A veteran Prestonsburg City Council member threw his hat into the ring for the city’s top position March 27. David Gearheart said his 14 years on city council made him qualified to serve the remaining two years of former Mayor Les Stapleton’s unexpired term. Gearheart said “This decision has not been taken lightly and is a result of his love for the town that he grew up in and the desire to see it continue to prosper,” In addition to the special election for mayor, all eight seats on the Prestonsburg City Council will be on the November general election ballot. The filing deadline for the nonpartisan offices is June 4.