CAROLINA BEACH — Vincent Losito, co-owner of Island Accounting and Taxes in Masonboro Commons, will fill one of two council seats opening in Carolina Beach this year.
Current council members Joe Benson and Mike Hoffer decided not to seek re-election and only two people filed to run a campaign: Losito and Wayne Rouse will fill the positions.
Still, Port City Daily wanted to get the candidates on the record about issues that face Carolina Beach, as well as learn more about their desires to run.
Losito sought a council seat four years ago but lost and said since then he has learned more about the needs facing area residents and hopes to bring “thoughtful leadership” to the board. He serves as chief financial officer of the Carolina Beach Mural Project and the Carolina Beach Police Foundation, and is also is an active member of the Centennial Committee and The Island Men.
“I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities that shape our town,” Losito said. “I’m running for Town Council because I believe Carolina Beach deserves leadership that listens, plans responsibly, and always puts the community first. Together, we can keep Carolina Beach strong, welcoming, and financially secure for generations to come. My unwavering dedication and passion motivate my mission to ‘Make a Difference.'”
Port City Daily asked all candidates a slate of questions about topics that are tracking high with voters and residents currently. Losito’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 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?
VL: The town has committed to its infrastructure project and, as part of that commitment, there will be increased pumping capacity added. Additional bulkheads can be of additional benefit. I am not sure that there is an “immediate” solution other than increased maintenance of our existing infrastructure.
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?
VL: I think that last year’s no-name storm was eye-opening in the areas that flooded that had not flooded previously and have caused the town to step up its efforts to identify where there are blockages.
Also, the major infrastructure project that the town is about to undertake to address water and sewer has been well thought-out and planned so that the right dependencies have been identified to make sure that work is done in the right sequence and efficiently.
Also, the plan for funding the project has been laid out to address the project timeline as well as the waterfall of existing debt that is coming due to minimize the finance costs.
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?
VL: The rate for parking in Carolina Beach in town-operated lots has remained relatively stable in recent years. Much of the confusion over parking rates comes from the presence of privately owned lots. The town operated lots are governed by statutes limiting the rates the town can charge. The unregulated, private lots do not operate under such rules and can charge prices as they wish. Because of the proximity of these lots to each other this causes confusion over rates and enforcement. Should the town be successful in its attempt to acquire the privately owned lots by the boardwalk, rates will be consistent and there will be less confusion.
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?
VL: I think that this question is zeroing in on some very isolated events over an extended period and, in no way reflects any worsening of crime in our town. Our police force is rated as one of the top in the state. Public safety will always be of primary concern to council, but I believe that we live in a very safe community.
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?
VL: As it relates to the remaining land in the town, I am a believer in property owner rights, meaning that if they wish to build something on their property that meets the code requirements, they should be allowed to. That being said, I think we need to do more to look at any potential unintended consequences of each project.
I understand the issues that residents have raised as it relates to the SeaWitch property and feel that the town missed out on a great opportunity with option 1 that was presented. This would have presented a great opportunity to allow for more convention and corporate events, particularly in the offseason, which would have both driven business to the boardwalk area as well as repeat visitors. In no way do I feel that would have impacted our small beach town but rather provided another lever for growth in a positive way. [Ed. context: Harmony Hospitality scaled down its plans from building a 100-foot Embassy Suites to a 70-foot SpringHill Suites.]
As to the wetlands, these are governed by the Corp of Engineers under a very strict process. I am not sure that the St. Joseph’s area is the appropriate area to expand what is already permitted by mitigating the wetlands so that would have to be looked at closely.
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?
VL: The town has offered to purchase these lots for $15 million — subject to them appraising for that amount. I believe that the number may come down but am in favor of the town acquiring these lots at the right price to create more town-operated parking, reduce confusion over parking, and to possibly build some family-friendly spaces on those lots to drive more family traffic that way.
PCD: What is one other issue not discussed above that you have a plan to address if elected and how would you do so?
VL: N/a
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