Urbana Alderman Aaron Ammons says he has decided not to run for mayor next spring.
While thanking those who had encouraged him to run for mayor, Ammons said in a statement that “I have decided right now my time and energy is best utilized by serving the people of my ward.”
Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing is seeking a fourth term in 2017, making the annoucement at her Urbana home Wednesday. There could be a 3-way race for the office in the February Democratic primary, with Urbana Alderwoman Diane Marlin running, and fellow city council member Aaron Ammons reportedly weighing a run for the city's top office.
A week ago, Urbana aldermen approved lowering the fine for posessing small amounts of marijuana from $300 to $50. Alderman Aaron Ammons calls the higher amount 'egregious', and said it disproportionately impacts African-Americans in the city. The fine applies to someone with less than 30 grams of the drug.
Champaign City Council members Tuesday approved a second excessive force lawsuit settlement involving Police Officer Matt Rush, this one for $225,000, but only after an hour of emotional public comments and a march by activists through the downtown streets, calling for Rush to step down and face criminal charges.
The Urbana City Council Monday night unimously supported new alderman Aaron Ammons, who later was the lone opponent in an initial vote supporting tasers for police.
