Nederland City Council races had some movement at the Friday filing deadline. Former councilmember Jeff Ortiz filed to run for mayor and will face Don Albanese in the May election. In the Ward 4 race, current councilmember Craig Belaire withdrew his candidacy.

Ortiz was elected as the first Hispanic and youngest member — he was 26 — of the City Council in 2009 until 2011.

“I’ve been away for about a decade now from serving,” Ortiz said. “I’m running because I love Nederland. I’m doing it for the young folks like myself to step up and help lead and guide our city. We see new things all around us in our city. We have a new city hall, new safety complex and hopefully very soon, we will see a bond issue pass that will create a new high school and other things that our school district needs.”

Ortiz said he wants the city to prepare for growth and development.

“Let’s start building our future and start with the conversation with our citizens,” he said. “Let’s have a 10-year plan. Let’s have goals in place. I believe we need a mayor who has created jobs and made a payroll. I can promise if I’m elected mayor, I will work tirelessly to recruit, grow, encourage and retain business. We do need more opportunities for our citizens.”

Even though he has been out of public service for a decade, Ortiz said he believes fresh, new ideas will carry more value than familiarity voters may find in Albanese, who has served on the City Council for the past nine years.

“I want to serve the citizens to the best of my ability,” he said. “I feel like new ideas are needed. A fresh perspective is needed. We can’t continue to do what we’ve been doing for the past 20 years. We have to honor the past but focus on the future and it starts with electing people who have a vision for the city.”

During his time on the City Council, Ortiz said he was most proud of voting in favor of funding the public swimming pool and leading the movement to dedicate Nederland Avenue to Bum Phillips.

“If you go back in the archives, you’ll see the Port Arthur City Council voted to not do anything,” he said. “I asked our city manager about it. He said it was a good idea and I went to another person and brought it up. Then, we had it. I very proud of that.”

Ortiz said he is also proud that he was able to get better striping and signage in school zones.

Belaire served the past five years on City Council as well as 12 years on the Nederland Independent School District board of trustees from 1999 to 2011.

“I’ve been serving Nederland for 19 years now in different capacities,” he said. “I just wanted to free up some time with (his wife) and do some traveling with her.”

Beliare said he is proud of the time he has served and does not have plans to run for office again.

“I think we’ve done an outstanding job,” he said. “The city of Nederland has really progressed over the last 15 years. I moved here in 1990. I’m really proud of the employees and staff of the city. A lot of projects were completed. It’s in good hands. I’m happy to be leaving the city in such great shape.”

Belaire said he supports Sylvia Root, who filed to run for Ward 4 this week.

“I’ve known her for quite a long time and served on several boards with her,” he said. “I think if she is elected, she will make a fine councilperson. I would support her wholeheartedly.”