Where the campaigners stand

The City Council race will take more than 5 months, but we already have an idea of who will form allegiances with whom if elected:

Mike Maciel, a former police captain, is in favor of a development deal with The Surland Cos. and had Councilwoman Suzanne Tucker in attendance at his campaign kickoff Tuesday.

Larry Hite, a home inspector, has previously said his outlook for governance is more or less in line with that of Mayor Brent Ives.

Larry Gamino, former railroad man, is more of a wildcard. But he's on record saying older neighborhoods should be improved before expanding the city further.

Councilman Steve Abercrombie is a swing vote and a voice of moderation in the current council.

Irene Sundberg, who I'm guessing will run to defend her seat on the City Council, is a slow-growther and is more often than not in opposition of Tucker and Ives and often supports Celeste Garamendi, who's running for mayor alongside Ives and Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert, who herself is a swing vote on the council depending on the issue.