<strong>By Lolita Huckaby</strong>

Roadside political signs may be down and stored, but City Councilman Mike McFee is getting his ready for another run.

McFee, a member of Council since 2008, announced at Tuesday night's Council meeting he will be running for the seat now held by Stephen Murray. Murray will give up his council seat to take the Mayor's office on Dec. 8, officially leaving one of the four council seats empty.

And McFee, who finished third in the six-way race for two council seats on Nov. 3, is interested in it.

"I've been encouraged by a number of friends and associates who think I should go for it," McFee said.

State law says the special election will take place in late Febuary or early March, 13 weeks after Murray officially resigns.

Top council vote-getters were retired Bay Street business owner Neil Lipsitz and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Mitch Mitchell who will be sworn in on Dec. 8.

With two new faces on the council and a new mayor, many have conjectured that McFee, who served as Mayor pro-tem during Billy Keyserling's administration, will bring experience to the five member governing board. Nan Sutton, the only woman on the council, opted not to run again meaning the council will have no women but does get its first African American member in more than 20 years.

Filing for the special election has not opened and as of yet, no other candidates have announced. The council seats are non-partisan and represent city-wide districts.

<em>Above: Mike McFee with new Council member Mitch Mitchell, at last month's debate at USCB.</em>