Patti Martinson, an insurance processor for Green Tree Servicing, has announced her intention to run for the Rapid City Council in Ward 1.

"My big reason for running for council is a strong desire to do something a bit more meaningful in my life and to make this literally a better city for everyone," Martinson said.

Martinson has lived in the Black Hills area for 27 years since moving here from Montana when she was about 13 years old. She graduated from Sturgis Brown High School and attended Western Dakota Technical Institute, Black Hills State University and National American University.

She is single and has no children but has family in the area, including her mother and sister, who are "great people to look up to," she said.

She is a member of Democracy in Action, a local women's political group, and moderates a blog on its Web site, sddia.org. Martinson also volunteers at the Center West, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community resource center in Rapid City.

"Diversity is the word I would probably use to characterize what I want to help achieve if I am on the city council," Martinson said. "Diversity in jobs, diversity of opinions, people, places, education, opportunity. One could characterize my views as progressive, and I have a strong desire to help the environment."