CAROLINA BEACH — Lynn Barbee, CIO of Atlantic Corporation, is hoping to keep his mayoral seat in the 2025 municipal election.
Barbee was first elected to the seat in 2021 after having served on town council since 2019. He also has served on varied boards, such as the Cape Fear Council of Governments, New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, and Wilmington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
“We have made a great financial recovery over the last six years in Carolina Beach and can finally fund many of the needed infrastructure projects,” Barbee said. “I would like to continue my tenure as mayor to see these to completion.”
The mayor is a nonpartisan race, and Barbee is unaffiliated with a party. He’s up against Democratic candidate Youssef Hassan.
Port City Daily asked all candidates a slate of questions about topics that are tracking high with voters and residents currently. Barbee’s answers have been edited below for clarity.
- A few things to consider this election season: A valid ID is required to cast ballot in North Carolina
- Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025, with voters required to go to their assigned precinct locations
- Early voting opens Oct. 16 and closes Nov. 1, and voters can cast a ballot at any of these four sites: Northeast Library (1241 Military Cutoff Road), Carolina Beach Town Hall’s Police Training Room (1121 N. Lake Park Blvd.), Cape Fear Community College’s McLeod Building, (411 N. Front St.), and New Hanover County Senior Resource Center’s Multipurpose Room, (2222 S. College Road). See all hours of operation here where you can also track the wait times at each early voting location.
Anyone who wants to register to vote can do so here through Oct. 10 or register and vote in one stop during early voting
The paywall has been dropped on candidate profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election. Candidate opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
Port City Daily: Increased tidal and stormwater flooding remains consistent in some areas of Carolina Beach, particularly impacting roadways, such as Canal Drive, and negatively affecting homeowners who need to get to school, drive to the store or go to work. A recent three-and-a-half-year Sunny Day Flooding Study projected sea levels will rise 3 inches by 2030, 7 inches by 2040, and in a worst-case scenario, 12 inches by 2050 and 24 inches by 2070. How does the town need to prepare for this, in your opinion? What can be done immediately to help homes often flooded in during a hard rain or a King Tides event?
Lynn Barbee: We must be realistic. No candidate or town council is going to stop sea-level rise; however, we shouldn’t take a helpless position as there are identified actions to improve the situation. My goal would be that we do better next year than we were this year and continue a cadence of improvement.
Let us continue to obtain a consistent bulkhead, which has been shown to dramatically reduce flooding on Canal Drive. Bulkheads are going to be a critical component of any plan and along with storm water improvements will generate fewer flooding days, greatly increasing residents’ quality of life in that area. We also have other areas of concern and have plans to increase pumping and drainage capacity in those areas.
PCD: Maintenance of the town’s water and sewer infrastructure has often been a focal point of concern: What is the town getting right and wrong in this area and how will you help course-correct?
LB: We have made many improvements to our water and sewer infrastructure. We have the capacity to serve current needs and a plan to add additional capacity for the future. The improvements needed are going to take years if not decades to achieve.
Carolina Beach has a history of getting sidetracked. This is why I have pushed hard to create and get council approval on a 25-year infrastructure plan and funding mechanism. We need to develop the ability to complete multi-year projects that may outlive any mayor or council. The way to do that is with a well-communicated plan and buy-in from the community.
PCD: Carolina Beach is perennially confronted with questions and concerns over beach access, particularly with escalating parking costs. What options would you recommend to improve beachgoers’ access to the shore? Where would you like Carolina Beach’s parking rates to be in your first/next term?
LB: Paid parking is a way of life in most beach towns around the country and around the world. Anywhere that visitors gather in mass will create significant costs to the residents in that area. Parking fees are simply a way to cost share in those expenses. Carolina Beach will remain competitive with other beach towns, but with that said, we are at a fair price that offsets expenses. I would think any increases would be tied to increases in those expenses (i.e. inflation). We don’t see that right now, so I would expect no changes next year.
As for ensuring access, we invested $1M during my term to secure additional oceanfront parking with handicapped access to the beach. We will remain opportunistic as property becomes available to ensure we maintain access.
PCD In the last couple years, Carolina Beach has been the location of a fatal stabbing, a shooting, a police chase, and a bomb threat at a local restaurant. Are these events indicative of crime worsening in the town? What actions, if any, do you think the town should take in the public safety realm?
LB: The numbers don’t support a worsening crime rate; however, we find ourselves in a time in our country where the severity seems to be increasing. For example, the recent shooting in Southport. One of the safest cities in the world before and still today. However, we can’t assume we are “good enough.”
Public safety is the top job of a government. I have supported additional resources in public safety on multiple occasions during my tenure and will continue to support them in making sure they have the tools and resources to keep our community safe.
PCD: What is your vision for development of the remaining land in Carolina Beach? Some residents have spoken against Harmony Hospitality’s proposed hotel planned near the SeaWitch, citing concerns over infrastructure, traffic and CB losing its small beach community feel. Developers behind the Fisher’s Reserve subdivision have also applied for a permit to fill wetlands in order to build more homes on Saint Joseph St. How do you marry property rights and town growth with resident desires and environmental concerns?
LB: When you look at the proposed hotel, it has broad support; however, there were legitimate concerns raised by citizens. We have a history of working with responsible developers, bringing them together with citizens to address their concerns. In my experience, most developers want a win/win solution. Our citizens are very engaged and make their voices heard. I have confidence the developer will come back with solutions to address resident concerns.
As for wetlands, they are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and we have a good track record of working with them to find solutions. While wetland management was given to them by Congress via the Clean Water Act of 1972, they are known to work with the towns and citizens within the parameters of their enabling legislation.
PCD: The town purchased nine Boardwalk properties for $15 million earlier this year. Why or why not do you agree with this purchase and what would you like to see done with these parcels?
LB: To clarify, the town has an offer to purchase that property; the town is awaiting an appraisal that shows it’s worth that price. I don’t expect the town to pay more than the appraised value of the property. Obviously, I agree with this purchase as I voted for it. Our town didn’t obtain enough property during its early years to support the public open spaces needed for today’s residents and visitors. This purchase would go a long way to creating a walkable downtown venue and bring some of our festivals and activities back to the center of our downtown.
PCD: What is one other issue not discussed above that you have a plan to address if elected and how would you do so?
LB: I have been very active within our Tourism Development Authority to bring forth the Tourism Master Plan. We have done a fantastic job in advertising our destination; however, we must continue to evolve to manage the growth. I was excited to see the plan incorporate the needs of the community because we must keep Carolina Beach a great place to live, if we do that, tourism will remain healthy. Unchecked tourism can be fickle. If overdone and the quality of life diminishes for residents, they will move on, leaving the town to total commercialization. We have a good plan in place, and I’m committed to continue my efforts with the authority to make sure it encompasses the needs of Carolina Beach.
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