Candidates for Southport Mayor get ready as the final day approaches

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY)– Southport’s boat pull event brought crowds and competition. It also served as a campaign push for Mayor Rich Alt, who used the moment to call out his opponent, former Mayor Joe Pat Hatem, for unfinished projects.

“The reason I ran for the first place, we had a lot of projects that were more or less infrastructure projects,” Alt said. “Forty-four of them in a piece of paper, that never got finished,” Alt said.

Alt and Hatem have conflicting styles. The last race was only separated by two votes, and it was a victory for Alt. Hatem hopes to change the result by bringing civility.

“Anyone who has seen the meetings for the last two years, can see that there has been a disconnect and rudeness,” Hatem said. “Not only to each other but for people who come to speak to the board. If you have seen my meetings, we were welcoming and hospitality,” Hatem said.

During this mayoral race, one issue has become personal. It is over a disputed alleyway beside Hatem’s home. Alt claims Hatem is trying to take public land.

“Back in 2020, my opponent was mayor of Southport. He filed paperwork that said a portion of public property, an alleyway, was abandoned. He sought possession of it, and he filed that paperwork six months later. He received a letter from the county saying it rejected his claim,” Alt said.

Despite the remarks, Hatem claims that it is just a way for Alt to get at him.

“This is a home that was built in the 1930’s and it was built on top of an alley. I’m not sure it was ever used. Regardless, for over 75 years, there is no alley. There is a house on it. This has been something that has been brought by opponent, something he can use against me. If you look at the property and when you look at the map, the alley only exists on paper,” Hatem said.

Political differences aside, both candidates say the community’s recovery from the American Fish Company mass shooting remains a top priority.

“The governor came to visit, and I spoke to him very briefly. I introduced myself and said if I won the election, even if I didn’t win. I am willing and wanting to work with him on the mental health issues, and the VA issues to help prevent these types of shootings,” Hatem said.

“Within twenty-four hours there was a prayer vigil at the Baptist church on main street. Over a thousand people showed up. About a week later, there was a memorial service on Waterfront Park. We have had many fundraisers and one day we raised one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars. Not only for the people that were out of work at the American Fish Company, but also for the families, the deceased, and for the people who were injured,” Alt said.