Endorsements

The following are The Eagle editorial board's recommendations for Wichita mayor, Wichita City Council and the Wichita school board for the April 5 general election. We offer these recommendations as information to consider as you make up your own minds about the candidates.

Wichita mayor

Incumbent Mayor Carl Brewer deserves to be re-elected. Brewer has been an effective, capable mayor during his first term. He has helped council members work together to reach consensus, and he championed efforts to revitalize downtown. He has been a passionate advocate for Wichita —"I love this city," he said — and has gotten younger Wichitans involved in city government and planning. His priorities include creating and retaining jobs and maintaining momentum downtown.

His challenger is Darrell E. Leffew , who served briefly on the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and owns a construction company. He wants to cut spending by focusing on the basics.

Wichita City Council

District 2

The clear pick in this east-side district is Lord's Diner advisory board president Pete Meitzner , because of his community involvement, business background, upbeat outlook and solid support for downtown redevelopment, the affordable airfares program and other strategically used economic development initiatives. And "quality of life feeds the business" community, he said. Meitzner is well-positioned to bridge City Hall and the business, foundation and charitable communities.

His opponent in the race to succeed term-limited council member Sue Schlapp is real-estate manager and investor Charlie Stevens , who is concerned about the city's debt load and use of industrial revenue bonds, wants City Hall to focus on core responsibilities and curb its "runaway spending" and use of economic incentives, and views the city's role downtown as "the same as it is in every other corner of the city."

District 3

James Clendenin is by far the better of the two candidates in this southeast Wichita district. Clendenin, a machinist active in his church and scouting, has won many endorsements in this race because of his affable manner, open mind, desire to serve and dedication to addressing his district's needs. He believes economic development tools such as tax-increment financing and community improvement districts have their place if used with caution, and supports downtown revitalization and the affordable airfares program. His top district priority is overseeing completion of the interchange at I-135 and 47th Street South and nearby commercial development. Clendenin would be a good partner with former council member Jim Skelton, who now represents the area on the Sedgwick County Commission.

The other candidate is longtime anti-abortion and political activist Mark Gietzen , who is a vocal critic of the city's economic development policies, air subsidies and downtown investment.

District 4

Joshua Blick is the choice in this southwest Wichita district, because of his understanding of the issues and his experience serving on the district advisory board, the Board of Zoning Appeals and as his neighborhood association's president. The technical college admissions coordinator supports downtown redevelopment and continuing the affordable airfares program, and recognizes that building relationships in the community can help it create jobs and balance the budget. He views public safety as the last place to cut and sees a need to scrutinize everything that comes to the council to answer the question: "Is this best for Wichita?" He's already a leader in his neighborhood, and should make an effective council member.

Michael O'Donnell is the other candidate running to succeed Paul Gray, whose two-term limit is up. O'Donnell, a 26-year-old who works in radio marketing and sales, believes the city has lost its way and should be less involved in economic development, reviving downtown and helping the homeless.

District 5

Vice Mayor Jeff Longwell has done a good job solving problems and building consensus on the council and merits a second term in this west-side district. Among his points of pride as a council member, he rightly counts supporting the hiring of City Manager Robert Layton, proceeding on the 13th Street bridge over the Big Ditch ("15 years late," he said) and helping the city reduce costs during the Great Recession. He recognizes the city's strategic role in encouraging job growth and economic development downtown and elsewhere, and values community and regional partnerships. Having helped the city survive some of the worst of times, he said, "I want an opportunity to govern in the best of times."

His opponent is Lynda Tyler , an investment adviser best known for her tea party activism. She is sharply critical of the city's use of economic development tools and industrial revenue bonds, and wants to focus government on basics, address west-side flooding and promote Wichita as an entrepreneurial hub.

Wichita school board

District 3

There is a reason incumbent Barb Fuller is running unopposed. She is an effective board member who deserves to be re-elected.

District 4

Incumbent Jeff Davis is the best choice in this southwest Wichita district. Davis, a sergeant with the Wichita Police Department, has gained valuable experience during his first term learning about the district's complex budget and its many challenges. That knowledge is particularly needed as the district wrestles with significant budget cuts. Davis stands up for what he believes and was the lone member on the school board to oppose suing the state over funding. "I thought that was asinine," he said. He is a practical voice on the board and wants the district to do the best it can to prepare its students for the future.

Michael Ackerman is 26 years old and owns a large lawn-care company. Though he went to private schools for his K-12 education, he thinks he can help bring needed change to the district. He is particularly concerned about preparing a better-equipped and productive work force.

Clayton Houston is also on the ballot but has not campaigned actively.

At-large district

Sheril Logan has the edge in this race to replace Kevass Harding because of her educational background and clear focus on improving student achievement. Logan is a former teacher, principal and assistant superintendent for USD 259 and former assistant dean at the College of Education at Wichita State University. She understands the challenges of teaching and leading a district and is used to making difficult decisions. She would offer valuable insight as the district wrestles with how to cut its budget while raising achievement.

Phil Neff is also a good choice. His 40 years of business experience and his service on several local boards, including Via Christi, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Wichita Community Foundation, would help him be an effective board member. He also could be a valuable liaison between the school district and the business community.

Also running is Carly Miller , a 22-year-old real-estate agent who wants to improve communication between the board and teachers, parents and students.