He advocates "zero-based budgeting" as asolution to increased city spending. Under such asystem, each program is annually evaluated as ifit were a new proposal.

If elected, McSweeney plans to work forextended hours for the Cambridge MBTA service,better bicycle safety, and a revision of rentcontrol in the city.

Some Harvard students say McSweeney's campaignliterature has been door-dropped at their rooms.

Councillor Jonathan S. Myers says his politicalinterests were inspired by his early work withhousing and human service programs.

As he became interested in working on issues ona city-wide level, Myers decided to run for citycouncil. This November marks the close of hissecond term as city councillor.

"My main interest has always been to serve thecommunity at large," Myers says.

Throughout his tenure on the council Meyerssays he has been a supporter of rent control.

"I think that rent control is a necessary partof Cambridge," Myers says, adding, "The number onepriority of the city council in the next termshould be the development of city housing policy."

Myers, who is 35 and lives in the Cambridgeportneighborhood, says he believes Harvard studentsshould take advantage of their Cambridgecitizenship to immerse themselves in the city.

"I think that Cambridge offers a greatopportunity for students to become involved in anexciting and vibrant community," Myers says.

Elaine Noble says she became intrigued by citypolitics when she attempted to start a health carecenter for gays and lesbians in Cambridge.

"The [city's] politics are so muted," Noblesays. "I became fascinated by it."

After finishing eleventh in the 1991 Councilcampaign, Noble was convinced that anothersuccessful campaign would give her the votes sheneeded to win the election.

"You really have to run twice to win inCambridge," Noble says.

If elected, Noble says she would like to helpto build consensus on the council and to providean access office for city tenants which would helpto prevent abuses of the rent control system.