A third Republican candidate has joined the parade of Mercer County commissioner hopefuls.

Michele Brooks, 38, of Algoma Street, Jamestown, announced her intentions Wednesday. Mrs. Brooks is a former Jamestown borough councilwoman and serves on the borough's municipal authority and planning commission.

She is the president elect of the Northern Mercer County United Way and vice president of the Jamestown Future Foundation, which is devoted to the community's cultural and educational life and is working on a library and community center in Jamestown's Gibson House, also known as the Mark Twain Manor. She is a member of the Mercer County Planning Commission and Mercer County Steering Committee.

Mrs. Brooks is also active in local Republican politics, serving on the executive committee of the Mercer County Republican Committee and as recording secretary of Mercer County Council of Republican Women.

In a news release Brooks said her involvement in governmental, charitable and community organizations qualifies her for the post.

"Through these involvements, I have gained an appreciation for the position of commissioner. While working with the current commissioners, I have gained an understanding of this position, and how I can serve the citizens of Mercer County in a professional capacity," she said.

"I have learned how to communicate the needs of a locality to those who are in a position to help, and learned that in order for a borough, township or county to be successful they must have good proactive leaders," Mrs. Brooks said.

While on borough council, Mrs. Brooks said she served on budget and finance, personnel, grant, police, health and safety and recreation committees.

Mrs. Brooks lost a re-election bid in 2001 but said she was "very successful in obtaining grant monies from various federal, state and local sources for the water, sewer, recreation and police departments."

Mrs. Brooks, a lifelong resident of Mercer County, is married to Jamestown School Director Gary Brooks and has two children Brandin and Taylor.

With her announcement, Mrs. Brooks becomes the third Republican running for commissioner, a four-year, $51,479. Joe Phillips, 42, East Lackawannock Township, and Bruce Richael, 48, Farrell are also running for that party's nomination in the May 20 primary.

The top two vote-getters in that race will face off in November against Democratic nominees and any third party candidate that may emerge. Voters can vote for two candidates for the three-member board.

On the Net:

www.ElectBrooks.com