Heidi Shaffer Files for November Ballot for Kent City Council

It's official: Ward 5 Kent City Council representative filed her petitions Tuesday with the Portage County Board of Elections to be a candidate in November for her seat.

she would look to retain her seat on council, but first she wanted to walk her ward and hear residents' opinions on her first term in office.

“It really seems that I’ve gotten my constituents’ blessing, so that finally pushed me" she said.

Shaffer said she didn't just walk door-to-door asking past supporters to sign her petitions to be on the ballot. First she walked precinct 5A in the neighborhoods between Crain Avenue and Main Street — a precinct she lost in during the 2007 primary election.

"My interactions with the voters I found at home were overwhelmingly positive and encouraging," Shaffer said in an e-mail. "While there is still a lot of work to do, my constituents said they have seen actual progress made in the city and their neighborhoods since I took office three years ago."

All six of council's ward terms expire at the end of 2011.

By filing for the November ballot, Shaffer joins Ward 3 Kent City Council representative as the only candidates to officially file with the elections board so far. Other candidates have taken petitions out to file, including incumbent council members , , and Tracy Wallach. Kent Planning Commission member also has taken out petitions to run for the Ward 1 seat.

Shaffer said part of her decision weighed on personal issues, including income. A self-employed yoga instructor, Shaffer has faced financial stresses since her husband, Bret Orsburn, died two years ago.

Aside from running the in the Silk Mill Building on River Street, Shaffer said she has sought other job opportunities and questioned if she could still find time for a second term on council. As an incumbent, she feels she can still make a difference on council because she won't have to deal with the steep learning curve a new council member faces.

"I’m really having to develop other means of financial support whether or not I get on council again,” Shaffer said.