Taylor is from Louisiana. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and religious studies from Tulane University and a master's and a doctorate in social psychology from the University of Denver. She lives with her husband and their two children in Hickory.

Taylor is a professor of psychology at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Prior to that she was a faculty fellow for the Appalachian College Association and an assistant professor of psychology at Central College in Pella, Iowa.

Taylor Newton Lelewski (Hickory City Council Ward 5, North ...

Taylor's campaign for Hickory City Council Member, Ward 5, is her first entry into politics. 

- Supports affordable housing initiatives.

Economy

As of July 31, 2025, Taylor Newton Lelewski’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Believes affordable housing is "one of the most urgent and complex challenges we face" and supports using "every tool in the toolbox" to ensure local middle- and lower-income families can afford to stay in the area.

Supports the council's decision to dissolve the Hickory Housing Authority and transfer its responsibilities to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, calling it "a bold, pragmatic move in the best interest of the city."

- Believes affordable housing is "one of the most urgent and complex challenges we face" and supports using "every tool in the toolbox" to ensure local middle- and lower-income families can afford to stay in the area.
- Supports the council's decision to dissolve the Hickory Housing Authority and transfer its responsibilities to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, calling it "a bold, pragmatic move in the best interest of the city."

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

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Taylor Newton Lelewski

Buket Urgen

Arnita M. Dula (Hickory City Council Ward 5, North Carolina ...

Arnita M. Dula is originally from Richmond, Virginia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a master’s degree in public school administration from Appalachian State University, and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has volunteered on several nonprofit boards, including the Women’s Resource Center, Exodus Homes, and the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center. She lives in Hickory, North Carolina, where she is an ordained minister at Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church.

Arnita currently works as an attorney at Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham LLP, representing municipal clients. She previously served as deputy city attorney for the City of Hickory and as a hearing officer for Guilford County Schools. Earlier in her career, she worked as a principal and assistant principal in Hickory Public Schools

Arnita's campaign for Hickory City Council Member, Ward 5, is her first entry into politics. 

As of July 31, 2025, Arnita M. Dula did not have a website or any information online.

Supports expanding Hickory’s Affordable Housing Initiative by partnering with additional local developers and continuing urgent repair and rehabilitation programs.

- Supports expanding Hickory’s Affordable Housing Initiative by partnering with additional local developers and continuing urgent repair and rehabilitation programs.

Plans to secure multiple funding sources, including grants and state loans, to replace aging water and sewer infrastructure and build a new water treatment plant.

- Plans to secure multiple funding sources, including grants and state loans, to replace aging water and sewer infrastructure and build a new water treatment plant.

Arnita M. Dula

Councilman David Zagaroli - Ward 5 | City of Hickory

David Zagaroli is from Owosso, Michigan. He has a bachelor of science from Michigan State University. He lives with his wife, Nancy, and their four children in Hickory.

Mayor Hank Guess, Councilman David Zagaroli reelected in Hickory ...

David is currently a councilman on the Hickory City Council, representing Ward 5. He was first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2021. 

As of July 31, 2025, David Zagaroli did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to focus on enhancing local parks and recreational facilities.

- Plans to focus on enhancing local parks and recreational facilities.

David Zagaroli

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Joshua Ledford (Hickory City Council Ward 5, North Carolina ...

Joshua was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina. He earned an associate’s degree from Broward College and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Florida Atlantic University. He is lives in Hickory, North Carolina.

Joshua currently works as a lead service design analyst at Lumen Technologies. He previously worked as a forecaster at Lumen Technologies, a coordinator in product sales support and analysis at Comcast, a sales representative at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, and as a fleet operations client services associate at Wright Maritime Group.

Joshua Ledford's campaign for Hickory City Council Member, Ward 5, is his first entry into politics.

Plans to help small businesses thrive through targeted incentives and streamlined regulations.

Supports state-level policies to make healthcare affordable and support local initiatives to create healthcare jobs.

- Plans to help small businesses thrive through targeted incentives and streamlined regulations.
- Supports state-level policies to make healthcare affordable and support local initiatives to create healthcare jobs.

Supports revitalizing Union Square to attract new businesses and restaurants.

Supports revitalizing Union Square to attract new businesses and restaurants and create more inviting public spaces.

- Supports revitalizing Union Square to attract new businesses and restaurants and create more inviting public spaces.

Plans to expand safe housing options through innovative zoning, developer incentives, and public-private partnerships.

- Plans to expand safe housing options through innovative zoning, developer incentives, and public-private partnerships.

Advocates for increased funding for community policing, emergency services, and drug task forces to address substance abuse, including the opioid crisis.

- Advocates for increased funding for community policing, emergency services, and drug task forces to address substance abuse, including the opioid crisis.

Plans to prioritize road maintenance, optimizing traffic flow, and enhancing pedestrian and public transportation options, particularly around key areas like Highway 321 and North Center Street.

- Plans to prioritize road maintenance, optimizing traffic flow, and enhancing pedestrian and public transportation options, particularly around key areas like Highway 321 and North Center Street.

Supports investing in early childhood education.

Supports expanding trade offerings in public schools.

Supports arts and music classes in public schools.

- Supports investing in early childhood education.
- Supports expanding trade offerings in public schools.
- Supports arts and music classes in public schools.
- Supports raising teacher pay.

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Joshua Ledford

Kevin Gaylord (Hickory City Council Ward 5, North Carolina ...

Kevin attended Wando High School and Trident College. He lives in Hickory, North Carolina.

Kevin currently works as the founder and strategic operations consultant at OpsSherpa. He previously served as president of The Systems Depot, vice president of operations at Guardian Protection Products, director of operations at Gaia Herbs, general manager at Ashley Furniture Homestores, and director of new business development and client services at AT&T.

Kevin's campaign for Hickory City Council Member, Ward 5, is his first entry into politics. 

As of July 31, 2025, Kevin Gaylord did not have a website or any information online.

Kevin Gaylord

- City council members work together to set and implement city policy. 
- The city council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city.
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 