By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SPENCER — With Mayor Jody Everhart choosing not to run for re-election, town board member Jim Gobbel is vying for the spot against three other candidates.

Gobbel, 64, is the town’s current mayor pro tem, a position he has served in for four years. He also represents Spencer on the Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization.

If elected to the mayor’s spot, Gobbel says he hopes to focus on the appearance of residential and commercial areas, attract business to the town, support the N.C. Transportation Museum, maintain communication with state legislators and create a more cohesive environment in Spencer.

“If elected mayor, I will offer a proactive leadership approach, fueled by a personal desire and commitment to serve the town of Spencer,” he said. “I would be honored to continue serving Spencer as mayor. There’s plenty of work to do.”

He said the city needs to strengthen building codes that are currently ineffective, seek innovative methods to be more business friendly and partner with neighboring municipalities on initiatives to improve the quality of life in Spencer.

Gobbel attended Spartanburg Technical College and Rowan Technical College. He is retired from Miller Brewing Co.’s distribution department in Eden.

He has previously served on the Spencer Planning Board as the vice chairman. He attends First Baptist Church in Spencer and is a member of Spencer HomeTown Holidays Committee.

Gobbel and his wife Marla have two sons and three grandsons.

Other candidates running for Spencer mayor include Bob Oswald and Scott Benfield.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.