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Position/philosophy statement
The residents of Oak Island have many competing interests, but I believe that we all want to preserve our family-friendly community.
Current Occupation
Retired
Age (optional)
75
Campaign Phone
910-632-0513
I have 47 years of experience as a public servant in local, State, and federal government agencies. For 24 years, I was a US Air Force pilot and staff officer. After my military service, I was elected to the school board and home owners’ association of my community. I was also an elected trustee for over 23 years for a Sanitation Improvement District in Nebraska that was responsible for the construction & maintenance of roads and sewers for a small community. In that capacity, I efficiently managed multi-million dollar budgets without increasing taxes and orchestrated the response and recovery from a 100-year flood in March of 2019. I have a proven ability to work with large and small organizations composed of diverse interest groups.
1. Growth on Oak Island is inevitable, but undesirable development can be controlled. I will support the revised Comprehensive Land Use Plan and will work to update the Unified Development Ordinances to reflect the preferences of registered voters.
2. Although many plans have studied individual components of traffic on Oak Island, I will work to complete a comprehensive transportation plan that addresses the integration of increasing traffic volumes with pedestrians, bicycles, LSVs, and parking.
3. Small businesses pay taxes that can reduce the residential property tax burden. Therefore, I support the implementation of a code repair program that will simplify the operation of small businesses and allow our commercial district to flourish.
Undesirable residential and business development on Oak Island can be controlled. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan, “2045 Charting the Course”, provides 44 action items with recommended time frames for implementation and priorities to guide that implementation. The missing elements in this plan are cost estimates for each action item that I will work to define and integrate into the Town’s annual budget. I will also work to update the Unified Development Ordinances to reflect the preferences of registered voters. Specifically, Special Use Permits (SUPs) have been used historically to force undesirable development in our community. I will work to eliminate SUPs or at least to apply them to provide more desirable development options.
It is not possible to stop or reverse growth in Oak Island, but it is possible to adopt policies that ensure that undesirable development does not threaten the family-friendly foundation of our community. I will bring the values of balance, harmony, and common sense to the Oak Island Town Council to control growth. Balance in the policies adopted by the Town Council must favor the preferences of its residents instead of special interest groups. The cost of amenities and services provided by the Town must be balanced with available revenue. And, the rights of property owners must be preserved to the extent possible. Harmony in the policies adopted by the Town Council must ensure that there is open two-way communication between the Town Council and the residents. Common sense policies respect the preferences of the residents who must always be treated with dignity. Likewise, trust and respect of the Town Council requires that the Council adopt a code of ethical standards.
Position/philosophy statement
I'm running for Oak Island Town Council as I believe in involvement and community service and I have a passion for leaving things better than I found them. I will work to represent every voice, protect what matters most, and shape a strong future.
Current Occupation
Retired Corporate Finance Manager
Campaign Phone
910-448-6880
My advanced business education and deep corporate business experience in strategy, goal setting, budgeting and collaboration. I have demonstrated I am invested in Oak Island for over 25 years, I have served on multiple Advisory Boards, including the Planning Board and recently was part of the Steering Committee for the update of our Comprehensive Land Use Plan. I've served on the Environmental Advisory Board and remain focused on preserving our key resources. I attended the Citizens Academy to understand and appreciate Town Operations. Personally, ethics and honesty are extremely important in how I conduct myself. My decisions would be made based on the Greater Good and be wholly objective based on facts, data, integrity and fairness.
Oak Island's year round population continues to grow so the challenge we face is 1) how to sustain necessary services, public safety and quality of life for our residents, yet 2) continue to do so in a fiscally responsible way. Also 3) we must protect and conserve our key natural resources; such as our beach and waterways, water sources and the tree canopy and vegetation that gave Oak Island its name.
In order to have a sustainable economy, we must diversify our tax base and seek regional solutions (eg region, state, federal) to protecting our shoreline such that we don't always look to a tax increase to fund the critical services and infrastructure our Town must provide. I will push for the completion and execution of the Strategy Business Development plan underway as well as support for revisions to our UDO that encourage suitable commercial expansion and growth. As a priority; the huge cost of maintaining our Beach, we have a Beach Management Plan with part funded for the near term; but the costs of this into the future will grow and need different approaches which should include state and federal support or other options.
