Cindy Dobbins is seeking the city District 4 seat for the first time.
Dobbins, 58, of 116 S. Buffalo St., filed for the seat Monday, and said she is seeking the seat because she has a concern for the community.
She has lived in Warsaw since 1960.
Dobbins will face current city councilman Republican Jerry Patterson, who was unopposed in the May 8 Republican primary. Patterson was elected to the city council in 1991.
Dobbins said she also is running because she thinks it is important for offices not to go uncontested.
"Voter turnout in the primary election was extremely low, and I hope to challenge more people to get out and vote this fall," Dobbins said.
She said she is interested in the continued growth and improvement of downtown Warsaw.
Concerns she feels are important include keeping existing businesses in the community and stimulating the growth of new business opportunities.
Other concerns are keeping the lines of communication open between residents and city government, and finding cost-effective and innovative ways to provide the services that citizens want.
Dobbins said she is looking forward to the opportunity to talk to residents in the fourth district about their concerns.
Dobbins said if she is elected, she feels being the only female on the city council won't be an issue.
"I believe that I know all of the council members and candidates and I would not feel intimidated or uncomfortable about working with them," Dobbins said.
She said many women are becoming prominent figures on the political scene across the nation.
She has been employed with Tower Bank in Fort Wayne since May 2007. She will transfer to the new Tower Bank branch in Warsaw when it opens in September.
Prior to working for Tower Bank, she spent 29 years in the field of emergency services.
"That tenure provided me with experience in management, budgeting, finance, human resources and customer service," Dobbins said.
She said she feels those skills are important in city government.
Organizations Dobbins is involved with include a committee member for the Healthcare Foundation's Festival of Trees; past board member and treasurer for Indiana Ambulance Association; treasurer for Kosciusko County Safe Kids Chapter; Medicare Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group member; Warsaw Biblical Gardens board member; vice president of Warsaw Community Development Corp.; Warsaw Rotary Club member; victim advocate for the Victim's Service Center; and volunteer for Young Tiger Football.
Dobbins graduated from Warsaw High School, received a bachelor's degree from Ball State University and a master's degree from Purdue University.
Dobbins has a son, J.R., who lives in Indianapolis with his wife Sarah and two children, Connor and Quinn.
