The CoastLine Candidate Forum featuring Carolina Beach Town Council aired live on Wednesday, October 14th from 12-2 PM. We allotted two hours because it's a sizable race – seven candidates competing for two open seats – and we wanted to cover a comprehensive range of issues.
This race began with nine candidates, but two have since dropped out. Steve Wright told us a family situation would require more flexibility; Sarah Friede, one of two incumbents, told the Island Gazette that she plans to devote more time to her family and a new career opportunity. Carolina Beach voters, however, will find all nine names on the ballot.
The Town of Carolina Beach is governed by a Council consisting of a Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem and three other Council members. Elections are held every two years. The Mayor serves a two-year term; Council members serve staggered four-year terms.
Carolina Beach Town Council candidates in alphabetical order:
Six of the seven candidates participated in the forum. T.D. Scaringi told us Tuesday night that he is out of town on a job.
Patrick O. Boykin has a BS in Computer Science from NC State University and an MBA from Duke University. He was a consultant and systems engineer at IBM for over 21 years. After an early retirement from IBM, he worked as a North Carolina certified general real estate appraiser in Wake County for 8 years. Upon full retirement, he left Raleigh and moved to Carolina Beach. He is a member of the Carolina Beach Presbyterian Church and a divorced father with two grown sons and one grandson. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, walking on the beach, reading, and yard work.
Tom Bridges was an educator in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for thirty years, serving as a school psychologist for 7 years and as a principal for 23 years. Since retiring, he has served on Carolina Beach’s Planning and Zoning Commission, the Freeman Park Committee, the Police Advisory Committee and the Board of Adjustments. He has also worked as a general volunteer, nest parent, and sea turtle patrol for the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project. He is actively involved at Carolina Beach Presbyterian Church, serving on the personnel committee and singing in the choir. He is married with two married children and one granddaughter.
Tom Elicson is a nuclear engineer at ERIN Engineering, a Jensen Hughes Company. He has served in the commercial nuclear industry providing safety and simulation services for over 25 years. He is a member of the Island Men’s charity organization and currently serves on the Town of Carolina Beach Operations Advisory Committee. Before his time in Carolina Beach, he served as a City Council Member in Hudson, Ohio where he co-founded the Hudson Economic Growth Board. He is married and has one daughter.
Tammy Hanson has been a resident of Carolina Beach for over 19 years raising a family and growing a family business. A married mother of two, she has a granddaughter and grandson. In her spare time, Tammy has served as a volunteer coordinator for the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project and on the Land Use Plan Committee. She is currently serving her 3rd year on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Lonnie Lashley is a Navy Veteran who served his country for 4 years. He has been retired 21 years after working over 28 years for the US Army. He was a member of the Carolina Beach Town Council from 2009-2012 and is currently serving his seventh year on the Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation Committee. He says he’s served as a volunteer in some capacity since moving to Carolina Beach thirteen years ago.
T.D. Scaringi is a graduate of Temple University and has worked in Hollywood as a Grip for more than 37 years with screen credits on over 40 films. He moved to Carolina Beach three years ago to work on We Are The Millers and other movies shot in Wilmington. He is a member of Federal Point Historic Preservation Society, has been married for over 26 years and has two sons.
Steve Shuttleworth, an incumbent, is a land developer and real estate broker. He is married and has five children. He is active in the community as a board member of the Island Montessori Charter School, a member of the New Hanover County Ports Beaches and Waterway commission, a member of the Carolina Beach Inlet Association, the Island Men, and Life Point Church.
The One-Stop Absentee period for the 2015 Municipal Elections begins October 22nd and is open through October 31st. Election Day is November 3rd!
