The Bee asked candidates in the race for the council a series of questions on issues that will shape their city's future.

1. What do you think are the key issues voters want addressed in Elk Grove?

2. What would you do for Elk Grove during the next four years that sets you apart from other council candidates?

DISTRICT 1

JIM COOPER, incumbent, sheriff's captain

1. Crime: We need more police detectives. Home foreclosures: We need to explain to homeowners what options are available. The crisis is far from over. Transportation: People are having a hard time paying for food and gas. Public transportation needs to be expanded.

2. My passion is helping our youth. As commander of the 41-agency Internet Crimes Against Children task force, my concern is dealing with Internet crimes against children as well as drug and gang issues.

LAWANNA MONTGOMERY, president, Reach Learning Center

1. Education, public safety, attracting and keeping businesses, liveable wages. Change for the community is past due. The economy is the No. 1 issue: keeping our homes, paying our mortgages and rent, keeping our jobs, putting gas in our cars, putting food on our tables.

2. Establish a rainy day fund to keep essential city services protected during an economic recession. I will see to it that we unite as team to build a better place for our children, our loved ones and ourselves.

DISTRICT 3

STEVE DETRICK, PG&E electric distribution engineer

1. Getting tougher on crime: We need more officers on the street. Reviving our economy: Keep taxes and fees low, cut red tape to attract business and quality jobs. Ensuring transparent government: End backroom deals, abide by rules and regulations, follow a code of ethics.

2. I will bring honesty, integrity and morality back to our council. With the relationships I have built with the City Council, Planning Commission and staff, the council will rise from good to great.

GREG HIGLEY, UPS store owner

1. Citizens want to "stop the growth." We are getting too big too fast, and not for the right reasons. Voters want structure and accountability. As a business owner, I have the experience that no other candidate has.

2. I would restructure City Council to include an elected mayor, and structure the planning and zoning commission to represent what the citizens are looking for, not the few at the top. I would restructure the police to represent what the citizens are looking for.

MICHAEL LEARY, incumbent, sheriff's lieutenant

1. The economy. People are losing their jobs and their homes. Businesses are closing. As a council we have to do what we can to create professional jobs within the community, and retain the jobs and businesses we have.

2. Continue in the direction we've been going. We have the means to turn our economy around by our decision-making. We're assisting with expansion of Sutter Hospital and the mall. We created the Economic Development Corp. with a $750,000 commitment to foster jobs.

DISTRICT 5

ROBERT FELTS, Air Force pilot, retired

1. Housing crisis, business environment, jobs, outside interests in our city affairs, honest government, Elk Grove Promenade, roads and traffic, crime, citizen safety and law enforcement capabilities, growth without sprawl, social programs, impact fees, and economic problems.

2. Bring no-nonsense integrity to our City Council. I'll work to restore citizens' faith that their council members work for them - not for outside or self-interests. I'll bring a different approach to our economic planning process and work to enhance senior and veteran support.

KATHERINE MAESTAS, business owner

1. The economy. People are losing their homes, businesses are closing and families are struggling to get by. We need to identify proactive regional strategies and solutions to approach our challenges. Smarter planning decisions, improving our infrastructure, and putting families first should be our priorities.

2. I will bring Elk Grove residents into the city's decision-making process and give them the strongest voice. Having over 10 years of experience in planning, I developed a reputation for working closely with the community, providing a transparent process, and not rubber-stamping projects.

SOPHIA GONZALES SCHERMAN, incumbent, state parks commissioner

1. Foreclosures: Assist families facing foreclosure. Vacant houses only damage other homeowners' property values. Jobs: I support the Elk Grove Chamber Economic Development Corp. in bringing jobs to Elk Grove. Crime: I am committed to reducing crime in Elk Grove.

2. I will continue to be the voice of the people. The citizens of Elk Grove will have that voice on the council with me as their councilwoman.

KT TRAN, college instructor

1. We need an improved economy and jobs. Not just any jobs. I'd like to bring in greentech, a hydrogen fuel cell auto plant that will spur economic growth because it is a new industry. A plant would create jobs, income for residents and generate tax revenues.

2. My economic plan for Elk Grove involves greentech and the hydrogen fuel cell. It includes an auto plant, having mass transit, bringing Sacramento Regional Transit back and establishing a joint powers authority with other cities such as Stockton and Tracy.