Health Profile
Discussion and RecommendationsThe issue of growth in Fuquay-Varina runs very deep for its residents. Of all the themes emerging from community interviews, growth concerns were the most prominent and arguably evoked the most passion among respondents. These concerns, whether positive or negative, carry some measure of validity, as the town's population has risen almost 75% since the 1990 census. The Latino community has seen an even more pronounced growth, having doubled in size over the past decade.
For one resident, the issue of growth was as simple as economics. He contended, "Growth is always healthy…it means economically the area is going to boom." For other residents, issues surrounding growth were not so straightforward. Overall, the heart of the issue is the community's desire to grow culturally and economically, while at the same time maintaining the village character that makes Fuquay-Varina a special place to live.
In general, growth in Fuquay-Varina is characterized by: (1) an influx of new residents who work outside of Fuquay-Varina and have no prior ties to the community, (2) an increase in the number of Latino residents, and (3) an increase in the number of large-scale businesses entering the community, accompanied by the outward growth of these businesses away from downtown. Within this context, residents' concerns are: (1) the threat to the community's "small town" character, (2) the sustainability of businesses in downtown Fuquay-Varina, and (3) the limitations of resources (i.e., transportation, water and sewage, and housing) to accommodate large-scale growth.
Residents are very protective of what they call the "small town" feel of traditional Fuquay-Varina. In this context, they described their community as one where "people know their neighbors" and speak to passers-by. In talking with community members, they were obviously desperate to maintain their village character, particularly in light of the recent growth trend.
Upon seeing its impact on the neighboring towns of Apex and Cary, residents adamantly opposed widespread, uncontrolled growth, which they perceived in these communities as rampant growth at the expense of community character, or as the authors call it, the "Cary Syndrome." One resident summed up the sentiments of most respondents by commenting about Fuquay-Varina: "It's a nice quiet little town, and we don't want it to turn into another Cary."
Residents also mentioned not wanting to become a "bedroom" community to Raleigh and Research Triangle Park, where people working in these neighboring cities move to Fuquay-Varina, attracted to lower real estate prices and taxes, but invest little in the community. Even one newcomer echoed this concern of long-time residents. He spoke candidly about the value of the distinct character of the Fuquay-Varina community and how other newcomers do not have an appreciation for this character. He had this to say about newcomers' lack of appreciation for the character of Fuquay-Varina: "…it's fast being diluted…there are a lot of people moving here that don't care about that…"
While residents find the notion of becoming like Cary worrisome, many confidently believe that Fuquay-Varina has not yet reached the point of no return. The community, aware of the sacrifices that come with widespread growth, are determined not to surrender to the "Cary Syndrome." A long time resident critical of growth in other communities warned of similar threats to Fuquay-Varina: Look at other communities and see how they're growing. Except for Wake Forest, all is homogenous. In Fuquay-Varina, we're not at that point…we're on the brink of losing a lot of what gives us our identity.
In talking with residents, some already felt one of the more common growing pains of a population boom-increased traffic. Several times residents mentioned concerns about increased traffic on Highway 42, the main entrance to Fuquay-Varina. In sharing her thoughts on the community's recent traffic woes, one resident joked, "When did Fuquay-Varina get a rush hour?"
Repercussions of this increased traffic affect downtown where residents noted an increase in the number of large transfer trucks traveling through Main Street. On any given day, one might notice several trucks passing through downtown in less than a 15-minute period. Residents argued this nuisance further deteriorates downtown by disrupting pedestrian traffic, thereby discouraging shopping and leisure. One resident spoke passionately about his discontent with the situation:
…[the Main Street truck traffic] isn't conducive to village character…it's not right…the trucks come in at 45 mph in a 25 mph zone. They don't need to be down here; it's something people need to speak out on…
Recent concerns such as these prompted residents to fight in preserving downtown Fuquay-Varina. The city now participates in the "Main Street Project" as part of a national effort to revitalize the downtown businesses in communities all over the United States. A few residents felt strongly that the town should construct an overpass to divert traffic away from downtown. One of these residents noted, "…we voiced to lower the speed limits and preserve character; now we're voicing the need for a bypass. We're probably the only town in Wake County that doesn't have a bypass." While no consensus exists on this issue, residents are in discussion about how to best address a new bypass.
Questions about new businesses moving into Fuquay-Varina revealed mixed emotions. Some residents applauded the economic growth and convenience larger businesses bring to the community. One benefit of increased business is increased employment, about which one resident remarked, "There is a job for everyone in Fuquay-Varina."
On the other hand, some mentioned the coming of big business with dread. One resident sarcastically said this about the entrance of a Wal-Mart Department Store currently under construction, "Wal-Mart is coming…Whoopee!"
A recent newspaper article published in the Raleigh News and Observer discussed Wal-Mart's entrance into the community in relation to the potential threat posed to "mom- and-pop" stores in the downtown area. The author reminded readers of the value of shopping at small, family-owned businesses as he reminisced about a father and son visiting a small hardware together. He saw the presence of large franchises like Wal-Mart in small towns as a threat to the village character and family-centered culture of communities like Fuquay-Varina.
The Chamber of Commerce estimates some 42 businesses are now seeking entrance into the town of Fuquay-Varina. With growth occurring at this rate, the community must strike a balance between maintaining "small town" character and continued growth.
Regardless of residents' stances on growth in Fuquay-Varina, they realistically viewed the issues that inevitably must be addressed. Even residents who felt good about growth in Fuquay-Varina were concerned about limited resources in the community, such as decent, affordable housing, water and sewage, and schools. Concerns about affordable housing for the poor also emerged several times in interviews.
Service providers and community members also mentioned concerns about a dwindling water supply. While there are no immediate shortages, they expressed the need for addressing this issue in response to growth projections and predicted future needs.
As the town of Fuquay-Varina grows, so does the number of students enrolled in schools. Increased class size directly results from the growing population. One service provider expressed frustration about the perpetual problem of inadequate classroom space.
Opinions about growth in Fuquay-Varina varied widely, but overall, residents remained cautiously optimistic. However divided Fuquay-Varina residents were about the benefits and/or detriments of growth, all recognized that this growth is not unique and happens in communities all over the country. The community seems to be focusing in on a number of key issues that will be important in deciding how well it remains intact as it continues to grow larger in terms of population, economics, and ethnic diversity.
The Fuquay-Varina government made efforts to follow a comprehensive growth plan, which they developed in anticipation of the necessity to strategically plan and execute the growth plan in the town. This issue came up in almost all of the interviews and obviously resided solidly on the hearts and minds of Fuquay-Varina residents. Residents were keenly aware of the high stakes involved in accomplishing managed growth, as one resident put it:
…the planning that happens in our community in the next 5 years is gonna be so important. In the past you could make a mistake and it didn't hurt…there is not as much room for error now-more than ever. We're changing more rapidly now…it's real important that we make good decisions now because our town is changing so much.
