Don Stanford voted out, winner to be determined in runoff - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

Current Decatur Mayor Don Stanford was voted out in Tuesday's municipal election.

The next mayor will be determined in a runoff election between Don Kyle and Carl Cole. 

Kyle received 48 percent of the vote and Cole received 28 percent. They ran against Gail Busbey, who received 20 percent of the vote, and Don Stanford who received six percent of the vote.

"I'm a little bit surprised at the numbers right now, but i'm tickled at it because of the people who worked for me have really given it their heart and soul," said Kyle.

62-year-old Kyle served one term as mayor from 2004 to 2008. His background is as an accountant and boat shop owner.  He has concrete ideas for downtown redevelopment. Those include loft apartments and parking. His platform rests with economic development and fiscal management. He wants to use redevelopment zoning district to aide development in depressed areas.  He wants to attract new retailers to those areas and market those companies already here to aide in growth.  He points to past accomplishments as protecting the city while in negotiations with the developer of The Crossings, including Target and other shops.

Cole came to Decatur in 2000 to work with one of Alabama's oldest law firms, Eyster Key. He made partner with Eyster Key in just over three years and recently left the firm to open his own law firm and run for Mayor of the River City. He has coached youth basketball in Decatur's Parks and Recreation League since 2000 and is married to the former Kate Klepper, and they have on son.

The runoff will be October 9.

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