Issues

Education

Many parents from other areas are realizing that we have a wonderful public education system in this area and are moving their families here to take advantage of that. Our superior public education needs to be supported and expanded both in academics and sports.

Administration

The way our town is run has been difficult for many citizens to understand. The recent tax increases have left many confused. The inability of the town to maintain our streets in good repair has been frustrating. Our town engineer does an excellent job explaining progress at the board of commissioners meetings and I would like to see him and others within the administration directly inform the public more often. Transparency is very important so that our citizens know how to give input into the decisions that impact their lives.

Affordable Workforce Housing

We have seen a dramatic loss of affordable housing for the workers to keep our town going. Our restaurants, for example, which are vital to our tourist economy, need the town’s assistance in maintaining their quality while returning to full capacity. Most important in this effort is the acute need for affordable workforce housing which had not been seriously dealt with by the administration in the past. This is a complex issue and deserves detailed and careful study.

Infrastructure

There have been laudable steps recently in repair of our infrastructure. Sewer lines and storm water pipes are being repaired and multiple roads are now paved. This needs to continue. Our utilities, notably the price of water and sewer, have been questioned recently by the public and they deserve a timely and thorough response to those questions. One of the sites for a future well to supply drinking water to the town was recently sold to a developer and at this point we are looking for a new well to supply future needs. Sale of town property should be scrutinized in the future and any valuable asset of the town should not be sold without public knowledge and perhaps public input. After all, infrastructure belongs to the people, not to the town’s administration.

Economic Development

This is something everyone mentions and then forgets. The previous administration concentrated on tourism and the town has seen an increase in economic numbers as our merchants have done a brisk business with people from all over the world flocking to Beaufort to enjoy the very reason we live here.We have become addicted to this tourism.Unfortunately boom times come and go and we may see our tourism industry significantly decrease in the future as it did last year. For that reason we need to have strong diversity in our jobs and businesses. We should also pursue some economic growth that generates good paying jobs that are year-around.

Historic Preservation

There is a need for more extensive historic preservation efforts and the town should support these historic preservation efforts to a greater extent. This in turn supports our tourism industry.

Cooperation

Cooperation with the Carteret County government is essential as this area grows. The need for cooperation of all local governments would go a long way toward maintaining and building our community. In the past the town government of Beaufort and the county government have not communicated effectively. I would like to end this lack of communication and cooperation immediately.

Water Quality

One of the best aspects of Beaufort is our natural environment and this needs to be protected in a multitude of ways. I believe that we should be more actively involved in our environment and I plan to work with and perhaps expand the newly formed harbor committee to help the town with the stewardship of our environment.