Well, it’s official, I’m on the Carolina Beach Town Council. I have promised to explain my positions regularly, so here goes…
Town Council meeting December, 14 2021
…My opening remarks… I wasn’t elected because I’m an insider, a big money guy or particularly popular. I was elected because I spoke about a vision for Carolina Beach that resonated. I was more clear about my goals than any candidate I can remember. And it got me elected. So I’m laying down the gauntlet. I will do everything in my power to make CB a biking, walking, living paradise. That’s why people voted for me, so that’s what I’ll do.
It starts with the budget. Every year I’m in office I’ll push to get livability items in the budget.
I’ll also rally up volunteer projects to make these things happen. For instance, some friends and I just cleaned up the Lake Avenue beach access. Still a work in progress, but it will accommodate more bikes and look nicer in 2022.
…Committee assignments… I’ll be the liaison to the Bike/Ped Committee (no surprise there) and the Beautification Committee. I talked a lot about planting trees during the campaign, so I’ll encourage the Beautification Committee to be a part of that.
…Deb LeCompte being appointed to Town Council… it was a no-brainer for me. I think there are 3 basic prerequisites for being given the job. 1) Character, 2) Qualifications, and 3) Commitment. Yes, there are many people in CB who meet the first 2 prerequisites (and Deb is certainly one of them!) but who really has the third? We just had an election, and I can tell you that nothing proves your commitment like running for office. If you really want to serve, then you run. She did.
If Deb had declined, I would have asked Matt Dunn.
What’s next?
I’m working on my personal 5-year plan to improve the bike/ped experience in CB. (Coming soon.) I’m listening to business owners and citizens about the new parking policy. I’m bugging staff about maintenance projects. The St. Joseph Street multi-use path project will be open for public comment in early February. And I’m trying to have a Christmas here at Hofferville.
Till next time,
Mike