The field of contenders for Ward 1 alderperson narrowed on Jan. 23.

That's when Mike Daming withdrew his name from the April ballot to attend to some "family matters," he said.

"The timing wasn't right," said Daming before last Thursday's Brentwood Chamber of Commerce meeting. "We'll get 'em next time."

That narrows the field to James Bischoff and Maureen Saunders.

Bischoff works with his brother-in-law at a contracting supply company in Maryland Heights called Tramelli Industrial Products.

Bischoff said he filed because he wanted to help the city.

"I don't have an agenda," he said. "This is an opportunity to serve Brentwood."

Bischoff, 44, lives with his wife and three kids on White Avenue.

Maureen Saunders, 50, has been a vocal critic of the city's operations in recent months and led a petition drive to get Brentwood's books audited by the state.

Saunders, who lives on Parkridge Avenue, works as a bookkeeper for different companies and said she wants to use her accounting background to help the city.

After a collective 19 years as Ward 1 alderwoman, incumbent Barb Clements announced she wouldn't run again in 2012.