By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Rick Ellis said he would work to build a new city services building to house the Alabaster fire and police departments, and would work to foster Alabaster’s family friendly atmosphere if elected to the City Council.

Ellis has qualified to run for the Ward 2 seat on the council, which will be decided during an election on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The election will be held from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Alabaster First United Methodist Church’s Restore building off Alabama 119.

Ellis and fellow candidate Matt Penhale have qualified to run for the Ward 2 seat. The Ward 2 incumbent, Bob Hicks, is not seeking re-election.

“I’ve got a vested interest in the city, and I want to see it continue to grow,” Ellis said, noting his wife is a teacher at Creek View Elementary School and the couple’s two children attend Alabaster City Schools.

Ellis said he has lived in Alabaster for the past 15 years, and touted his experience as a certified public accountant.

“With my finance background, I think that would be an asset to the city,” Ellis said. “Alabaster has been growing continuously for the last 15 years, and it’s been positive growth. I’d like to see that continue.”

If elected, Ellis said he would work to work to construct a new city services building to provide a new headquarters for the city’s police and fire departments.

“There have been talks of getting a new city services building, and I think that is a necessity,” Ellis said. “They have given so much to the city, and I think the least we can do is give them a state-of-the-art building.”

Ellis also said he would work to support the city’s school system and work to grow the Alabaster Parks and Recreation Department’s offerings.

“I’m a big supporter of the school system. I think it could be, if not the best, one of the best school systems in the state,” he said. “The main thing I want to do is serve the community. I see this as an opportunity to give back and serve the people.”