AUBURN — A former fire chief and state legislator is throwing his hat into the ring for City Council.

R. Wayne Werts, who retired from the Auburn Fire Department in 2010 after serving 33 years — the last nine as chief — will seek one of two at-large seats on the council. 

Following his retirement, Werts also served as an Auburn state representative, where he said he “saw firsthand the impact decisions made at the state level had on local communities.” 

“After discussions with others in the community I feel that I am qualified to help address their concerns. Therefore, I have decided to announce my candidacy for councilor at large on the Auburn city council,” he said in a news release. 

He added, “The city of Auburn has been very good to my wife and myself and I look forward to giving back by serving on the council. I care about our community and would like to be a part of planning for its future. There is a definite need for transparent dialog so that citizens have factual information driven by data, science, and best practice not anecdotal ideology. With correct leadership and engagement at federal, state and local levels, Auburn is ripe for economic growth, vitality, and has a sense of energy that can draw possibilities to us.”