Q&A: City Council candidates Linda Rhodes and Louis Williams

Voters in Sanford will choose on Nov. 4 between Democratic incumbent Linda Rhodes and Republican challenger Louis Williams in the 2025 municipal race for an at-large seat on the Sanford City Council. Early voting begins on Thursday, October 16. The Rant asked five questions to Rhodes and Williams, and their answers are printed as received below.

Introduce yourself – your name, age, professional background, why you’re running, and why you feel you’re qualified for the office you’re seeking.

Rhodes: My name is Linda Kelly Rhodes, and I retired in 2022 from UNC-Chapel Hill following a 32-year career with the General Alumni Association, the School of Social Work, and the Department of Athletics. I am 66, and used to think that was really old! I’m running because I believe in public service and that we benefit when we have multiple voices at the table. No one has all the answers, and I have the skills to cooperate with others and develop solutions to the challenges currently faced by cities and towns.

Williams: Hello Sanford. My name is Louis Williams. I’m 65 years old and I’m a carpenter by trade. I have also worked within the legal, retail and homeless sectors. I’m qualified for public office by virtue of being a US citizen. Voters can no longer afford to be apathetic about their own local governance. “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics (governance) is that you end up being governed by your inferior” — Plato

What three or four things would be your top priorities if you’re elected?

Rhodes: No.1: Growth is on everyone’s list. It can be considered “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” But it’s here, and we must manage it. No. 2: Infrastructure — roads, water, transportation and housing. No. 3: Continued economic development success — I know what it’s like to commute for more career opportunities. I want people to have the choice to work in Sanford. And how fortunate we are to have CCCC and their impact on our labor market. They are one of our greatest resources. No. 4: Public Safety and Quality of Life — supporting police, fire and EMS while investing in parks, recreation, and community spaces.

Williams: My campaign focus is to encourage all voters to participate in the local elections. Historically, the midterm and local elections indicate the lack of interest in the election cycle.

I am in favor of physical town hall meetings. While the city has made meetings available online, it limits public access by virtue of space. The public should know and fully participate in the planning of projects before seeking contracts and not just in the paying process.

Sanford lacks sufficient dining and entertainment options. Citizens have concerns about venues for the entire family. Funding for schools, which is in county control, business owners are frustrated by the council’s tabling issues and then never following up.

Growth has been a major issue in Sanford over the past few years, and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon. What are some of the challenges you see associated with this growth, and what role do you think the city council should play in addressing them?

Rhodes: One of our challenges is maintaining our “Sanford way of life” and not becoming a cookie-cutter community. Thoughtful planning is key—directing growth into designated areas while protecting historic neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and natural spaces. Investing in walkable downtowns, greenways, and community gathering places fosters a sense of connection.

Smart infrastructure, including efficient transit, sustainable housing, and modern utilities ensure growth is managed without overwhelming existing systems. Strong design standards and architectural guidelines can protect Sanford’s unique look and feel. Most importantly, involving residents in decision-making builds trust and ensures new development reflects community values. By combining innovation with tradition, growth becomes an opportunity to strengthen our identity. This balance allows us to welcome new people and businesses while remaining a place that feels authentic, livable, and proud of its history.

To build a strong city, you can’t just look ahead and grow for the sake of growing. Long-time residents that have invested their lives here deserve to feel valued and appreciated. We welcome newcomers and their opportunities, but we must ensure those that built our community are included in the decision-making process and benefit from the progress. That means protecting established neighborhoods, supporting legacy businesses, and making sure city services are fair and accessible to all. Growth shouldn’t come at the expense of our traditions. Instead, growth should supplement what we already have. Sanford is proud of where we have been and excited about where we are going.

Williams: The spur in growth is going to change the community in ways that will make Sanford more like the Triangle, isn’t why they made Sanford their home. The city will be impacted on various aspects. Healthcare, education, infrastructure, traffic. I suggest open forums and discussion. Voter’s don’t feel that their opinion or ideas matter and that the old guard will do whatever it wants. This leads to a limited mindset and stagnation even in the midst of growth.

What issues are you hearing about from the people of Sanford as you campaign for this seat? What ideas do you have to address them?

Rhodes: Residents feel dissatisfied and disappointed with government because they believe their voices aren’t being heard, decisions take too long, or leaders are out of touch with everyday concerns.

Trust is built when leaders listen, act transparently, and show results. That’s where I choose to make a difference. I believe in being accessible and open, not only during election season. By answering questions directly and keeping residents informed, I can make sure people feel included in the process. I also want to focus on practical solutions to the issues that affect daily life—such as housing, jobs, safety, and infrastructure—rather than creating divisive political distractions. My current role in city council is to bridge the gap between residents and government, to bring their concerns into every decision, and to follow through with accountability. By working together, we can restore trust and ensure government is responsive, efficient, and working for the people it serves.