Another resident summed up well the challenges and realities of growth in Fuquay-Varina by saying, "I think it's [Fuquay-Varina] growing as carefully as they can, trying to plan for growth…not to let it explode and get out of hand…but…that is a very difficult thing to do, no matter how much you plan…"
The youth of Fuquay-Varina had differing perspectives on town growth. Elementary and middle school children thought that the size and character of Fuquay-Varina was "just right." They also noted that parents work close by, schools are near, and people all know each other: "Everybody is helpful," remarked one student. Youth did not see traffic as problematic, though most interviewed were not of driving age. Consequently, they had no first-hand knowledge of the frustration cited by many adult community members. High school students thought that Fuquay-Varina was too small: "you don't have anything to do," complained one high school girl. In general, youth of all ages in Fuquay-Varina were excited and curious to see what rapid growth will bring to Fuquay-Varina and did not see the negative effects of such growth.
One of the areas addressed in the context of the formal interview process was race relations, framed in the question, "How do different ethnic groups interact?" Respondents addressed race in the context of multiple other questions as well. Generally, the responses ranged from "great" by a community leader, to individuals expressing concerns about segregation and racially based community decisions. Most, however, expressed that while not seeing overt problems, they wanted improvement in relationships between different ethnic groups. One community leader said, "There's no real conflict, but there's no real effort." A Latino community member said while there are not that many problems between the different people, there is not much integration either. This individual added that whites, blacks, and Latinos tend to keep to themselves. An African American community member commented that the interaction between ethnic groups is "good, but still it's always improvement. You know, that's both sides…..it's probably got to be more communication." Along similar lines, a community leader said that, "That's a challenge for Fuquay, I think it's getting better, but that is a challenge…"
Population growth in the community has been accompanied by a greater diversity of ethnic groups in the area, and overall, the comments on these ethnic changes were favorable. An African American community leader seemed to indicate a lessening of racial problems in this context:
…race was a big problem. That is not the problem now. To a certain extent I think we have more of a variety of people in the community now from all different ethnic groups and it has enriched the community…
Furthermore, a white community leader noted that Fuquay-Varina is becoming multi-cultural and it is a positive thing. "It's a strength, not a weakness," he said. Similarly, one of the community members interviewed said, "Fuquay is getting a lot of different cultures now….diversity of people is improving the community."
During the course of interviews, respondents acknowledged the large influx of Latinos into the Fuquay-Varina area. A community leader verified this with statistics demonstrating the doubling of the Latino population since 1990. The secondary data in Part I show that between 1990 and 1997/1998, the Latino population increased from 1.6% to 3.3% of the total population (Wake County Planning Department, 1998-99). Another service provider mentioned the need for planning in the community for the Latino population with respect to expansion and home buying.
According to a Latino service provider in the community, most of the local Latino population is from Mexico, with fewer people from Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Puerto Rico. He said that the cultural and language differences between nationalities vary considerably and went on to discuss how some groups tend to have broken family relations. Especially with illegal immigration, men often come alone, leaving wives and children behind. They feel isolated and rejected by Americans and will have extramarital relations with women here. When the families finally come from Mexico, the family relationship is broken, not only because of the extramarital relations, but also because of the time and distance apart as well. If the parents have no bonds, the children consequently have no bonds with the parents. In addition to emphasizing the loneliness of immigration, this service provider emphasized problems with the use of alcohol and drugs as well.
In two separate interviews with people outside the Latino community, one Latino and one white service provider, respondents related that the Latino community tends to congregate with themselves. The white service provider added that he does not blame them for this and said that it is probably because of the language barrier. However, the Latino service provider felt that there's no sense of community among the Mexican immigrants; but perhaps there may be a sense of community among some other nationalities.
Several respondents viewed the language barrier as a problem, and some went further to say that they and others would have to learn Spanish. Interviews revealed that provisions are in place for an interpreter in at least two places of public service, and the Chamber of Commerce offers Spanish for interested businesses and employees. Furthermore, English as a second language (ESL) is offered at the elementary school, middle school, and high school levels for Spanish speaking residents, according to secondary data gathered.
A variety of responses from the interviews dealt with the town's acceptance of the Latino community. One service provider who has extensive contact with the Latino community said that the town has really accepted the Latino community more than the other towns and has made them feel welcome. One community leader related that he had not heard any volatile sentiment against Latinos. A Latino service provider said that some townspeople are willing to help this group of people, but that others reject Latinos, leading to problems with distribution of resources and economics. An African American service provider felt that the Latino population is not accepted in the same way that African Americans were not accepted, so they stay amongst themselves.
A number of townspeople expressed a need for the town to do more to reach out to the Latino population. At least three community members thought the town has not done enough to increase cultural awareness and understanding and should reach out more. One reason for the lack of communication, according to an African American community member, was that the Latino population tends to be Catholic, while the African American population tends to be Baptist or Methodist. However, this same community member noted that the African American community would welcome the Latino community "with open arms," if there were an opportunity to do so.
The Latino community has some migrant workers but others live here year round, according to a service provider. At least two other community members echoed this idea that the Latino population has moved beyond migrant worker status to being in business for themselves. Other types of work done by Latinos include construction, carpentry, masonry, carpet laying, and landscape maintenance, according to a Latino service provider. He added that the Latino women tend to work in restaurants.
A number of community members expressed that the Latino people work very hard or at least do not seem to be "freeloading." However, two service providers (one white, one Latino) related that illegal resident problems emerge with hiring these individuals. One went on to say this creates resentment from other groups, while the other noted that it is unfortunate that the illegal Latinos cannot contribute, given the labor shortage in Wake County.
In the course of interviews, little was said about the Latino population in schools. A service provider did note that Latinos in elementary schools are "doing well," and that "Parentscope," which aims to get parents involved in prevention of school failure, primarily works with the Latino population. A Latino service provider expressed a desire for schools to have a translator.
According to a white service provider, Latinos are very vulnerable to crime; they do not put their money in banks and do not have phones to call anybody for help. Furthermore, a Latino community member said that teens just hang around which could be a big problem, especially among the young (Latino) men who live in the trailer park. He said the trailer park is a dangerous place and would not go there.
