It takes work, sacrifice, courage and a commitment to the well-being of our fellow citizens and institutions to produce immediate and long-term vitality and prosperity!
The six members of Cumberland County’s legislative delegation demonstrated these critical traits during the negotiations that resulted in North Carolina’s first new state budget in three years and an unprecedented $480 million in state support for Cumberland County. Due to the leadership and collective efforts of these legislators, the citizens of our county and our state will have opportunities that will play out in positive ways for decades to come.
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The county’s delegation, chaired by Rep. Billy Richardson, and including Rep. John Szoka, Sen.Kirk deViere, Sen. Ben Clark, Rep. Marvin Lucas and Rep.Diane Wheatley, is an impressive testimony to what can be accomplished when individuals work collaboratively on behalf of major goals. Their efforts will provide opportunities not only for Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) but for all levels of human development and governmental service to our population and institutions of government and private practice.
The courage to envision a better future for our county, our state and our nation is the hallmark of people who place their skills and insights in the public arena for display, criticism and support ultimately for the betterment of the people who elect them and for whom they serve. Each of these leaders has demonstrated an absolute commitment to those of us who live and work in Cumberland County and North Carolina with the expectation of improved opportunities for our loved ones, community and ourselves. These legislative leaders have, in my opinion, made good on their pledges and promises to all of us.
The journey is not an easy one nor is it one without controversy and challenges, but it is coupled with the aspect of great opportunity for the people and organizations charged with the responsibility of service to all. I witnessed the effects of the debates, the dynamic personalities and behaviors that at times could have been described as challenging but which ultimately coalesced in our state at the Senate, House and Gubernatorial levels.
Our delegation members deserve accolades and thanks for their respective efforts and the success they contributed to Gov. Roy Cooper, Senate Pro Tempore Phil Berger and Speaker of the House Tim Moore, as well as North Carolina’s other legislative delegations.
Budget will help train critically needed professionals
Thanks to this budget — as well as to continued support by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and county staff — we will be able to continue efforts to bring the best and most relevant training to our firefighters, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement personnel and other first responders through completion of a Fire & Rescue Training Center, whose state-of-the-art features will include one of this country’s only indoor swift water rescue training centers.
In addition, FTCC will be able to dramatically boost its training of commercial truck drivers and supply-chain logistics professionals. The economic importance of these jobs has been highlighted by the supply-chain shortages affecting the nation.
FTCC will also be able to continue to refine and extend its capacities for preparing nurses for the purpose of enhancing healthcare services for our communities — again, a vital area for our county, our state and our nation.
Finally, this budget provides important support to our efforts to continue to refine and extend a series of statewide cyber-security solutions that will help us all combat the incalculable risks of cyber attacks that have the potential to disrupt every aspect of our lives.
At the heart of all of these efforts is the determination to help the people we serve so they have opportunities for the kind of success that leads to prosperity and personally rewarding lives. By helping FTCC in its mission, our delegation has made a difference that will be felt in the lives of individual students and their families for generations to come.
I would be remiss if I did not express my appreciation to our Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, faculty, staff and administration at all levels for their focus, hard work and dedication to the preparation and enhancement of our people and the opportunities for a life of value. These are mothers, fathers, friends and effective citizens of the republic. The recognition of their respective efforts and the investment of their lives in others was recognized and rewarded by the members of the N.C. General Assembly and the governor through much appreciated salary increases and bonuses.
I’ve listed only a few of the things that have accrued to Cumberland County in this budget due to the combined and collaborative efforts of all legislative and political leaders involved. Much more was accomplished. It takes leadership, willingness and commitment to a greater purpose for great things to happen when people exercise their intellect, passion, courage and energy in support of our community and state. Our legislative delegation demonstrated all that and more in this successful year, but now it is up to us to honor their confidence in us to do what we have all promised as we have embarked on the journey together.
Our neighbors, colleagues and members of society expect us to fulfill our promises of service to those who have entrusted us with the resources to do the work we are obligated to do. Let’s continue the journey and with joy, commitment and collaboration as we work together to accomplish the promises of the future.
Dr. Larry Keen is president of Fayetteville Technical Community College.
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