Businessman Vital won't run for mayor

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Staff photo by Dan Henry/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Greg Vital, the developer of Greenbriar Cove, speaks about the growth of the retirement community in Collegedale while standing in front of Garden Plaza of Greenbirar Cove.

Local businessman Greg Vital said Wednesday he has decided not to run for mayor if a recall election takes place in August 2012.

"My focus needs to be on my company and my family," he said.

Vital is president and CEO of Independent Healthcare Properties LLC, which operates Morning Pointe assisted living homes. He has also been known for his work in land conservation.

He said several weeks ago he was considering a run for mayor in the recall election. But he said Tuesday he does not have time to get his business interests in order to focus on an election.

He said he is still not ruling out a March 2013 mayoral run if Mayor Ron Littlefield is able to stop a recall election from occurring. Littlefield's four-year term will be up then.

The recall election was set last month by the Hamilton County Election Commission when the body ratified recall petitions. The recall effort has been mired in legal battles with Littlefield suing to stop the recall from taking place.

Vital said Wednesday no potential candidates who may run in an upcoming election swayed his decision.

Vital, who owns numerous properties across Chattanooga, as well as a farm in Georgetown, said he recently changed his voting registration card from Hamilton County to Chattanooga and is currently living on Missionary Ridge.

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