What a difference two years can make.

This time in 2006 Simi Valley had three incumbents running unopposed for the City Council.

Development was booming, housing prices were going through the roof and landfill expansion was just an idea being whispered by those in the know.

Fast forward to the present.

Housing prices are in a sharp freefall, development has slowed to a crawl, and if you aren't aware that Waste Management wants to triple the size of the Simi Valley Landfill then it's time to pick up your local newspaper and thumb through the pages.

Because our community faces tough issues with little respite in sight, nine Simi Valley residents have decided to run for City Council. Three candidates are seeking the job of mayor and six want to fill two council seats.

But along with this unexpected bounty of candidates comes the responsibility of the local electorate to learn more about the campaign issues and which candidate might be best suited for the job.

What are the issues that have a bearing on you and your family and where do the candidates stand on each one?

And as we march ahead toward Nov. 4, now is the time to consider the qualities you'd like your elected officials to have.

Experience? Trust? Fiscal responsibility? Is partisan politics important?

Does personality matter?

It's up to you to decide which of these defining traits are most important to you.

It's easy to recognize the one thing that all the candidates have in common—they love Simi Valley and want the opportunity to lead the city toward a brighter future—but it's how the men and women who are running for office differ in their opinions that matters the most.

When it comes to Simi politics, where do you stand?