At the December 11, 2023 regular meeting, the Fayetteville City Council recognized two retiring department heads, approved a consent agenda with several routine items, and heard public comment on topics including police accountability, a proposed ceasefire resolution for Gaza, and a property demolition dispute. The meeting began at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber.
Thirteen individuals signed up to speak; eight addressed the council.
Should join us in the audience, those who are joining us remotely. Welcome to the new council. Congratulations to uh the new members and to the return of the other council members. So look forward uh to a productive term. At this time, we'll ask that Dr. Cartwright, if he would please come to the podium. He'll provide tonight's invocation. Ask it all, please stand for that. Immediately following the prayer, if we could repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. Good evening, sir. Good evening, Mayor, City Council members, giving honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I greet everyone in the spirit of our beloved. Please pray with me if you will. Our Father, which in heaven I be thy name. Oh holy Father God, how rich is your word. How glorious, Father God, is your favor upon the heartfelt needs of your children that are assembled on this very day. We continue to pray, O God, that your spirit will abide so graciously upon the hearts and minds of our beloved mayor, council members, community, law enforcement on all of those that you have charged to be humble and graceful as we endeavor to do your will. I pray, Father God, as the spirit abides over these elected officers that your word holds true, Lord Jesus, when you call upon us to do justice, show mercy and walk humbly amongst man, woman, and child. May your spirit abide with us, grant us the wisdom, the knowledge, the spiritual discernment, understanding to be bold in our conviction to honor you as we endeavor to do your will, meeting the needs of this beloved city of Fayetteville. Grant the heartbeat of justice that it may run down like warm water. Speak, Lord God, to your servants. Abide with them as they endeavor to do your will and touch their heart that they will see justice and mercy intersect at that court court of grace. It's you, Lord Jesus, that we love. It's you, Lord God, that we need, and it's you, Heavenly Father God, that we serve. It's in the name of the Father, the Son, the Blessed Holy Spirit that I do pray and ask it all in the children of God. Please say Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Well, Dr. Cartwright, uh, if you could, sir. I know we we know you, you're a familiar face. Would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself and uh your ministry? Sure, sir. To the audience, I'm Dr. Lionel Cartwright. I'm uh one of the beloved students of Campbell University, where I receive my master's and my doctorate. I'm a turpin at heart for where I receive my undergraduate from the University of Maryland up in Baltimore. I'm a veteran of 35 years of active federal service. I'm a good steward when I look in turn, think in terms of true faith, walking in the spirit of humanity and grace. My ministry is the power of Christian faith, where my charge of faith is to meet everyone where they are, camping about those of the least, being sensitive to the needs of those who are worthy, and then hold myself accountable to be a voice for those that does not have a voice. I love this city of Fayetteville. I have a rich history over 25 close to 30 years being a resident of Fedville. I love Mayor Colvin, my councilwoman, Courtney Banks, the best council person in the land. I gotta say that, and my wife echo that sentiment. But more importantly, I take pride in the fact of my relationship with our law enforcement community, fire department, and others, and for those of you who know me, call upon me if I can help you in any way, especially when you're going through seasons of grief and loss in your family. Because my doctor is in pastoral care at crisis intervention, suicide intervention. And if I can be a voice to help you, I'm more than willing to do so. Thank you, Dr. Cartwright.