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I support the Valdese town council members running for reelection: Frances Hildebran, Tim Barus, and Tim Skidmore. Valdese has been my hometown for 62 years. One of my favorite parts of living in Valdese is the way its citizens treat each other with kindness and respect. That includes our elected officials and town employees. That quality is at the heart of what bothers me about the climate of our current town council election. The WHO candidates’ stance is to constantly accuse our current council of everything from corruption and mishandling of money to failure to follow the law and failure to care about its citizens. These accusations aren’t true. The council is monitored by an attorney and is subject to oversight by state governing boards. The WHO candidates harass town officials and employees and use scare tactics about the current and future state of the town to try to get votes.

The WHO campaign style reflects many other campaign styles in our culture today.

Attack and divide. Our current council members are citizens who care about the issues that are important to the present and future of Valdese and its citizens.

We don’t need to be a one issue council with the theme of cutting taxes which will ultimately reduce vital services. We do need a council where members listen to each other and town residents with respect and concern. Here are just a few of the projects going on in Valdese that spotlight the work of the current council:

They are working on a plan to link our water system to the City of Lenoir. We will provide extra water to Lenoir which will provide extra revenue to Valdese.

They provide a year round aquatics and fitness center that provides for the good health and quality of life for Valdese and citizens of surrounding counties. People from toddlers to senior citizens are served, and no child is turned away from programs due to lack of financial means. As of Oct. 1, there were 444 active memberships at the Jimmy C. Draughn Aquatic and Fitness Center. From the winter of 2022 to the autumn of 2023, almost 800 children were active in the youth sports programs. Almost 200 children were enrolled in swim lessons. Our facility hosts swim meets for high school and local teams. There are many other special programs too, such as Silver Sneakers, Special Olympics, Fun Fishing, and the Great Waldensian Footrace.

They are providing new Valdese signs that reflect our heritage and are welcoming to residents and visitors.

Our past and current council members haven’t sought an increase in their stipend for at least 20 years. They don’t serve for money or power. They run because they have a calling to serve our citizens. Attend a town council meeting, and you will discover for yourself what the town council, mayor, and town manager are doing and planning. You will be welcomed.