Residents are frustrated that city council races are partisan, when for years they worked effectively without party labels. People see national issues working their way into local issues, creating discord in a place where neighbors should be working together. Local government is about solving problems – fixing roads, supporting public safety, maintaining parks, and planning for growth – not about party loyalty. When you ask candidates to take an oath to a political party or you summon them to a “kangaroo political party court proceeding,” you are no longer interested in public service. You are interested in self-service.

I am a Democrat and my campaign manager, Richard Porter, is a Republican and many of my supporters are Republicans. My focus is on the residents of Sanford, not political parties. That means listening to all residents, respecting different viewpoints, and making decisions based on what benefits all of Sanford, not what fits into a political agenda. My leadership style is transparent, accessible, and accountable. I work every day to restore confidence and maintain a common-sense approach that puts residents first.

Williams: I’m concerned for the overall health of our community. Developers are racing to build where their money can sway property owners towards their designs. Profit! When the nation’s largest development company DR Horton starts buying up land, smaller corporations follow suit. Imagine over 30,000 new homes in a county of 32,000. If each household averages 2.5-3 people per, the population will TRIPLE. But what’s the real cost to those who live and work here? Expansion on the outskirts but no revitalization of older neighborhoods is akin to allowing an open wound to fester and thinking it will heal itself and not require resources intended for elsewhere. Ward 3 has vacant houses and lots, houses in disrepair, almost constant police presence due drugs, prostitution and vagrants. The city is spending millions building a new agriculture facility, while commercial derelict buildings sit idle and decay a few yards away. The vagrants know what to do with these structures. Jonesboro has a strip mall with more than 60% vacant business spaces. A solution for Jonesboro would be make a dining/entertainment area and social district. There’s ample parking and accessible from all directions. Ward 3 would benefit from community gardens on vacant lots, incentivize the updating or selling of abandoned properties so new home buyers can invest in their community and give the criminal element no place to hide. Then the resources spent in policing and apprehending criminals can be rerouted to more benevolent uses. When the poorest of neighborhoods prosper and thrive the rest of the city will thrive even more. We would also benefit from alternative living structures that could make home ownership obtainable for those with fewer resources.

Let me not forget that we have a dense Latin community that is still somewhat detached. With concerted effort, I know we can improve our relationship with that segment and make this city all inclusive.

Are there any issues you’ve thought about that most people might not be aware of, and that you anticipate the council will need to address in the coming years? What are they, and what do you think the council should do about them?

Rhodes: These issues may not sound exciting, but can directly impact property values, safety, and quality of living.
1. Stormwater and Flooding – Poor drainage can damage property and roads.
Approach: Invest in stormwater systems and educate residents on prevention.
2. Sidewalks and Connectivity – Gaps in sidewalks affect safety, especially for children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Approach: Prioritize walkability in planning and secure grants for improvements.
3. Aging Infrastructure – Old water, sewer, and electrical systems often fail unexpectedly.
Approach: Develop long-term replacement plans to prevent emergencies and rising costs.
4. Traffic Flow & Road Safety – Intersections, speeding, and poorly timed signals frustrate drivers and increase accidents.
Approach: Use traffic studies and community feedback to guide improvements.
5. Parks & Green Spaces – Without care, they decline and lose their value to families and neighborhoods.
Approach: Regular maintenance and community partnerships keep them vibrant.
6. Technology & Broadband – Unequal internet access limits education and business opportunities.
Approach: Expand broadband infrastructure and promote digital inclusion.

Thank you for taking the time to read these thoughts. I look forward to great days ahead and am grateful to live in Sanford. If you have questions, comments, or complaints please reach out. I can be reached at landcrhodes@icloud.com or 919.353.1186. I look forward to hearing from you. I will close by saying thank you again, and please vote! Early voting begins on October 16 and continues until Saturday, November 1 at 3 p.m.

Election Day is November 4.

Williams: I want to remind voters that WE are the government. Public office is an opportunity to serve the public as employees not controlling bosses. What benefits the most is the best for all.

We are experiencing a whirlwind of change and we pay for it in multiple ways. Don’t “We The People” get a say in our own future?

Shouldn’t our common goal be preserving the lifestyle and community that made Sanford and not have it become the southern point of the Triangle, aka the Diamond? I believe that Sanford as a unique opportunity to become the model of a self sustainable region, with farming and industry work side by side for the entire state and possibly the nation.

Let’s make government make sense.

I ask for your vote November 4.