Kathy Boswell, Gastonia City Council Ward 2 candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 4, 2025, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Kathy Boswell
Age: 72
Campaign website or social media page: Kathy Boswell Gastonia City Council, Ward 2 (Facebook) Occupation: Retired
Education: Bachelor’s, Belmont Abbey College; Master’s, Montreat College
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held): No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement:
Past Volunteer Coordinator, Charlotte Wells Fargo Operations team; Past Gastonia Sister City Board Member; Current Gastonia Board of Adjustments Alternate; Current Gaston County Republican Party Treasurer; Various volunteer involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association, Susan G. Komen Foundation; American Heart Association Heart Walk
What are the most important issues facing Gastonia today, and how would you address them?
Protect and advance the financial well-being of our citizens. With the recent 9% property tax increase, is our money well-spent? Can we do better? An audit is required annually by every city; however, an in-depth forensic audit should be performed to account for all dollars spent in order to provide complete transparency to our citizens. This will go a long way in restoration of public trust and confidence.
Controversy arose earlier this year after residents, a council member and the mayor declared a cooling station set up for homeless residents and others without adequate heating and cooling as unacceptable. What entity should take the lead on protecting Gastonia’s most vulnerable during extreme heat or cold, and how can city and county leaders, and partner organizations, better work together?
A coordination of church, veteran, and non-profit organizations should be established to streamline communication and activities. Gastonia should be a stakeholder in this coordination but should enlist an organization better suited, such as the United Way, Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries as the driver. Many times, the needs of the homeless are not just heating or cooling, but there may be medical/dental issues, food or appropriate clothing needs as well.
How should Gastonia address the growing need for affordable housing in the area? Currently, there are a number of developments scheduled or are underway that are promoted to be affordable housing. Is that going to meet the current need of the community? A concerted effort working to provide streamlined permit processes for developers, along with engaging non-profit organizations to provide access to alternative financing for working citizens should be actively established.
Why should voters choose you over others who are in the race?
As a fiscal conservative, I am committed to listen, serve and represent my community with integrity. With a career in construction project management and property management, I know how to prioritize work and drive for a return on investments by strengthening our city services and infrastructure. We should be positioning Gastonia for greater economic development for future growth and prosperity of our citizens. We have great people and a great place to live, but we can do better.
