A.J. Clark

A.J. Clark, 50, who is the president of the Logan Community Association, has lived more than 30 years in the area and sees the benefit of National Night Out uniting communities.

"We're targeting the community to say this community has a vision and a plan to see changes throughout the community," he said as the smell of grilled hot dogs filled the air at Logan Gym where more than 100 people gathered.

A.J. Clark, 53, is the president of the Logan Neighborhood Action Program Association, an organization that advocates the betterment of the Logan community.

He was also a member of the Cabarrus County Human Relations Council and was a member of the Concord Stormwater Advisory Committee.

"Sometimes you know the time is right," Clark said of his reasons for applying for the seat.

He noted that over the years, he's worked with several council members and local leaders.

"I'm a community person," he said."I'm able to go from one community to another and find things in common with everyone."

He said the most important issues for Concord are ensuring a stable future water supply through the city's proposed interbasin transfer of the Catawba and Yadkin riverbasins, keeping taxes affordable for all residents and continuing economic development.

"A lot of my experience comes from just being a part of the community," he said.

A.J. Clark, president of the Logan Community Association, also spoke in favor of the proposed budget.

He thanked the city on behalf of the community association for working with the group to develop neighborhood improvement strategies and put them into place since the association formed in 1999.

Clark said positive changes are taking place in Logan thanks to input from the community association and the city.He urged city council members to approve the budget.