Meet Chris

HI Everyone, My name is Chris Brown and I am running for the position of Mayor for Oak Island. A little about me, I grew up in upstate NY in a town outside of Rochester. I attended SUNY Oswego and majored in Biology and Chemistry, eventually working on an advanced degree in Cell Biology. As fate would have it, I fell in love and married my wife 36 years ago. We both became teachers and started our careers in Florida, eventually moving back to Rochester NY. I taught Biology and Chemistry, transitioning into Administration where I was an Assistant Principal, Principal, State/ Federal Data Liaison and eventually an Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, retiring from Education five years ago. I have lived on Oak Island for the last three and a half years and work as a handyman on the island. 

My family has been visiting Oak Island for 23 years. Both of my now-grown children have always referred to Oak Island as their happy place. A place where they roamed the island and beaches on their bikes, enjoying all this Island has to give. I guess that is why my wife and I have always planned on settling here.

I have never been in politics before, so why run for mayor now? I have seen a marked change in this Island in just a few short years. While we needed to reign in some of the development and building practices happening, as many times happens, the pendulum has gone way past common sense and is now affecting people in a negative manner. I have never been a complainer or keyboard warrior; I don’t have a big social media presence and prefer to have face to face interactions and get my hands dirty helping others. Thus, running for mayor.

Why me? I am not a politician and don't want to act like one. The current culture in the town is a divided one. The residents are mad at the town, members of the council are not speaking with each other and thus not compromising for the best solutions for the town. While the mayor doesn't get a vote, they do have the ability to set a tone and culture in the council and the town. My background as a turn around Principal and Assistant Superintendent gives me the skills to do just that. Create relationships that are productive, healthy and result in the best solutions for the challenges of Oak Island. This doeasn't mean everyone agrees on everything, but that they must be able to diagree, argue and still act like professionals and come to the best solution.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to be able to have a conversation in the future. Please make sure you stop by at the candidates Meet and Greets and the Q ands A sessions. My Meet and Greet will be Wednesday October 8th at 6 pm at the Ocean Crest Pier. Come by, ask a question and enjoy the Sunset.

Upcoming events:

 Oct. 5: South Harbor Q and A   3 PM

Oct 8: Meet and Greet Ocean crest pier 6 PM

Oct 9: League of Women Voters Q and A 6 PM

Oct 17: Senior Center Q and A   Unfortunately I and unable to attend due to a family commitment

Nov 4:  Election Day

Issues for Oak Island:

1. Positive, appropriate growth and development

A. I support individual property rights to develop land within the parameters set by the UDO. The UDO needs to be reviewed for policies that infringe upon the homeowners unnecessarily. Individuals who wish to build a house on their land have a right to do so.

B. Commercial development needs to be encouraged in a manner that is consistent with Oak Island culture and vision. We don’t need huge hotels or fast food restaurants on the island. We do need to create an area where small businesses can thrive and be supported. Areas such as long beach road and Middleton road near 211 need to be encouraged for business development that will support the residents of Oak Island and provide a tax base that does not increase population.

C. The current UDO does not promote commercial growth. Many of the codes are cumbersome and cost prohibitive. How can a commercial property be expected to meet the same tree ordinances as a residential property? They need parking and have other needs. Many properties need upgrades and are unwilling to do them for fear of triggering compliance with these codes. They also are scaring away potential new businesses, all in the name of “control” by the town. To me this is very short-sighted. We need to work closely with existing and potential businesses to make them successful.

2. Stop the feel of Oak Island becoming a town run HOA. Homeowners should not need permits for basic maintenance on their house and yard. I am deeply disturbed by recent comments at Council meetings encouraging neighbors to “turn in” neighbors. This is not the idea of a community and is not Oak Island. Overbearing regulations are never good for town morale or well being.

3. Infrastructure needs:

a. Stormwater control

b. Town water and sewer quality and cost

c. Affordable housing for younger workforce

d. Crosswalks in appropriate areas. Continue the push on the state to allow/provide crosswalks to protect the residents and tourists of Oak Island.

4. Promote positive tourism on the Island.

a. Tourism is a driving economic force on the island and at the same time a great burden on the island.

b. Make sure that all rentals are accounted for and pay accommodation tax.

c. Educating tourists on the environmental impact they have on the beach and town.

d. Work jointly with county administrators to promote Oak Island tourism.

5. Golf carts. Take a serious look at the use of golf carts on the Island. The number of near misses continues to increase. It is time to create meaningful and effective policies that the residents of Oak Island are asking for. Stop kicking the problem down the road and face it head on.

a. Should golf carts be allowed on Oak Island Dr.?

b. What alternative routes are available and safe?

c. Strict enforcement of unsafe use of golf carts.