Election 2025: Meet Leland Town Council candidate Leland Hyer
LELAND, NC (WWAY) — The 2025 municipal election is underway, and Leland voters will soon decide who will serve as the town’s next council members.
To help voters learn more about where each candidate stands on key local issues, WWAY sent a questionnaire to all Leland Town Council candidates. The questions cover topics such as growth and development, public safety, housing, and transparency in government.
Not every candidate responded to our request. For those who did, we are publishing their responses in their entirety, to give voters a direct look at their priorities and perspectives before heading to the polls.
Background and Motivation
1. Tell us a little about yourself — your background, career, and connection to Leland.
My name is Leland Hyer, and I have lived in North Carolina since 2015. I currently serve as an Assistant Principal at West Bladen High School in Bladen County. I hold an undergraduate
degree in Political Science and two master’s degrees — one in STEM Education from NC State University and another in School Administration from UNC Wilmington.
I have a strong interest in serving my community and began regularly attending Leland Town Council meetings in January 2025, attending all but two meetings this year.
A college professor once taught me that real leadership is rooted in four actions: Listen, Learn, Help, and Lead. I have carried this approach throughout my career and will ensure
that the voices of Leland’s residents guide my decisions as a member of the Town Council.
2. Why are you running for Leland Town Council, and what inspired you to seek public office?
I’m running for Leland Town Council because I care deeply about our community and believe we need steady, thoughtful leadership to guide our town through its next chapter
of growth. Leland is a special place—a community built on relationships, hard work, and pride—and I want to ensure we grow responsibly while preserving what makes our
town feel like home. I believe strong local government starts with listening, learning, and collaborating to solve problems that matter most to our citizens. My goal is to make decisions that reflect our shared values and keep Leland a safe, family-centered, and forward-thinking community where everyone can thrive.
3. What are the top three priorities you would focus on if elected?
1. Stopping open burning of vegetative waste
I will continue working to prevent the open burning of vegetative waste by developers. While the Town Council recently passed an ordinance to ban this practice, I believe we
must stay vigilant and strengthen these protections as needed to safeguard our air quality, health, and environment.
2. Fiscal responsibility
As a public school administrator, I understand the value of fiscal discipline and making every dollar count. In education, we are constantly asked to do more with less. Leland
can benefit from a similar philosophy—ensuring tax dollars are spent wisely, transparently, and effectively.
3. Infrastructure development and improvement
Leland’s rapid growth requires continued investment in safe roads, reliable utilities, and stormwater management. I will support smart infrastructure planning that balances
growth with long-term sustainability and maintains the high quality of life our residents deserve.
Growth and Development
4. Leland has experienced rapid population and housing growth over the past decade. How do you believe the town should manage future growth while maintaining its character
and quality of life?
Leland’s growth reflects its appeal as a great place to live, but managing that growth responsibly is key to protecting our character and quality of life. We must plan intentionally—ensuring infrastructure, public safety, and environmental safeguards keep pace with development. Roads, utilities, and stormwater systems should be strengthened before approving new large-scale projects. Growth should also reflect the values of our residents. That means protecting green spaces, maintaining a small-town feel, and encouraging development that enhances rather than
overwhelms our community. Transparency and open communication between residents, developers, and town leadership are essential to maintaining public trust.
Smart, balanced growth will help Leland remain safe, welcoming, and family-centered while continuing to attract new opportunity. My goal is to guide that growth in a way that
preserves what makes Leland home for all of us.
5. What is your vision for responsible development and infrastructure improvements, including roads, traffic management, and utilities, in the coming years?
My priorities include:
1. Collaborating with NCDOT and Brunswick County Work closely with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to accelerate critical projects along Highway 17, Highway 74/76, and Village Road to reduce congestion and improve safety.
2. Strategic Traffic Planning
Ensure that our comprehensive land-use plan accounts for traffic impacts before approving new developments. Growth must align with roadway capacity and infrastructure upgrades.
3. Staggered School Start Times– As we anticipate the addition of new schools, advocate for staggered start times for elementary, middle, and high schools to improve bus efficiency and traffic management.
6. How do you view the town’s annexation strategy and its impact on existing residents and services?
The Town of Leland is currently prohibited from annexing other areas.
Public Safety and Services
7. What steps would you support to ensure that police, fire, and emergency services keep pace with Leland’s growth?
This is priority number ONE. As Leland continues to grow, we must ensure that our police, fire, and EMS departments have the staffing, resources, and infrastructure needed to keep
our community safe.
