Council candidates discuss their priorities

Joe "Jersey Joe" Carchio

Age: "Over 50 and proud of it"

Born: New Jersey

Education: Bachelor's degree, Seton Hall; U.S. Army

Huntington Beach resident: 25 years

Profession: Restaurateur/small-business owner

Priority if elected: "I will propose waiving of fees for residents remodeling their homes. Average Huntington Beach remodel is 500 square feet, average city fee is $5,000. Average re-assessment after remodel is $50,000. Numerous benefits result, including pride of ownership and neighborhood preservation. Neighboring cities do this already. No. 2: Create an economic development plan before it is too late. No. 3: Cut frills, fix streets and sidewalks, giving back control of city to taxpayers."

Gil Coerper

Age: 73

Born: Kenosha, Wis.

Education: AA degree, 160 units at Cal State Long Beach

Huntington Beach resident: 40 years

Profession: Retired police officer, Korean War veteran

Priority if elected: "Major priority goal is to build a state-of-the-art police range for our officers. Right now, it's costing the city about $250,000 a year for leasing facilities elsewhere. I would also make sure to have graffiti removed by changing the ordinance. Also, repair our roads, sidewalks and replant trees for residents' concerns.

Cathy Green

Age: 58

Born: Tokyo

Education: Degrees in law and nursing

Huntington Beach resident: 36 years

Profession: Nurse

Priority if elected: "Public safety and infrastructure. We need to get up to a full staff of police officers — we're down by nine officers — particularly before next summer. Also, expanding business and tourism while protecting the environment. Third is controlling runoff from inland cities to protect our beaches, oceans and harbor."

Jill Hardy

Age: 35

Born: Huntington Beach

Education: Edison High School graduate; bachelor's in economics and math, UC Santa Barbara; master's in economics, Cal State Long Beach

Profession: Huntington Beach High School teacher

Huntington Beach resident: Fourth-generation resident

Priority if elected: "No. 1 priority is to listen to the concerns of residents. No. 2: wise and balanced budget. Spend our money wisely and make budget decisions to increase revenue. No. 3: Protecting the environment: Clean water, clean beaches and open space."

Flossie Horgan

Age: 60

Born: Glendale

Education: Bachelor of arts in political science, UCLA; master's degree in biology, Humboldt State University

Profession: Community college teacher