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Community remembers Kannapolis councilman

Photo by James Nix

Richard Anderson in 2008, when he participated with the Independent Tribune's special series, Pillowtex: Five Years Later.

By Ben McNeely | Media General

Published: November 22, 2009

KANNAPOLIS — Richard Anderson was in good spirits on the phone two weeks ago.

"I'm optimistic and I'm going to keep going like I usually do," he said in a hoarse voice. "Whatever happens, happens."

Anderson had just been diagnosed with cancer on Halloween. He died last Monday night, at the age of 73, after completing a chemotherapy treatment last week.

At his funeral on Friday, friends remembered Richard as a "child of God," one who was firm in his faith and his beliefs. Doris Buchanan, Richard's Sunday school teacher at Trinity United Methodist Church, eulogized him, saying "Was Richard right all the time? Absolutely not." That line got laughs.

But if you knew Richard Anderson, you understood her reasoning. Richard was opinionated, to say the least, and he didn't mind telling you where he stood. And he didn't mind asking you where you stood.

He often would vote against his fellow council members, not out of spite, but based on his own principles.

He was often the voice of dissent on the council; he fit the role and played it well. He was often the dissenting voice in budget talks and refused to go along with a budget that raised taxes or wasn't revenue-neutral.

He pushed for the city's Christmas parade to be moved back to the day time, and for the city to take it over. He was concerned for the safety of children (there are dark spots along Main Street), and he thought $10,000 was too much to pay the Cabarrus Events Association to organize a parade. This year, Kannapolis took back the reins of the Christmas parade.

He didn't use e-mail and often dropped by the city offices on Oak Avenue to talk with city staff in person. He also made his circuit around town and could be seen at Hardee's and the Lane Street Grill, chatting it up with his most important constiuency.

But even if you were polar opposites on an issue, Richard still liked you. He respected you. You could still work with Richard. And that says a lot about him and the city council he sat on for so many years.

Yeah, Richard could be polarizing, but he didn't mind that. He was who he was and that was that. It was apt and fitting that he wanted Elvis Presley's version of "My Way" played for his friends and family at his funeral. Richard did everything his way.

Like him or not, though, Kannapolis has lost a tireless advocate who loved the city as he loved his family. And City Council will be hard-pressed to find someone who is as dedicated to public service in these high-stakes political times.

This is also a chance for City Council to appoint new blood, someone with new ideas and to establish a new line of leadership for the future.

And it wouldn't be too bad if they appointed someone in the same vein as Richard Anderson — the agreeable dissenter.

• Contact Web reporter Ben McNeely: 704-789-9131