N. Topsail Beach mayor-elect talks erosion, transparency, money

NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Newly elected mayor Fred Burns is speaking out about his goals for the ongoing erosion in North Topsail Beach.

Some homeowners said it is not surprising that newcomers lead this election.

Like many in North Topsail Beach, Burns has childhood memories that made him want to stay.

“My dad used to bring me fishing over here when I was 7 years old,” Burns said. “It was a lot different back then.”

Homeowner Jeanne Raney said one difference now is the fast moving erosion.

“Every storm, I sit there and go, “‘Oh no,'” Raney said.

Burns sat through every storm last year and watched one of his properties suffer for months from erosion.

“The erosion rate was going up like crazy,” Burns said. “I didn’t really like the plan as it was being developed.”

That’s when he decided to run for mayor.

“We’ve got to look seriously at managing the inlet, because we haven’t managed it so far,” Burns said.

Raney said she does not know Burns, but she said she is not surprised the town elected a new mayor and two new aldermen.

“I think people are tired of having the beach replenished and having to pay,” Raney said.

Burns told WWAY a year ago he wanted a terminal groin. That is still on his to do list.

“We’ve got one with our name on it now,” Raney said. “I think we should pursue that and look at other alternatives also.”

Something Raney wants to see too.

“Something has to be done or just let the sand go,” Raney said.

Burns also wants more transparency.

“What i’d like to do is get all of our meetings live broadcast,” Raney said. “That’s not too hard to do in today’s technology.”

He said he also plans to raise more money for beach projects, but he understands it is not going to be easy.

“I’m sure I’m going to get my slaps and I’m ready for them,” Burns said.

Burns said the next step for beach re-nourishment in the near future is on December 9th at 2 p.m. He said that is for the Bush River Cut project to widen the inlet.