GULF SHORES, Alabama — Ron Kutter has announced he will seek election to the Gulf Shores City Council. He seeks the office of Place 1, currently held by Joe Garris, Jr. Lynn Byrd is also running for the position.

The owner of Kutter’s Ground Maintenance, Inc. in Gulf Shores, Kutter first moved to Gulf Shores 17 years ago.

“I came down here with a dream to start my own landscaping business, and this community took me under its wing,” Kutter said. “Because of that my business has succeeded beyond my wildest imaginings, and now I want to give back to the residents of Gulf Shores by giving of my time as a member of the City Council.”

Kutter is the father of two girls - Megan, 18, and Sullivan, who is two.

“I can’t imagine a better place for Megan to grow up than right here in Gulf Shores,” Kutter said. “I felt there was something special about this place when I first moved here in 1995. That feeling has done nothing but grow through the years. I want to make sure that Sullivan grows up in that same atmosphere I’ve loved since I first came here. I believe one way I can help make that happen is by serving on the City Council.”

Kutter is no stranger to civic responsibilities. He is in his sixth and final year as chairman of the Annual National Shrimp Festival. Before he became Festival Chairman, he served for several years as the Entertainment Chairman of the Festival. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce.

“The experience I have with the long-range planning and coordinating that goes into the Shrimp Festival I believe will serve me well navigating the waters of City Council,” Kutter said. “Many people don’t realize that the Shrimp Festival is a year-long event. Almost as soon as we get cleaned up from one Shrimp Fest, we have to begin planning for the next one. We have to coordinate with personnel, the police and fire/rescue, Baldwin EMC, waste collection, businesses in the area and revenue collection. The footprint and the activities of the Festival make it like a small city.”

Kutter said through his business he meets with dozens of people almost every day.

“In normal everyday conversations I listen to their concerns. I listen to them talk about traffic. I listen to them talk about taxes,” he said. “I hear this almost every day. I’m out in the community and I’m approachable. I think that’s an important quality for a member of the City Council to have.”

Kutter said he would be humbled if residents give him the opportunity to serve on the City Council for the next four years.

“If the people of this city put their trust in me, I pledge to them that, if elected, I will continue to get out and listen to people on a daily basis, take these conversations to heart and do everything in my power to help keep Gulf Shores a place we are proud to call home,” he said.