Pinehurst Village Council Candidate Interviews 2025
The Pines Preservation Guild reached out to the candidates who have filed for the November 2025 Pinehurst Village Council election. Our organization believes it is important to understand how each candidate values the history and preservation of Pinehurst. These values signal how the candidate might view and vote on ordinances and village planning issues that directly impact the preservation of historic buildings and districts in Pinehurst.
The PPG has prepared a brief candidate survey with the following goals:
1-To educate our community about each candidate’s attitudes regarding preservation issues
2-To allow candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of local preservation issues
3-To introduce candidates unfamiliar with The PPG to our organization
The candidates were sent our questions via email to respond to in writing. If a candidate’s name is not listed below, they either decided not to participate in the questionnaire or could not be reached.
Responses are provided in full, may be edited for clarity, and appear in order of response submission.
The publishing of these answers does not constitute an endorsement by The Pines Preservation Guild nor its officers.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
1. Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Pinehurst.
I believe the historic character of our Village is what defines us. Even our link to the game of golf is rooted in the history of Donald Ross and James Tufts. Council should consider the historic impact of the decisions it makes and defer to our history whenever possible.
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Pinehurst’s historic buildings sites and neighborhoods?
Maintain the current legal status of the Historic Preservation Commission
Ensure that the Commission members have diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated interest in the importance of historic preservation in Pinehurst.
Preserve and maintain existing historic structures Village-wide and encourage restoration and preservation of properties in disrepair.
3. What is your view on the role of Pinehurst’s local historic district?
The district is the heart of our historic culture. We should explore ways to re-establish some of the criteria for project evaluation that have been diminished by case law. For example, Pinehurst’s existing Historic District consists of several different neighborhoods, each with their own objectively determinable characteristics and styles that give them individuality. When evaluating a restoration project or a proposed new construction, the rule is that it must be “congruous” with surrounding historic properties. Formerly, “congruity” was applied neighborhood by neighborhood, but case law decreed that the term be applied District-wide. This leads to dilution of the diverse identities of the neighborhoods. We should consider dividing the existing District into separate districts based on these diverse neighborhoods and thereby better preserve them.
4. Jackson Hamlet, located in the Pinehurst ETJ, has explored pursuing a Historic Resources Survey, with the possible intent to create a National Register District. Other local communities have funded efforts to survey historically underrepresented communities with sources of funding such as grants from the National Park Service or the National Trust. How do you see Pinehurst supporting Jackson Hamlet in this effort?
I am not familiar with the Jackson Hamlet project. If Jackson Hamlet requests an endorsement of its project from Pinehurst, and if such an endorsement would be appropriate, I would support making one. Financial support, however, should only be offered if the nature and extent of their project has a direct connection with Pinehurst’s own historic considerations.
5. Pinehurst is currently not a Certified Local Government. The CLG program is a state and federal program that provides annual training to Historic Preservation Commission members and Planning Staff as well as matching grant opportunities to their respective communities. Other Historic Preservation and Historic District Commissions in Moore County are CLGs, yet Pinehurst is not. Do you support Pinehurst pursuing CLG status?
In reviewing briefly the CLG program, it appears that our District and HPC already meet the spirit, if not the letter of the program. Unless the potential for grant awards is high (uncertain in the current environment) I don’t believe obtaining CLG certification would be worth the oversight that would come with it. I believe strongly that local issues should be managed locally.
6. Would you support the establishment of a historic preservation tax abatement? This could be a 10-15 year abatement to incentivize historic preservation anywhere in the town. Why or why not?
I would not support such a program until we knew how much tax revenue we would lose, and how it would be recouped. Further, the annual amount of abatement on even a $1 Million historic renovation project would be small, diminishing its utility as a development incentive. I also believe that tax abatement is not a principal motivator to someone thinking of undertaking a preservation project; they are undertaken for non-economic reasons. If this is so, there is no need for tax abatement.
7. What is your favorite historic building in Pinehurst (older than 1973) and why?
It’s the Givens Library and the Tufts Archives. It’s a charming building in an iconic location that fits completely organically into its surroundings. I’ve had the privilege of spending time with Audrey Moriarity Executive Director of the Tufts archives and getting her unique insights into the historical collection.
Lydia Boesch
1.Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Pinehurst.
Historic preservation and maintaining our historic resources are essential for furthering the vision of the Village of Pinehurst. The Village’s vision statement is:
The Village of Pinehurst is a charming, vibrant community which reflects our rich history and traditions.
Pinehurst was founded in 1895 based on the vision and passion of James Walker Tufts. Mr. Tufts had the incredible foresight to bring in the talents of Frederick Law Olmsted and Donald J. Ross.
