Steve Manos seeks to leave no room for ambivalence about his campaign for a City Council seat should voters recall Councilman Thomas Buckley.

The message is simple: Bounce Buckley and elect Manos.

The 33-year-old real estate executive is the only one among the three replacement candidates on the Feb. 23 ballot to publicly criticize Buckley and try to frame the recall election as a choice between himself and the councilman, whose second term expires in November.

"He's had eight years to do whatever he was going to do and it hasn't been done," Manos said. "If in the last eight years he hasn't proven anything, then maybe we don't need to go through another eight years, knowing what we're going to get."

In defending himself against such accusations, Buckley on his anti-recall campaign Web site lists numerous improvements on his watch such as new parks, reduced crime, improved lake health and more large-scale retail stores, homes and jobs.

Ironically, one of the areas in which the councilman has been most active ---- laying the groundwork for downtown revitalization ---- provided ammunition for the recall proponents.

Their accusation that Buckley personally profited from his office stems primarily from the redevelopment agency board's decision to buy a property overlooking the lake while the councilman served as the board's chairman. The proponents allege graft because the city paid about $1.5 million more than the seller had paid for the property and the seller was a campaign contributor to Buckley.

Buckley said he and other redevelopment board members agreed the property would be a valuable purchase and negotiated a fair price ---- about $4.1 million ---- without knowing the owner had obtained the parcels much more cheaply.

Under campaign regulations, it is not a legal conflict for a councilman to vote on a project involving a contributor as long as he is not receiving personal benefit. Authorities have not investigated or charged Buckley in relation to the allegations.

Manos said he believes the proponents have gone overboard, but contends that Buckley exercised poor judgment.

"The proponents have embellished the complaint against Thomas Buckley," he said. "I couldn't find any proof of profiteering. ... The question is, can we trust you to make a decision and accept a developer's contribution at some time? I'd say no."

Manos said, if elected, he would seek campaign financing reform to establish constraints on when a council person could vote on an issue involving a contributor.

Manos denied allegations by Buckley and others that he is being backed by the recall proponents. Buckley contends the campaign is an attempt at retribution by the campaign's backer, entertainment center owner Michel Knight, because the councilman voted against allowing the venue to have nightclub shows there, citing safety issues. The permit has since been revoked by the Planning Commission, a decision Knight has appealed to the council.

"I have no relationship" with the recall campaign, Manos said. "I had contact with Michel Knight because I wanted to get both sides of the story, but I received no contributions or support."

Manos said he would prefer the city didn't have to hold the election.

"I would rather have taken Tom Buckley on in November, but sometimes you don't get the choice of where you have to stand up and fight," he said. "It's the wrong time for the recall, but I respect the constituents' right to have a recall. ... I think voters have an opportunity to say whether they think Mr. Buckley's actions are acceptable or not acceptable."

Manos' criticism extends to the councilman's arrest in December for allegedly driving under the influence, a case that remains pending.

"His credibility on any public safety issue has been diminished," Manos said.

Manos touts a 10-point platform. In addition to campaign reform, those points are: finish the general plan update; stimulate housing; "spring cleaning at City Hall;" renegotiate all contracts; improve curb appeal; contract an economic development agency; hasten road and bridge improvements; rebuild budget reserves; and annex Lakeland Village and Meadowbrook.

He said the city needs to forge ahead on redeveloping Main Street, which he is envisions as becoming something like San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.

Manos, the father of three girls and a boy, said he has lived in Lake Elsinore for 23 years and is a staunch defender of the town.

"I joke with my wife, I'd like a Viking funeral in the middle of the lake," he said.

Manos, a member of the city's Citizens Corps, can be spotted in the audience at nearly every council meeting. When asked why he started attending, he said, "It was mostly anger. I was tired of hearing negative things about the city in the press and the community."

Manos ran in the 2008 City Council race in which three seats were on the ballot and finished fifth, one spot behind one of the candidates in the upcoming election ---- Planning Commission Chairman Jimmy Flores. The other candidate is Planning Commissioner Phil Mendoza.

Manos believes he now is better prepared to serve, given his work on budget and legislative issues as a board member with the Inland Valley Association of Realtors.

Call staff writer Michael J. Williams at 951-676-4315, ext. 2635.