Barbara Brooks has announced her candidacy for the Gainesville City Council Ward 3 seat currently held by Myrtle Figueras. “It is my belief that my fairness, open-mindedness and experience advocating for people and communities will be an advantage in representing Ward 3 and all of Gainesville,” she said in a statement to The Times. Figueras announced previously that she did not want to seek re-election in the Nov. 3 race.