Page 6 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper August 2026 Edition
P. 6
Page 6a The Fayetteville Press August 28, 2026 Edition
Editorial / Opinion
The Fayetteville Press Newspaper welcomes letters from its readers. All letters must be signed and must include a home address and a daytime phone number.
All letters are subject to editing. We will not publish unsigned or pseudonymous letters.
Mail or E-mail your letters to: The Fayetteville Press Newspaper, P.O. Box 9166, Fayetteville NC 28311
E-mail: fayepress@aol.com
Your Vote is Your Voice and Power. Don’t give away
your power by sitting on the Sidelines
moving elected officials who
“My vote does not matter.” This do not consider our needs The Fayetteville Press
Newspaper
statement is repeated by many as only happens when we vote. “Your Community Newspaper”
evidenced in the 2025 municipal In his August 1963 March on P.O. Box 9166
elections. Washington speech, Dr. King Fayetteville * NC 28311
Yet, within one year, we have stated, “We are now faced
(910) 323-3120 - Office
seen two Cumberland County with the fact that tomorrow www.fayettevillepress.com
schools closed and students reas- is today. We are confronted E-mail:
signed to schools which adds to with the fierce urgency of fayepress@aol.com
their commuter ride on the school now.”
bus. Did these decisions by the Our children cannot wait, *Publisher - JJ Jones
Cumberland County School Board so we must vote for school *General Manager
impact you, your families, or your board members who will al- Chrystal M. Thomas
friends? By James E. Buxton, Jr. President ways put all of our children
Most likely you have heard of 910-824-7504 - Fayetteville NAACP and their educational founda- *Sales Manager
Dwight Brown
the impending closing of Good tion first. We need the city
Year, a major and longstanding em- ing to have discussions regarding consolidation and county to build a strong *Editor - Jae McKrae
ployer within Cumberland County. of the 911 center. If this provides an efficient economy now, not years
This will have a severe impact on and quick service for you in an emergency, later. Staff Writer
1,000 or more employees and their would you be supportive? We deserve clean water! Shelia Mclaughlin
families, as well as businesses that With each of these scenarios, elected offi- Soil and Water District Su- *Photgrapher
rely on this major employer. Do you cials make decisions that impact our lives. pervisors, whose job in- Bruce Carpenter
know of someone who will be di- However, if we do not vote, we allow others to cludes preventing soil ero- *Account Executives
rectly affected? control our present and future. If we don’t vote, sion, keeping water clean Dr. Don Reid
Perhaps you have heard of dis- we willingly surrender our voice. Complacency and protecting our environ-
cussions surrounding environmental gives others permission to strategically strip us ment, will be on the ballot. *Distribution
Michael Dykes
issues such as the forever chemi- of our rights. We cannot allow that to happen. We will vote for judges Nero B. Coleman
cals (PFAs). Water filtration sys- The North Carolina State Board of Elec- who will preside over felony
tems have been installed at two tions’ proposed rules would shorten early vot- criminal trials, civil lawsuits * Graphic Designed By
public schools, and new water sys- ing during primary elections from 17 to 10 days, and hear appeals from the Joe McGee
tems are being installed in the eliminate Sunday voting hours, remove voting state’s trial courts. They *Staff Chaplain
Gray’s Creek area. Do you consider locations from areas that typically serve uni- should remain impartial and Bishop
these actions to be sufficient in rec- versity students and senior citizens, such as the rule according to the law. Larry O. Wright, Jr.
tifying the exposure to PFAs? Does Smith Recreation Center. The proposed changes
the result of the federal lawsuit in- would allow anyone to challenge votes three We need a strong 911 E-Mail:
fayepress@aol.com
volving Chemours seem fair to you? days after the general election. The proposed center now. We will also vote Web-Site
For example, Chemours must evalu- changes would make it more difficult for mili- for county commissioners in www.fayettevillepress.com
ate and implement new controls in tary service members and NC residents who November.
order to reduce PFAS and other reside overseas to vote, and would render mili- For
toxic chemicals released from its tary children born outside of the U.S. ineligible If there was ever a time Ads & Subscriptions
NC facility. Do you believe the to vote. that our presence at the polls Call
company will adhere to this ruling? Effective policies and actions that strengthen is needed, it is now. VOTE! (910) 323-3120
The county and city are continu- our community only happen when we vote. Re-
Romance Awareness Month
By Dr. Shanessa Fenner
August is Romance Awareness Month. Life can be hectic and overwhelming,
but it is imperative to make time for the one you love.
Here are some romantic tips to add some spice into your relationship:
1. Cook his/her favorite meal, set the table, light the candles, play Reggie Codrington’s single “Shanessa’s Theme,” and enjoy an evening
of romance. Yes, I have a song named after me.
2. Learn their love language. Ask them what they find romantic. Take heed to their answers.
3. Be thoughtful. Think of all of your significant other’s favorite things and surprise them with those items all day.
4. Send flowers and/or an Edible Arrangement just because. Text sweet messages all day.
5. Buy a heartfelt card and place it under their pillow or in their car’s sun visor so it will fall in their lap when they open the sun visor.
6. Have a picnic at the park. Pack his/her favorite foods with their favorite wine or sparkling apple cider.
7. Get a couples massage at your favorite spa.
8. Watch a movie about love and snuggle with each other.
Dr. Shanessa Fenner, Principal 9. Play the game Twister.
10. Play some smooth R & B and classic soul music and slow dance.
11. Make a gratitude list about the things that you love about them and read it to them.
12. Make them breakfast in bed.
13. Go back to where the two of you first met and reminisce.
14. Talk a walk and hold hands.
15. Turn off the cell phone, TV, lights, and just talk. Talk about any and everything. Look into their eyes and be present in the moment.
Love should never be taken for granted. Everyone is not replaceable. If you have something special hold on to it because nobody
promised you a pot of gold. Happy Romance Month!
