Beaufort Voters Reelect Incumbent Leaders, Focus on Community Projects Ahead

Beaufort Keeps Things the Same in Recent Election

It’s been a week since the bustling city of Beaufort cast their votes, and it seems when it comes to leadership, the old saying holds true – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! After a contentious race that had everyone talking, the community has spoken, and they’re sticking with the familiar faces. Incumbent Mayor Phil Cromer has emerged victorious against challenger and current Councilman Josh Scallate. Meanwhile, fellow council members Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell kept their seats in the face of competition from Josh Gibson and Julie Crenshaw.

Mayor Cromer’s Vision

Mayor Cromer is feeling blessed and thankful for the trust the voters placed in him. “I’m grateful to the voters for their support in the recent election,” he declared. Looking ahead, he shared his ambitious plans for the next four years, stating, “My hopes and plans with Council support are to hopefully complete the Waterfront Park repair and replacement, the marina lease, current stormwater projects, development code updates, Duke Street streetscape and drainage, Pigeon Point boat landing, drainage study, and playground equipment replacement.” He added that there could be more exciting projects lined up, especially with a Council retreat on the calendar for January.

Looking Forward to Collaboration

Despite losing the race for mayor, Councilman Scallate remains upbeat about his current position on the Council. “Post-election, I feel good,” he mentioned, showing an impressive display of grace in defeat. “As a representative that wants to serve in a greater capacity, I feel my job is to offer myself as an option and explain why I feel I am the most appropriate choice. I consider it important to set aside ego and work to be an asset to not only Mayor Cromer but to Council as we all strive for a civil representation to a community much larger than ourselves.”

All Eyes on the Waterfront Park

Lipsitz echoed the mayor’s sentiments regarding the need for improvements in the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, emphasizing its status as the “number one priority” for the city. “We must identify exactly what is going on, get the solutions, and implement them,” he urged. He expressed excitement about continuing with the ongoing projects that the city has embarked upon.

The Opposition’s Perspective

Although Gibson didn’t win a spot on the Council, he’s taking it in stride. He expressed that he ran a solid campaign but was surprised to see how well the incumbents performed across the ballot. “I heard from many community members wanting change, but the election results told a different story,” he said. Gibson is hopeful that the mayor and council members will truly listen to the community’s concerns moving forward, saying, “I hope that they will be receptive to listening—not just the bare minimum of a public meeting, but genuinely integrating community feedback into their decision-making.”

A Community United?

While Councilman Mitch Mitchell was unavailable for an interview, and Crenshaw did not respond to a request for comment, the mood in Beaufort seems to lean toward a sense of unity and collaboration amongst the city’s leaders. With familiar faces leading the charge, the hope is for improved communication and progress on important projects that impact everyone in the community.

As Beaufort looks ahead, one thing is certain: it’s going to be a time for collaboration and community engagement. Let’s see how these local leaders work together to turn their ambitious plans into reality!