Al Melone Age: 66  Occupation: Retired certified public accountant Education: bachelor's, Fordham University; masters, Michigan State University Top issues: Referendum on fireworks policy; outsourcing of public services; passage of charter Website: n/a

Steve Mensinger Age: 50  Occupation: Real estate management Education: Attended USC Top issues: Pension reform, transparency in government, infrastructure investment Website:   www.mensinger2012.com

Gary Monahan Age: 52  Occupation: Restaurateur Education: Attended California State University Fullerton Top issues: Budget and pensions; outsourcing and privatization; investment in parks, roads and infrastructure Website:   www.monahan2012.com

Colin McCarthy Age: 36  Occupation: Attorney Education: Juris doctorate, Loyola Law School; bachelor's, UCSB Top issues: Control spending; infrastructure and parks investment; attract families to our city Website:   www.cm4cm.com

Harold Weitzberg Age: 63  Occupation: Business executive Education: bachelor's, New York University; master's, Hofstra University; post-graduate, New York University Top issues: Unity; safety; prosperity Website:   www.weitzberg4costamesa.com

John Stephens Age: 49  Occupation: Business attorney Education: bachelor's, Cal Poly Pomona; juris doctorate, UC Davis Top issues: Economic growth and new jobs; stop rising property crime; oppose the charter Website:   www.stephens4costamesa.com

Art Perry Age: 65  Occupation: director, Costa Mesa Sanitary District Education: BS, Cal State Fullerton; masters, Pepperdine University Top issues: Divert more trash from landfills; repair aging sewer system; save taxpayers money Website:   artperryforcmsd2012.webs.com

Don Harper Age: 53 Occupation: Business owner/accountant Education: BS, Cal State Chico Top issues: Bid $4.4 million trash contract; refund $5.5 surplus to residents; repeal director health care plan Website:   www.voteharper2012.com

James Ferryman Age: 64  Occupation: director, Costa Mesa Sanitary District Education: BS, San Jose State University; some grad school Top issues: Protect district independence; maintain exemplary financial condition; Increase trash diversion rate Website:   www.ferryman4cmsd.com

Jeff Mathews Age: 46  Occupation: Business owner Education: BA, UC Irvine; MBA, Pepperdine University; JDD, University of Laverne Top issues: place trash services contract out to competitive bid; end lawsuit between board members; refunding some or all of the $5.5 million in surplus funds Website:   www.Mathews2012.com

Fred Bockmiller Age: 49  Occupation: Registered professional engineer Education: bachelor's, California Maritime Academy; leadership and management certificates, UC Irvine Top issues: providing the highest quality water, from a plentiful, locally-controlled supply, that is affordable over the long term Website:   www.fredbockmiller.com

Eric Bever Age: 52  Occupation: Mayor/businessman Education: bachelor's, California State University Fullerton Top issues: safety of water supply; diversification of water resources; maximizing district's efficiency Website:   Eric Bever

Dan Worthington Age: 77  Occupation: business manufacturer Education: BA, San Jose State University and University of Puget Sound Top issues: Lowering water rates, reducing board expenditures Website: n/a

James Fisler Age: 61  Occupation: Realtor and small business owner Education: Attended UC Irvine Top issues: providing maximum value to the ratepayer with safe, reliable water in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner Website:   www.smartvoter.org/vote/fisler

Ethan Temianka Age: 29  Occupation: real estate and web design Education: BA, UC Irvine Top issues: lowering water rates, long-term sustainability, water quality Website:   www.joinethan.com

Trudy Ohlig-Hall Age: 78  Occupation: accountant Education: accountant training in Canada Top issues: budgetary accuracy and transparency Website:   vote4trudy2012.com

Robert Rush (D) Age: 56  Occupation: Business owner/accountant Education: BA, Upsala College; CPA in CA and NY Top issues: Return California to fiscal strength; improve education; further protect environment Website:   Rush2012.com

Allan Mansoor (R) Age: 48  Occupation: California Assemblyman Education: associate's degree from Coastline Community College Top issues: stop special interests; balance the budget; restore education funding Website:   www.allanmansoor.com