Meet the candidates: Holden Beach Mayor
Two candidates are running for Holden Beach mayor.
Mike Felmly is challenging longtime Holden Beach Mayor J. Alan Holden for the position.
Voters in Brunswick County have three options to cast their ballots this year. Residents may vote absentee-by-mail with ballots postmarked by Nov. 7, or during one-stop early voting beginning Thursday, Oct. 19 and ending Saturday, Nov. 4, or in-person on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Candidate responses have been edited for style, grammar and length.
Michael "Mike" Felmly
Age: 72
Occupation: Retired Naval Officer
Family: Wife, Kate
Education: B.A. Biology, SUNY Plattsburgh, New York (1974); M.S. Educational Administration, The University at Albany, New York (1976); M.S. Instructional Technology, National University, San Diego (1985); Certificate, National Security Studies, US Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania (1997); A.S. Marine Technology, New England Institute of Technology, Providence, Rhode Island (2013)
Political affiliation: N/A
J. Alan Holden
Age: 74
Occupation: Businessman and Realtor
Family: Three grandchildren
Education: B.A. from Methodist University
Political affiliation: Independent
1. What challenges have you seen with the town’s paid parking and how do you see this moving forward?
Felmly: Multiple challenges; (1) No overall town strategy and plan has yet to be formally, properly planned and implemented (helter-skelter); (2) approval of resident parking; (3) requirement for town to subcontract the parking process reduces town income. Further, challenge of town to restore its reputation as a “family beach” and not a beach for the “rich and privileged.”
Holden: Public relations. Money from the parking will continue to be used to provide more benefits for the public.
2. What do you believe are the biggest challenges the town will face in the coming four years? How would you address those challenges?
Felmly: At the outset, the town has never developed an overarching strategic vision, strategic plan and or implementing schema. The challenge is developing a strategy and supporting plan to manage the town’s infrastructure, safety and quality of life challenges: These include management of (1) beach replenishment, (2) redesigning and upgrading sewer, electrical, drainage and water inadequacies; (3) repayment of debt incurred and forced by the purchase of the pier and mandated recreational commitments; (3) the management of the land parcel designated as block “Q” and its debt restructuring; excess property holdings. Traffic management.
Holden: Developing and maintaining the products and services needed. Seek funding from various sources, private and public. Work with local, county, state and national partners in finding solutions.
3. What makes you the best candidate for Holden Beach mayor?
Felmly: I have been in leadership positions my entire career and have been responsible for several multi-million and billion-dollar accounts. During my career in the Navy, I was constantly sent to jobs to correct and solve problems. I developed a reputation as a problem solver and team leader. For this reason, I was selected to assume command of a deep-draft Navy ship two years early, chosen to implement the Navy’s future communication infrastructure in the western Pacific and ultimately was chosen, post-Navy career, to go to the Middle East to solve similar problems for U.S. allies.
Holden: In 1975, I was mayor pro tempore. Since then, I have been involved with the town of Holden Beach in some capacity. My experience includes 10 years as a commissioner and 16 years as mayor. Other years include serving on the board of adjustment, planning board, etc. for Holden Beach. County and state level positions were served, too. I am a life-long resident of 74 years.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Candidates for Holden Beach mayor election 2023
