Mayor Charlie Watts reflects on 45 years serving Valdese

Mayor Charlie Watts, a man with a servant’s heart for Valdese, will not be running for reelection after 45 years with the town.

Once his term as mayor concludes, you’ll find him in trout streams, hiking trails, or traveling with his wife, Angela.

Since 1981, Watts has held an official role with the town, starting as a firefighter and then working up to the rank of chief in 1999. After he retired, he ran for mayor in November 2021 and has been in the role since.

He had kept his decision to not seek reelection private until the council’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 7. The morning after, Watts shared the inspiration behind his decision, one that he and his wife have discussed for the last six months.

“At the end of my current term, I will have 45 years of service to the town, and it’s like my dad told me, ‘You’ve done your part. It’s time to do something for yourself ... You’ve exceeded what most people would do,’” Watts said.

“I felt like I’d done what God wanted me to do. My tenure in the fire service was a calling, as is anyone’s in the fire service should be. It should be a calling. That’s not just a job; it becomes part of your heart. It’s because it’s that type of career, and the mayor’s job is no different. It has to be a calling. You have to have a servant’s heart to be able to do the job — both in the fire service and the mayor’s job.”

Many residents have wished him well in his new venture and thanked him for his service. “One person even said, ‘Always a gentleman’ or something like that. They don’t know me very well,” Watts said while laughing.

During his four years as mayor, Watts noted the following changes to the town:

• Old Rock School renovations
• Valdese Recreation Center renovations
• Berrytown Water Project
• Valdese and Lenoir Water Interconnection Project
• Growth and success of Lakeside Park

“These projects were ongoing or completed during my time as Mayor,” Watts said. “However, the success and completion of these projects are due to the hard work and dedication of the Town staff and our employees, with assistance from Western Piedmont Council of Governments and other outside agencies. The success of Lakeside Park is due to the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers.”

Watts made sure to be visible and approachable in the community as a chief and a mayor. He enjoyed helping people in their time of need.

NEXT MAYOR

When asked what he hopes to see in the next Valdese mayor, he reiterated the importance of a servant’s heart and the ability to take action to meet the town’s future needs.

He highlighted two of the pressing issues that will come before the new mayor:

“Our public safety building and being able to find good employees and keep them. Because unless they address our salaries, we will not be able to get good employees.”

From one mayor to another, he offered this advice:

• Be visible and approachable to everyone.
• Stand for what is right and just.
• Remember your employees (they are the ones who do the hard work).
• Public service is not about the title or position you hold; it is about the people you serve.

As the interview concluded, Watts urged Valdese residents to take an active role in choosing the town’s next mayor.

“The citizens need to step up and do their part, and vote. Take part in the governance of their town. They shouldn’t trust just anyone here. They need to step up and do their part. It’s fine to sit back and complain, but if you don’t do your part, you have no right to complain.”