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I am Carmen Eckard: mother, wife, publisher of
Foothills Digest and citizen of Hickory.
I’m running for council because I’m raising my
two sons in Hickory and when they are choosing
their careers, I want it to be thriving and full of
opportunity. Our area took a hard hit when the
economy crashed, and while we are recovering, I

still see a long road ahead of us, and
I want to help every way I can.
I’m also running because a lot
of people I’ve spoken to feel
like their voices aren’t being
heard and they aren’t being
represented.

In a Council style government, I think two things
are hugely important but often ignored:
The first is that the group provides a conversation
based on many different perspectives.
The second is that elected representatives should
be speaking for their constituents instead of
pushing their own political viewpoints.

I promise that as your Councilwoman, I will:
Listen to your problems.

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I moved here 15 years ago after graduating with honors
as a Teaching Fellow from Appalachian State University.
I am married to Jon Eckard of Eckard Photographic. We
have two boys, Maxwell (8) and River (5).
Together, we’ve operated Eckard Photographic, a
commerical photography business. This has given us the
oppportunity to see many businesses up close, and I feel
we have both a birdseye and a backstage view of the region
at large. You can see this work at Eckardphotographic.
com.
Two years ago we started the magazine Foothills
Digest, which covers Art, Culture, History, Food and
Events across the foothills region. This has put us in
direct contact with the many things that make this

area wonderful, and it also has introduced us to other
cities who tackle similar problems. Our network is ever-
expanding, and I know I can be of use as the City of
Hickory seeks solutions that will guide us into the future.
I think if you look at an issue of Foothills Digest, you will
see that I have a knack for listening to stories and artfully
bringing them to a wider audience. I promise to approach
being your Councilwoman with the same vigor and
dedication. You can visit our site foothillsdigest.com or you
can stop by our office at 42 3rd St NW, where we keep free
copies available. The magazine is available in most major
chains in Western North Carolina.
As small business owners, we
understand the struggles that many
people are facing and I want to
activiely seek solutions that help the
city thrive.

We are Ward 1.
Our city is split
into 6 wards, each
represented by one
Councilman. This
year, Wards One
through Three are up for
re-election.
Our City was one of the first to
enact a Council-Manager style
government, which means that a
Council hires and oversees a City
Manager and sets policy, while the
City Manager is in charge of the actual
operation of the city.
On October 8, we will have a Primary, where

each of the three races will be narrowed down to two
candidates. You will vote only for your ward in this primary
(I hope you’ll vote for me). Early voting for the Primary
begins on September 18. On November 5, the general
election will be held, and during that time, you will vote
for each of the three open seats. That is because we have
a policy called At-Large Voting, which I address on my
website carmenforcouncil.com.
Ward 1 is my favorite ward in the city...it houses the SALT
Block, Lenoir-Rhyne University, wonderful restaurants and
recreation like golfing and the City Rec Center. But the best
thing about Ward 1 are the neighborhoods, made up of
people like you me.
I’m excited to meet all of you, my neighbors, and I hope that
you’ll always feel comfortable talking with me about your
issues.

We Are In Need Of Systematic Improvements.
While there is much beauty to be found in Hickory, there
are a lot of improvements we need to make as well.
People are very concerned about our infastructure.
Sinkholes are a common occurance and the enormous one
on Highway 70 has been there almost 20 years, unrepaired.
Our sewage and storm water system are in need of attention
and we will pay for any lack of attention with additional
sinkholes. We need to address these issues.
People are also concerned about our job market, and the
lack of opportunities available for young people entering

the workforce. We need to continue
to focus on bringing new businesses
here, and helping existing businesses
thrive.
Affordable housing options are
becoming a scarce commodity, which

is a problem that will escalate if we don’t take action. Tied to
that issue is our measurable homeless problem. According to
Scallywag Magazine, Hickory’s homeless camp is the largest
per capita in the nation. Big problems call for big solutions,
and we need to unify the many groups working to address
this one.We also need to be seeking a solution that works for
homeless people AND the citizens of Hickory. We need to find
the spot where humanity meets reality and build the solution
there, and we need to do it quickly.
We also need systematic changes...most people are unsettled
when they realize the city is run by unelected people, and our
at-large ward voting is a relic of Jim Crow days.

Please visit my site www.carmenforcouncil.com. It’s full of
information about my goals as Councilwoman. In the blog
section, I address many different issues.
I hope you’ll like our Facebook Page as well. That’s the best
way to see what events we have coming up.

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meetings. We will voice our concerns and
get to know each other better. Nothing
boring, I promise.

September 18-Early Voting
October 8-Primary

November 5-General Election