Perennial Porterdale City Council candidate Andy Grimes has announced that he will once again throw his hat in the ring to fill the seat vacated by Kay Piper in October.

This is Grimes’ fourth time running for the city council. He will face Lowell Chambers, the watershed director for the city of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management, who announced his candidacy in late November.

A lifelong resident of Newton County, Grimes, 43, has lived in Porterdale for the last 11 years. He is employed by Beaver Manufacturing as a twist operator. He has also held a number of managerial positions at several convenience stores and restaurants in Covington.

Grimes said he believes his chances of winning are much better this time than in 2007 when Robert Foxworth soundly defeated him by winning 72 percent of the vote.

"I figured I’d do it again. I think I’m a better candidate this time around," said Grimes. "The junk going on at the city hall meetings …it’s just bull."

Grimes said he was convinced to run again because of the amount of interest the current financial troubles facing the city has generated amongst his friends and neighbors.

"A lot of people have come up to me and asked what was going on," said Grimes.

If elected Grimes said he will clean up the city by doing away with wasteful city expenditures.

"I don’t think the city of Porterdale residents should have to pay for cell phones for Porterdale council members," Grimes said.

Qualification to fill Piper’s seat will take place the week of January 12-16 and voting will take place on March 17.