The face of the Jamestown City Council could change drastically on Nov. 7 with six people running for the council’s three at-large positions.

Democrats Greg Rabb, the incumbent council president, Vanessa L. Weinert and former legislator Robert Whitney Jr. are running against Republicans Kimberly Ecklund and Andrew Liuzzo as well as Michael D. Laurin, a registered Independent endorsed by the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties.

Ecklund is among the longest-serving members of the council and should be returned to the council. Her financial background at Bush Industries is sorely needed on a council that will have some major financial decisions to make during the coming term. Laurin, meanwhile, has shown himself to be a thoughtful analyst of the city’s housing and neighborhood issues, though we note his thoughts on the annexation of Jamestown Board of Public Utilities-owned property in Falconer makes little sense for the people he seeks to represent on the council. Laurin’s well-reasoned thoughts on neighborhoods should earn him the chance to put his ideas into action on the council. The council needs a strong voice on neighborhood programs, and Laurin seems to be the right person for that job.

The choice for the third at-large position isn’t as clear. We encourage voters to choose who they feel will serve best.

Two races in city wards are contested this year.

Republican Anthony Dolce faces a challenge again from Joseph Scapelitte. Dolce is the longest-serving member of the council and has shown a deep understanding of the city’s issues. His concerns over the city’s constitutional tax limit and his oft-stated desire to work with anyone to solve the city’s issues are reasons Ward 2 voters should keep Dolce on the council. Incumbent Marie T. Carrubba, endorsed by the Democratic, Working Families, Independence and Women’s Equality parties, runs for re-election against Republican challenger Richard L. Elardo in Ward 4. Carrubba’s biggest legislative accomplishment came recently with adoption of a tax abatement program for single or two-family residential properties that are vacant, legally condemned and have outstanding state and local code violations where the cost of remedying the violations exceeds the property value. It is the type of program that could be a valuable tool for neighborhood revitalization. Carrubba, with potential reinforcements, should be returned to the council to continue working on neighborhood issues.