CHINA GROVE — In his bid for Town Council, Arthur Heggins says he wants to help bridge a gap between town government and the residents it serves.

Heggins, 67, is one of five people running for a seat on the council in his first bid for elected office. He runs Wash Me Detail Shop in China Grove, and he is also a retired N.C. Department of Transportation employee and retired pastor.

Heggins said he was encouraged by people in the community to run for office.

“After talking with individual citizens, I felt I needed to be their voice,” he said.

There’s a disconnect, he said, between China Grove’s town government and residents. In some cases, it’s as simple as disagreements between merchants and Town Hall, he said.

“We should be more interested in what’s better for the community than our own personal agendas,” he said.

He declined to give specifics.

Previously, Heggins has served on the town Planning Board and Board of Adjustments. He’s a past president of the China Grove Civitan Club and past president of the parent-teacher associations for China Grove Middle School and South Rowan High School. He served on the board of directors for the State Employees Association.

He graduated from the former Dunbar High School in East Spencer and received a bachelor’s degree from Shaw University.

Heggins and his wife, Vanessa, have three sons, one daughter and six grandchildren.

The China Grove Town Council election will result in at least one new elected official. Three of the five Town Council spots will appear on the November ballot, and only two incumbents filed to run for re-election. Incumbent Mike Upright decided not to run.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246