Toomey says he became interested in politics because East Cambridge, where he grew up, is a politically active place. "When I grew up, politics was an integral part of the neighborhood," he says.

But public service isn't Toomey's only interest. He says the main concern of the city council during the next term should be fiscal stability.

"We're coming to the tax levy limit. How are we going to continue to fund the programs that we have in the city?" Toomey says. "The city's going to have to take a more aggressive tack in terms of trying to get more creative sources of revenue."

Toomey also says he supports rent control but thinks it needs to be reformed.

"It bothers me when the people who it is designed to help seem to have a difficulty in getting rent-control apartments," he says.

When Edward N. Cyr was elected to city council in 1989, his presence on the council guaranteed the progressive majority which now often determines city policy.

Cyr, who says he found his political roots while working as a community organizer in his home neighborhood of north Cambridge, wrote the city's ethics ordinance and helped to write rules for the city's parking freeze.

While not serving in his capacity as vice-mayor, Cyr is finance director of Chelsea, Mass. Cyr says that as chair of Cambridge's finance committee he has helped to cut the rate of growth in fiscal spending almost in half.

Although Cyr says he is satisfied with Cambridge finance, he finds fault with Harvard's role in the city's economy.

First, Cyr says Harvard's payment in lieu of taxes to the city is insufficient because many of the University's buildings are being used for private research purposes which should not be tax exempt.

"Harvard's payments to the city are wholly inadequate. They are simply not anything like what they should be," Cyr says.

Next, Cyr says Harvard Real Estate has damaged Cambridge's real estate market by buying up land around Harvard Square for commercial purposes.

"They are looking at institutional needs 40 years down the road," Cyr says.

Although Cyr may have a bone to pick with Harvard Real Estate, he says Harvard students are a positive force in Cambridge.

"They bring a certain kind of commitment and compassion to the city," Cyr says.