Our “rich history and traditions” are reflected in the Nomination submitted to the U.S. Department of Interior in 1994 to obtain our National Historic Landmark status.
The Pinehurst Historic Landmark District was established in 1996.
There are approximately 100,000 listings on the National Register of Historic Places. Approximately 2,300, or 2.6%, are given Landmark status. National Historic Landmarks are defined as “historic properties that illustrate the heritage of the United States.” In addition, “Each National Historic Landmark represents an outstanding aspect of American history and culture.” Being designated a Landmark puts the Village among an elite group of historic properties.
It is abundantly clear that historic preservation and our historic resources are precious components of the Village of Pinehurst.
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Pinehurst’s historic buildings sites and neighborhoods?
Appoint the proper volunteers to our Historic Preservation Commission.
Work with all of our volunteer organizations, such as The Pines Preservation Guild, to get their ideas on how we can keep our Vision alive. Maybe establish a Focus Group.
Consider ways to educate the public on our “rich history and traditions.”
3.What is your view on the role of Pinehurst’s local historic district?
Our state historic district, with oversight by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), plays the most important role in preserving our historic resources. The National Historic Landmark is great to have, but it has no teeth. If we do not treat our historic assets properly, our Landmark status could be threatened. Day-to-day oversight of our historic properties is the responsibility of our HPC.
4. Jackson Hamlet, located in the Pinehurst ETJ, has explored pursuing a Historic Resources Survey, with the possible intent to create a National Register District. Other local communities have funded efforts to survey historically underrepresented communities with sources of funding such as grants from the National Park Service or the National Trust. How do you see Pinehurst supporting Jackson Hamlet in this effort?
I attended a meeting in Jackson Hamlet several years ago when they first were considering becoming a National Historic District. I recall a law firm from the Raleigh area that was willing to help them. At that time, I recall wondering how the Village of Pinehurst could spend public funds on this Jackson Hamlet endeavor. I would need to get up to speed on what has happened in Jackson Hamlet over the past few years to further their efforts. Village staff may have some thoughts, and I still have my points of contact in Jackson Hamlet.
5. Pinehurst is currently not a Certified Local Government. The CLG program is a state and federal program that provides annual training to Historic Preservation Commission members and Planning Staff as well as matching grant opportunities to their respective communities. Other Historic Preservation and Historic District Commissions in Moore County are CLGs, yet Pinehurst is not. Do you support Pinehurst pursuing CLG status?
I’m curious as to why Pinehurst is not a CLG. I would need to talk with [partners], as well as with Village staff, to understand why Pinehurst isn’t a CLG. If it makes sense, I believe Pinehurst should pursue this status. If you have any additional information, I would appreciate your providing it to me as soon as possible.
6. Would you support the establishment of a town capital fund to pay for the preservation of historic public spaces and infrastructure (i.e. steps, alleys, certain streetscapes, bridges, walls, trees, fences, curbs, streets, etc….)? Why or why not? If so, what size fund would you recommend?
The Village budgets in accordance with the desires of the public. In all of our budgeting, I have seen no request for a capital fund to pay for historic preservation and infrastructure. I attribute this to the fractured relationship between the Village and the National Park Service since 2002. I am all for elevating the public’s awareness of our historic assets. I often think about the thousands of people who have moved here since 2002 who have no idea of Pinehurst’s unique and valuable history. If we don’t educate the public, we should lose our historic character. Until we elevate their awareness, it will be challenging to appropriate significant funds for historic preservation. If we indeed get to establish a task force to deal with our historic assets, perhaps a capital fund can be a topic on their agenda.
7. Would you support the establishment of a historic preservation tax abatement? This could be a 10-15 year abatement to incentivize historic preservation anywhere in the town. Why or why not?
The Village insists on making fact-based decisions. I would need more facts to be able to make a decision about this tax abatement.
8. What is your favorite historic building in Pinehurst (older than 1973) and why?
Do I have to have a favorite? They all have unique histories. When Council was reviewing the Village Chapel’s plan to expand, I worked with the Chapel on developing a document entitled, “Village Chapel: Then and Now.” What I learned through that process was fascinating. But, I also love the Holly Inn, because James Walker Tufts built it in six months! Then, there is the Department Store building and the Casino Building. Then the steam plant that became Pinehurst Brewing Company. It’s impossible to choose when they all have their own histories and character.
Pinehurst’s history (and not just with respect to golf) is its greatest asset, and preservation should be its highest priority, save only the interest of residents and their quality of life.
