The race to become Coal Grove's next mayor received its first official candidate Friday.

Village Councilman Kenneth Pyles filed his petition with the Lawrence County Board of Elections Friday morning with more than the 50 signatures required.

Pyles, in the second year of his first term of council, said he decided to run because he loves the village and feels that his passion and dedication will help the village move forward toward a bright future.

"I truly care about the residents' problems, the condition of the city, and would like to restore it to the grandeur of years ago like I remember it as a child," he said. "I want to restore community pride and continue to provide good, affordable services to the residents."

Born in Ironton, the 48-year-old Pyles has lived and raised his family in Coal Grove for the past 44 years. He is a member of the Coal Grove Betterment Club and attends St. Joseph Catholic Church.

He married his wife Teresa in 1990. He has two step children that he considers his own, Deitra, 25 and Darin, 20. The couple has a 12-year-old daughter Kayla.

Pyles said dealing with the public is nothing new to him and has helped prepare him for public service. He worked at Dayton-Malleable for seven years, worked for a local insurance company and is a licensed stationary steam engineer.

If elected, Pyles said his door will always be open to the community.

"My communications skills are what make me qualified," he said. "I can talk to anyone on any level. I am a good listener too. I am concerned about what happens in this village."

Councilmen Randy Wise and Larry McDaniel and Mayor Tom McKnight have indicated that they will run for the position but had not filed as of Friday afternoon.