Tommy Brown

Environment / Energy Protect what makes Oak Island special. Our tree canopy and coastal ecosystems are part of who we are and they deserve smart, lasting protection. Infrastructure / Transportation Push for more crosswalks. NCDOT must install (more) crosswalks along Oak Island Drive - it’s long overdue. Speed limit must also be reviewed. Infrastructure / Transportation Expand wisely. Evaluate the need for more parking spaces but do it with residents as priority. Infrastructure / Transportation Keep residents first. Maintain the low-cost resident pass - locals shouldn’t be priced out of their own town. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Stop the FEMA scramble. Emergency funding isn’t a strategy - we need long-term solutions before we hit crisis mode. We should proactively consider alternatives like groins not just dredging. Infrastructure / Transportation Make Yacht Drive safer. Improve walkability on one of our busiest residential corridors by exploring pedestrian-friendly upgrades. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Get serious about golf carts. Establish a clear, town-wide policy that covers safety, education, and enforcement for residents, renters, and businesses. Environment / Energy Keep the tree ordinance strong. Conduct annual review of the Chapter 32 vegetation rules to preserve our Town’s natural character. These policies should work in practice, not just on paper. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Build on what’s working. Expand proven infiltration systems like those recently installed along Ocean Drive. Housing Tackle the workforce housing crisis. Partner with nearby towns to push county and state leaders for real, regional solutions. Infrastructure / Transportation Track all rentals. Ensure every rental, no matter how it's listed, is properly registered and paying accommodation taxes. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Protect public safety. Flooded roads cut off emergency access, isolate homes, and put families at risk - we must act. Economy Create a Tourism Advisory Board. Give residents a real voice in shaping policy, identifying problems, and planning for the future. Taxes / Budget Plan smarter and spend wisely. Conduct an internal review of Town operations to ensure services, resources, and spending stay aligned with our Town’s evolving needs before considering any tax increases. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Make common-sense changes. Improve beach signage, revisit private beach access rules, consider dune-friendly fencing, and change beach-front setback ordinances. Economy Support current and new small businesses. Encourage the commercial code repair exercise, reducing red tape, and avoiding arbitrary regulations that hinder growth. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Keep systems flowing. Prioritize maintenance of public rights of way to ensure stormwater can drain as designed. Environment / Energy Balance growth with stewardship. We can grow responsibly and protect the environment - it doesn’t have to be either or. Taxes / Budget Shift the burden off residents. Grow our commercial tax base — currently less than 3% — through smart, targeted economic development. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Invest in the basics. Continue to spend on equipment, staff, and policies needed to improve stormwater collection.