Melinda Zimmerman — Valdese ward 2 council member

Full name

Melinda Pons Zimmerman

Age

58 years old

Education

Graduated from East Burke High School; Class of 1985, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Eschelman School of Pharmacy, class of 1990, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy

Current employer and job title

Retired from Broughton Hospital as director of pharmacy.

How long have you lived in the town/district/area you want to serve?

Born and raised in Valdese, returned after college and have lived in Valdese for 30-plus years.

Do you own your home?

Yes

How long have you lived at your current address?

We have lived in our current home for 28 years.

Why are you seeking election?

Since my appointment in January, we’ve made decisions on multiple projects that were stalled or being studied to death. My decision to run for election is based on wanting to stay engaged with and see these projects to completion, all the while looking for new opportunities that will bring financial, social, and economic success to our community.

If elected, what will be the primary focus of your first six months in office?

Because I’m already serving on the Town Council, I can be ready on day one to keep moving forward on projects already underway. In the first six months, I want to help the new council hit the ground running — focusing on collaboration, setting clear priorities, and ensuring we make measurable progress on initiatives that matter most to our residents.

If elected, what is the legacy you hope to achieve during your tenure in office?

My hope is that my community will see my sincerity in making the best decisions for our town, in being a wise steward of our finances for spending decisions and in making choices that allow our dedicated town staff and employees to thrive and succeed in their roles.

What are the three most pressing issues facing your community and how do you plan to address them?

Our town has a remarkable heritage, and I want everyone who lives here to be as proud as I am to say that they live in Valdese. We must continue moving forward on the decision points related to our public safety facilities, and this new council will be fully engaged in that process. The outcome will be facilities that will serve our residents for many years to come. Because we have a 125-plus year history, we also have aging infrastructure issues that can be addressed with sensible, cost-effective means. With an engaged and unified council, we can make the necessary decisions that will best meet the needs of our community.

Any additional comments?

Through living, family, and friendships, I have strong ties to all five wards of Valdese and don’t consider myself from one area or part of Valdese. I will represent all residents who call Valdese ‘home.’