By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Incumbent Ward 3 Alabaster City Councilwoman Stacy Rakestraw said she would like to continue to work to beautify the city, be involved with the city’s school system and promote economic development in announcing her candidacy for re-election.

Rakestraw, who was elected to the council four years ago, has announced she plans to rerun for the Ward 3 seat once the candidate-qualifying period begins on July 5.

“It has been a privilege to serve the residents of the city of Alabaster these past four years on the City Council,” Rakestraw wrote in an email. “People often ask me what I like the most about it and my first thought is being able to help people. It has been a blessing to have the opportunity to be a listening ear in this community and develop new relationships with residents in Ward 3.”

Rakestraw said some of her accomplishments during her first term on the council include working with her fellow council members to ensure “our tax dollars are spent wisely,” working to build up the city’s reserve fund and cutting city costs. She also said she was proud of helping to form the Main Street Medical Mile and the Alabaster Clean Sweep beautification program.

“As a resident I saw a need to help keep our city clean and beautiful, as well as a need to revitalize downtown Alabaster,” she wrote. “The Alabaster Clean Sweep and the Main Street Medical Mile have been two initiatives I have worked hard to implement and will continue working on.”

Rakestraw also said she has enjoyed working to recruit businesses to the city and working with the Alabaster City School System.

Economic development and educating potential businesses as to why they should locate in Alabaster is so important and has been an aspect of city government I really enjoy,” Rakestraw wrote. “My family and I have lived in Alabaster for 19 years and we consider it home. I look forward to seeing Alabaster continue to grow as one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.”