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ATTLEBORO - As if freshman City Councilor Jerry Chase doesn't have enough problems, now someone wants his job.

While the election is still a year off, Duff White, 42, of Carnegie Way, announced plans to run for the Ward 5 seat held by Chase, who won't complete the first year of a two-year term until January.

White, a stay-at-home dad, said he believes the ward needs better leadership.

"I don't think our ward is being represented as well as it could be, and I'd like to change that," he said. "I will work to reestablish the respect due the position of Ward 5 city councilor."

Chase said he did not have a comment about White's candidacy because he does not know much about it. White, who attends council meetings on a regular basis, said Chase doesn't have the kind of relationships with colleagues that can help him get things done for his ward and the city.

White wasn't specific, but the comments are a reference, at least in part, to a number of controversies in which Chase has been entangled.

The most notorious occurred when he screamed at a colleague to "shut up" during a discussion on the floor.

The incident resulted in a public reprimand from the council.

Meanwhile, a video clip of the outburst ended up on the Internet's YouTube.

Chase has also run afoul of open meeting rules by discussing issues via e-mail.

He then ran afoul of council President Frank Cook when he kept up the e-mailing after being ordered to stop.

Chase said voters will make up their own mind about what happened.

"People always evaluate the truth as it really is," he said.

White said he plans to start a door-to-door campaign in the spring. A graduate of Bryant College with degree in finance, White said he's a former employee of AT&T, where he worked as an Internet applications specialist. He also helped manage the former Scuba Center in South Attleboro, he said.

White is married and has a son.

Nomination papers for the city election next November aren't available until February 9.