INSIDE POLITICS: Hurricane blurs lines between leading and campaigning

Sept. 24--Disasters bring out the politicians.

We saw that in Fayetteville and across eastern North Carolina with Hurricane Florence the past two weeks.

Both Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican House Speaker Tim Moore have been traveling to disaster-afflicted areas in eastern North Carolina, and Republican President Donald Trump visited North Carolina and South Carolina this past week.

That's by design -- we elect our officials to lead. It's their job to step up, to make the tough decisions. They were chosen to issue public safety warnings, and to provide advice and comforting words to the frightened masses as nature's fury descends on their communities.

Of course, in a fierce election season such as this year's, the lines may blur between leading and campaigning.

Republican County Commissioner candidate Ralph Molina has scheduled a "Cumberland Rises from Florence" event on Saturday to collect food, clothing and other essentials and assistance for storm victims. The event is from noon to 4 p.m. at Club Aqua, at 3041 N. Main St. in Hope Mills.

Is this a campaign ploy on Molina's part? Or is this just a candidate using his position to help his community get past a time of trouble?

Can the two be separated?

Republican state Sen. Wesley Meredith of Fayetteville, who is in a fierce re-election campaign, was visible at press conferences and out in the community before, during and after the storm.

He and his supporters worked with Two Brother Catering to provide thousands of hot meals for emergency workers and storm victims this past week, according to his Facebook page.

In the Lock's Creek neighborhood Saturday, Meredith went door-to-door to see what people needed. He offered guidance on federal disaster assistance to families in waterlogged homes. A family was grateful for a box of groceries he bought for them, as the food in their refrigerator and freezer had all spoiled following multiple days without power.

At Manna Church, where Meredith worships, he instructed dozens of storm-cleanup volunteers on how to operate a chainsaw without dismembering themselves or the people around them.

In short, the incumbent senator was doing what he was elected to do. And perhaps more -- he said he reached into his own pocket to pay for the food and meals.

But this being re-election season for Meredith, he and his supporters wore their blue campaign shirts during many of these activities. Children in Lock's Creek played with small blue Frisbees with with the Meredith campaign logo printed on them.

That was noted by Meredith's Democratic opponent, former Fayetteville City Councilman Kirk deViere.

DeViere said his campaign officially suspended its operations on the Tuesday before the storm arrived. They shifted to providing hurricane updates for the public through social media, he said, and lent assistance to churches and nonprofit organizations that were providing aid.

The deViere team "mobilized hundreds of volunteers, packed thousands of food boxes, assisted with cleanup of yards and houses and have helped those affected through the FEMA recovery process," he said.

DeViere said he also worked closely with the Cumberland Disaster Recovery Coalition, which helps people who suffered during the storm get assistance and back to their normal lives.

DeViere's 219 Group marketing, advertising and public relations firm is donating website services to the Recovery Coalition. The website, CumberlandStrong.com, is a central clearinghouse of information to help storm victims obtain assistance and help others find opportunities volunteer and make donations to help the community through the recovery.

While doing this work, deViere said, he and his team purposely did not wear campaign clothing or talk politics.

DeViere is in a tough election against Meredith. We'll find out in November if the decision to shed Team DeViere's bright fluorescent campaign T-shirts these last two weeks helps or hurts his results.

Political events

--Cumberland County Democratic Men's Club: 6 p.m. Tuesday (dinner at 5:30 p.m.), K&W Carolina, Bordeaux shopping center, 1758 Owen Drive. In-depth explanation of the six amendments to the N.C. Constitution on the November ballot.

--Candidates' forum: 3 p.m. Sunday, VFW Post 6018, 216 Chance St., Fayetteville. Participants to include candidates for Clerk of Superior Court, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and Cumberland County Sheriff. Presented by the Fayetteville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

--Campaign kickoff party for clerk of Superior Court candidate Cindy Blackwell: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2, Ramada Plaza Fayetteville, Wellington Banquet Room, 1707-A Owen Drive.

--Candidates' forum: 3 p.m. Oct. 7, , 2018, Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters, 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville. Participants invited include candidates for state Senate and state House of Representatives. Presented by the The Fayetteville HKonJ Local People's Assembly.

--Fundraiser for sheriff candidate Charlie Baxley: 5 p.m. Oct. 20, Stedman Community Development Club, 335 First St, Stedman. Ribeye steak meal, $40 per adult.

Inside Politics is published on Mondays. Send news and announcements to [email protected]. The submission deadline is Thursday.

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