Update: Following Tumultuous 2011, Residents File for April Election in Brentwood

(Update: noon on Wednesday, Dec. 14) An incumbent has announced he won't file for re-election.

As 8 a.m. approached on Tuesday, six Brentwood residents stood inside , waiting in line to file to run in the April 3 election.

Four seats on the Brentwood Board of Aldermen are up for election. Each carries a four-year term.

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The financial scandals of 2011, including former city administrator Chris Seemayer's and the at the , drew most of the candidates.

"Things need to be a little different," said Cindy Manestar, a 46-year-old stay-at-home mom who lives on Rosalie Avenue (Ward 2). "I just want to make a positive change in the community."

So far, she's the only candidate to file in the second ward. Incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Mike Marshall said he won't seek re-election in April.

Manestar was one of four newcomers who seek seats on the board.

Maureen Saunders and Mike Daming, who both live on Parkridge Avenue, filed in a Ward 1 race. After a collective 19 years as Ward 1 alderwoman, incumbent Barb Clements announced she wouldn't run again in 2012.

Saunders, 50, has been a in recent months and led to get Brentwood's books audited by the state. Saunders works as a bookkeeper for different companies and said she wants to use her accounting background to help the city.

Daming, 33, works as an attorney for the Wasinger Law Group, whose clients include different cities. Daming said the board could use someone with his expertise. Daming serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission and is president of the .

In Ward 4, Gary S. Bierman filed to run. Bierman, 69, served as an alderman in the 1980s but hopes to return to add oversight to the city, he said. Bierman, who lives on West Swan Circle, is a retired homebuilder and serves as president of the board of managers in the Brentwood Forest Condominiums.

He'll face incumbent Lorraine Krewson, who said her job isn't done yet.

"There are so many issues that aren't quite solved," said Krewson, 81, who seeks her fourth term as a Ward 4 alderwoman. Krewson, who lives on Peacock Lane, worked for the city for 30 years and retired about 10 years ago.

Another incumbent, Ward 3 Alderman Andy Leahy, was the first to file on Tuesday morning. Leahy, 57, has been an alderman since 2001. No challengers filed to run in Ward 3 as of Tuesday morning.

For residents interested in running for one of the open aldermanic positions, the city will accept your filing notice at city hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Jan. 17. Potential candidates are required to meet a few criteria:

• $5 filing fee
• Registered voter
• Resident for at least one year prior to the close of filing