Several of those interviewed wanted changes in the future for relations with the Latino population. For example, an African American pastor wanted a joining of fellowships with the Latino population and a specific outreach to this population. Another African American community member wanted more Latino involvement in city government, while a Latino community member was interested in integration among children, even though he did not think there would be much integration among adults. He added that integrated participation in sports among children of all races is a good place to start sharing and for others to learn the Latino customs.
A number of people who discussed relations between African Americans and whites had lived in Fuquay-Varina all or most of their lives. Two such African Americans noted a problem with segregation. One saw it as a lessening problem with the greater ethnic diversity in the area. The other, while acknowledging the changes, still saw Fuquay-Varina as a segregated community and thought this is disturbing more people. He later added that nothing has changed in the African American community area, except one sidewalk, when talking about the supposed equal distribution of federal funds. He asked, "Where is the money is going? Are there two separate Fuquays?" The problem is "taxation without representation," he said. A white service provider reinforced this concern, stating that in the past there were street improvements or other improvements, which were culturally or racially-based. He gave the same example of sidewalks not being extended.
A white community leader affirmed the concern about segregation in the community: "…the town is definitely divided…the white side of town, the black side of town, the railroad tracks in between…it's classic." However, he added that, "I think there are lots of good efforts underway. There are a lot of people in leadership positions really concerned…about bridging that…making that connection." In fact, another white community service provider noted that the Rotary Club tried inviting more African Americans into the organization but was "unsuccessful" and added that there is "not a great deal of cooperation between groups themselves."
The secondary data in Part I supports that the disparity accompanying segregation in Fuquay-Varina by noting that in 1990, 21.8% of the total white population lived in poverty. At the same time, 73.5% of the total African American population was living in poverty (1990 U.S. Census).
Respondents also raised a concern about the separation between African American and white churches. An African American pastor said:
There are still barriers but we're trying to work together….The older churches are 98% white,…so if we went there you could feel the tension; but overall, when there is a need in the community, the churches come together.
A community leader added that, "There's a large faith community here…both sides of the tracks." Despite the separation, the African American pastor expressed a desire to merge and create fellowship among African Americans, whites, and Latinos. Furthermore, he did not express resentment against whites:
I learned not to blame my white sisters and brothers for my troubles. It's not their fault…. I needed to understand that my life/destiny didn't depend on somebody else's actions. It depended on me. That's what changed me/turned me around.
Another African American community member expressed a similar sentiment in saying, "We are all put here to help one another. If we're held back it's on our own. If we work our cans off, we can be anything we want."
A number of interviewees expressed a favorable attitude toward African American involvement in community leadership and/or a desire for integration. The previously quoted African American community member wanted to see African Americans open up businesses, provide jobs and have a sense of ownership in the community, and gain a voice and presence in all aspects of the community, including the economy. Furthermore, he wanted more African Americans in city government and teaching positions. A number of white community members mentioned that having two African American town board members was a positive thing by demonstrating concern for the whole community, regardless of race.
An African American community leader addressed a concern about attempts to integrate schools by busing African American children. She said, "The best way to integrate the schools is to have integrated neighborhoods." However, she commented that every time efforts begin to integrate neighborhoods, there is a flight. Still, she said, "We can't legislate the heart."
A number of respondents said that they would like to see Fuquay-Varina integrated as a whole. One African American community member said that he would like Fuquay-Varina to become such a place that, "when you come into the community, not to be able to tell one side from the other." One example of such a change took place as a result of the efforts to eliminate illicit drug activity in Fuquay-Varina. A community leader explained:
This side of town has an issue with changing in the last ten years… landlords have come in…kind of really let this side of town go downhill…to the dismay of the long time people…who really have that sense of pride…that's a big issue.
However, a number of respondents additionally noted that the problem does not affect only one particular area. A white community leader said that the "problem is everywhere…not particular to a certain neighborhood, group of people, (or) income bracket." A drug task force was established which "brought races together," noted a community leader. Another noted, "I think in the past six months to a year there has been a large effect in the drug situation to bring people together." He said, "the drug situation could be a blessing in disguise."
Middle school and high school students freely offered their opinions and insight of race relations in Fuquay-Varina. Overall, racial segregation between whites, blacks, and Latinos was not a problem with which the youth of Fuquay-Varina identified. When asked about race issues, one middle school student responded, "Most people I see get along. Some are racists - whites not liking blacks, blacks not liking whites. But this doesn't happen a lot." Another student agreed and further stated race is only an issue with adults, and she "only sees adults that don't like each other." In the middle school it was noted that students are integrated, and every one sits together in the lunch room.
A high school student agreed that race was not an issue for her and her peers. She thought it was because of Fuquay-Varina's size and the fact that everyone knows one another. A white high school student stated:
...Older people don't speak when I am with my black friends. [Older people] can't get it out of their heads that there is no more White-White or Black-Black; that everybody is just trying to get along.
There was no mention of racial problems with the Latino population, but students noticed a barrier to interacting due to language and that Latinos "keep to themselves because they don't speak English."
In the course of the interview process, respondents were asked about their perceptions of the educational system in Fuquay-Varina. Education and schools were mentioned frequently in response to questions about the strengths and weaknesses of Fuquay-Varina. Many of the general statements about schools, especially elementary schools, were positive from both community members and service providers. For example, "Schools are really good here" and "…we've got a fantastic school system." The schools in Fuquay-Varina were also commended as part of Wake County Pubic Schools, with one respondent stating, "I feel it [Wake County] has about the best school district in the State of North Carolina…" Another community member echoed this sentiment: "Wake County is a good system, we have everything every other Wake County school has." Praise was most consistent with respect to elementary schools.
In contrast, there were also concerns raised about the quality of the schools, such as "I hate to say this, but I feel we have not kept up with the rest of the County." Concerns were most often stated with regard to the middle and high school levels, where several community members mentioned discipline problems with the schoolchildren. One community member expressed this concern by stating, "Fuquay Middle seems to have more problems than any other schools around in this area." Several other interviewees acknowledged this perspective, but felt that it was not deserved:
…I think there's a perception that it's not good in the middle and high school…I think the middle school is good, I think it gets a bad rap, it could be better but it's good. Same with the high school…
We have some of the finest school systems that really don't get a fair shake as far as the community reactions.
1998 and 1999 end of grade test scores at the elementary, middle, and high school levels demonstrate that overall, Fuquay-Varina's students performed at about the same level or slightly below Wake County as a whole. However, students are achieving at least the expected growth standard as set by the State Board of Education (WCPSS, 1998).
As with the schools, respondents expressed satisfaction with the teachers and staff, describing them as motivated and caring. As one community member stated, "They've got teachers that want to be there." Another respondent echoed this sentiment by saying, "I think the staffs at all the schools-they really care about the kids." Another community member, however, felt that the schools need "fresh blood," that communication between teachers, parents and children was inadequate, and disciplinary actions were meted out inequitably between the different races/ethnicities.
