Meet the candidates: Southport Board of Aldermen Ward 1
Two candidates are vying for the Ward 1 seat on the Southport Board of Aldermen.
Incumbent Tom Lombardi faces challenger Marc Spencer in the upcoming election. Early voting begins Oct. 19 and ends Nov. 4. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.
The race is nonpartisan. Here are the candidates and their thoughts on some pressing issues.
Candidate responses have been edited for style, grammar and length.
Tom Lombardi
Age: 84
Occupation: Retired; President of the Board of Directors of the Rivermist Property Owners Association
Education: Westchester Community College, Construction; Various other construction courses
Family: Married; Three kids; Four grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren
Political affiliation: Independent
Marc Spencer
Age: 53
Occupation: Real estate broker
Education: South Brunswick High School, North Carolina State University, Brunswick Community College, UNC School of Government Advanced Leadership Corp.; Many other economic development and community related courses
Family: Wife (Renee); Two sons (Levi and Marcus); Grandson (Baylor)
Political affiliation: Unaffiliated
What are the top issues facing the city of Southport?
Lombardi: The infrastructure upgrades are one of the most important issues to be resolved over the next few years. Maintenance and upgrades have been neglected in the past for one reason or another and must be attended to now. Costs and the amount of repairs only escalate the problem when delayed.
Spencer: Southport faces daily traffic issues stemming from neighboring and distant communities. We need to address this challenge by investing in alternative routes and reshaping Southport as a thoroughfare rather than a dead-end destination. We must also prioritize the needs of our residents and promote Southport as a family-friendly, diverse community. We need to resolve our aging water and sewer line issues. We especially need to champion the creation of sustainable wage jobs and homeownership to ensure the city thrives economically.
What goals do you have for the city?
Lombardi: To establish an extended comprehensive plan to secure the future of Southport, replacing aging infrastructure, merging with the Brunswick County sewer and water system, dredging the Yacht Basin and supporting historic preservation.
Spencer: Our primary goal remains strengthening Southport's resilience to seasonal visitors with a focus on sustainable job growth that affords homeownership for our workforce. We must develop services that cater to residents. Shifting our focus from solely tourism to more economic development is pivotal for long-term financial stability.
Why are you the best candidate for the board?
Lombardi: Before I was elected to the Board of Aldermen in 2019, I served for five years on the Board of Adjustment, a quasi-judicial city board, which has helped guide my work as an Alderman. This experience confirmed the need for careful planning and improvements throughout the city. My experience serving as Vice-Chair for the Beautification Committee confirmed the need for volunteer participation and keeping our parks and recreation facilities maintained. Retiring after a successful career in many types of construction has provided a background that has helped me serve our community as a member of the Board of Aldermen.
Spencer: Growing up and now raising a family in Southport has given me the historical background to know the true character of our community. As a previous alderman, I built relationships both locally and throughout the state as I actively participated in education, networking, and the League of Municipalities. I can bring valuable connections and skills to the board, ensuring Southport has a seat at the table for Southeastern NC's future planning.
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Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Candidates for Southport Board of Aldermen Ward 1 election 2023
