By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

Fayetteville Mayor Mike Wheat surprised onlookers last week by announcing he will not seek reelection Nov. 2.

The next day, City Councilman Kenneth Steele announced he will seek to replace Wheat in the mayor's chair. And since Steele is up for reelection himself, that announcement leaves his seat up for grabs.

In qualifying this week, Steele has paid his qualifying fee to run for mayor, and two candidates have qualified to replace Steele in City Council Post 1.

Bill Talley, chairman of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission, and Paul Carter, owner of Fayette Family Billiards, have qualified.

Councilman Glenn Brewer is the only candidate so far to qualify for his Post 2 seat.

Qualifying ends today at 4:30 p.m. The qualifying fee for council is $180; for mayor it's $288.

Nov. 2 is election day. Voting times are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the city depot, 240 Lanier Ave. If you want to vote in the election, you must register by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 4.

For information phone 770-461-6029.

“I am a strong believer in term limits and I feel I must `walk the talk,' so my service as mayor will end when my term ends in December,” said Wheat, reading a prepared statement during the City Council's called meeting last week. He also cited a desire to “spend more time on business and family.”

“The city is in great hands because the staff's in great shape,” Wheat told The Citizen following the meeting.

Wheat, who has been mayor for nine years, left the door open for future political ambitions, saying he will probably run for some other office in the future. “I'll be around, but I just won't be mayor,” he said.

In his statement, Wheat thanked the city's staff, businesses and residents for their support during the last nine years, and urged continued support for the new mayor, who will take office in January.