Whatever the troubles at City Hall, and there are many, the next dozen weeks will determine what the make-up of the council will be. The possibilities are actually many:

Cox (R), Hall (R), Vinson (R), McCann (R), Ramirez (D)

Cox (R), Hall (R), McCann (R), Castaneda (D), Ramirez (D)

Cox (R), Hall (R), Castenada (D), Ramirez (D), OPEN

Cox (R), Vinson (R), Bensousan (D), Ramirez (D), OPEN

Cox (R), Vinson (R), Hall (R), Ramirez (D), OPEN

Cox (R), Bensousan (D), Castaneda (D), Ramirez (D), OPEN

Cox (R), McCann (R), Bensousan (D), Castaneda (D), Ramirez (D)

Cox (R), McCann (R), Vinson (R), Bensousan (D), Ramirez (D)

There could be more but you get the idea... this is a council in flux. My views on the candidates:

McCann (R running for state office): Shirley Horton (R) has held this Democrat seat for six years. Can McCann hold it? It's anyone's guess. Toss up... wild card.

Castaneda (D incoming councilmemeber): Steve recently survived a trial, but from my conversations I'm not altogether sure he survives this fight. He has an ongoing fight with Mayor Cox, which is one thing, but an even more nasty fight with the local Republicans who are now spending big bucks down here. He was a loyal Padilla vote, and so he has a pretty bad record I would guess (think about the former Mayor's budget busting, pay for no meetings, and bodyguard). Still, no one should underestimate Steve... he is a savvy campaigner.

Vinson (R running against Castaneda): with the number of candidates in the primary I have to admitt I was surprised Vinson came in first. He's proven to be a strong fundraiser with real support from the Cox people and the Republicans. I saw quite a few yardsigns in the primary around town. If you have met him you know he has an aggresive way about him and so I'm guessing he will come out swinging since Steve has problems.

Bensousan (D running for the open seat): I didn't know anything about Pam before the race started, but in about 10 minutes of research I found out what I needed to know - she is a Democrat's Democrat. Endorsed by every liberal organization in the county, just about. But she'll run to the right, against the problems at City Hall I'd guess from her campaign this far. There is a rumor, though, which I can't prove, but heard from a reliable source, that she has a couple real problems that didn't come out in the primary election.

Hall (R running for the open seat): Hall came real close to pulling this one off in the primary. An interesting man. If he gets to City Hall I think we are looking at a genuine independent who will do what he thinks is right no matter who he offends. He is not the best fundraiser in the city from what I can tell, but he seems to walk endlessly (or he just always looks like he walks all the time).

Let the games begin!