Kris Plum

for

Emerald Isle Commissioner

Jerry and me with our two rescue dogs, Ella and Pete

Taylor, Elizabeth, son-in-law Ian, Kyra, me, Jerry, and Lauren

Jerry and I getting married at our favorite place – Emerald Isle's shoreline

My pride and joy – my grandson Waylon – and my daughter Kyra

Family memories at the beach

Why I'm Running

Simply stated, my family and I love Emerald Isle! My husband, Jerry, and I became full-time residents in 2019, but we have cherished this community over the decades as regular visitors. In 1993, Jerry, who had attended some of the town's beach music festivals years prior, wrote in his day planner that he would own a home in Emerald Isle by 2011. By 2012, we fulfilled that dream. We are deeply grateful to be here and count our blessings every day.

Jerry and I, along with our four adult children – Taylor, Elizabeth, Kyra, and Lauren – and our grandson, Waylon, treasure the fact that Emerald Isle is not just a town, but a family. We value the way friends and neighbors tend to help one another and foster a sense of unity, such as the tremendous support from the community during our annual National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation-themed fundraiser benefiting Misplaced Mutts (where our two beloved rescue dogs, Ella and Pete, came from). Moments and memories like those define Emerald Isle.

And not every coastal community is known as A Family Beach, but Emerald Isle is. Its time-honored, small-town charm distinguishes it from other municipalities dotting the North Carolina coast. This unique identity is the hallmark of our community's past and the North Star for its future. Jerry and I have had the signature "A Family Beach" front-end license plates on our vehicles for over 10 years, and that is why I chose to carry that message over to my campaign slogan.

As the director of Military Sales for Kellanova (formerly known as Kellogg's), a member of the Emerald Isle Planning Board, and the co-owner (along with Jerry) of Ocean Breeze Lawn and Pool, a small, local business, I feel my professional background, skills, and experience will be valuable assets as a town commissioner.

I will contribute to increased public engagement strategies; preserve our Family Beach heritage through family-friendly activities and events; explore and implement future-ready infrastructure that fosters sustainable growth while keeping our small-town charm; practice fiscal responsibility; and support coastal resilience and environmental stewardship efforts that safeguard our community's precious natural features, from the Bogue Sound estuary to the beautiful maritime forests to the pristine beach strand.

I ask for your vote this fall to serve as one of your town commissioners. Please reach out with a call, text, or e-mail with any questions or concerns. I am happy to set up individual meetings or talk with groups as well. See you on the campaign trail!

Lighting up Emerald Isle for our annual Misplaced Mutts fundraiser, with a National Lampoon's Christmas Vaction theme

Fun with friends at "Our Island" by the E.I. Coast Guard Station

My Platform

Public Engagement: Listening to You, Leading Together

Involve residents in decision-making. Host periodic, well-publicized engagement sessions through town halls, community forums, or advisory boards through which residents can share their concerns and ideas beyond the boardroom. Leverage community HOAs and POAs to reach larger cohorts of residents.
Create feedback channels for residents to provide suggestions through periodic online surveys and dedicated email addresses. Ensure feedback is reviewed and responded to promptly.
Be an active listener. Paraphrase, ask open-ended questions, and provide meaningful feedback. Ensure residents feel heard and understood.
Foster transparent communication. Keep residents informed about decisions and upcoming projects – and how their feedback is being considered – to help build trust and transparency.
Engage youth and senior demographics. Create specific initiatives to engage younger and older residents to ensure their unique perspectives and needs are addressed. Creating an inclusive, collaborative environment will make residents feel valued and heard.
Offer education to residents on important policy matters (such as understanding the town budget, code of ordinances, and land use plan) through free workshops or training sessions.
Demonstrate accountability with follow-up reporting. After gathering input, follow up with the community to show how their feedback has influenced decisions. This action reinforces the value of their participation.

