Sedona City Council candidate Joe Vernier said Wednesday, Jan. 18, he no longer plans to run for office.

Vernier, who suffered a heart attack Saturday, Jan. 14, said he intends to focus on his family and personal health for now. He will formally remove himself from the council race in the coming weeks.

“I am planning on it. I was told I have to submit something in writing to the City Clerk’s Office to make it official, but that is my plan,” Vernier said.

Vernier, the former Sedona police chief, was released from the hospital Monday, Jan. 16, and said he is in good health. The recent heart attack was his second. Vernier first suffered a heart attack in 2007.

“I’m doing fine. It was just kind of a wake-up call,” Vernier said. “I’m thinking anything that adds unnecessary stress to the life, or complicates the life, needs to be simplified so I can focus on myself and my family.

Once in a while providence sends us a message that we definitely have to pay attention to. I appreciate everybody’s support and everybody’s understanding.”

Other council candidates include residents Jessica Williamson, John D. Miller, John Martinez and incumbent Councilman Mark DiNunzio. They are competing  for three seats.

Sedona Mayor Rob Adams is running unopposed for re-election.

Williamson said she believes council needs open-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds. Williamson works in the Sedona tourism industry. She’s lived in the area for approximately eight years.

Miller has lived in Sedona since the city incorporated in 1988. He said he hopes to focus on the fundamentals of city government should he be elected.

Martinez attends nearly every meeting of the council. He also serves on the city’s Budget Oversight Committee and wants to maintain the city’s financial strength should he be elected.

DiNunzio said he chose to run for the seat he was previously appointed to for a number of reasons. Over the next four years, he wants to see the city move forward on its storm drainage plans among other goals.

Adams, meanwhile, said he would like to focus on bringing the community together as a whole during his third term.

The candidates attended a Thursday, Jan. 19, meeting of the Democrats of the Red Rocks to express their views on a number of city-related issues.