After months of speculation about whether he will make a bid for mayor, Licence Collector Mike McMillan has signed up to run - for 19^th Ward Committeeman.

The relatively pedestrian post first belonged to McMillan several years ago, when the young Democrat was marking his rise at City Hall. When McMillan became the ward’s alderman, he had to give up the seat - by rule, alderman are not allowed to double as committeeman.

Four years ago, McMillan put up a proxy candidate for committeeman, Columbus Edwards, who was the victor in a spirited race that pitted him against Ocie Haynes, grandfather of rapper Nelly.

(Haynes actually lives on Red Foxx Lane - nothing short of being shaped like an Arch could make him more true St. Louis.)

Four years later, McMillan has clinched the post - he’s running unopposed.

But a former board colleague, O.L. Shelton, has no such luck. Shelton, who represented the Ville area for many years in the State House, is seeking to climb back into the Fourth Ward fight by running for his old committeeman post.

In 2005, Shelton used his role as committeeman to organize a recall of Alderman Peggy Ryan, and get himself elected to fill her term.

His time at City Hall, however, was short.

Shelton lost his aldermanic seat last year amid allegations that he was using a tax-exempt building as a campaign headquarters.

In August, Shelton will face old foe James Clayborne in the attempt to regain his committee spot. Also on the ballot is Ryan, who is running for committeewoman.

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