Unsuccessful when she ran for a 3rd Ward Council seat last year, Dr. Lilisa Mimms of Paterson today declared her candidacy for Councilwoman at Large in next year’s May nonpartisan election.

“As a lifelong resident of Paterson, single mom of four children, pastor of the New Beginnings Christian Outreach Ministries, corporate executive in the Telecommunications and Cable Industries, Commissioner on the Paterson School board (whose term ends this year 2017), Vice Chair of the Planning Board, mentor and community leader, I am excited to announce my candidacy for Councilwoman at Large May 2018,” Mimms said in a statement.

“Based on the current state of conditions in our community; high taxes, crime, poor road conditions, lack of recreation for our youth and Seniors and increased drug addiction, just to name a few, it’s time to put the needs and concerns of our city and residents first,” she added. “I am not seeking to be a career politician but a public servant who wants to see Paterson revitalized and rebuilt into the great city we once knew.”

Mimms lost in her 2016 bid to unseat incumbent Councilman Bill McKoy, who this weekend announced his intention to run for mayor next year. There are three at-large seats open, one of them currently occupied by Councilman Alex Mendez, who’s running for mayor. That would leave a vacancy, in addition to the seats in play now occupied by Councilwoman Maritz Davila and Councilman Ken Morris, Jr.

“My proven track record has demonstrated that my heart is for the people and my voice has been an alarm crying out for Paterson to return to its finest days. It is my goal to work with every ethnicity in our richly diversified culture to move this city in the right direction,” Mimms said. “The only team that matters is the one that WE are ALL on!”