Interview respondents also identified a number of needs for Fuquay-Varina schools. Regarding infrastructure, they consistently noted efforts underway to reduce class size, with a new elementary school in Holly Springs and the renovation of Lincoln Heights and Willow Springs Elementary Schools. However they feared that rapid growth in the area will soon offset these efforts. A community member stated:
I do worry about keeping up with the growth, especially the school systems. We always have schools that are way overcrowded before they're built, we can never get ahead of the curve on that…we're just not able to support the growth the way we should.
Regarding growth and infrastructure, another community member said, "The school system badly needs to be expanded with additional resources and hiring talented teachers." A final infrastructure need identified by two community members was more computers and Internet access, especially in the High School, which reportedly had only six computers in the lab. No mention was made as to whether this need is being addressed.
As stated previously, discipline was identified as a problem in the middle and high schools. Several respondents attributed this to the lack of parental involvement, especially at the middle and high school levels. Another respondent highlighted the dropout rate in Fuquay-Varina, which is higher than other areas of the county and comprised mostly of white, middle class males. The reason why there are more dropouts in Fuquay-Varina is not known.
Regarding the younger children, a number of respondents mentioned that there was a Headstart program in the area, and that children from lower economic levels could be provided breakfast and free health screenings. However, the lack of access to adequate and affordable preschool was mentioned as a problem: "…I hear a lot of people complaining that some kids are not getting prepared to go to school…if they can get the basic training before they get there, it makes it a little bit easier." Another community member expressed similar concerns in relation to Fuquay-Varina's test scores, which are lower than the County: "we don't have top test scores, but that to me is not an indicator totally because you have to look at what they start with."
Respondents consistently felt that one of the strengths of Fuquay-Varina and its schools was the overall community support for schools, evidenced in the following statements: "we've been able to keep the character of a small school," and "it's [school is] still community oriented." Several organizations in the community give active support to the schools such as the Education Foundation, the Rotary Club, the Woman's and Jr. Woman's Club, the Chamber of Commerce and area businesses. Pine Acres Community Center was also commended for its work to support students.
Children's sports activities in schools were also mentioned positively. One community member whose child plays a school sport mentioned, "..basketball ..has caused the families to come together and do things together such as volunteer to support the team and the school. Schools are a focal point for that." This was echoed by another respondent: "sports have been a salvation for many kids which encourages education." The sentiment, however, was not unanimous, as voiced by another interviewee: "there is so much emphasis put on sports, just think about what we could do if we put that emphasis on academics."
The youth of Fuquay-Varina expressed a range of opinions pertaining to the schools in Fuquay-Varina. Elementary school students in general liked school, felt safe, and were proud of their school: "People [teachers] help me if I need it." High school aged youth also reported feeling safe at school and having access to good teachers: "school is safe, good teachers... you can stay after school to get help from students or teachers," stated one student. Another commented, "I've never felt threatened [at school]."
A focus group conducted with middle school students revealed varying opinions on safety and school pride, depending on which school the youth attended:
I'm proud of my school. We have a lot of good kids and good teachers.
I am proud of my school. In elementary, I didn't like school. Now I like middle school. It's more interesting, and we have good teachers.
I'm not proud of my school. They found a dead body last week near the school. We had a fire and a pipe bomb at the beginning of the year.
I'm not proud of it [school] right now... we had three bomb threats last week..
Most students expressed a measure of school pride and social support, stating that they felt they could trust teachers and guidance counselors and turn to these individuals when in need. However, several of the youth interviewed were concerned about confidentiality in the schools. One high school student remarked, "Teachers gossip like students do." When asked who she talks to about problems, one high school student replied, "a counselor, but you have to schedule and appointment... it's not confidential- won't keep a secret. They should keep a secret." A middle school student added, "some students can trust teachers, other students cannot."
In general, youth felt as though students got along at school: "gangs are not real gangs, they don't kill anyone," and "[people] don't pick on people because everyone knows each other." In contrast, one middle school student reported on average seeing three fights a day at school, "mainly over stupid stuff" (which later was defined as girls and boys fighting over each other, or someone accidentally stepping on someone's foot). In general, the atmosphere across school settings remains satisfactory, yet necessary improvements are recognized by staff, parents, and students alike.
In responding to questions about the future, many of those interviewed expressed a need for more entertainment and recreation activities for people of all ages. Many community members and service providers expressed frustration at having to go to Cary or Raleigh for entertainment activities. They thought that Fuquay-Varina should attract more business from not only its own community members, but also those from outside the town. The community's views were consistent with the Chamber of Commerce's "Pulse," which keeps track of business opportunities in Fuquay-Varina as determined by residents and developers (Fuquay-Varina Area chamber of Commerce, 1999a). Some of the items listed that were mentioned include restaurants, a movie theater, a YMCA and children's recreation. Also mentioned in the interviews were a bowling alley, a bookstore, parks and cultural arts facilities. As one community member stated, "[Fuquay-Varina] needs to be a place people come to shop, eat, [and be] entertained."
A number of respondents also expressed a need for activities specifically for the elderly. A community member expressed, "Fuquay's got a lot of old people and they don't have anything to do." Another suggested a facility for seniors "to learn crafts, work with daycare centers so they can read to kids, etc." A further suggestion was made for classes or seminars available for the elderly.
Regarding recreation and athletics, many community members expressed satisfaction with the town's recreation system. The recreation department offers courses geared for adults and sports activities for children. However, community members identified a need for additional facilities, for example, "they [the town parks and recreation department] have a fantastic program….they are on overload-more kids than they can serve, less facilities."
Community members also mentioned the lack of a swimming pool that is accessible to all, a YMCA, and sports fields available for adult leagues, such as soccer. They also mentioned that while there are many activities for young children, there is very little available for adolescents. Several community members felt that the lack of activities available for this age group may lead to undesirable behavior:
There are activities for young kids-soccer, football. There is a regular soccer league for kids, but not for teens. Teens just hang around and this can be a big problem…
For the youth, there are a lot of community activities, community track, soccer, basketball, football. Some fall through the cracks, so you see drugs.
Youth recreation activities, such as soccer, basketball and football were seen by many as a good opportunity for parental involvement and an opportunity for children and parents from diverse races and ethnicities to interact. As mentioned by a community member "Little league [is] one of the very best projects that goes on in the town. They provide baseball, soccer, basketball. It brings all of the kids together." Another respondent echoed this by saying sports activities were a good place to improve integration and acceptance among children of all races and ethnicities.
