Perhaps the toughest decision city residents face is choosing three candidates to serve as at-large representatives to the City Council.

The two incumbents are Kimberly Ecklund, who has served on the council since first being elected in 2003, and Jeffery Russell, who is going for his first re-election bid following his 2019 election. The challengers include Christina Cardinale, Randall Daversa, Ellen Ditonto and Alyssa Porter. Ecklund, Russell and Daversa are all endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties. Cardinale, Ditonto and Porter are all endorsed by the Democratic and Working Families parties.

Ecklund and Russell should be re-elected to the council. Ecklund is a financial watchdog who worked has worked hard to make sure the city’s budget didn’t explode last year when health care savings were included in the proposed budget but not likely to actually happen. She should remain on the council and, frankly, remain as Finance Committee chairwoman for as long as she is re-elected regardless of which party holds a majority on the council. Russell fills a needed role with knowledge of public safety issues on a council that often doesn’t have much firsthand experience with public safety.

Daversa, Ditonto, Porter and Cardinale would all bring their own strengths to the council. Daversa has touted sidewalk improvements in the city and brings with him background in public works projects that could be helpful in overseeing federal stimulus programs; Ditonto brings experience with government and business, Porter would bring a focus on neighborhoods and youth through her work with Infinity, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the United Way and Cardinale’s thoughts on a mobile mental health unit are an interesting thought that in our view should be pursued.

It’s a difficult choice, but ultimately Ditonto is the best of the four remaining candidates.

In our view, Ecklund, Russell and Ditonto are the best choices for the at-large positions on the council.