Council Member Barry LaRue, a veteran politician in Ypsilanti, will not seek reelection this year.

LaRue, who turns 50 today, said he wants to devote more time to the Riverside Arts Center where he is a facility chair and teach performing arts at Washtenaw Community College. He also said his job duties have increased and they require more time. LaRue is a theater technician at the University of Michigan.

"It's an appropriate time to take a break from council," LaRue said. "I am proud of what we have accomplished on the council. I will miss it greatly."

LaRue, D-3rd Ward, served two terms under the old charter and two consecutive terms under the new charter. He also has been active with the city for more than 30 years, he said.

"I'm sad to see him go," said Council Member Brian Filipiak, D-3rd Ward. "He brings an amount of history many of us lack."

Mayor Cheryl Farmer and one council member from each of the city's three wards - Trudy Swanson, D-1st Ward, William Nickels, D-2nd Ward, and LaRue - are up for reelection this year.

The candidates who have filed to run for those seats this fall include Steve Pierce, who has filed for the mayor's race and Brian Robb who has filed for Ward 3, LaRue's seat. Pierce and Robb both filed as Democrats.

Nickels said if Farmer does not run for mayor, he will run for that post, otherwise he will run for a third term in Ward 2. "There is no decision on that yet," he said.

Farmer said she has not decided if she would run for a fourth term.

Pierce will face either Nickels in the primary or Farmer in the general election. Farmer runs as an independent. The deadline to register for the election is May 16.

LaRue said the city is facing challenging times, but they are no different than those of the past few years, in trying to balance the city's budget. He said he will continue to be involved in the community and will work to put the income tax on the ballot for a vote because it deserves an "up or down" decision by residents.

"I have nothing but optimism for the city," he said.

City leaders have been considering an income tax to generate additional revenues and bail the city out of its financial dilemma.

City administrators have been cutting spending to balance the city's budget, including eliminating funding for the recreation department and reducing medical emergency service to life-threatening calls only.

The city is proposing other cuts for next year including reductions in the amount it spends for bus service by AATA and eliminating some jobs.

Khalil E. Hachem can be reached at khachem@annarbornews.com or 734-482-3225.