Let's Connect
About Chip Frazier
I have been a public servant in one capacity or another for almost 45 years--24 years in the US Air Force and over 20 years as an elected trustee for a Sanitation Improvement District in Nebraska. I am an analytical problem solver with a knack for working with people from diverse backgrounds to resolve complicated problems. I am running for Town Council because I sense a need for balance, harmony, and common sense in the affairs of the town.
Balance
- Favoring special interests over the preferences of the majority population divides the community.
- Control growth to prevent the development of an impersonal commercial environment. Preserve the family-friendly community while carefully controlling growth.
- Amenities and services are provided based on available revenue. Uncontrolled spending will result in a reduction of existing services or an increase in taxes.
- The rights of property owners and public safety must be preserved to the extent possible.
Harmony
Consideration of special interests that do not reflect the preferences of the majority stifles the spirit of compromise that is necessary to address competing interests.
There must be open two-way communication between the Town Council and the people it represents for the public to trust that its elected representatives are functioning in its best interest.
The public’s trust and respect for its elected officials begins with an ethical code of conduct for the Town Council.
Common Sense
In order for the Town Council to be respected by its constituents, the Council must respect the public and treat it with dignity.
Public Safety ...
is the first priority of Oak Island’s government and its citizens.
The Oak Island Police Department and Fire Department and Oak Island’s all-volunteer Water Rescue unit are essential elements of Oak Island’s internal safety and security.
The Town Council must work with County, State, and Federal agencies to ensure that county bridges and highways are available for emergency evacuations.
If emergency evacuation routes are compromised Oak Island needs shelter-in-place options on the island or the mainland.
Traffic ...
issues are the greatest daily irritant on Oak Island.
Congestion and lack of infrastructure adversely impact all vehicles and pedestrians. Crosswalks and sidewalks to improve walkability to the beach and in the commercial districts are necessary. Bike lanes are inadequate and are poorly maintained. There is no comprehensive plan to integrate low-speed vehicles (LSVs) with traditional traffic. Beach access parking is not adequate for traditional vehicles and LSVs. Use of street ends for parking requires a policy review by the Town Council. Shuttles to and from centralized parking on the island and/or mainland may be necessary in the future.
The town should not adopt plans or policies limited to one form of transportation until the Town conducts a comprehensive transportation study to address all elements of traffic with short, medium and long range options.
Infrastructure ...
on Oak Island is buried adjacent to the roads and must be protected.
Beach nourishment is Oak Island’s first line of defense for its buried infrastructure. An engineered beach will facilitate County, State, and Federal assistance to protect this important asset.
Water service and wastewater collection loan payments will continue for the foreseeable future. The Town Council should explore opportunities to retire that debt.
Stormwater projects are in progress and should continue.
The Town Council should consider individual recycling contracts to replace the island’s contract with GFL Environmental and to reduce costs.
Environmental projects ...
nourish the family-friendly atmosphere.
As a participant in the Tree City USA project, Oak Island should continue tree conservation projects to increase the tree canopy on the island and on the mainland.
The Town Council should undertake an assessment of Davis Canal to identify options to improve the health of that body of water.
The Town should emphasize the importance of beach nourishment to protect our buried infrastructure along E and W Beach from storm damage.
Oak Island has a robust natural sea turtle habitat and should emphasize that asset in public communication.
Business Community ...
incentives provide sources of tax revenue to offset property taxes.
The Streetscape Plan will incentivize small business development and growth.
Oak Island’s code repair project will reduce administrative burdens for small business.
Oak Island should explore options to increase the availability and affordability of workforce housing to enhance small business employment.
Controlling Development
The revised Unified Development Ordinances will make development options easier to understand and more efficient to administer. The Town must place emphasis on Special Use Permits.
Oak Island must develop cost data for 44 prioritized short, mid, and long-range recommendations included in the Coastal Area Management Act Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), “2045 Charting the Course”.
The Town Council should continue to streamline administrative procedures and establish better working relationships between the Town Council, the town administration, and the various committees that advise the Town Council as discussed in the 2025 Strategic Plan.