Introducing Yorba Linda's seven City Council candidates for the Nov. 8, 2016 election ballot

Seven names will appear on the Nov. 8 election ballot seeking three Yorba Linda City Council seats, adding to the 217 names that have graced the city's 27 prior regular, special and recall council ballots in the 49 years since incorporation.

This week's column will provide a brief introduction to the candidates, and next week's column will explore campaign finances – how the dollars are raised and how they're spent to win votes.

Tara Campbell is a life-long, 23-year resident with a masters degree in public administration from USC. She's a field representative for Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang and campaign coordinator for Chang's state Senate run. She chairs the Parks and Recreation Commission and is active with the Chamber of Commerce, Yorba Linda Women's Club and Girl Scouts.

Paul Dippolito is a small business owner involved in marketing and promotions with Got Country Productions, which produces country music, partner and line dancing events, including shows at Incahoots in Fullerton. He's the only contender who didn't pay $869 for a 200-word statement to be mailed to voters with sample ballots. (Mailings start Sept. 29.)

Beth Haney is an 11-year resident with a masters degree from Loma Linda University and a doctorate from the University of Colorado. She's the founder of the Luxe Aesthetic Center in Yorba Linda and an assistant clinical professor at UCI. She's a board member of the Orange County YMCA and past president of the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Eugene Hernandez is a 33-year resident who was elected to the council in 2012. He has a masters degree in management from Cal Poly Pomona and was employed in the Fullerton and Orange police departments before serving as chief in Chino 1998-2006. He chairs the county Fire Authority board and is a member of this county's Republican Central Committee.

Cristy Parker is a 44-year resident and honors graduate of Esperanza High School, Cal State Fullerton and UC Hastings College of Law. She's a retired business adviser who worked with clients in business transactions for 15 years. She was a partner with the Rutan & Tucker law firm 1998-2010 and is a team leader for the community group Preserve Yorba Linda.

Ryan Smith is a 10-year resident with a bachelors degree in economics from Cal State Long Beach and juris doctorate from Trinity Law School of Santa Ana. He's a business attorney and economist who has worked at Northrop Grumman since 2012, currently in procurement contracts involving evaluation and negotiation. He was admitted to the state bar in 2012.

Craig Young is a 20-year resident who was elected to the council in 2012 and survived a 2014 recall attempt. He's an attorney with AlvaradoSmith APC, chairs the county toll roads directors and is an investor and general counsel for the Lincoln Partners. He was elected to a four-year term on the county Republican Central Committee that begins in January.