staff Writer

DUBLIN — A veteran member of the City Council has stepped up for a run at the mayor's job, and a political newcomer is hoping to energize the council.

Three seats are up for election in November — those of the mayor and two council members.

Vice Mayor Tim Sbranti filed his nomination papers this week to run for the vacant mayor's post. Sbranti, 33, is a teacher at Dublin High School and has served on the City Council for five years.

He said he is the most experienced councilmember left on the dais because Mayor Janet Lockhart, who has served on the council since 1996, and eight-year Councilman Tony Oravetz are termed out.

"There's tremendous opportunity for Dublin, with still some room to grow" said Sbranti, whose council term expires in 2010.

Sbranti said he has much to offer in addition to his council experience. He has spent nearly his entire life in Dublin and is involved in many community events, he said.

Newcomer John Zukoski, a corporate accounts manager at Robert House International, has filed to run for one of the two council seats, one of which is Oravetz's open seat.

Councilmember Kasie Hildenbrand's seat is also up. Hildenbrand has taken out papers to run but has not yet filed them.

The deadline to file nomination papers is Aug. 8. The date is extended until Aug. 13 for races in which the incumbent is eligible but chooses not to run for re-election.

Zukoski,

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32, said his community service and his financial background make him a good council candidate.

"I'm extremely passionate about Dublin and its future," Zukoski said. "I'm going to bring energy to the City Council, more energy to it."

Zukoski has lived in the Tri-Valley all of his life. He moved back into the city of Dublin five years ago.

He is involved in the Rotary Club and writes a blog about Dublin called Around Dublin.

Both men said they want to bring more business to the city.

Zukoski said he is interested in developing a small-business loan program, similar to the city's first-time home buyer's program, which offers low-interest loans to business owners.

He also would like more businesses to open in the western part of town.

Sbranti said he likes the idea of creating a permit process that would give priority to applications from businesses that want to locate downtown.

Reach Sophia Kazmi at 925-847-2122 or skazmi@bayareanewsgroup.com.