Melinda Zimmerman appointed as Valdese Ward 2 council representative

Melinda Zimmerman was appointed Monday night as Valdese Ward 2 council member, effective Jan. 13, the date of Valdese Town Council’s January meeting.

A lifelong resident of Valdese, Zimmerman will be sworn in at the beginning of the meeting and immediately take her seat at the council table.

The decision by the Valdese council to appoint Zimmerman as its Ward two representative was unanimous. The action came during the council’s preagenda meeting. Zimmerman was the sole applicant for the slot.

Rexanna Lowman made the motion to appoint Zimmerman. It was seconded by Glenn Harvey.

Zimmerman attended Monday’s preagenda meeting. She has attended most of the Valdese council meetings and public workshops in the past year, Lowman said during her motion. The seat had remained vacant since the resignation of Roger Heavner on Oct. 28, who was appointed on Oct. 7 to fill the seat after Paul Mears moved to Morganton.

“I’m excited,” she said after the vote.

Zimmerman was the Director of Pharmacy at Broughton Hospital for 12 years where she managed a department of 20 staff with an oversight of $2.5 million department budget.

When asked what qualifications would make her an asset to the town, Zimmerman noted her experience as a department leader with the new Broughton Hospital building project from 2012 to 2019.

During her time there, she served on four hospital committees. Additionally, she has served as a pharmacist member on the Burke County Board of Health (2013-2021).

Involved in the community, she also serves in the following public service organizations:

• Treasurer of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Valdese since 2022
• Treasurer of United Women in Faith at FUMC since 2009
• Burke United Christian Ministries soup kitchen since 2021

“I have the opportunity over the past 12 to 18 months to observe the council situation,” Zimmerman said recently. “I’m just ready for things to move forward. I’m a lifetime Valdese resident. I just want to see good things keep happening.”