Meet the candidates: Surf City Town Council

Seven candidates are running for three seats on the Surf City Town Council. They will serve the term for four years.

Incumbents William Fowler, Don Helms and John Koloski are joined by challengers Heather Allen, Alicia Hawley, Cheryl Hunter and Trudy Solomon in the race.

Voters in Wrightsville Beach have three options to cast a vote in this year's municipal election. Residents can vote before Election Day by mailing in an absentee ballot or casting their vote during the One-Stop or Early Voting period, which begins Oct. 19 and ends Nov. 4.

Voters can also cast their ballots on Election Day, which is Nov. 7.

Incumbent John Koloski didn't respond after several attempts to reach him.

Candidate responses have been edited for style, grammar and length.

Heather Allen

• Age: 41

• Occupation: Concealed carry instructor

• Family: Husband, Tyler Allen, 14-year-old daughter Kaila Allen

• Education: Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Spanish Minor from California State University, Long Beach

• Political affiliation: Republican

William Fowler

• Age: 78

• Occupation: Retired

• Family: Married

• Education: Master's degree in School Administration & Physical Education

• Political affiliation: Democrat

Alicia Hawley

• Age: 42

• Occupation: Self-employed (Unique Media & Design Inc and Locals Art Gallery & Wine Bar)

• Family: Husband, Robert Adam Hawley and son, Robert Austin Hawley

• Education: Bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina Wilmington

• Political affiliation: Unaffiliated

Donald Helms

• Age: 78

• Occupation: Retired

• Family: Wife and three children

• Education: Two years of college

• Political affiliation: Non-partisan election

Cheryl Hunter

• Age: 63

• Occupation: Business owner (Paint With Me Cheryl Crane LLC and Surf City Shuttle Two)

• Family: Husband, Barry Hunter, a son, two stepdaughters and eight grandchildren. (We have three moms, Maxine Crane, Barbara Hunter and Bonnie Hunter)

• Education: Bachelor of Arts Morehead State University, Minor in Political Science, Master of Interdisciplinary Studies Virginia Commonwealth University

• Political affiliation: Independent

Trudy Solomon

• Age: 53

• Occupation: Children’s Ministry Director at The Gathering, co-owner of South Shore Properties, Beach coordinator for the Topsail Turtle Project (Surf City South area)

• Family: Husband, Mark Solomon; three children, Wes (20),  Caroline (18) and Aubrey (17), mother, Judy Smith

• Education: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

• Political affiliation: Independent

As growth continues in eastern Pender County, what should be done about traffic?

Allen: Building more large home developments and apartment complexes only exacerbates our traffic problem. I think we are doing a disservice to the residents of Pender County now by building new neighborhoods without proper infrastructure beforehand. I believe Surf City should hire an expert on roads. This person can give us their adept perspective on ways to improve the flow of traffic, specifically during high tourist seasons, at a small cost or possibly give us this advice for free.

Fowler: We need to coordinate with the Department of Transportation about our issues with traffic congestion for helping come up with solutions. We need traffic to flow safely and smoothly for everyone,  businesses, visitors and homeowners so they can get in and out their business and homes.

Hawley: I would like to see Surf City update our policies to require a traffic impact study to be done prior to approval of any developments residential or commercial in Surf City. They should not only be done at peak daily travel times such as school and work hours Monday through Friday; but also during our prime vacation check-in and check-out times Saturday and Sundays between 9-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. Based on the results additional plans should be required to remediate any negative impacts to our currently saturated traffic.

Helms: With the Hampstead bypass completed, it will be our biggest help with traffic. When it is completed, DOT is going to make a lot of improvements to US 17 North. The intersection at U.S. 17 and N.C. 210 will be redesigned to keep traffic moving. In 2027, two roundabouts will be started, one at Watts Landing and 210, and N.C. 210 and 50, which will help keep traffic moving.

Hunter: Traffic is a nightmare in Eastern Pender County.  I live on the Island and cannot get out of my driveway on the weekends.  We need to study and partner with the Department of Transportation and find solutions. I suggest keeping the lights green longer in high traffic times and offering a police presence.  I would love to see the State of North Carolina study plans for a bridge on the South end of the Island connecting from Sloop Point area.

Solomon: Yes, traffic is a big concern for our area, in Surf City and surrounding towns. My focus is accessibility and safety. Topsail Island has gained a lot of exposure and publicity in the past few years, making it a destination for many. We have seen increases in full-time residents, part-time residents and tourists.  It’s obvious our biggest traffic issues occur during the warm weather months, primarily on the weekends, but we also have increased traffic on school days too. I want to see our town address our traffic challenges before we have a serious event that leads to more problems that we could have prevented.

What are the biggest issues facing the town right now?

