A life-long resident of the city, McGrail opposes rent control.

James McSweeney, the 12th finisher in the 1991 council race, says he is an independent interested in fiscal responsibility.

McSweeney, 29, believes that the council under the Cambridge Civic Association under the Cambridge Civic Association majority has acted inefficiently in providing services to the city.

Rather than considering a proposition 2 1/2 override or increasing taxes, he argues that the city should use existing revenues better.

"Everyone thinks if you throw money at a problem it will go away," McSweeney says.

He advocates "zero-based budgeting" as a solution to increased city spending. Under such a system, each program is annually evaluated as if it were a new proposal.

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

Elaine Noble says she became intrigued by city politics when she attempted to start a health care center for gays and lesbians in Cambridge.

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

After finishing 11h in the 1991 Council campaign, Noble was convinced that another successful campaign would give her the votes she needed to win the election.

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

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

A strict believer in term limitations, Noble says she limited herself to two terms as a State Representative from 1974 to 1978 and can accomplish her goals for the council within the same time frame.

John R. Pitkin says he decided to run in this election after heading the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood association for six years.

Pitkin says his work with the neighborhood association has given him a great deal of experience with the intricacies of city government.