Fayetteville

Mayor Mike Wheat surprised onlookers Tuesday by

announcing he will not seek reelection Nov. 2.

Wednesday

morning, 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

means neither his seat nor the mayor's will have an

incumbent in the race.

"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

Tuesday night. 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.

The text of

Wheat's statement follows:

"It

has been a pleasure and privilege serving the citizens of

Fayetteville and Fayette county as mayor of Fayetteville

for the past nine years. I have enjoyed support from many

individuals and organizations in our community over those

years, including the city's fine staff, many of the

businesses in the county and friends and neighbors.

"We

have come far in the past nine years and I am most proud

of the progress we have made on our Main Street vision.

Thanks to each and every one of you for your support and

your efforts on behalf of the city and the county.

"After

much reflection, I have decided not to seek another term

as mayor of Fayetteville. I have decided not to run so I

can spend more time on business and family. Also, 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. I know once the election is over this

fall and the new mayor takes office in January, we will

all support the new mayor in improving our community.

"I

will always have a passion for public service and, when

the time and issues are right and a strong conservative

voice is needed, I shall likely run for another elected

office.

"Thanks

again to all of you.