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Rakestraw has more experience in elected office than other candidates. A former at-large commissioner, she lost a primary for a district race in 2004, and then ran and won an at-large seat on the city council in 2007.

“People know that I am approachable and feel comfortable in talking with me whether I am in the grocery store, dining out, attending meetings, or at church people feel at ease in talking with me,” said the 61-year-old retired real estate agent, who is known for making plenty of community appearances during campaigns.

She regularly votes against tax increases, and as an at-large city council member was against issuing a statement of regret for 1979 shootings involving the Communist Workers Party, Ku Klux Klan and a neo-Nazi group.

She prefers to let the city’s issues with its police be handled in court.

“Until this is resolved it will be hard to have peace and harmony in the police department and the city,” she said.

Rakestraw has also heard lately that crime has been an issue in District 4.

“We have met with several of the homeowners associations,” she said, “and people are now aware of the break-in situation.”

-- Staff Writer Gerald Witt