When asked to express one of the greatest needs of Fuquay-Varina, an adult community member responded, "Middle schoolers need something to do." Another community member cited the lack of activity for youths as a major social problem of Fuquay-Varina. Others held the opinion that juvenile crime was on the rise due to a lack of structured activities for youth. When asked about recreation opportunities available to them, Fuquay-Varina youth gave similar responses: "There's not much to do," exclaimed a female middle school student.
Primary data revealed a racial gap in the number of activities in which adolescents were involved.
Many African American youth responded that there was nothing to do in Fuquay-Varina, saying that after school, they go home to do homework and then watch television. These same individuals described weekend activity as going to a friend's house or to the movies in Raleigh. When asked what she prefers to do on the weekend, an African American high school student responded, "get out of Fuquay!"
In contrast, white youth of middle school age were asked about after school activities and described various recreation opportunities such as horseback riding, tutoring, church activities, motor cross, piano and dance classes. Extensive participation in both local and regional sports was reported: swim team, softball, tennis, gymnastics, and soccer. Their weekends comprised many of the same activities.The focus group data suggests that a significant difference in the number of activities in which adolescents are involved depends upon their racial background. Data to support or refute these claims was unavailable.
Churches and community partnerships are two strong forces in Fuquay-Varina, helping mobilize citizens and encouraging interaction socially, spiritually, and actively. On just about every street sits a church, appealing to people of every age, ethnicity, income level, and social status. The growing number of community partnerships, whose names have been seemingly embedded in citizens' minds, address issues from drugs and crime to schools to sports.
Several community members noted how churches in Fuquay-Varina seem to attract almost every citizen in town. One man stated, "I don't know many people that don't go to church" while another community member claimed half-jokingly that, "There are more churches than anything else." The Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce lists 33 churches in its 1999-2000 Membership Directory (p. 13). One pastor believed that churches offer a sanctuary from citizens' "personal problems," causing the overwhelming membership numbers, continued growth, and building expansion: "People in general are looking somewhere they can grab hold on hope because everything is failing." Churches in Fuquay-Varina, then, offer more than just places for social gathering.
The influence of churches, though, extends beyond just numbers, with many citizens describing churches as close knit. The following set of comments from various community members attests to this close association, each interviewee describing in their own words how churches have had an impact on the town:
There is a connection between the faith community and the rest of the community.
Fuquay has a strong sense of church community.
I think the whole town is…a very religious place to be.
There is an ecumenical process here that I am really, really proud of.
This sampling of comments from both community members and service providers places churches' influence in a very strong and positive light.
In spite of recognizing the large numbers of citizens who attend church, there are those who felt to a much lesser extent that churches have room for improvement in their capacity for serving the community. Some town members and service providers even listed "faith" or "spirituality" when asked about Fuquay-Varina's biggest issues, much like education or traffic. In terms of the larger multi-church community, one church worker commented that, "there's a ministerial association … It's not as active as I would like to see it," which may point to a lack of interaction/ communication among churches. Another community member echoed this sentiment: "A lot of the churches don't necessarily interact with one another." One service provider in particular saw this same lack of interaction but remained hopeful that it would be addressed in the near future as growth necessitates cooperation: "We just know we want to work together, but don't know what it will look like."
The barrier to such church interaction that was mentioned most often was actually a physical barrier (posing a mental barrier as well), expressed as "the tracks." A couple of community members specifically described that "the tracks" seem to divide churches into these two sides, which may now be part of the town's psyche: "there's a large faith community here…both sides of the tracks…" and, "Churches 'on both sides' need to do more in the community." One pastor mentioned feeling "tension" in his personal experience visiting churches: "The older churches are 98% white, not used to the 'new wine' concept, so if we went there, you could feel the tension, but overall, when there is a need in the community, the churches come together." It seems the churches will cooperate when necessary, but the norm still appears to be two church communities separated by "tracks."
At first glance, Fuquay-Varina does not seem to lack its share of strong community partnerships, which draw specific groups from the community to work towards a common goal. One service provider who works closely with several community partnerships stated that, "We've just been blessed with support…without these partnerships, we would not be able to fly." Some partnerships were recognized as more successful than others, although interviewees acknowledged that those deemed less successful might not have been in place long enough to justify a thorough evaluation.
Certain partnerships and organizations were frequently mentioned as the most successful, including: the Education Foundation, which one community member praised thusly: "…they really do support the schools and do things for the schools, so I think there is good support here"; the Rotary Club, which another community member described as, "very involved," especially through their annual golf tournament that raises considerable funds for education; the Pine Acres Community Center, whose education program, among several other programs, is itself a result of partnerships with the schools, Rotary Club, Civitan Club, Education Foundation, and several churches; and sports/recreational leagues for children, positively assessed by two community members: "Little league - one of the very best projects that goes on in the town" and, "They have a fantastic program…more kids than they can serve." One important attribute of all these partnerships is how they have targeted different areas such as education, recreation, crime and safety, and elderly/youth services.
The one partnership most universally praised by the interviewees was the Citizens Against Drugs task force, begun in the fall of 1999 when town citizens acknowledged the severity of the drug problem in Fuquay-Varina during a Town Board meeting. Through subsequent funding by the town government, the task force was formed. Both community members and service providers were well aware of its existence and effectiveness in chipping away at the drug presence. Perhaps most noteworthy about the task force was that people lauded its ability to bring the different parts of the community together, unmistakably showing Fuquay-Varina's competency for community-based and community-directed problem solving. Through activities such as awareness workshops and neighborhood marches, the various segments of town - businesses, citizens, service providers, and youth - came together to show their strength and unity towards eliminating drugs. The following is a sampling of comments from community members and service providers who spoke highly of the task force:
The new Citizens Against Drugs - it's really a community wide effort and very inclusive.
It's already been successful in that a lot of drug traffic has moved…that's an example of community really working together.
I think in the past 6 months there has been a large effect in the drug situation to bring people together.
The town has wrapped its arms around the drug issue.
One community member even went so far as to say the "drug situation could be a blessing in disguise" in bringing the community together. Another community member believed that the seriousness and urgency of the drug issue contributed to the task force's effectiveness: "People had to wait until it got really bad, then they wanted to come out and have a say." More than any of the other partnerships, the Citizens Against Drugs task force seems suitable as a model for future community endeavors.
