As noted by TheDNO, tonight marks the last Decatur city commission meeting of 2009, which means that this meeting will be the last for commissioner Mary Alice Kemp before she retires from her post.  Incoming District 2 commissioner Patti Garrett takes the reins as of January 4, 2010.

Feel free to write your well-wishes below!

It’s only July and the District 2 race is already heating up.

Last week, Kyle Williams came out with endorsements from Reps. Stuckey-Benfield and Abrams for his city commission campaign.  Today, Patti Garrett’s campaign announces two big endorsements of their own.

Here’s the release…

Decatur’s Mayor Bill Floyd and City Commissioner Mary Alice Kemp are supporting candidate Patti Garrett for the Decatur City Commission, District 2. Kemp is retiring from the contested South Decatur (District 2) seat at the end of 2009.

“I have known Patti for several years now,” Mayor Floyd said. “She is an intelligent and capable person whose dedication and involvement in her community, along with her willingness to work hard, will make her a great commissioner.”

“When Patti moved to Decatur years ago, she immediately began to volunteer her assistance to community events,” Commissioner Kemp said. “Her energy, leadership and joyous embrace of Decatur will serve us well as a City Commissioner.”

“I am grateful that these two people, whose hard work in service to our community I admire and respect so much, have chosen to support my campaign,” Garrett said. “It’s a vote of confidence in my intentions to continue and deepen their good efforts on behalf of the City of Decatur and especially South Decatur.”

Carl reports on Twitter that the Zoning Board of Appeals’ Kyle Williams will run for the Decatur City Commission District 2 slot (everything south of the tracks except Agnes Scott) to replace the out-going Mary Alice Kemp this fall. I sent an email to Kyle yesterday to confirm, but haven’t yet received a response.

No word on District 1 candidates yet.

Stay tuned.