Challengers for the Porterdale City Council are cropping up, including Anita Rainey who will run against Post 1 Councilman Robert Foxworth in November's election.

"Porterdale has been dying a slow death since the mill closing. I believe the community was not ready at that time to "stand on its own two feet" and suffered. We need renewed motivation, progressive thinking, planning and preparation," Rainey said in a Thursday email. "The sooner we (the Porterdale community) can get back on track, the sooner we can re-establish as a prosperous community."

Rainey, 54, works at Town & Country Dodge Chrysler as a comptroller, where she oversees the company's accounting and financials.

She has worked in the automotive world since 1992, including positions at Courtesy Ford, Bill Newton Nissan and WhiteGMC Trucks of Atlanta.

"I would like to help Porterdale strengthen as an entity, financially, internally and become key to Newton County and surrounding areas. I am eager to begin on all facets of the comprehensive plan, from attracting business and industry to Porterdale to developing it as a recreational destination," Rainey said.

"I want to work to better each resident's quality of life, from providing books for children to read to supporting the community garden and farmers market (as I do currently), to bringing much-needed services and businesses physically and financially within residents' reach."

Rainey was born in Minnesota and graduated from Fergus Gall High School in 1976 and received an associate degree in business administration from Fergus Falls Community College in 1978.

She moved to Georgia in 1983 and has spent most of her time in the Newton and Rockdale county area, finally moving to Porterdale in March 2010.

Two council seats are up for election this November, including Foxworth's and Post 2 Councilwoman's Linda Finger's.

All council seats in Porterdale are at large, meaning they're voted on by the entire city, but Rainey is choosing to run against Foxworth because she agrees with most of Post 2 Councilwoman's Linda Fingers views.