Interviewees recognized several other partnerships, although to a lesser degree. The Growth Management Plan resulted from a town-sponsored focus group of 25 citizens who formed "vision statements" addressing traffic, housing, "greenways," etc. and which one service provider claimed, "though it hasn't yet been acted upon …people can refer to it and say, 'we did this,"' as one example of community organizing. For the Latino population, St. Bernadette's Catholic Church's conducts Spanish language services and provides food and clothing ministries. The recently formed Community Development Corporation (CDC) project to unite citizens, landowners, and county officials in renovating a former all-African-American school into a neighborhood center also garnered positive mention. Two community members stated about the CDC that: "they're real active over there" and "it's going to be an outstanding project." Citizens also showed awareness of Family Aid, which one service provider knew was, "supported by local churches, private donations," as a partnership but based at the SRC to aid low or no income families. Other groups mentioned more in passing but visible to community members are the Lion's Club, Jaycees, Woman's Club, and Jr. Woman's Club.
One community member sent a word of caution for the town by stating that "If nobody ever says anything…then there's no reason to fix something," showing the importance for Fuquay-Varina citizens to voice their concerns and needs when the situation arises or risks stagnation. There is little reason to doubt that type of outcome, though, when so many interviewees expressed a hopeful attitude similar to this community member: "If we work our cans off, we can be anything we want." The number of churches and community partnerships around Fuquay-Varina and their involvement in proactive endeavors proves that Fuquay-Varina is well on its way to success. As Fuquay-Varina works towards community competence in addressing all of its major issues, the past and present examples serve as reference points for future progress.
One of the major issues we heard about during our work in Fuquay-Varina was the drug problem. While we have found little data to substantiate the severity and prevalence of the problem, it has clearly been a major issue in the town, and it is one which has sparked major interest and effort on the part of community members. Based on input from several community members about the specific details of the drug problem and action which has surrounded it, we believe that the following is an accurate summary of what has transpired.
As we have talked with the people of Fuquay-Varina over the past 6 months, we have learned that the effort to combat neighborhood drug trade is a major source of community pride. It has brought in cooperation and interaction across groups. It has brought in faith and the strength of religious institutions in the community. It has brought in a concern for the health and safety of people in the community, and a special concern for the children who are not only threatened by unsafe neighborhoods, but who are also influenced by the things they see around them. Also, the effort seems to have brought in a sense of interest in using the local political system to achieve things the community really wants.
Dialogue about the drug problem, which had infected a particular neighborhood, did not emerge in response to a single question in our interview guides; rather it came out within the context of many different questions. For example, people spoke of the drug problem in Fuquay-Varina when we asked about interaction among racial and ethnic groups. One man commented, "I think the past six months to a year, there has been a large effect in the drug situation to bring people together...(the) drug situation could be a blessing in disguise" in terms of community involvement. Another community member explained that the task force had brought the races together and that he saw that as a good thing. He said, "It's a problem all over town; it's a problem in any town," speaking of the drug problem, and he went on to say that maybe in this case the drug issue could be a catalyst for more work together across racial lines.
Other community members spoke of the drug problem in response to questions about social problems or issues in Fuquay-Varina. One man said that selling marijuana was a major social problem among young men in Fuquay-Varina. Another man said that drugs had been the primary social problem, but that he thought drugs had "been cut drastically," and that he thought the problem could be removed completely. He also believed the community thought it wasn't their problem until citizens came to the town meeting and told the board about it. Finally, another community member cited "breaking and entering related to the drug problem," as the main social problem, but he continued by saying that he is not afraid to let his children go wherever they want to go.
Many community members brought up the drug problem in response to questions about the types of projects Fuquay-Varina residents have worked on together. One community member said,
The new Citizens Against Drugs- it's really a community wide effort and very inclusive. It's already been successful in that a lot of drug traffic has moved, there's an officer assigned there now, a hotline. That's an example of a community really working together.
Another community member described the drug problem by saying that it is "not particular to a certain neighborhood, group of people, or income bracket." He talked about all of the different organizations coming together, including churches, civic groups, neighborhoods, and schools, and he stated that this was "an example of good coming from bad." One community member recalled the projects Fuquay-Varina residents had worked on as drug awareness, walks against drugs, education and community awareness from the standpoint of unity of faith, and the crime rate. One man from the community said, "The town has wrapped it's arms around the drug issue...I see good things happening, but not overnight."
Finally, one resident framed the drug problem from the perspective of drug usage. He talked about the loneliness of immigration and the prevalence of alcohol and drug usage among immigrants who are trying to live in a new place.
Data we do have on arrests for drug possession with intent to distribute are juvenile data for Wake County. In the years 1997 and 1998, drug possession with intent to distribute was the second leading cause of arrests in Wake County for juveniles (Crime in North Carolina- 1998, NC State Government). In 1997, there were 430 juvenile arrests on this charge, and in 1998, there were 398. These constituted 12.5 % and 12.2% of juvenile arrests in Wake County respectively by years. As of October 1999, Fuquay-Varina had not had any juvenile arrests for the year ( Fuquay-Varina Police Department, 1999). Drug possession with intent to distribute is not one of the major causes of adult arrest in Fuquay-Varina. In 1999 the top two causes of arrest were criminal damage (n=166, 13.9%), and larceny (n=395, 33.1%) ( Fuquay-Varina Police Department, 1999).
With regard to the safety of the community, people overwhelmingly expressed enthusiasm for the way community members have addressed the open selling of drugs, which quickly became a major threat to some residents. The efforts made by people already, and the steps which the Task Force is still working on are prime examples of how communities can pool their resources to improve the quality of life for all.
Overall, crime was not perceived as a major issue among residents of Fuquay-Varina. In fact, many people pointed to the low crime rates as a positive aspect of living in Fuquay-Varina. Some people related crime to the drug trade, commenting that there was some crime as a result of or in relation to it. Statistics we gathered from the Fuquay-Varina Police Department support the belief that crime is relatively low.
According to the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, total criminal offenses for the year 1999, as of October 1999 numbered 1,194. Common offenses or reasons for calls to police included calls for service (n= 192; 16% of calls), criminal damage (n= 166; 13.9% of calls), and larceny (n= 395; 33.1% of calls). There have been two shootings in Fuquay-Varina in the past year (Fuquay-Varina Police Department, 1999).
In speaking about crime, one community member said, "Crime is not very high in Fuquay. You hear of some break-ins, but crime is not very high." Another community member said, "Fuquay-Varina is tranquil, a small town with no assault." One service provider stated, "I think overall Fuquay is very safe...just kids being unsupervised, riding through the streets at night on their bikes. I don't think there's an issue of somebody getting them...it's them getting hurt."
One woman in the community described violence as the number one health problem in society today. However, she spoke broadly about this, saying, "I don't think Fuquay itself has a big violence problem, but don't we all. That has got to be resolved."
