Bobby Hurst
Occupation: Vice President, Hurst Annaho Supply
District you are running in 5
Campaign Manager: Melene Hatcher
Daytime Phone Number: 910 483-7104
Address: 2010 Whisper Lane Fayetteville, NC 28303
Campaign Email: Bobby@bobbyhurst.com
Campaign Website: http://www.bobbyhurst.com/
List most recent political/community experience
(provide dates):
Chairman, Fayetteville Beautiful (2006-present)
Chairman, Government Relations, Cape Fear Botanical
Garden (2006-present)
Chairman, Government/Military Relations, Operation Match
Force (2004)
Community Liaison, Operation Ceasefire (2002-present)
Appearance Commission, City of Fayetteville (2002-2004)
What business/civic organizations are you associated
with (list leadership roles):
Vice Chairman, Economic Development CCBC (2006-2007)Board
of Directors, Downtown Alliance (2006)
Community Advisory Group, PWC(2004-present)
Board of Directors, CCBC (2004-present)
Chairman, Public Affairs Council, Chamber of Commerce
(2003-2004)
As a candidate, what are your top three policy issues?
1) I would support aggressive economic development
incentives to bring better jobs and expand the tax base. I would work with the
Cumberland County Commissioners and the Cumberland County Business Council as
we continue to seek federal dollars through the Ferguson Group.
2) I would support the Police Department’s plan to reduce
crime and speeding. I would continue my work and support for Operation
Ceasefire’s strategy to stop gun and gang violence. I would support to fully
fund the Police Department.
3) I would promote efforts for a more attractive city. I
would continue my work with the citizen-led Fayetteville Beautiful Committee
whose mission is to encourage citizens to create and maintain a cleaner and
more beautiful Fayetteville. Recycling, litter abatement, stronger ordinances,
code enforcement, removal of visual blight and public and private
beautification efforts are important steps toward an attractive city.
What specific NEW initiative would you suggest for
economic growth in Fayetteville? How would it be implemented? I would
encourage Fayetteville to become a more business friendly city by streamlining
the process to start a business. I would support the Downtown Development,
Business Development of the CCBC and the Downtown Alliance with efforts to
encourage and create more opportunities for small business to locate downtown
as it becomes more residential.
Can Fayetteville and Cumberland County successfully
consolidate/merge their governments? What would be the benefits/problems of
consolidating the two into one? I believe in an effective and efficient
government. We have an obligation to eliminate duplication of any government programs
where they exist. I have attended the “We the People” meetings and encourage
citizens to participate in the process as people decide how they want to be
governed. It may take years to determine if consolidation is the best form of
government or not. So I think it is premature to say if the consolidation would
be successful. I do agree that there are opportunities for functional
consolidation. We can even look closer within the City of Fayetteville and PWC.
Although there is consolidated fleet maintenance and purchasing departments,
there are separate personnel and accounting departments.
What do you believe to be the city council’s greatest
accomplishments and disappointments in the last two years?
Accomplishments: I believe that the establishment of the
Defense and Security Technology Accelerator was an important step toward a
higher tech economic base. Continued efforts to leverage the military resulted
in the development of the NC Military Business Center, DSTA and marketing
Fayetteville/Cumberland County for BRAC, which is important. I applaud the work
amongst the City and County elected officials and PWC on developing planning
standards and extending sewer service.
Disappointments: HOPE VI was not funded. I also see a
Council that doesn’t work together as well as it could. There should be more
focus on how the agenda items reflect the City Council Goals and those
decisions made will benefit all citizens.
How should the city best leverage the impact of the
BRAC process? We should work to make Fayetteville the most marketable city
in the 11 county region. We should participate in the BRAC Project Committee as
the Republik develops the marketing plan. The city should move forward as
quickly as possible with the opening of the 215 acre Military Business Park and
begin plans for another site. We should support efforts to improve the quality
of life in Fayetteville. A clean, safe community with available spaces for art,
culture and outdoor recreation and green spaces will be important for our future
neighbors.
How the city council and the business community can
work more effectively to build a better workforce? The Department of Labor
awarded a $5 million grant to help train civilian workers for high-tech jobs
around Fort Bragg. We should work with FTCC and the Cumberland County School
System to develop specific job skills that will be needed. We should encourage
opportunities for local business leaders to participate in a forum to share the
importance and value of small business to students starting at the middle
school age group.
What would you do to work cooperatively with the other
members of the city council? As a Council member, I would work towards the
goal of building and maintaining a working relationship with each of my
colleagues to create a cohesive City Council. This is a critical time for
Fayetteville’s future and more than ever we need a City Council who will work
together on common goals. It is also very important that the citizens are
involved in the process at every step. Much can be accomplished when everyone
communicates. I am a good listener and listen with an open mind, a consensus
builder and am committed to getting the job done.
Candidate
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