SPENCER — In his first election in 2011, Jim Gobbel was surprised to be the top vote-getter for the Spencer Board of Aldermen and earned the office of mayor pro tem.
Now, Gobbel hopes he will have similar support from the community as he seeks a second term.
“There is still much work to be done, and continuous improvement must be the norm,” he said.
If re-elected, Gobbel, 62, said his top priorities will be Spencer Woods, revitalizing the downtown business district and looking out for residential neighborhoods.
Both Spencer Woods and the town’s new Small Town Main Street program are off to an exceptional start, he said.
“Overwhelming support and participation from Spencer residents and our friends throughout Rowan County have pushed both projects along much faster than I would have ever dreamed,” Gobbel said. “I am pleased with the progress to this point and confident that both projects will serve Spencer well.”
Gobbel said he would work to enhance the quality of life in Spencer’s neighborhoods by first recognizing a problem and then doing all that is possible to ensure safety and well-maintained property.
“Code enforcement is an absolute necessity,” he said.
He said he will continue to offer suggestions to fellow aldermen and support town staff in an effort to address properties that are out of compliance.
Gobbel said he also will encourage community involvement and promote quality development in residential areas and the business district. He said he supports a progressive environment where Spencer can meet its current needs while preserving its historic past.
Retired from Miller Brewing Company in Eden, Gobbel is a high school graduate. He’s involved with Home Town Holidays, Small Town Main Street, Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization, LandTrust for Central North Carolina and Spencer Community Appearance Commission.

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.