My guiding platform: We must a) continue protection and conservation of our Key Resources, b) plan for balanced growth that creates a Sustainable Economy, including broadening our tax base, c) preserve our Quality of Life as a family beach community d) as a public servant, I will engage in inclusive, collaborative Decision Making on issues that face our community. We are One Community, and I commit to seeking common ground for the Greater Good as part of the governing body. It would be my responsibility to do what is best for our Community with Fairness and Caring, not Politics.
Current Occupation
Retired
Age (optional)
73
Campaign Phone
910-523-1734
I am the only candidate that has served Oak Island as a public servant in some capacity for over 25 straight years. I believe that qualifies me as being very well rounded in understanding how the town works and operates. I am currently on the planning board. Prior I was chair of the board of adjusters, a member of town council, chair of a former planning board, as well as a member of emergency services. I believe that this makes me the most qualified to keep our town moving in the right direction and keeping it charming and appealing for all people, full time residents and visitors alike.
1. Public Safety
2. Flooding
3. Beach Renourishment
Being so involved with the town since 1999 has also given me great repour with public safety, the fire department, as well as the police department. Oak Island needs to remain safe to the public, I do believe that the additional cross walks on Beach Dr is a great new way to assist with safety. We need more ways for the public to cross busy roads safely.
The town has taken a lot of positive steps over the past few years to help with flood issues . I believe that we need to continue to do studies and take action like the town has done in the 1100 block of Ocean Dr and do more of that in the other problem areas of the island. East and West Beach Drives would certainly benefit from this.
What is best for Oak Island, as a whole, should be what is on everyone's minds and not just what their personal wants or opinion is and what's best from them. That is where a balanced opinion would help bring in a diverse government and ensure what is best for the island as a whole. Basically, old timers mixed with newbies, will get the town a more rounded governing body as a whole.
Position/philosophy statement
NC
Current Occupation
Retired
Campaign Phone
3032102414
My business leadership experience to balance competing interests, allocate resources wisely, and drive results through collaboration—skills that directly translate to navigating public budgets, building consensus across diverse constituencies, and implementing policy with measurable impact. As a leader in a Colorado church, I learned how to foster deep empathy, moral clarity, and a commitment to service—qualities that translate powerfully into political effectiveness. This experience built trust, cultivated listening skills, and reinforced a sense of duty to the common good. My experience with data analysis will allow me to craft policies that are both responsive and efficient.
Create a Balanced Tax Structure- Oak Island has not increased local property taxes in the past eight years, a distinction among towns of similar size. While this tax stability has kept housing costs steady for homeowners, it will be unsustainable without identifying and implementing additional sources of revenue.
Thoughtful Governance and Resident Engagement- Celebrate the town’s imperfections and guard against overregulation, while protecting individual property rights. Prioritize public input and thorough research before decisions are made.
Responsible and Controlled Development- Create transparent communication and invite diverse perspectives to shape the community’s future.
Focus on attracting businesses that fit the island’s character, avoiding further development from big box stores or national franchises on the island proper. Join with other coastal communities in the county to apply for joint grants, lower nourishment project costs, and create advocacy initiatives that will bolster Oak Island’s competitiveness and foster the sharing of best practices. Seek partnerships with Brunswick County and the State for beach nourishment so the town can further expand its revenue sources while providing tax relief for its residents and a financial cushion against economic downturns.
I bring a rare blend of hands-on problem-solving, financial insight, and civic leadership to Oak Island’s Town Council race. With a proven track record in systems-based thinking, I can tackle complex issues—from smart development to beach maintenance funding—with clarity, patience, and data-driven solutions. I advocate for sustainable development, transparent governance, and fair taxation, including smarter alternatives to parcel assessments. My deep knowledge of local policy, combined with a commitment to preserving Oak Island’s coastal charm, makes me the candidate who listens, leads, and delivers practical results for every resident.
