Break out the bunting, book the brass band, register the SuperPAC, and hire the press secretary. The first candidate for the soon-to-be-vacated commission seat currently occupied by The Great Bill Floyd(tm) has announced his intention to run. This just in from Decatur scion Scott Drake:

Although I knew we could not keep Mayor Floyd forever, I was reluctant to accept the idea that he would one day leave his seat on the Commission. Mayor Floyd’s shoes will be difficult to fill, but his approach, personality, actions, and service will provide a valuable footprint to follow for years to come.

After much thought and conversation among family and friends, I have decided that I would like to take this opportunity to serve the Decatur community and run for the District 1 Commission seat. Over the years I have had the pleasure of working closely with most City departments, the City Commission and City staff members. From projects in my professional life, service on many community and non-profit boards and service as President of Decatur Business Association, my interactions working with the City have been ones of professionalism mixed with small town sensibility.

As a City of Decatur business owner, a parent with two daughters in our fine school system, and with deep roots in the community, I feel this is an important opportunity for me to give back and help shape our future. I ask for your support in this time of transition and if given the opportunity to serve on the Commission, I hope to continue building on the foundation which so many in our community have contributed over the years.

Patch has a pic of a hand-written sign attached to Melrose on Ponce’s signage announcing that they are having a “Store Closing Sale” this Thursday through Saturday.  According to the report, overhead costs had become too much to keep the store open.

Owner Shirlyn Englisby will still be available for monogramming. She can be reached at MelroseOnPonce@gmail.com, according to the post.

Photo courtesy of Google Streetview

Winnona Park, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Alison)

UPDATE: According to City Manager Peggy Merriss, Bill Floyd does not plan on attending the City Commission next Monday.

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Next week’s Decatur city commission meeting should be an emotional one for all involved as current Mayor Bill Floyd resigns from the commission to take a job with the Pendleton Consulting Group. A 21-year member of the commission, and a 14-year tenure as mayor, Floyd is well-known throughout Georgia and well regarded amongst a great many of his constituents.

The void he leaves will be a sizable one to fill. And it’s a two step process.

In March, the city will hold a special election to fill Floyd’s seat on the commission. But first up, this coming Monday, the Decatur city commission will vote on who will be the city’s next mayor.

Who will it be? Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Baskett (first elected 1995)? District 2 Commissioner Kecia Cunningham (first elected in 1999)? District 1 Commissioner Fred Boykin (first elected in 2001)? Or District 2 to Commissioner Patti Garrett (first elected in 2009)?