Rather than introduce a new office, Buonomo has proposed that the city hire translators in all of its existing departments that deal with immigrants.

Buonomo boasts of real-life success diversifying Somerville's pool of government workers.

"While they may talk about hiring people from different backgrounds, I've actually done it," Buonomo says.

In proposing her solution to diversity problems, Gay attempts to combine a commitment to women's issues with a broad paean to diversity.

"We need more women, Asians, Latinos, African-Americans, lesbians and gay men," Gay said at a candidate pot-luck dinner and debate in January.

"We bring all sides to the table...including those who have not traditionally been included," Gay said in a recent interview with The Crimson.

All the candidates are emphasizing their commitment to education, though each has a different vision of how to improve Somerville's schools.

Though the state has been shifting toward making bilingual educational optional, all of the candidates insist on maintaining these programs in Somerville.

Buonomo has stressed he does not believe inlevel-service budgeting for schools, a methodwhich restricts funding to the amount that willprevent services from dropping off year-to-year.

He says that city students' disappointingscores on the statewide Massachusetts tests thisfall highlight the need for reforming Somerville'sschool system.

"Not everyone [in the city] goes on tocollege," Buonomo says. "Good vocational andtechnical training would improve job opportunitiesfor those who do not go on to college." He alsosays he is committed to making the administrativeranks of the schools better reflect the students.

Economics

In the context of Somerville's welfare-to-workprogram, Gay has expressed concern for therepresentation of women in industrial jobs likeconstruction work. She advocates making surefemale former welfare recipients are steeredtoward non-clerical vocational positions.

While Gay has plans to reform city serviceslike the welfare-to-work program, the twoaldermen, Curtatone and Buonomo, have focused onthe need for various administrative changes withinSomerville's government.

Both advocate a "living wage" increase formunicipal workers.

In addition to supporting the pay increase,Curtatone has announced a number of initiatives tofacilitate home ownership, such as creating a cityfund to assist in the development of low-incomehousing.