Two members of the City Council, including Mayor Bill Ham, made it clear they will run for reelection this year at the City Council meeting on April 1.
Elections for Auburn city government officials are held on even-numbered years on the fourth Tuesday in August.
Councilman Arthur Dowdell prefaced his reelection announcement with a concern that he heard from a local preacher.
"I was in a meeting the other day and it was brought to my attention that someone had written to preachers in our community," Dowdell said. "I won't say the preacher's name, but they contacted me that someone from the city council has went in our community where I serve, asking people to run against me."
Dowdell promised that his supporters will "turn out in large numbers in every facet" on election day.
"You thought they weren't going to tell me?" Dowdell asked. "Since that happened, we are going to have the largest turn out in our community ever, you will see it."
Dowdell left promptly after the meeting adjourned, and could not be reached for further comment at the time of publication.
Ham, who has served as mayor for 16 years, was considering focusing on his business interests instead of running for the mayoral position again. He decided to run after a large group of business people in the community asked him to consider it.
If reelected, Ham wants to focus on the Renew Opelika Road project, the Downtown Master Plan project and school expansion.
"My biggest driving force is the schools," Ham said.
The number of students at Auburn city schools has doubled in the last 12 years, and is currently getting around 500 new students per year, according to Ham.
"A lot of people don't realize how important that is to the stability of the community," Ham said. "I pledge to find the solution."
A 9-mill property tax increase to fund a new high school failed in September of 2013.
If this is Ham's last time running for mayor, he doesn't know it.
"Well," Ham said. "I've learned never say never."
In other business, the Council:
* Approved a restaurant retail liquor license to Fink's. Finks will be opening on 230 North Gay St., previously the location of Brick Oven Pizza.
* Adopted the 2014 Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program. Auburn is estimated to receive around $430,000 from the grant.
* Approved easement of two properties to continue the Downtown Parking Phase 2A Project.
* Awarded six service pins and plaques.
* Recognized Jennifer Halverson as Employee of the Month
* Recognized Becky Richardson for being inducted into the United States Tennis Association Alabama Hall of Fame.
* Approved the purchase of new property for additional industrial sites for the Industrial Development Board.
* Reappointed Bill Sherling to the Library Board of Trustees.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
