SOUTHPORT — Dr. Joe Pat Hatem is running to serve as the City of Southport’s mayor.
Hatem narrowly lost his mayoral bid to Mayor Jerry Dove in 2015 by less than 1% margin and 13 votes. In 2017, Hatem ran again, with Dove winning by a nearly 7% margin.
Author’s note: Port City Daily’s candidate interviews are largely unedited. Edits have only been made to correct spelling or grammatical errors. Candidates were not given word or character limits to answer each question.
What is your campaign platform?
A Better Way Forward
(There is a detailed account on my Website joepathatem.com.)
What makes you qualified to serve on the Board of Aldermen?
My background and education. I have worked for over 30 years at J. Arthur Dosher Memorial Hospital as an emergency room physician. The people of Southport know my love for them, for our town, know my work ethic, and my passion for their well-being. They also know me as a previous candidate for mayor. As a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Master of Public Health, I am well educated and well trained in the principles of public health that can be used to promote a healthy city and city government. And as a graduate of UNC and a North Carolina native, I have access to a large network of alumni and academicians from the university who have a wealth of knowledge and experience that would benefit the city and our citizens.
What are the top three issues Southport is facing right now and what’s your
position on these issues?
1) Growth: How to mitigate the growth and change that is coming to Southport. How does Southport preserve its heritage while balancing economic development in terms of
supporting small businesses, restaurants, a booming real estate market, and promoting tourism, our number one industry? The City UDO-Unified Development Ordinance-has
standards that must be met in terms of development that help preserve the quaint village residential and business districts. The private sector has been creating new businesses and it is the job of the city to build an economic environment that promotes small business entities. What is good for the iconic Provision Company, will be good for all restaurants and the local economy by bringing tourists and locals down to our waterfront and main street businesses. A rising tide lifts all boats and this is true for Southport’s economic interests. A strong city department of tourism in marketing our wonderful town continues to help promote this economic engine of the thousands of visitors who travel to our city each year.
2) Southport’s Waterfront: Preventing continued erosion and stabilization of our precious shoreline as well as rebuilding the city dock, destroyed by recent hurricanes. The city has a plan for erosion control that was developed in 2015. It needs to be implemented. The funding must be pursued through legislation and through private grants. There has been little progress at this point in time.
3) Infrastructure: Always a big issue, especially now, from burying all power lines to developing an appropriate plan—building at an estimated cost of $25 million dollars—a city sewer plant, versus a regionalization of these services. I believe further study and citizen input is needed in order to make an informed decision. The city of Southport is moving forward with building a facility. It is my opinion that the citizens may be better served by being a part of a larger system where there are economies of scale, less financial risk and less environmental impact.
Do you feel Southport Board of Alderman followed the proper process in approving the sale of the former waste treatment property? Why or why not?
The problem with the sale of the former waste treatment property is the process and procedure with which this was done by the Mayor and the Southport Board of Aldermen. The possibility of selling the property was not the issue, it was the way in which there was a lack of openness concerning the sale and the fact that the voice of the people was not taken into consideration. Neither was the recommendation of the Southport Planning Board considered in the final decision by this board. This property is a tidal marsh wetland and environmentally is an important ecosystem. It has been recommended by consultants for the city, that this land be used as a park/green/open pace. If the property was to be sold, there should have been multiple bids and definitely a higher price on this waterfront public property.
Is it appropriate for a City to retroactively amend its Unified Development Ordinance to correct improper Board actions? Why or why not?
It is not appropriate for a city to retroactively amend its UDO to correct improper board actions. This is an aberration in conducting city government. There should be an openness to the process and the public should be included in these decisions. In particular, the Southport Planning Board is in part a voice of the people and is composed of talented members who work with city staff to obtain the best information and advice for the board of aldermen. This should not be prevented or discarded.
The City recently opted to take its own path in pursuing sewer treatment, canceling plans to join a planned county expansion. Do you support this move?
The question of the city building and operating a sewer treatment plant, versus joining a planned county expansion must be answered with respect to the pros and cons of each, what does the research reveal, and what is the most intellectual and common sense approach. With respect to the environmental impact and potential underestimated cost for a new facility, the best approach would be a regionalization of this service and purchasing capacity from the county which should be using the most modern of technology in waste water treatment and this would be a shared expense by all involved.
The police audit revealed evidence mishandling, two top police chiefs taking advantage of the job, and a department at odds with itself. It’s clear Chief Coring
has taken big steps to increase transparency and community policing. Do you think enough has been done to address the systematic issues that may have contributed to a messy and unprofessional department? Do you think trust has been healed in the community?
What happened to the Southport Police Department has been a difficult situation to endure for the city and for the citizens of Southport. It is in many ways a tragedy for all involved. Police Chief Todd Coring has worked diligently to revive the police department and I believe that there is now great trust in him and his officers.
What is one action/vote Southport got wrong in 2017-2019?
One action/vote that “Southport got wrong” was the vote to sell public land without further input from the citizens of Southport and for a price that seemed low for waterfront property.
What is one action/vote Southport got right in 2017-2019?
One action/vote that “Southport got right” was the recent proclamation for International Peace Day on September 21, 2019.
Anything else you’d like to share with voters?
It would be an honor to serve the citizens of Southport as their mayor. I believe that there is a “Better Way Forward” with new leadership in the office of mayor that is energetic, educated, and eager to work on the many challenges that face our great city. We cannot continue to be reactive but must develop a proactive and strategic plan for our city. An example of this is the lack of progress on the Southport Waterfront as well as the years of neglect and disrepair of the old Brunswick County Courthouse which previously was our city hall. Renovating this facility will be a major priority in 2020 if I am elected. This was in my platform in 2017. “A leader is someone who helps improve the lives of other people”—this quote from North Carolina native and former U.S. Senator Sam J. Ervin—will be one of the many ideals that will guide me in this great endeavor we hopefully will share together.
