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."