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Editor’s Note: For coverage of the election, The Stanly News & Press sent questions to each group of candidates. We limited their responses to 200 words per answer. Answers appear as is, with the exception of editing for grammatical/spelling errors or length. This allows potential voters to see the candidates through their own words and gives equal opportunity for the candidates to respond. We gave candidates two weeks to email their answers back.
Linda Campbell is unopposed in her bid for mayor. Also unopposed are Robbie Cohen and James Lilly for City Council. Campbell provides her answers below.

1. Tell us a little about your background?

Linda Campbell: My name is Linda Campbell. I was born and raised in Norwood and have always lived in Norwood, I graduated from South Stanly High School, Stanly Community College, and Pfeiffer University.
I worked for Stanly County Social Services for 17 years in several different departments including Child Protective Services, Daycare Assistance and Emergency Services. I have also worked for the school system as a teacher at South Stanly Middle School and did an early retirement just last December. I am currently substituting in the schools as needed.

2. What has the council accomplished since you’ve been in office and why do you think voters should re-elect you?

Campbell: My interest in politics started around 2012 when I ran and was elected as a commissioner in Norwood. I served until 2018 as a commissioner and Mayor Pro-tem. I was again elected to serve as Mayor in 2020.
Since serving as Mayor, my board and I have been awarded over $9 million in grants for various projects for the town. We have successfully annexed several housing developments into town to add to the tax base for the town. We have completed a project downtown which is known as the downtown market area.
My board and I have contracted with company to do code enforcement and many improvements have been made throughout the town. We have made numerous repairs to the water and sewer infrastructure and most of these improvements have been completed with grant money.
The current board and myself have accomplished so many projects in the last four years that it is hard to recall all of them at once.

3. Why do you think you are the most qualified candidate for the position?

Campbell: I am, again running for Mayor in the 2024 election. I hope to continue this positive path of change and continue to make improvements to our town for the next four years. I enjoy serving my community and will continue to work to make Norwood a better place to live and work. I am committed to doing what I feel is best for all the citizens of Norwood while respecting each of them. I will continue to offer compassion and respect to the citizens of our community and will face tough decisions head on.

4. What do you think are the biggest issues most impacting residents in your community?

Campbell: I believe the biggest issues facing the residents of Norwood are the continued increases to our water and sewer rates. Four years ago we inherited water and waste water treatment system that had been patched and band aided for many years. There had not been any rate increases to these services for many years which explained the lack of care.
Our board made some hard decisions to remodel and update these systems which lead to increases in the services. In order to continue to provide water and sewer to Norwood, we had to do extensive work on our treatment plants. These projects came with a huge cost which forced us to increase the rates for several years.
I am happy to say that after years of increases to the water and sewer, this year we were able to continue services with no increases to the water or sewer rates. We hope to continue this course in the future. Norwood is different than other municipalities in our county, in that Norwood has its own source of water and sewer treatment. This can be an advantage for our town, but comes with a cost.

5. What would you focus on if you got elected/re-elected?

Campbell: If elected for another term as Mayor, I want to continue to focus on maintaining or reducing the water and sewer rates for the town and continue to work with code enforcement to address some of the areas of the town that are inhabitable. I will continue to work with the downtown business district to help improve the towns storefronts while maintaining the integrity of our small town. I will work to bring in other businesses and services to our town.
Our current board is currently working with the museum to help them by giving them more space for exhibits and this is something I want to see through. I will continue to be an advocate to our local recreational sports and hope to revamp our play equipment at the Almond Park to include equipment for kids with disabilities.
I have great confidence with this board, along with our Administrator Ray Allen, his dedicated staff at town hall and every other employee that works for our town, we can continue to assure that Norwood is a great place to live, work and play.