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(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) With the celebration of Labor Day and what is the traditional beginning to the campaign season, two candidates have emerged seeking the 7th District Council seat which becomes vacant on December 1, 2008. Term limits are preventing current Councilmember Jim Madaffer from running again, so the open seat is creating a lot of conversation and debate throughout the community.

Over the next nine months leading up to election day on June 3, 2008, this column will tackle the issues in our neighborhoods, seek the answers to the questions you want to ask the candidates and offer a forum for the issues and views of candidates who seek to represent us at City Hall. I welcome your thoughts, comments and feedback. So, with that, let's review the line up.

April Boling is a San Diego native graduating from Hoover High School and the University of San Diego where she attained a degree in Accounting. Marti Emerald graduated from National University with a Bachelors of Science degree.

As a Certified Public Accountant, Ms. Boling began her career as a Budget Analyst for the Department of the Navy where she was responsible for internal budgeting and external negotiations. Ms. Boling also served as a Tax Manager for the San Diego office of Price Waterhouse, one of the world's largest accounting firms.

Ms. Emerald began her broadcast career in 1978, in Washington, D.C., as a freelance reporter for the Associated Press Radio Network. She went on to radio news in Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles and San Diego, where she was a reporter and anchor for KSDO.

In 1989, Ms. Boling began her own CPA practice and for 18 years has provided tax and accounting services to individuals, businesses and political clients. Ms. Emerald began her work in the newsroom at KGTV Channel 10 in 1985. Known as the "Trouble Shooter," Ms. Emerald has used her investigative skills to protect consumers by exposing fraud in the marketplace.

Using her expertise in accounting and financial management, Ms. Boling has served on many community organizations including the San Carlos Area Town Council, Chair of the Patrick Henry High School Foundation, Chair of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and San Diego County Taxpayers Association as well as the San Diego Citizen's Budget Committee.

Ms. Emerald has assisted community organizations by using her vast experience in investigative journalism to educate consumers and the public on the dangers of consumer fraud.