Former Wichita City Council member Sharon Fearey has filed for the seat held by Kelly Parks on the Sedgwick County Commission.

"I just had a whole lot of people say, 'We need you over there because you can bring groups of people together and get results.' They told me, 'Don't wait until after the first of the year' to file," said Fearey, a Democrat. The Eagle reported earlier that she had been weighing a run for the District 4 seat.

Parks, a Republican, has not yet announced whether he plans to try to keep his spot on the board. He was elected in 2006.

Fearey served two terms, from 2001 until earlier this year, as the Wichita City Council member for District 6.

The Rev. Kevass Harding and neighborhood advocate Kathy Dittmer will serve as co-chairs of the campaign. Tom Docking will be the treasurer.

"She's shown that she will educate herself about the issues and then bring groups of people together to address them," Harding said in a news release. "Fearey helped bring together the citizens of the 21st Street area back together to develop a plan for their community after 12 previous attempts."

Dittmer said Fearey is "well known for attending neighborhood meetings, holding monthly breakfast listening sessions and working closely with all constituents to ensure district-wide diversity on boards."

Lucy Burtnett, a Republican whom Parks defeated in 2006, also has filed for the seat.

In other commission races, Democrat Betty Arnold has filed for the District 1 seat held by Dave Unruh. Unruh, a Republican, has filed to retain his seat.

Derby Mayor Dion Avello, a Republican, has filed for the District 5 seat held by Gwen Welshimer, a Democrat. She had filed to retain her spot on the board.

City Council member Jim Skelton has said he is considering running for that seat.

Derby City Council member Chuck Warren has said he plans to run in that district.