11. List three ideas that you would do if elected to attract high paying jobs and industries?

1) Address Public Safety – if our city is not safe and/or our citizens do not feel safe, that negatively impacts our quality of life, which in turn makes economic development and recruiting industries much more challenging. 2) Streamline Our Processes – city department(s) and resource(s) need to be more easily accessible to large & small businesses and all citizens 3) Promote Our Skilled Workforce – specifically our Veterans and former military personnel with their various skill sets.

12. What do you see as the biggest challenge in your district?

* Public Safety * Infrastructure – specifically Storm Water * Housing for Our Work Force

13. Regarding tourism, what can be done to promote a vibrant city to outside guest and even within the community?

Promote our great museums, vibrant Downtown, and still new minor league ballpark, Segra Stadium. Collaborate with Cumberland County on new state-of-the-art, modern Art Facility, and larger event venue(s) for concert(s) and larger shows/acts. Promote our convenient location and accessibility to beaches, mountains, and proximity to I-95.

14. How do you propose to improve communications between your office and the community of REALTORS® who are becoming more engaged on issues in your district?

First and foremost, it is paramount to open all city meetings to the public at large IN PERSON. Continue to work with Angie Hedgepeth (LLP, GAD), Natalie Fryer (HBAF, EO), and LLP Legislative Committee (and Chairman, Mark Dow) on local issues and policies that could impact our local real estate and construction industries and markets. Advocate that REALTORS(R) get involved, apply and volunteer on city boards & commissions, as well as LLP boards and committees.