LELAND, NC -- Last November Leland residents voted to give Mayor Walter Futch a second term. Futch received over 71 percent of the vote in a rematch with former Mayor Franky Thomas. Mayor Futch recently spoke with The Leland Tribune about his vision and goals for the Town of Leland.
Leland Tribune: What are some of the goals that you have set forth to accomplish during your second term as Mayor?
Mayor Futch: My goals for my second term as Mayor are to adopt a master plan that Leland can use as a guide to help us in our growth over the next 15 to 25 years. This master plan will be our guide to land use and zoning, determining how we design our roads and making decisions on other issues related to our future growth. Another goal for this term is to rewrite Leland’s zoning codes. The master plan can only be effective if our zoning codes are rewritten properly. One final goal that I have is to begin work on a new sewer system so that Leland will be able to handle the future growth.
Leland Tribune: In your view, what is the Town of Leland’s greatest strength?
Mayor Futch: I believe that the Town of Leland’s greatest strength is our newness. We have no longstanding traditions that tie us down. Even the older areas of town have no long history to them. Basically, we have the opportunity to shape the Town of Leland into anything that we want it to be. One other strength is the fact that we have such a diverse population. Our citizens come from many different backgrounds. This population diversity can only benefit our town during this period of growth.
Leland Tribune: In your view, what is the most pressing issue that must be addressed by the Town of Leland over the next two years?
Mayor Futch: Our most pressing need that has to be addressed is increasing our sewer capacity to meet our growing needs.
Leland Tribune: In your view, what is the biggest challenge that is facing the Town of Leland?
Mayor Futch: I would have to say that the biggest challenge right now is properly managing the growth and not being taken over by it. I say this because between 2001 and 2006 the North Carolina State Demographics unit reported that the Town of Leland was the fastest growing town in the state, with a population increase of 395 percent. From July 2005 to July of 2006 alone we increased our population from 5400 to 9600 residents.
Leland Tribune: Are there any group(s) that you would personally like to thank?
Mayor Futch: We had groups that participated in the election effort from many areas including Westport, Waterford, Magnolia Greens and “Old Leland.” We had a victory dinner to celebrate the win that was attended by about 100 volunteers. Overall, it was a large collective effort and I want to thank everyone who helped out.
Leland Tribune: Why did you originally run for mayor?
Mayor Futch: I ran for mayor two years ago because I felt that the rapid growth of Leland had no real direction. Having served on the North Carolina Rules Review Commission until 2003 and as a current member of the Brunswick County Economic Development Commission and Board of Health, I felt that I had the necessary skills to lead the future growth and development of the Town of Leland. I ran again in November because I felt that some of the goals that I had set forth to accomplish were not reached in my first term and I wanted to see them through. I was a little naïve about the speed with which objectives are completed in the government world compared to the business world. Now that I have a better awareness, we should be able to accomplish much more in the upcoming two years.
Leland Tribune: What do you feel was the biggest accomplishment during your first term as mayor?
Mayor Futch: My biggest accomplishment was getting a second firehouse planned and built for the Leland Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department. The new firehouse will be located on River Road (Hwy 133) near Westport. The firefighters are beginning to occupy the building now and we will hold the official dedication of the building on February 22nd.
Leland Tribune: What is your vision for the Town of Leland?
Mayor Futch: I would like to see the Town of Leland develop the many commercial real estate properties that we have available while maintaining the small town feel that our friendly citizens have known and come to love. Leland has a lot of open space that could be used to establish recreational opportunities for citizens and future visitors such as bike trails, parks and other cultural venues. Most important I would like to see the Town of Leland continue to be an environmentally friendly community.
