Fulton native April Teel is the last candidate to toss her hat into the ring as a write-in for the open Ward 4 council seat on April 5.
Up against Rick Shiverdecker and fellow write-in Charles E. Williams Jr., Teel said she decided to run "because I've lived here all my life and it's something I haven't done."
"I'm from Ward 4, my husband's from there, my grandmother is there," Teel said. "I know a lot of people throughout the city and maybe I can use those connections to help (get things done)."
A tax analyst who also paints houses in the summer with her husband, Teel has been active in the community for many years through volunteer work at the Clothes Cupboard and with the Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence.
Teel said she has not paid much attention to the council's current projects, but said she does have one large project she would like to work on if elected.
"I would really like to see something done with Carver School, which was the first black school in our community," Teel said. "I think there are so many things we could do; I'd like to see something restored over there."
Aside from taking steps to bring the historical location back into some sort of use, she said she will allow her constituents to dictate the causes and issues she advocates for.
"I'm going to try to make whatever the priorities of the people in the 4th Ward are my priority," Teel said. "I know people will be quick to tell me what they want done."
She said her connections to and love of her community are what will make her a good council member.
"I know a lot of people. I'm an easy person to know and to talk to," Teel said. "My best advantage is my ability to connect with everyone ... I can connect with people that maybe no one (on the council) has been able to connect to."
She also said her loud, boisterous personality could make her an asset for her ward.
"My main thing is, I want to be that loud voice that Ward 4 needs," Teel said. "The people really need to be backed in our community; they need a voice down there that's a little louder than what they've had."
Teel said the only other message she wanted to give Fulton voters is to get out and vote and get more involved.
"I hope people will get out and vote and that they know what they're voting for," she said. "People should be more informed about what's going on."