This being Raleigh, where dog park placement classifies as a major issue, figuring out what topics will dominate the discussion is anybody's guess. But some harmless speculation never hurts.

The City Council is already guaranteed to have one new member, as at-large council member Joyce Kekas is not running for re-election. Kekas' departure is significant in that she proved to be the tie-breaking vote on a number of 5-3 decisions, including the vote to raise impact fees by 72 percent last year.

Councilman Russ Stephenson appears eager to make impact fees an issue as he attempts to retain his at-large seat. Several times in recent months Stephenson has mentioned the city's need to "pay for growth" by exploring all options.

Stephenson, Mayor Charles Meeker and Councilman Thomas Crowder all wanted the city to raise impact fees more than 72 percent. If the issue gains traction among voters, other challengers may attempt to highlight how their position differs from incumbents.

This election season could also further expose the simmering tensions among current council members.

At a June budget work session, the council ignored a request from Meeker and Crowder to not vote on the budget until Stephenson returned from vacation. Stephenson had asked that the council extend him the courtesy, which had been done for councilman Philip Isley in the past.

In North Raleigh races, incumbents Jessie Taliaferro and Tommy Craven have already announced they will run for re-election. Paul Anderson, a Baptist minister who ran unsuccessfully against Craven in 2005, has also said he plans to run for an at-large seat.

The fate of Horseshoe Farm could play a role in North Raleigh races. In May, the City Council adopted a barebones development plan for the 146-acre park put forward by Taliaferro.

That plan did not entirely satisfy neighbors and environmental advocates who want more assurances that Horseshoe will be a low-density park.

Given that the park's future has been a matter of heated debate for two years, it's not hard to imagine it coming up again before the Oct. 9 election.