Nearly everyone competing for nine spots in the Coconut Grove Village Council came to the Coconut Grove Sailing Club on Wednesday to make the campaign pitches they were not allowed to make at City Hall.

For most, it was the first time they were able to introduce themselves to the community that will be voting on Nov. 3. The top nine vote getters win a four-year term, starting in January.

Already, many candidates have made a point of getting out and meeting voters.

Swapping lecterns for hotdogs and a suit for a pair of jeans, candidate Stephen Murray hosted a meet-and-greet barbecue on Oct. 17 as part as his campaign.

People from all walks of life came to the community garden on Frow Avenue. West and Center Grove residents mingled with University of Miami students and Murray's canine supporters and their owners.

``I'm Republican and he's a Democrat, but that doesn't mean I can't recognize the potential in this young man,'' said state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami.

Murray's barbecue marked the first and only campaign event so far held by a candidate for this election.

Characterized by a laid-back approach, this election's low key tones are mirrored in the candidates' campaigns. Most people have not raised any money for the campaign or are paying for it out-of-pocket.

Several candidates have created fliers, which they handed to residents Wednesday at the Village of Center Grove meeting at the Sailing Club.

Heather Bettner, Javier Gonzalez and Kate Callahan said they have sent e-mails out to the community, advertising their candidacy for the council.

Said Gonzalez: ``It's really e-mail, e-mail, e-mail. It's about turning out a vote.''

Bettner and Callahan are also relying on door-to-door campaigning and word of mouth.

``I've spoken to all my neighbors, gone door-to-door to hear their concerns,'' Callahan said.

David Collins, one of the incumbents running for reelection, is also meeting voters. ``This is not a mass election,'' he said. ``I'm just talking to people, telling them my opinions and asking them for theirs.''

William Furry said he's been meeting business owners and asking them how they feel about the 3 a.m. alcohol cutoff time, which he wants to revert back to 5 a.m.

Incumbent Michelle Niemeyer says she is campaigning the way she's always done it: participating in events like Wednesday's meeting, blogging on the Coconut Grove Grapevine and relying on name recognition and word of mouth.

The candidates had their first chance of introducing themselves Wednesday at the Village of Center Grove meeting. They were barred by Miami officials from making any political speeches at City Hall at an Oct. 15 Village Council meeting.

Gonzalez, a Realtor, grew up in the North Grove. He told people he wants to bring a pragmatic approach to the council.

``I can sell all the council's great ideas,'' he said. ``We don't promote what we have and that's something we need to do.''

Patrick Sessions is a developer. He believes his expertise will help the council with the technical aspects of various plans. He also wants to increase security in the Grove. Rose Fountain, a Grove native, said she wants to revitalize Grand Avenue and all the town houses, condos and businesses along it.

David Wells, president of the North Grove Neighborhood Association, wants to implement a plan for preserving the Grove's historic culture and features.

``My priorities are safety, make the streets bike-friendly, keep the Grove's residential character and retain its lush foliage,'' he said.

Renita Samuels-Dixon is a third-generation Grove resident who wants to enhance art programs and restore neighborhoods to their safe, strollable condition.

Attorney Scott Janowitz said he is running because he wants the quality of life to improve. He dismissed criticism that he and others had not attended Village Council meetings prior to running for the council.

And he praised the laid-back nature of the campaigns.

``This [election] should not be about leaflets,'' Janowitz said. ``It should be about community ideals, not who is peddling for votes with leaflets and fliers. It's an election of ideas and personality.''

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