The man who got almost half the votes in the 2000 race for mayor is going to give it another shot.

Mark Anderson, who lost the 2000 election by a 52-to-48 percent margin to Mayor Bob Haukoos, announced this morning that he will run for mayor again this year. Haukoos announced his retirement from the job this spring.

&uot;I just feel like a lot of the good things that were there two years ago are still there,&uot; Anderson said. &uot;There’s been a bit of a setback with the (Farmland) fire, but I still believe in this town.&uot;

He said the key for Albert Lea, whether Farmland rebuilds or not, will be the continued pursuit of quality jobs. While attracting those jobs is largely a matter of luck, Anderson said, the city can do its part by making sure infrastructure is in place to welcome development.

While Farmland has not decided whether to rebuild after last summer’s fire at its meat-processing facility, Anderson said the city has done everything in its power to make a new plant possible.

&uot;Albert Lea had the infrastructure in place out in Darv Habben’s development and they were able to act quickly.&uot;

He said his life-long commitment to Albert Lea helps distinguish him from other candidates. &uot;I have my home here, I have my business here, I raised my family here,&uot; he said.

While Haukoos has said the job is too demanding for him, Anderson said he isn’t concerned about being a mayor with a full-time job.

&uot;I think a person just has to be committed to using time well and delegating things that can be delegated,&uot; he said.

His campaign will stay positive, he said.

&uot;Win or lose, what I want to have happen is that the campaign highlight the good things that are happening in this town,&uot; he said.

Anderson, an attorney with an Albert Lea firm, has a wife, Joan, who is a teacher in the Albert Lea school district, and five grown children.

Two others have declared their intent to seek the job: First-term City Council member George Marin and Destination: Albert Lea leader Tony Trow.