Preserving Our Family Beach, Nurturing Our Community

Encourage volunteerism and strengthen community-led involvement in initiatives to protect and preserve our natural environment. One such idea is launching an “Adopt A Beach” program through which businesses, volunteer groups, and other stakeholders adopt a section of the beach strand to keep it trash-free and support permitted dune restoration and preservation activities, such as sea oats plantings or sand fencing installation.
Offer educational programs about marine life, environmental conservation, and beach safety. Partner with local schools and organizations to engage children and families.
Expand family-friendly events that bring our community and surrounding community members together such as seasonal festivals, concerts, outdoor movie nights, and educational workshops.

Future-Ready Infrastructure: Growing Sustainably & Keeping Our Small-Town Charm

Ensure infrastructure will accommodate long-term increase in seasonal tourism without overwhelming local resources. Invest and plan for infrastructure upgrades to modernize or replace existing roads, sidewalks, or other resources needing ongoing maintenance and repair.
Research potential public transit options to improve accessibility and convenience for residents and seasonal visitors.
Engage residents in planning and decision-making processes to ensure that infrastructure developments meet community needs while preserving our community’s small-town charm.
Collaborate with local business partners to fund and develop infrastructure projects that enhance tourism while benefiting the local economy. These partnerships can bring in expertise and resources to support sustainable growth.
Utilize technology to enhance visitor engagement. Build on the existing Town of Emerald Isle mobile app to offer personalized tour suggestions, information on town-sponsored events, and more.
Continuously assess the impact of tourism on infrastructure and the environment. Adapt strategies based on the data obtained from these impact assessments to ensure long-term sustainability.

Fiscal Responsibility

Prioritize balanced budgets and responsible spending.
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis for all major expenditures, especially infrastructure and tourism-related investments.
Limit discretionary spending and focus on essential services like public safety, beach maintenance, and storm preparedness.
Increase transparency. Host quarterly town hall meetings focused on financial updates, upcoming projects, and citizen Q&A. Create a “Where Your Tax Dollars Go” infographic to simplify budget education for residents.
Encourage citizen participation in financial planning and decision-making. Use participatory budgeting for small community projects, allowing residents to vote on how a portion of the budget is spent. Conduct annual surveys to gather feedback on spending priorities and service satisfaction.

Coastal Resilience & Environmental Stewardship

Invest in dune restoration, beach nourishment, and stormwater management, partnering with state and federal agencies to secure grant funding for resilience projects.
Support regular beach nourishment to maintain a robust shoreline, protect property, and retain tourism dollars as a key driver of our local economy.
Upgrade stormwater systems with green infrastructure and nature-based solutions like bioswales, native vegetation, and rain gardens to reduce flooding, help recharge the aquifer providing fresh water for consumption, and improve ocean, sound, and interior canal water quality.

Qualifications & Professional Affiliations

Director of Military Sales – Kellanova (formerly known as Kellogg's)
Member – KVets & Supporters, a Kellanova employee resource group celebrating military service and helping veteran employees access their benefits
Executive Board Member – American Logistics Association
Member – Emerald Isle Planning Board
Masters of Business Administration
Small Business Co-Owner (with husband Jerry) – Ocean Breeze Lawn and Pool

Community Service & Charitable Work

Organizer – Annual National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation-themed fundraiser for Misplaced Mutts, a non-profit rescuing and rehoming dogs and cats in shelters statewide; $30,000+ raised since 2019
Member – Emerald Isle Garden Club
Sponsor – Emerald Isle for Veterans
Sponsor – Fishin' for a Cure, an Emerald Isle-based non-profit focused on breast cancer awareness and prevention
Sponsor – Emerald Isle Parrothead Club-sponsored Trop Rock Festival benefitting Semper Fi & America's Fund, a non-profit caring for critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families
Volunteer – Operation Homefront, a non-profit supporting military families
Volunteer – Gary Sinise Foundation, a non-profit benefiting veterans, first responders, and their families

Contact Me

Please reach out with a call, text, or e-mail with any questions or concerns. I am happy to set up individual meetings or talk with groups as well.

Phone: (724) 672-8560
E-mail: krisplum@comcast.net

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