The race for the Jamestown City Council’s Third Ward is perhaps the most interesting of the ward races, with incumbent appointee Regina Brackman, who works for Truck-Lite, has served on the city Planning Commission since 2014 and is active with Blackwell Chapel AME Zion Church, facing off with Robert Reedy II, the owner of Elite Kreations.

Brackman is endorsed by the Democratic Party while Reedy is endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties.

While approaching things from two separate points of view, the first thing to note about both candidates is their obvious dedication to the community. Brackman has run once for the council, has served on the Planning Commission and has long been active in community causes. She brings a unique voice to the City Council reminiscent of Vickye James, who preceded Brackman in representing Ward 3.

Some people speak with great rhetoric about trying to improve the city. Reedy has done so witih his time, effort and hard-earned money, building a thriving business on East Second Street in an area that has long needed an infusion of private capital. He, too, would bring a unique voice to the council — that of a small business owner who knows how important economic development, lower tax rates and a skilled workforce are to the city’s future.

In a perfect world. both would be elected to the council. Both of their voices and perspectives should be represented on the council. We understand the difficult choice voters in Ward 3 have before them, because we, too, have a hard time making a choice between the two candidates.