MARIETTA - The Rev. Anthony Coleman is seeking a third term on City Council, though he has aspirations of someday running for mayor, or the state senate.

"I want to continue to promote neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization, employment, and job growth," Coleman said in a recent editorial board meeting. He pointed out that he canceled this year's job fair because employers were not interested.

"If I had that career fair, I was giving people false hope, a sense that there were jobs out there, and there were not," he said. "I thought, 'Let's just look forward to 2010.'"

If reelected, Coleman said he wants to push stricter code-enforcement policies. For example, he said, in citing homeowners for tall grass, the city must give at least 30 days for the issue to be resolved. Coleman thinks that should be reduced to 10 days.

"I want strong code enforcement, and I want us enforcing it," he said. "It starts at the top of the leadership in making that happen."

He also envisions "some great things being done at Lawrence Street, a new recreation center and a new swimming pool," he said, though he does not think taxpayers should bear the burden now, given the economy. That is also why he is opposing the $25 million parks bond that voters will decide on Nov. 3.

Coleman believes there is an increasing need for affordable housing in the city, though he was not sure on the price points.

"You definitely want workforce houses, for teachers, firemen, customer-service workers. And it needs to be diversified all over the city," he said.

As for his accomplishments, Coleman said he is most proud of "the nice housing that is being built on Green Street. I was very hands-on with that and dealing with Cobb Housing."

"When I came on the Council eight years ago, I hit the ground running and doing things in the community, making positive things happen," he said.

In 2001, Coleman bested incumbent James C. Dodd Jr. in a runoff for the Ward 5 seat. This year, Dodd is challenging the incumbent, and the three-person race that includes Chris Johnson could again go to a runoff.

Eight years ago, crime stemming from the Lyman Homes public housing project was a key issue. Dodd had voted to close a city street to limit drug activity in Lyman Homes. The housing project has since been demolished.

"When I ran against Mr. Dodd I said, 'James, I am a little disappointed that you voted to close a public street.' That is not a solution. That is a public safety issue. Most of the drugs that are sold are foot traffic," Coleman said.

The councilman said his personality is a key draw for voters.

"I am a people person. All types of people approach me," he said. "I do not care whether they are poor or rich, at Food Depot or Publix. I love people. I am a servant, and that is what the people elected me to do."

"I have done a tremendous job at keeping Ward 5 residents informed, and I will continue to do that," he said. "I believe in town hall meetings. I probably had more town hall meetings than Mayor (Bill) Dunaway. And if they are not coming to my meetings, I make sure they get a community newsletter."

"I am running because I want to continue to serve the community that I live in," Coleman said. "I want to provide good leadership that we need to continue to move the city forward."