From January 27, 2012. The economy still struggles, budgets are tight and cuts in spending are the order of the day. Why would anyone run for office these days?

We ask members of this year's freshman class of city council members, all newly elected, first-timers, why they ran for office and what they expect.

Public opinion about government and elected officials is at a low point. And while local government may fare a little better than Congress, even a city council member can be confronted with skeptical, even cynical, constituents who feel justified in expecting very little from the people who run their cities.

And yet, this past November, a new crop of people was elected to Peninsula city councils, many of them having run for office for the first time. In a special hour-long edition of The Game, we talk to five newcomers about why they ran, what they hope to accomplish and how to overcome the public's negative view of the people who represent us at the local level.

Our Guests today, Wayne Lee, Millbrae City Council Steve Okamoto, Foster City City Council Herb Perez, Foster City City Council Ron Collins, San Carlos City Council Mark Olbert, San Carlos City Council

Hosted by Mark Simon and Kevin Mullin. Created by Peninsula Television - pentv.tv @pentv26 on twitter - facebook.com/pentv26