e.t. 27:08 – Paul Johnson (hosted) Talkback on this 22nd Day of 2023…343 left this year!

On today’s Talkback, in the first month of this New Year, we build on the conversation around what we started with Mayor Mitch Covin two weeks ago…on the status, plans for growth, problems we the citizens who live, work and exist in the influence of Fayetteville, North Carolina – our state’s FIFTH LARGEST CITY.  Mayor Colvin has been elected for his third term.  He, along with elected representatives of nine districts for two-year terms, become the city council, who set the policy and direction for city government during their term and beyond.  But there are non-elected individuals who must act on and deliver the decisions of city council for the good of its citizens .  That’s you and I.

That’s city management and its departments – a complex web of services from police, fire, parks and recreation on down to economic development, finance and taxation – who must capably serve the interests of the council on behalf the city’s residents and constituents.    A big job.  A bigger job to do it smoothly within the budget provided.  We’ll meet City Manager Doug Hewitt, Chief of Staff Jodi Phelps, and his three Assistant City Managers (in no particular order):  Jeff Yates , Kelli Olivera, and Adam Lindsey – all supervising the detail of different aspects.

City Management is the focus today.  We’re joined by the non-elected but, in our opinion at Talkback, extremely talented and capable public servants who oversee the business of city government.  We began with City Manager Doug Hewitt, and in this episode, also featured Assistant City Managers Jeff Yates and Kelli Olivera.