My Priorities Include:
● Investing in Staffing and Training – Support competitive salaries, benefits, and ongoing professional development to attract and retain top talent.
● Expanding Infrastructure and Equipment – Ensure emergency services have the facilities, vehicles, and technology to meet growing demands.
● Strengthening Response Times – Partner with Brunswick County and regional agencies to improve coordination and coverage, especially along Highway 17 and
other high-growth areas.
● Fostering Community Partnerships – Encourage public safety outreach programs to build trust, preparedness, and stronger connections between first responders and
residents.
8. How can the town better partner with Brunswick County and surrounding municipalities to improve public safety and emergency response?
Public safety depends on strong collaboration between Leland, Brunswick County, and our neighboring towns. I believe we can strengthen these partnerships through regular joint
planning, shared training opportunities, and clear communication during emergencies. By coordinating resources and response protocols, we can reduce duplication, improve
efficiency, and ensure faster service when residents need it most.
Economic Development
9. What types of businesses or industries would you like to see grow in Leland, and how should the town attract or support them?
Leland should encourage the growth of small businesses, family-owned shops, and locally rooted industries that reflect our community’s character. I’d like to see more
restaurants, professional services, and recreation-based businesses that serve residents rather than just pass-through traffic. We can also attract light industrial and technology
companies that bring stable, year-round jobs without overwhelming our infrastructure.
10. How do you see Leland balancing residential expansion with commercial and job growth?
Leland’s rapid residential growth must be balanced with strong commercial and job development to keep our community sustainable. We need to attract small businesses,
professional services, and light industry that create stable jobs and strengthen our localeconomy. Encouraging mixed-use areas where people can live, work, and shop will reduce
traffic and support our tax base. Smart zoning and infrastructure planning are key to ensuring new commercial spaces fit well within residential areas. By working with local business leaders and residents, we can guide growth that complements our neighborhoods, supports local services, and keeps Leland a vibrant, connected, and family-centered community.
Quality of Life and Community
11. How should Leland invest in parks, green spaces, and recreation opportunities as the population grows?
As Leland continues to grow, investing in parks, green spaces, and recreation opportunities is essential to maintaining our quality of life. These spaces bring people together, promote
health and wellness, and strengthen our sense of community. I believe the town should prioritize expanding and connecting existing parks with safe sidewalks, trails, and bike
paths that link neighborhoods to recreation areas.
12. What role do you see the town playing in supporting community events, cultural activities, and local small businesses?
Community events, cultural activities, and local small businesses are at the heart of what makes Leland special. I believe the town should take an active role in supporting these
efforts by providing spaces, resources, and promotion that bring people together and strengthen our sense of community. Supporting small businesses through streamlined permitting, fair regulations, and visible promotion also helps keep our economy local and resilient. When the town invests in its people and businesses, it creates a vibrant community where families want to live, visitors want to return, and local entrepreneurs can thrive.
Transparency and Leadership
13. How will you ensure transparency and communication between the Town Council, staff, and residents?
Transparency and communication are essential for building trust between the Town Council, staff, and residents. Every citizen should have easy access to the decisions that
shape our community. I believe the Town of Leland should start broadcasting Council meetings live and then post recorded meetings to YouTube so residents can stay informed,
even if they cannot attend in person. Beyond access, we need genuine dialogue. I support creating regular Town Hall-style forums that allow two-way communication between citizens and council members. These events would give residents the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and help guide the direction of our town.
By improving access to information and encouraging open discussion, we can make local government more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves.
14. What do you think the town is doing well right now, and where is there room for improvement?
Leland has made strong progress in attracting new residents and businesses. The town’s focus on growth and community development shows real commitment to creating
opportunity. Where we can improve is in communication and planning—ensuring residents are informed and involved before major decisions are made. We should also focus on managing growth responsibly so that infrastructure, public safety, and environmental protection keep pace. With more transparency, stronger citizen engagement, and continued investment in quality
of life, Leland can build on its success while preserving the character that makes our community feel like home.
15. What makes you the best candidate to represent the people of Leland?
I believe I’m the best candidate to represent the people of Leland because I understand our community from the ground up and value listening, learning, helping, and leading with
integrity. My background in public education has taught me how to work collaboratively, manage resources effectively, and make decisions that serve the greater good.
My goal is simple: to ensure that every voice in Leland is heard and that the town continues to grow responsibly while protecting the character and quality of life that make it such a
special place to call home.
