Dianne Berry, Kannapolis City Council candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 4, 2025 election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Dianne Berry
Birthdate: Sept. 1, 1954
Campaign website or social media page: Dianne Berry on Facebook
Occupation Retired - Cabarrus Co Public Health Authority (Human Resources) Current NC Licensed Medicare Agent
Education A. L. Brown High School (Kannapolis, NC); King’s College (Charlotte, NC) UNC School of Government (Clerk’s Certification Program)
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held) Kannapolis City Schools Board of Education (2012); Elected to Kannapolis City Council
Please list your highlights of civic involvement Kannapolis City Council Member 2013 - present; RIDER Transit Board Member 2015-present; Cabarrus Co Jury Commission 2017-2025; UNC Animal Care and Use Program Board Member at NC Research Campus; Kannapolis Rotary Club Board Member 2014-2021; President - Firefighters’ Burned Children’s Fund - Kannapolis Chapter.
What are the most important issues facing Kannapolis today, and how would you address them? The backlash of rapid housing growth, with so many commitments still out there. This does not have to be a race to the finish line. Kannapolis needs thoughtful planning for future development. A careful, deliberate and well though-out plan on how we envision our future in term of growth, which maintaining a balance to provide what our citizens want and what they need. We must find a way to cut costs, cut property taxes. Between the city and the county, it’s hurting us all.
Development, particularly downtown, has changed Kannapolis significantly over the previous several years. What’s your opinion on how growth and development is changing what things feel like living in Kannapolis? And what’s your vision of what Kannapolis should look and feel like in the next few years? Rapid housing growth, which has created a continuous cycle of the city trying to keep up with infrastructure to support the growth, a population explosion which has resulted in more traffic, roads and streets damage, increased crime, more calls for Fire and Police which the staffing numbers do not seem to increase. Many of our citizens are not happy with these drastic changes. There must be a halt while City Leaders and Council and try to figure out how we can fix this monster we have created.
How would you support improving parks, recreation and community spaces in Kannapolis?
I will always support our parks and I take great pride in our parks. But I also think that in today’s world, we need a police officer presence during operational hours, at every location or a parent or guardian must be present, and that needs oversight. Kannapolis does need more, like a community center. A central location downtown that draws our citizens from young to older, who can come together in a safe location that promotes a sense of fellowship. With growth, we are losing that more and more. This will continue to be my goal.
Why should voters choose you over others who are in the race?
I am one of 3 incumbent candidates for a 4-year seat. I guess the only reason I hope our voters would support my candidacy for re-election is because after I hear what our citizens need, whether it be opposing a neighborhood annexation or pleading with the city (again) to reduce the property tax rates, I listen to ME, what my conscious and heart tells me to do for the citizens of Kannapolis. And I will always be on their side. This is not OUR city. It’s THEIR city. They deserve a voice and they deserve to be heard. Can we always do everything requested? Absolutely not. But they darn sure deserve an answer, a response. Council’s commitment to listen and try our best to help them. That’s what matters most!
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM.
