KANNAPOLIS — Taking another shot at running for office, Dennis Johnson says the Kannapolis City Council needs to be more accountable to the people they represent.

Johnson, 62, is an Army veteran who now volunteers to take people to veterans hospital and clinics. Previously, he owned a landscaping business and worked as a truck driver.

This year, he is the only challenger to incumbent Mayor Darrell Hinnant.

In his bid for office, Johnson says business leaders have mesmerized the City Council “with high ideas of grandeur” that results in unanimous votes on many issues.

“We need more accountability of the individual on council to who they really represent,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he’s interested in the welfare of police officers and firefighters and that the city has enough to cover Kannapolis’ expanding borders. It’s as essential as building new water and sewer lines, he said.

Johnson also spoke about the importance of hard work.

“We must convey to our children that all they do today is the foundation for their working life ahead, and that to labor is not a dirty word,” he said. “Sweat is good when talent and skills are applied.”

Johnson is a California native who moved to North Carolina in 1987. He joined the Army at the age of 17 after quitting high school. He received his GED while off duty.

He ran for Kannapolis City Council in 2015 and for mayor in 2013.

Johnson and his wife, Andrea, have two children and two grandchildren.

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