"I think that there's a real need for representatives for working class people in Cambridge," says Galluccio, who is endorsed by the Alliance for Change.

Galluccio says he is pro-development because "the main needs of working class people are jobs and an economy and safe streets."

He says that many higher income people who like the atmosphere of Cambridge forget there are working people here who need jobs.

"Cambridge is not a suburb. It's a city," he says. "Cities look to attract business. Only in Cambridge do we drive the business. Only in Cambridge do we drive the businesses out."

Galluccio opposes rent control because he says it "is not a low income housing policy" and proposes a housing subsidy program to take its place.

Galluccio, whose father and sister are Harvard graduates and whose mother works for Harvard, says the universities make an important contribution to the city.

Vivian Kurkjian wants to clean up the city.

Kurkjian, who has lived in Cambridge since 1975, says one of the things which first struck her about this area was that the streets were dirty. "The first thing I want to do is start enforcing the litter law," she says.

Kurkjian was inspired to run for public office when she found out there was a hole in the ozone layer.

"My own belief is that it's one of the underlying causes of AIDS and other autoimmune diseases," says the Brattle Street area resident, who is not endorsed by any civic groups.

Kurkjian is in favor of rent control. Her other concerns include keeping dogs out of the water supply at Fresh Pond and limiting the use of computers, which she says waste electricity.

Jim McGrail, 27, says the city would be a better place if more decisions were left to the average citizen.

"The best decisions aren't made in an office at city hall," says McGrail, who is endorsed by the Cambridge Alliance for Change.

For this reason, McGrail wants to cut the city councillors' salaries in half. "I really believe that the more money you make, the more out of touch you become with the city of Cambridge," says the North Cambridge resident.

McGrail also says that people should be given unlimited time to speak at city council meetings and public hearings. "I think it's an outrage to limit people's time," he says.