SOUTHPORT — Lifelong Southport resident Mike Barbee is taking the step to challenge current Southport Mayor Joe Pat Hatem and current council member Rich Alt, also running for mayor, in the upcoming election.

Municipal Elections 2023: Mike Barbee running for mayor of Southport

Barbee: I am the best candidate for mayor of Southport. I am a Southport native who has helped run two successful family businesses in town that have enriched the lives of all their guests (Dry Street Pub & Pizza, Blue Cow Grille). I have a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University. I am currently a Brunswick County Soil and Water Conservation district board supervisor who was recently nominated to vice-chair of Area 6. I am the best candidate for mayor because I’m a hard worker, business-minded, and I love Southport!

Candidates for Southport mayor election 2023

Members
Samuel C. Smith - Chairman
Ash, NC 28420
Travis Potter - Vice Chairman
Winnabow, Nc 28479
Jody Clemmons - Secretary
Supply, NC 28470
Robert Gene Ward
Winnabow, Nc 28479
Michael Barbee
Southport, NC 28461

Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors

Mike Barbee is a lifelong resident of Southport. He earned a Bachelor of Science in sustainable development from Appalachian State University. He lives in Southport.

Candidates for Southport mayor election 2023 - Wilmington Star-News

Mike Barbee has helped run two family businesses in Southport: Dry Street Pub & Pizza and Blue Cow Grille.

Mike Barbee has helped run two family businesses in Southport.

It won’t be Barbee’s first foray into politics. He was elected Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor for Brunswick Water and Soil Conservation District in 2022.

Mike currently serves as a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor for the Brunswick Soil and Water Conservation District. He was elected in 2022.

2026 North Carolina General Election

PCD: Brunswick County is the fastest growing in the state; how should Southport’s leadership approach future development, balancing economics with quality of life?

MB: As a graduate in sustainable development, I must assure you that the only way for Southport’s leadership to approach future development to balance economics and quality of life, is to keep future generations in mind. We need to preserve the charm and natural beauty of our town’s landscape as well as being conscious of our natural resource use.

PCD: As evidence shows, climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of storms and hurricanes, along with sea level rise. What should the city do to protect residents, property and infrastructure?

MB: Climate change is inevitable and so is sea rise. Protecting our waterfront from erosion can be done utilizing bulkheads and wave breaks; however, property is going to be damaged regardless as far as the waterfront restaurants and homes are concerned.

Opposes building housing that destroys forests and wildlife, suggesting that existing urban sprawl be retrofitted to accommodate affordable housing.

MB: I think the city should definitely make efforts to provide a wider range of housing options in Southport. It’s even difficult to find employees in the service industry in town partly because housing prices are so high in town.

That being said, building more houses in town and destroying forests and wildlife to provide more affordable housing is not the answer! Perhaps, we should retrofit our current urban sprawl to accommodate people looking for more affordable housing.

Advocates for development that preserves natural landscapes and uses natural resources responsibly.

Proposes bulkheads and wave breaks to protect waterfront property from erosion amid sea-level rise.

- Advocates for development that preserves natural landscapes and uses natural resources responsibly.
- Proposes bulkheads and wave breaks to protect waterfront property from erosion amid sea-level rise.

Energy & the Environment

MB: Three issues that are most affecting the city currently are infrastructure (roads, sewer/water system, traffic, parking), unsustainable development (loss of green space and biodiversity due to development such as Indigo phase two), and funding.

I will make it priority to find funding for town infrastructure projects through grants, loans, and cost share programs.

Barbee: The top issues facing the city of Southport right now are population growth, infrastructure, funding, and a mayor that doesn’t understand that the city needs to be run like a business. We need more parking, better traffic flow, a water and sewer system that isn’t a century old. We need a mayor that will bolster all of the city’s citizens and businesses. We need a mayor that will seek out funding for the city and not miss out on money that we so desperately need for the city’s 35+ current projects. Funding is the biggest obstacle in the way of solving the rest of our problems.

Plans to pursue grants, loans, and cost-share programs to fund infrastructure projects.

- Plans to pursue grants, loans, and cost-share programs to fund infrastructure projects.

Administration

Mike Barbee

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Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Anthony Street

Jody E. Clemmons

- A soil and water conservation district supervisor is 1 member of a board of 5 supervisors that works to improve the soil and water quality in the county through education. 
- The board of supervisors provide technical and financial assistance to help land users maintain their land and surrounding ecosystems. 
- The board of supervisors design long term conservation programs that teach environmental care, pollution reduction, and provide incentives for using these practices, especially for agricultural workers. 
- The board of supervisors provide short term educational services like competitions, field days, and workshops to educate the public on conservation. 
- Soil and water conservation district supervisors are elected to 4 year terms in non-partisan races. However, 2 of the board members are appointed by the state soil and water commission. 

Member of board of supervisors that creates aid programs and educates people on environmental conservation. 