Anna mayor says he won't seek reelection in 2011

Anna Mayor Steve Hartline said this week that he will not seek reelection in 2011.

Hartline formally announced his decision at this week's regular meeting of the Anna City Council.

The meeting was Tuesday evening at Anna City Hall.

Anna voters will elect a mayor and four city council members in April 2011.

Candidates have begun circulating nominating petitions for the election. The filing period is Dec. 13-20.

"I will not be seeking reelection for mayor," Hartline said Tuesday evening. Hartline said he also would not be running for a seat on the city council.

Hartline told the members of the city council that it had been a privilege to work with them. He wished all of them the best in the 2011 election.

"It's been a pleasure to work with you," city council member Ron Stamp said after hearing the mayor's announcement. City council member Martha Ann Webb echoed Stamp's comment.

Hartline has shared 31 years of his life with the city. He initially served as a police office and then as police chief for five years.

He has served as mayor for 14 years and as a city council member for two years.

Hartline voiced appreciation to all of  Anna's employees for their dedication and loyalty to the city.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hartline talked about his decision with The Gazette-Democrat.

Hartline said he considered it an "honor and privilege" to serve the citizens of Anna.

"I feel it is the right time to go on," he commented.

"I just want to thank all of the citizens for allowing me to serve," Hartline said. "I've always tried to do what was right for the city."

Hartline will serve as mayor through the end of April 2011.

During his service as mayor and as a council member, the city has developed a new police and fire department building, a new city hall and a new city garage.

(The city also is moving forward with plans for further improvements at the Anna City Park and along East Davie Street.

The mayor said he would  like to continue to work on issues which are important to the city.

Voter approval of a city sales tax is one issue Hartline said needs to be revisited. Voters in the city previously decided against such a measure.

Hartline said funding generated by such a tax would help the city to pay for special projects which otherwise would not make their way into the budget.

The mayor sees a sales tax as a fair way to generate revenue for the city, as opposed to possible increases in property tax. Hartline opposes a boost in the property tax.

Hartline works as a public service administrator at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna. He oversees security, investigations and life safety issues.

While announcing that he would not seek reelection as mayor, Hartline did not rule out running for another public office. He previously had run for a seat on the Union County Board of Commissioners.