RINCON — Public service keeps strengthening its powerful grip on Christi Ricker.

Nearing the end of her first term on the Rincon City Council, the business woman, wife and mother is running for mayor in the Nov. 7 election.

“I didn’t plan on running for the city council four years ago,” she said. “Five years ago, I had a Sunday school Christmas party and Scott Morgan — a council member at the time and a longtime friend — said, ‘You should do this. You’d be good at it.’”

Richter’s Sunday school teacher agreed, but she flatly rejected the notion, believing she was too busy with business, family and church pursuits. One of her top undertakings was leading a uniform drive for area students.

She has also served as a booster club president at South Effingham middle and high schools. She still leads the high school club.

“It’s a lot of work,” she said. “I finally thought — what’s the difference between doing this and (serving on the city council? It’s the same thing on a larger scale. — the needs that you meet.”

See the Oct. 18 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.