Steve Goodhue announced he would seek election for the Ward 2 seat on the City Council Thursday after current Ward 2 representative Councilman John Parks announced he will not run for re-election when his term ends Dec. 31.

Parks has served the north-west ward of Ames for 20 years and has served on the council the longest of the six current members.

Parks was unavailable for comment, but according to an article in Friday’s Ames Tribune, the councilman indicated he wanted to devote more time to “personal ventures” and his family. Parks also is director of the ISU Research Park Corporation.

Goodhue, member of the Ames zoning board of adjustment and vice president of public relations at VisionAire corporation in Ames, said he is looking forward for the chance to provide guidance to the community.

“I certainly would welcome the opportunity to serve, I have a strong desire and interest to serve and certainly hope that Ward 2 and the community feel the same way,” he said.

Goodhue said the major issues facing the council are planning city growth and how that growth will be managed.

“Ames has constantly been recognized as one of the best small cities in the country, and I think that certainly speaks for the quality of life in Ames,” he said. “There are a lot of challenges facing the city but also a lot of opportunities facing the city over the next few years.”

Goodhue also said he wants to “enable people to provide their input and comment” to the city council.

“The community has been supportive of my family and me,” he said. “Now I want to give back to the community.”

Goodhue was executive director of the Ames Chamber of Commerce from 1991-1993 and currently serves on seven local boards and commissions with “hopes to bring some of that background and perspective to the community.”

“It’s been an aspiration of mine for some time [to run for an office], but this particular seat I have been considering for the past six months or so,” he said.

Goodhue said he has visited with Parks about the position to get Parks’ perspective on the city council.

“I think he indicated that he would not endorse anyone’s candidacy specifically,” he said. “[But] I certainly hope that he will be supportive of my candidacy.”

Ward 2 will vote for their city council representative in the Nov. 2 election.

Goodhue said he was not aware of anyone else planning to run for the seat.

“At this point I believe I am the only individual to announce,” he said.

Goodhue said candidates can officially take out papers for candidacy on Aug. 23 but said he already has formed a campaign committee with co-chairs and “roughly 40 people that are already committed to serve on the campaign committee.”