In his October 15, 2025 candidate response, Ostendorff wrote: “I’m a retired mining/civil engineer who started coming to Oriental for the sailing opportunities. We retired 4 years ago after living in Raleigh for 26 years and moved here permanently to the Schoolhouse Condos. [...] In a small way, I have contributed and promoted Oriental by being a volunteer at the History Museum since its inception in ‘2005.”

Meet the 2025 Oriental Town Board Candidates

Lou Ostendorff has volunteered at the History Museum since its inception in 2005.

Election Results 2025 - TownDock.net

The candidate-authored response, published October 15, 2025, begins: “I’m a retired mining/civil engineer who started coming to Oriental for the sailing opportunities.” A separate 2012 TownDock article identifies him as Oriental History Museum president conducting research on the steamship Oriental.

Lou is a retired mining and civil engineer.

The November 4, 2025 election-results article reports: “Eleven candidates sought five town board slots in Oriental, including two incumbents. The incumbent mayor ran unopposed. Elected for Oriental town commission are Paul Jordan, Chris Moffat, Iris Cooper, Lou Ostendorff and Don McGuire.” The Town of Oriental board listing identifies him as a commissioner whose term expires in December 2026.

Election Results 2025

Lou was elected as a commissioner for Oriental in 2025.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of September 2, 2026, Lou Ostendorff did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Public Services

Lou Ostendorff's candidate-authored response in the October 15, 2025 article states: “Town growth & change need to be managed in a thoughtful and responsible way; we also need a Board of Commissioners that can work together on pertinent issues and reach consensus on important matters. My technical background may be helpful in formulating good decisions.”

Calls for thoughtful, responsible management of town growth and change.

- Calls for thoughtful, responsible management of town growth and change.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Lou Ostendorff

As of September 2, 2026, Lou Ostendorff’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sahid Burgos

Walter Ley

Charlie Overcash

Don McGuire

Iris Cooper

Paul Jordan

- Town commissioners serve as the legislative body for the town government. 
- Town commissioners have the authority to decide the services offered to the town, pass the budget, decide the property tax, acquire property, and enter into agreements with other governments. 
- The town commissioners can create or abolish any offices, positions, departments, etc. to improve the organization of the town. 
- Town commissioners may make investigations into the town or any of its departments or agencies. 
- Most town commissioners in Georgia are elected in odd years to staggered 4 year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Legislative body for your town's government. 