Allen: I am pushing hard for a Jr. Lifeguard/Ocean Rescue program to come to Surf City because I do not believe there are enough youth activities in our town. Imagine a program that teaches young kids between the ages of 9-12 to respect the ocean, learn to watch for rip currents and how to safely swim out of them, make rescues, exercise while getting a good dose of vitamin D, and most importantly, having fun, right here in Surf City. I do worry that our children's class sizes will become overcrowded (some may say they already are) due to the high volume of new construction and a lack of school infrastructure.

Fowler: Maintaining and improving our infrastructure (roads, stormwater runoff, sewer capacity and water).

Hawley: Surf City is a small town that has been overwhelmed with growth. Unfortunately a lot of this has come from prior approval of developments where the approval process occurred several years ago. I would like to see approved plans to have a time limit for ground breaking and completion.  If an approved plan has been completed from the planning board and ultimately councils approval date within a specific pre-determined time line, then they should have to go back to the board and resubmit plans for approval. Especially if there was a special use permit approved.

Helms: One issue is infrastructure capacity for new development. Second, new growth brings a greater tax base and allows for more services for our taxpayers. Third, beach nourishment will begin according to the Corp of Engineers, in the year 2025.

Hunter: The biggest issue with our town is the lack of infrastructure. We keep building without planning for roads, drainage flooding and safety.   It is important for builders to landscape with trees and shrubs that are native to our Barrier Island. We also need to make everyone aware that the Dunes protect our Island and do not walk on them. Lastly, the Department of Transportation needs to install flashing lights at all pedestrian crossings so people will stop.

Solomon: Due to the increased population, we need to address our roads and traffic patterns with the North Carolina Department Transportation as mentioned above, but we also need to fix our drainage issues. When we have heavy rain, flooded roads become dangerous, and residents get cut off from their homes or access to businesses. From the feasibility study that was presented by WK Dickson in September 2022, we know drainage in those areas can be improved. The roads are deteriorating and with more properties being developed, we are seeing frequent issues throughout town. After those improvements, we need to move forward to pave our roads that have potholes and other hazards.

Why are you the best candidate for the position?

Allen: I have the time and energy to dedicate to Surf City. I have a record of standing up for our citizens. I helped unmask our students by being very vocal at every school board meeting until masks became optional for good.  I found out that our neighbors who live in trailers are required to pay for beach parking.  I would like to see ALL Surf City residents be able to access their own beach without having to pay their local government to enjoy it, especially at a time where everything is so expensive. I will continue to advocate for all Surf City residents.

Fowler: I am committed to representing the concerns of our citizens to the town  Council.  It has been my privilege and honor to be their voice on the  Council.  I  bring  a vast  knowledge and experience working in muncipal government. I can and will hit the ground running insuring that the needs of Surf City are  accomplished while insuring tax monies are spent  wisely.

Hawley: I have lived and worked in the Surf City area for almost 20 years. In that time I have gotten to know the people of our town. I think that a council member should be someone you know that is approachable and willing to listen to the members of our community and get their wants and needs fulfilled. This is not something you should do in the future if elected but something you do currently just as I have been. My family and businesses are in Surf City and this is not only my home but my community which I care for dearly.

Helms: I have over 23 years of knowledge and experience with the town's inner workings, infrastructure, and departments. I am a liaison with the utility department and the fire department with over 20 years of experience, and I am currently a ladder captain. I have experience with the police department as I am a retired highway patrolman. I have experience with parks and recreation, being on the council when the land was purchased for Soundside, Nelva Albury, and Kenny Batts Park on the island. To sum all of this up, knowledge and experience is a valuable asset to the taxpayers and the town of Surf City.

Hunter: I love my Topsail Island community. My entire life I have been a servant for the people. I have been an educator my entire life.  I have fought for school funding, teacher salaries, and children. I  ran a nonprofit Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts in Virginia where I wrote all the funding grants.  I own Paint With Me Cheryl Crane LLC and Surf City Shuttle Two. I will fight for this community. I am your Love and Light.

Solomon: I grew up coming to Surf City with my grandparents from nearby Mt. Olive. I know what advantages Surf City provides to people of all ages and needs. I’m thankful to have been a property owner here since 1989 and after living across the country for nearly 10 years, my husband and I decided we wanted to raise our three children here. So, I left my corporate job, and we moved here for good. We never looked back. Everything I do for this town and its people - whether it’s serving as assistant pastor for youth at my church or managing the sea turtle patrol for much of our beaches - I strive to serve others and protect our natural assets – beach, water, and marsh. I love to help and serve. In addition to volunteering in multiple capacities for years, I’ve been attending town meetings and serving on town committees.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Candidates for Surf City Town Council election 2023