As I promised in my last post on potential City Council contenders, I have been making phone calls to people whose names I hear working their way through the rumor mill and coming out as considering runs for public office.

Last week, as you might remember, I got noncommittal responses from Ken Ivins, Bill McTygue, Scott Johnson and Joanne Yepsen, all of whom told me they hadn’t PUBLICLY made up their minds yet, but the rumors persist.

Today I called Jay Rifenbary, former Saratoga Springs School Board member and current motivational speaker, whom I have heard is considering a run for mayor against Scott Johnson or a run for Public Safety Commissioner.

Rifenbary joined the uncommitted club and said "not at this juncture," though hastily added that "It is something I want to do, whether it is in the near future or not-near future."

Rifenbary travels a lot, which he said would make it difficult, as well as family considerations, but after his six years on the school board he said "I want to serve again, but I haven't really sat down and had conversations about it."

Still, he said he is "flattered" that his name has been tossed around for a potential seat.

I also put a couple calls into former Public Safety Commissioner Richard Wirth, who has often hinted at another run for his former seat and whose name has been brought up a couple times in conversation.

Wirth V. Mathiesen II? That would be interesting and a little nostalgic, particularly if there was a McTygue in the race (though he hasn't said one way or the other).

*Update*

I did catch up with Rick Wirth today, who was also reluctant to go public with any statements about a run for office, but said "I am currently considering all my options," which is not "No," so I guess that's something and we may, indeed, be seeing a repeat of last election's race for Public Safety Commissioner.