
Retired Col. Donald L. Porter, who was appointed to the Public Works Commission in December 2021, has been elected as Board Chair for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Following a 30-year distinguished military career, Porter served more than 20 years as Executive Director of the Raeford/Hoke County Economic Development Commission. In addition, he has been active in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community, serving as Chairman of the Fayetteville State University Board of Trustees (2013-2015), the Cape Fear Valley Health Board of Trustees and the BB&T Advisory Board. He also served on the Board of the Cumberland Community Foundation and Airborne Special Operations Museum. In April 2021, Porter was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to serve as a citizen member of the state Judicial Standards Commission.
The Public Works Commission (PWC) is a Public Authority that serves the Fayetteville/Cumberland County area with award-winning, reliable electric, water and wastewater services. The PWC consists of four Commissioners who are appointed by the Fayetteville City Council and govern PWC within the guidelines of the PWC Charter, established by the North Carolina General Assembly, including having rate-making authority.
Other members of the PWC Board are: Ronna Garrett, Chris Davis and Richard King who joined the Board on Oct. 11, 2023.
This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th
Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle
Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.