Steve Ammons has dropped out of the runoff election for Vestavia Hills City Council Place-3. During the Aug. 23 election, incumbent Ammons received 2,333 votes, Paul Head recieved 2,546 and Robert DeBuys received 1,420. Because none of the candidates received more than 50 percent of the vote, Ammons and Head were set to face off again in a runoff election on Oct. 4.
Ammons released the following statement Wednesday:
"As a charter member of the Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary Club, I have always lived my life with the motto of 'Service above Self'. It is with that motto in mind that I called Paul Head this afternoon and congratulated him on a strong showing in yesterdays municipal election and informed him that I will not participate in the run-off election.
Voters in Vestavia Hills spoke loudly yesterday that a change was desired. While I am proud and will continue to be proud of the work we accomplished moving the city forward the last several years, I will not put myself above service to our city.
I cannot, in good conscience, allow my desire to continue serving Vestavia Hills cost the taxpayers roughly $65,000 to hold one run-off election. That is money the city and state desperately need and could fund one more police officer or school room teacher. This decision is my personal way of putting service above self one more time.
I wish Paul Head and the incoming council the best as their success is now all of ours success in Vestavia Hills."
Based on the un-canvassed vote tallies, the following individuals will serve as Vestavia City Council members and Mayor starting in November.
Mayor: Ashley Curry
Place-1: Rusty Weaver
Place-2: Kimberly Cook
Place-3: Paul Head
Place-4: George Pierce