Among service providers in Fuquay-Varina, perspectives were similar to those of community members with regard to crime. One service provider talked about the speed of traffic through downtown as a major safety issue, especially for pedestrians, but he did not mention crime as a problem in relation to safety. Another service provider said that she feels safe where she lives now, but that she had previously lived in an apartment where she did not feel safe.
One service provider talked extensively about services provided by and through the police department. He described some of the auxiliary services of the police department as giving talks in the school system, providing a school resource officer for the high school, providing a juvenile prevention officer in the middle school, appointing an officer to serve as a business liaison officer for downtown businesses, and working with the Citizens Against Drugs Task Force, as well as the Community Watch and Safe Watch programs. The Community Watch program provides a forum for neighbors to keep informal watch on each other's houses and report any suspicious activity they see. The Safe Watch program is a county-wide program which involves all city and town workers in keeping watch on the neighborhoods and parts of town they serve each day. If they see suspicious activity, they have a number to call and report it to the Fuquay-Varina Police immediately. According to the service provider, the Wake County Sheriff's Department also provides services in Fuquay-Varina, such as traffic patrol. In terms of needs the police department is working to meet, the service provider we spoke with said that there are efforts underway to learn more about school violence. They are learning about bombs, as well as other topics.
The two shootings which have occurred in Fuquay-Varina in the past year are troubling, because this kind of crime is not common in the community. However, none of the community members we interviewed brought up the shootings. Furthermore, it is believed that both of the shootings were personal in nature, and not random acts of violence.
There was no mention of abuse and neglect, which are common threats to safety in a community. Perhaps this was because there was not a question which directly asked about it in the interview guide. Since abuse and neglect are often not talked about openly in society, it is not surprising that none of the interviewees spoke about them. We know according to Child Protective Services of Wake County that most cases of abuse or neglect are reported by school staff, mental health providers and County case-workers (J. Ray, personal communication, November 18, 1999). There were 3,491 reported cases of child abuse or neglect involving 7,588 children in Wake County during the 1998-99 school year. Of these, 469 cases were substantiated by investigators. However, we do not have a sense of what percentage or number of cases represented Fuquay-Varina.
Though residents did not identify crime as one of their major concerns at present, they appeared to value safety highly, and were interested in community crime and safety issues. Again, people seemed pleased to note the efforts toward eliminating drugs in order to illustrate how community members themselves came together and rallied support for safe and crime-free neighborhoods.
We asked Fuquay-Varina residents and service providers to describe the main health problems of people in their community. The most common response was that there was a shortage of health care services, specifically, primary care physicians. Overwhelmingly, people identified this as a major problem in the community, as opposed to any specific cause of morbidity or mortality. The data bear this out, as they demonstrate that Fuquay-Varina compares fairly consistently with Wake County, whose rates are lower than the state as a whole on most morbidity and mortality indicators. Furthermore, the data show that Wake County may be considerably less endowed with health care providers than the state as a whole.
According to the North Carolina Center for Health Statistics, Wake County had the following allocations of health care providers in 1997: one primary care physician for every 1,101 residents; one primary care physician plus extender (nurse practitioner or physician assistant) for every 1,989 residents, one registered nurse for every 99 residents; and one dentist for every 1,746 residents (1997). There was a ratio of 419 people for every hospital bed, and the hospital use rate was 87% of capacity (North Carolina Center for Health Statistics, 1997). In comparison, the most recent data for North Carolina (1995) showed there was a primary care physician for every 467 people and a nurse for every 122 people in the state (North Carolina Center for Health Statistics, 1997). Thus, the shortage of doctors alluded to by Fuquay-Varina residents appears to be plausible.
There are two Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers which serve Fuquay-Varina- Wake County EMS and a local volunteer service. There are four acute care hospitals in Wake County, but there are none in Fuquay-Varina. The hospitals include Western Wake Medical Center in Cary and Wake Medical Center, Raleigh Community Hospital, and Rex Hospital, all in Raleigh. Community members frequently spoke of the fact that Fuquay-Varina used to have its own hospital, but that it had closed in recent years. They seemed satisfied with the quality of service available at the regional hospitals, but were disappointed not to have one in town. One community member said, "We lost our little hospital," and then he explained that Cary had a nice new hospital, but that it was a blow to the town of Fuquay-Varina to lose their local hospital. Another community member praised the pediatric emergency room at Western Wake Medical Center, describing the treatment his children received for viral meningitis. And yet another community member added, "It would be nice to have a hospital here," after which he explained that the one that had been there was now a service center for the elderly.
In speaking about the shortage of medical resources, one man said, "We need to get another doctor or two," while a woman from the community said, "We don't have enough doctors...we definitely are lacking when it comes to providers for Medicaid." Another community member expressed that he thought there was a shortage of doctors, saying, "Doctors aren't taking patients...they're booked." One person also framed the main health problem as "the distance to get health care," and noted a special need for transportation to health practitioners for the elderly.
A significant portion of people interviewed expressed frustration in regard to the shortage of physicians. Many made comments about the community's ability to support more physicians, saying that they didn't understand why physicians wouldn't want to come into the area. One community member thought that perhaps physicians do not come into Fuquay-Varina because they believe that many patients (community members) are accustomed to going to Raleigh or Cary for care. Another community member, however, pointed out that Fuquay-Varina is "getting more medical type people" already, mentioning the kidney dialysis center that will open and a physical therapy practice.
During primary data collection (December 1999 to March 2000), an office of two primary care physicians closed due to financial problems of the company which was managing the office, Cardinal Healthcare. Media coverage of the potential closing of the office, and in the end, the actual decision to close, sparked conversation in several interviews. One community member commented that he was a patient of one of the doctors, and that if it closed, he didn't know who he would see, especially since he was a member of an Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) which sometimes limits provider choices. Another community member said he was aware of the potential closing of an office, adding, "I hate to see that."
A member of the Chamber of Commerce also pointed to lack of medical care and lack of public health care resources as the primary health problem in the community. Like many other community members, he spoke of the closing of a doctor's office in the area and expressed frustration at the role of HMO's in making doctors' practices less profitable for them. On a positive note, he spoke of some recent developments, such as the opening of Rapid Response Urgent Care, an emergency care operation, which moved in from Garner last year. He described their reception as having been very positive and talked about how their services had been badly needed. He also cited increasing efforts to recruit more medical care into the community as a top goal of the Chamber of Commerce.
