AUBURN – Citing personal conflicts, New Auburn resident Fern Lake removed herself from the race for the City Council Ward 5 seat.

“I just can’t sign on to do anything if I’m not going to do it 100 percent,” Lake said. “I think later on, after my children are grown, I might be back. I’ll definitely be at the meetings. I’m sure I won’t disappear.”

Lake was one of three candidates seeking the Ward 5 seat. Those included incumbent Belinda Gerry and Ray Berube.

Lake is a member United Citizens of Auburn, the tax protest group that formed in November and serves as the group’s treasurer. She began watching council politics then, decided to get involved.

“I saw a lot of issues that could be fixed easily, and a lot of others that need more work,” she said. “I felt it was something I could do to help, and the people were very supportive.”

Lake said she had notified City Clerk Mary Lou Magno earlier this week and managed to have her name removed from the ballot.

Magno confirmed that Lake had been removed from the ballot.

“That’s correct,” she said. She confirmed that no other candidates had removed themselves from the ballot.