Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini's six years in office have not been perfect.

But no administration is perfect, and Fiorentini's performance during difficult times has made him well worthy of re-election.

During the worst recession in more than a generation, faced with declining tax revenues and deep cuts in state aid, he has maintained essential city services without major increases in the local tax burden.

The fiscal struggles existed well before the recession. When he took office, Fiorentini inherited a multimillion dollar debt from the demise of the former Hale Hospital and city spending that was spiraling out of control. Since then, with the help of state and federal lawmakers, the city has gotten regular financial aid to pay down the Hale debt. And the mayor has taken a hard line on expenses.

That fiscal restraint has made him a target of the city's labor unions. But taxpayers — many of whom not only are paying much more for health care but have lost the jobs that provided any medical insurance at all — are grateful that he has not given up this fight.

Under Fiorentini's watch, the city has changed zoning rules to allow big-box stores, such as Lowe's and Target, to locate here. Southwick Clothing has moved its Brooks Brothers suit factory to the city. His administration jumped early onto a state/federal funding partnership to help clean up toxic waste left at industrial sites, helping to finance the renewal of long-neglected sections of the downtown while providing hundreds of housing units. A new parking garage will soon be under construction.

And, during the healthier economic years, his financial management led to a reserve fund that swelled to $4 million. That fund is now depleted, and the city's bond rating could be lowered as a result. But, things would have been much worse if the money had not been set aside.

While Haverhill is not facing another cut in state aid, as feared, the city remains under enormous fiscal pressure. The next mayoral term will present difficult choices so far avoided: closing a fire station, eliminating hours and services at the public library and further cuts in a school budget that is already inadequate. And the mayor's past heavy reliance on one-time funding sources to balance the city budget is troubling.

When it comes to growth, the mayor should take pains not to push too hard or too fast — beyond what the city can handle.

Fiorentini must also improve his relationship with those under his leadership. There are too many complaints of his management by intimidation to be discounted. He is equally to blame with the unions for the acrimonious relationship that makes coming to compromise and consensus difficult.

The mayor's challenger, John Michitson, offered some good ideas during his campaign that the mayor would be wise to adopt, especially in the areas of planning, maintenance and long-term budgeting. Michitson is thoughtful, smart and committed to Haverhill's success.

However, the mayor has demonstrated the commitment and ability to lead Haverhill to a better future. Voters should give him that opportunity.

Elsewhere on the ballot, City Council President Michael Hart clearly deserves another term for his steady, nonpartisan leadership. Incumbent councilors Mary Ellen Daly-O'Brien, William Macek, Robert Scatamacchia, Michael McGonagle and David Hall also should be re-elected, while candidates Michael Young, Colin LePage and Sven Amirian have shown themselves qualified to join the council.

In other races across the Merrimack Valley, we endorse David Abdoo for mayor in Lawrence and William Manzi for mayor in Methuen.

Abdoo, a city councilor and former Planning Board member, has been willing to face residents and his opponent in public forums and debates, ready to answer any and all questions put to him.

Abdoo, 42, is a government and media affairs officer with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He is a graduate of Salem State College and a 17-year member of the National Guard.

Abdoo has earned the votes of Lawrence residents for mayor.

In Methuen, incumbent Mayor Manzi has worked with city unions to keep the city's budget under control.

Manzi's two terms in office have not been free of controversy, particularly with the city's troubled Police Department. But Manzi has tackled these problems head on.

Manzi was right to remove former police chief Joseph Solomon from office for his mismanagement and divisiveness. That matter is still before the civil service board and Manzi deserves a chance to see it through.

The Police Department has been improved with new Chief Katherine Lavigne. However the scandal over the selection of police reserves — many of them relatives of the politically connected — is a stain on Manzi's record.