Oak Island council candidates debate over big money concerns

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — Some of the Oak Island Town Council candidates faced off in a debate Wednesday at the Oak Island Country Club. Just three of the six people running for the three open seats were there but there was plenty of discussion. Some of the big issues that were discussed were bringing down the town’s debt, wind farms and beach nourishment.

Incumbents Jeff Winecoff and Danny Kiser said they have done a lot to reduce the debt. One of their main focuses were establishing a consistent form of revenue for beach nourishment.

“We need to come up with this plan, put it together and implement it and have it be cheaper now to start beach re-nourishment funds instead of paying more in the future,” said Winecoff.

“We’ve got to have a sustainable source of revenue to maintain the beach and it’s not fair to put it on the shoulders of the tax payers that live there, it’s a regional thing,” said Kiser.

While Helen Cashwell, a council candidate, said while she agrees a beach nourishment fund needs to be maintained there’s more to be done when it comes to the budget.

“How do we go forward not able to borrow money and use a smaller amount of money to work with and there is where financial abilities come in,” said Cashwell.

The other candidates are

An Oak Island mayoral debate will be October 15th.