Business owner, Jamie Mathy, is preparing a write-in campaign for the Bloomington City Council Ward 1 seat. (Photo courtesy of the candidate)

By Beth Whisman

BLOOMINGTON - The owner of a bakery in downtown Bloomington wants to replace Ward 1 Alderman Bernie Anderson on the Bloomington City Council.

Anderson announced late last week that he was resigning over health issues. Mayor Steve Stockton is expected to appoint his replacement soon to cover the ward until the April election.

Now, business owner Jamie Mathy has announced he plans to run as a write-in candidate against Kevin Lower who is already on the April ballot. Mathy and his wife run Kelly's Bakery and Cafe' and he was a co-founder of the IT support business Mavidea.

"I am truly saddened to hear that Bernie cannot continue," Mathy said. "He has been an integral part of the city council team that put Bloomington back on the right course."

Bloomington Election Commission Director Paul Shannon said last week Lower could potentially face opposition in the general election from one or more write-in candidates. A write-in candidate would need at least 45 petition signatures to be eligible to run.

Mathy told WJBC on Sunday that he appreciates Anderson's work as an alderman and he hopes to continue what he calls a "positive trend" of leadership in Bloomington. Mathy will join WJBC's Jim Fitzpatrick on-air at 5:10 p.m. Monday to discuss his candidacy.

Beth Whisman can be reached at whisman@wjbc.com.