Lynda Sossamon

Title: Mayor

Municipality: Town of Sylva

Position Interested In: Second Vice President

Tell us why you would like to serve in a leadership position at the League. In particular, specify goals you would like to accomplish as an officer or board member and indicate how, if attained, they will help to achieve Vision 2030 – the League’s future vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030.

I currently serve on the NCLM Board of Directors representing District 12. I am running for the 2nd Vice President position on the Executive Board. I want to serve as an advocate for small rural towns and I want to work to make them more viable. I believe serving on the Executive Board will give me a voice in doing this, not only for small towns but for all municipalities. I feel that the League of Municipalities is one of the greatest assets that NC cities and towns have and that the League's plan, Vision 2030, will help municipalities understand how to survive through challenges facing them today, especially after these past two unprecedented years of pandemic, and it will chart to way for municipalities to thrive.

Tell us about your experience as a municipal official. You may want to include information on your service on the municipal governing body, other related boards and special areas of interest.

I served as Sylva Town Commissioner for 8 years and as Vice Mayor for 2 of those years. I currently serve as Mayor of Sylva, I was first elected to that position in 2015. I am in my 7th year as Mayor. I also have serve as board member and chair of our water and sewer authority. I first became interested in town government in 1993, when Sylva was not thriving. I was a founding member of Sylva Partners in Renewal, an organization of business and community members that helped revitalize downtown Sylva, and worked with Town leaders to get Sylva designated as a NC Main Street Town in 1995. (Sylva is the smallest town in NC that received that full designation). I still work to make Sylva the best little town in NC!

Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities.

College Graduate with BS in Chemistry. Additional studies in Mathematics and Information Technology.

Work experience: Computer Operations Supervisor, Computer Programmer/Analyst at Western Carolina University, and Owning and Operating two retail business for over 30 years.

Civic and Community:

Local Hospital Foundation - Board and Gala Chair
Western Carolina University Friends of the Arts Advancements Council - Founding member and Chair
Mountain Projects (a Community Action Agency) - Board
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce - Board
Good Samaritan (free Health Clinic) - Board
First United Methodist Church of Sylva - various Committees, Choir, A/V coordinator
Kudzu Players (Community Theater) - Actor, Crew, President of organization

Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees?

CityVision Annual Conference
Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days
Legislative Goals Planning Events or Process
Regional Meetings
Legislative Lobby Days
Legislative Policy Committee
Affiliate Organizations: NC Mayors Association

Please provide any other information you would like the Nominations Committee to consider.

While on the the League Board of Directors, I have served as Co-Chair of the League's Legislative Committee in 2020-2021, and I currently serve on the Finance committee, and I am currently Co-Chairing the Legislative Policy Committee for this year.

Over the past year, I have developed a good working relationship with the Legislative members from our districts, Senator Kevin Corbin, and Representative Mike Clampitt, and their respective Legislative Assistants. This relationship might help with Legislative Policy advocacy.

I have enjoyed working as one with the League members to advance all municipalities in North Carolina.
I ask for your vote!
Thank you.