The most positive sentiment reflected in residents' comments about health care and availability of services was the outpouring of support for the Southern Regional Center (SRC), a satellite service center run by Wake County Human Services. The SRC serves Southern Wake County and provides an array of services, including mental health and substance abuse treatment, provision of school health personnel, clinics for women's and children's health, HIV/STD testing, maternity care, environmental health, crisis intervention, and economic assistance through Medicaid insurance (Southern Regional Center, 1999). Other services available include job search and work permits, food stamp case management, revenue collections, and registration of deeds for marriage licenses and title searches. Bilingual (Spanish/English) staff members are available to serve the needs of those who do not speak English as their first language. Most services are provided on a sliding scale fee schedule, such that clients pay for services on the basis of income. Medicare and Medicaid are also accepted there (Southern Regional Center, 1999).
About the SRC, one community member said, "The SRC is one of the real positive things here, " while another said, "Now that we have the Southern Regional (Center), it's a little better...people used to have to go to Raleigh for everything." A service provider also spoke of the regional focus of the SRC, and how important it is that services are coming to the people, especially since public transportation is not widely available or accessible.
One service provider talked about the SRC and its significance as a service-providing agency for Latino community members, many of whom are recent immigrants. She said that many Latinos go to the SRC on Thursday nights for the Open Door clinic. While the wait can be long (it is first come, first serve), doctors provide services on a sliding scale at a time which is convenient for those who work during the day. She also spoke of a dentist who used to provide dental services on Friday nights during the summer at the Catholic Church. However, she said that the dentist now works through the SRC because there is more room for people to wait comfortably. According to this service provider, there is high demand for the dentist's services.
A Latino community member described the SRC as an asset to the community, but said that more services were needed. He suggested that the majority of the medical care available at the SRC is for pregnant women, and that you have to go to Raleigh to the main human services center for walk-in services. He pointed out that transportation and language are a problem for many people, and he said that he takes a day off from work when his family needs to go to the clinic so that he can take them. Others mentioned transportation as a barrier as well. While some offered the TRACS (Transit for Rural Access to Community Services) system as a source of transportation, it has recently discontinued service due to costs (D. Williams, personal communication, April 2000). The TRACS system was previously supported by the towns it served, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Apex, and Cary; Wake County Human Services; and Laidlaw Transit Services (D. Williams, personal communication, April 2000)
In addition to the SRC, another major development in Fuquay-Varina is a new dialysis center, which will serve the regional area. According to both service providers and community members, this is a project which is viewed quite favorably, and for which the need is great. One community member also spoke enthusiastically about the prospects of a new pediatrician opening an office in Fuquay-Varina.
While the shortage of primary care physicians was the main health problem people discussed, some other issues did surface. If they didn't respond with "shortage of physicians," people mentioned a variety of things in response to the question, "What are the main health problems in your community?" One man said, "Your basic health problems I think, like myself, I'm diabetic." One woman simply said, "smoking," and then laughed. Several people talked about cancer and heart disease, while one woman said, "I just don't think we have any major health problems. I don't think we should now that we are in the next century." One man spoke of the flu as a health problem and also suggested that more information was needed on TB (tuberculosis). One service provider who works with children talked about health issues which affect "our kids who live in poverty." She described lack of dental care, lack of access and knowledge with regard to nutrition, and low rates of immunizations. However, she did say that immunization rates had improved in recent years, as nurses have been able to administer them at school or at children's homes.
People mentioned two environmental health concerns: the nuclear power plant located in Holly Springs and contaminated wells. In terms of the nuclear power plant, the resident said that while it has been there for fifteen years, it is still a concern. He said that Fuquay-Varina is in the red zone, and that people need to have more knowledge about what that means. He indicated that more literature and education were needed. This same resident said that the city checks the water monthly and sends out a report to citizens, which he considered a positive. Another resident, though, said that there were, "a couple water issues in small areas...contaminated wells."
In terms of major health indicators, the people's sentiments and opinions were very consistent with available data. Fuquay-Varina has a smaller percentage of people who are between the ages of 20 and 64 (59.8%) than does Wake County (64.6%), which means that they have larger percentages of youth and elderly residents than some other parts of the county (Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, 1999a). This may substantiate the expressed concern of residents for services for the elderly, and it also may account for the fact that the SRC primarily provides services for mothers and children and the elderly. Since these groups make up a relatively large portion of the population, then more services for them may be warranted.
Fuquay-Varina had no new cases of AIDS in 1998, nor did it have any cases of childhood vaccine-preventable diseases (North Carolina Center for Health Statistics, 1998). The prevalence rates of communicable disease infection such as sexually transmitted diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, and hepatitis A and B in Wake County were similar to rates throughout the state. One major concern, however, is the significantly higher prevalence of the majority of communicable diseases among minorities compared to whites (North Carolina Center for Health Statistics, 1998). As the people's comments reflected, the major causes of death in Fuquay-Varina in 1998 were chronic diseases, including diseases of the heart, cancer (malignant neoplasms), and cerebrovascular disease (stroke). There were no deaths from AIDS or homicide in Fuquay-Varina in 1998 (North Carolina Center for Health Statistics, 1998).
The health condition of the people of Fuquay-Varina does not seem to be a major concern of town residents. However, the shortage of health care professionals, including general practitioners (primary care), as well as specialists, and the lack of a hospital seem to be significant concerns of people. Though the Chamber of Commerce is working to address the issue by recruiting physicians, no other efforts to address the problem have surfaced in the context of our interviews.
Health concerns of youth in Fuquay-Varina varied considerably by age and grade level, with more concerns and more serious problems being reported as students got older. Elementary school students offered no concerns, though no direct questions concerning health were asked of them. Two middle school students reported seeing no drugs or cigarette smoking at school. However, both commented that they know some students do smoke, just not at school. These girls reported being aware of one teen pregnancy this school year.
High school students perceived that an astonishing fifty percent of students smoke cigarettes and/or marijuana. Prevalence of underage drinking, however, was perceived as low as was other drug use. Students were concerned with the incidence of teen pregnancy and abortions in Fuquay-Varina. Some high school students are rumored to have had as many as four abortions. One adult community member stated that teen pregnancy and abortion is a "hush hush" issue in the community, later stating that abortion is "almost like an epidemic... abortion as a means of birth control." There is no data to support or refute the abortion rate in Fuquay-Varina, however in 1998, sixteen births were reported in Fuquay-Varina by women aged nineteen and younger. This accounted for 9.4% of all resident births. The state of North Carolina and Wake County have a strict school policy requiring that teachers promote and discuss only abstinence as a means of birth control. Therefore, youth do not receive comprehensive sex education as part of school health classes. Teens report that sex education and discussion of other methods of birth control are major needs in schools. While it is possible for individual counties within the state to overturn the abstinence only policy, there has been no significant effort to address this issue in Wake County.
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