In the race for mayor in Lawrence, one candidate has been willing to face residents and his opponent in public forums and debates, ready to answer any and all questions put to him.

One candidate has shown he is willing to treat the voters with respect and reach out to all the city's residents.

That candidate is David Abdoo.

Abdoo has earned the votes of Lawrence residents for mayor.

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 served for the past two years as a city councilor and spent nearly a decade on the Planning Board.

Abdoo promises he will be a mayor for all of Lawrence, not just the Mount Vernon neighborhood where he lives.

Abdoo recognizes that one of the most pressing problems the city faces is its budget. City leaders were left scrambling this year when the Department of Revenue said the budget was $11 million in the red. Even after a proposed fix, the budget remains $9.5 million out of balance.

Abdoo wants a complete financial audit of city departments and sensible budgets rebuilt from the ground up. That makes sense and could put the city on the track to fiscal solvency.

The other candidate, William Lantigua, has run a divisive, disrespectful and deceptive campaign. By refusing to debate or participate in forums, Lantigua has shut out a large part of the electorate. The divisive tone he has set will make it hard for him to lead the city in these difficult times.

Lantigua has injected party politics in a nonpartisan mayoral race. He has tried to tar Abdoo, who is unenrolled, as a Republican akin to George W. Bush and current Mayor Michael Sullivan.

Yet Lantigua did not find Sullivan's Republican affiliation distasteful in 2005 when he endorsed the mayor for re-election over challenger Marcos Devers.

In 2002, Lantigua ran successfully against former state Rep. Jose Santiago, charging that Santiago broke a promise by running for mayor while serving as state representative.

Now, Lantigua himself is a state representative running for mayor.

With Lantigua, you just don't know what to believe.

In the council races, we prefer at-large candidates Frank Moran, Roger Twomey and Dan Rivera. Moran and Twomey have been capable incumbents. Rivera would add a needed note of professionalism to the council.

In the district council races, we like Ruth Rojas in District B, Jorge Gonzalez in District C, Eileen O'Connor Bernal in District E, and Marc Laplante in District F. All present themselves professionally and would be assets to the City Council.

In the School Committee races we like James Vittorioso and Sammy Reyes, who have been instrumental in bringing the controversy surrounding Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy to the fore.

The remainder of the School Committee field is weak and presents an argument for a return to at-large elections, which should offer voters a stronger slate of candidates.

In Methuen

Mayor William 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. And while some of these issues are still to be resolved, Manzi has earned voters' support for a third term.

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.

However the scandal over the selection of police reserves — many of them relatives of the politically connected — is a stain on Manzi's record.

Manzi's deserves great credit for his handling of Methuen's budget, which is in far better shape that those in other Valley cities. Manzi deserves credit for negotiating important concessions with the municipal unions, which get credit as well for their willingness to help the city through fiscal troubles.

Manzi's opponent, businessman Al DiNuccio, has run an honorable campaign and has been a worthy challenger. He needs, however, a little more experience in local politics before he will make a viable mayoral candidate.

For City Council, we recommend John Cronin and Philip Lahey for Central District councilors and Joseph Leone for East District Councilor. In the West District, we like Jeanne Pappalardo and Deborah Quinn. Among the at-large candidates, we recommend Stephen Zanni. Each has proven to be a hard-working and sensible advocate for the citizens of Methuen.

We also encourage residents to vote Yes on creating a charter commission. It is always worthwhile for people periodically to review their form of government to see if it still serves the needs of the community.