KANNAPOLIS — In his bid for a seat on the City Council, Howard Boyd says he wants what’s best for the city without regard for party affiliation.

Boyd, 37, is a behavior management specialist for Cabarrus County Schools and one of seven people running for three open spots on the Kannapolis City Council, which is a nonpartisan office.

Boyd says he wants to see the city grow while building effective and collaborative dialogue among community members. Boyd said he wants to see all parts of the city represented in government.

“By working with community leaders and local law enforcement to encourage an open and sincere exchange of ideas, families will be empowered, crime will continue to decrease and it will aid in the promotion of safe neighborhoods,” he said in an emailed statement.

He used the Little Texas community as an example of positive change. Boyd said the community has united, established a neighborhood watch and build a good rapport with the Kannapolis Police Department. The neighborhood later saw crime rates decrease.

Boyd said he also plans to focus on economic growth and serving residents of Kannapolis.

“From all the community off North Cannon Boulevard to our neighborhoods feeding into Northwest Cabarrus and Kannapolis City Schools, let’s continue to grow, unite and thrive as a community and elect Howard Boyd Jr. for Kannapolis City Council,” he said in the emailed statement.

Boyd has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Johnson C. Smith University. He has been involved in a number of community organizations, including Love Week; Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America; the Alpha Leadership Institute; and the Cannon Memorial YMCA.

He has also coached youth and high school football.

Boyd and his wife, Lateisha, have one daughter and attend Elevation Church in Concord.

Contact associate editor Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.