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Frederick city voters have an impressive list of candidates from which to choose a mayor and five aldermen on Nov. 3, most of whom bring enlightened views, a freshman's eagerness, and a passion for making the city better.

They realize the formidable challenges ahead, from coping with the toll a deep recession has exacted on families, businesses and the government's budget, to the need to manage imminent and long-term growth, all while keeping a growing city safe, clean and welcoming.

Most repudiate what has emerged as one of the biggest blunders of the current administration — the so-called buyout program that offered dozens of city employees the chance to leave early with a generous retirement package and up to two years of salary.

As the pace of change in and around Frederick accelerates, a new generation of leadership is required. Several candidates stand out above the others, in no small part because of their vision for economic development, state connections, and stance on a host of other issues facing the city.

Those candidates are Jason Judd for mayor, and Carol Krimm, Amanda Haddaway, Michael O'Connor, Kelly Russell and Karen Lewis Young for aldermen.

These realize they must forge better relationships with the Frederick County commissioners, whose oddball antics over annexation and tax-equity matters are churlish and counterproductive. They also acknowledge that a more forceful approach will be required with state leaders so that funding for badly needed roadwork and other projects move higher on priority lists.

Hardly anyone had heard of Judd, 37, a Democrat, before he filed for office, but he has spent the primary season standing in front of voters and explaining his local roots.

In earning a degree in economics from Duke University, Judd has the book smarts to know a thing or two about taxes, spending and how government actions affect them. He would bring a broad perspective to City Hall, and recognizes the need to work with county, state and federal officials to improve life for city residents.

He vows to make job growth a priority in his administration, and points to the success of the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, a business incubator, as an example of the way to grow other sectors, including the fields of clean energy, health care and biotechnology. Such diversification in the types of jobs the city has to offer will help protect it from the downturns in any single segment of the economy.

Some voters will view his experience with a powerful, liberal union with skepticism, but said he will not work to unionize City Hall. He said he has spent his career unionizing what he calls the "bottom rung" of hourly wages and poor benefits, and City Hall does not fall into that category.

While several of Judd's platform items are in the larval stages, and his aloof personality needs more warmth, he comes the closest to being the trailblazer that the city needs, particularly on expanding the base of businesses that will bring solid, good-paying jobs.

Judd's views and values are middle-of-the-road. Like his opponent, the Republican Randy McClement, his leadership skills and abilities at the municipal level are untested.

McClement has become more deeply involved in his adopted city and county, and is the chief cheerleader for tourism. However, in public community debates and election forums, Judd's poise and steely demeanor only accentuate the differences between the two men and give him the advantage.

McClement, 52, operates a small downtown eatery, and comes across as a personable listener, a logical thinker and realist. He knows the city well, and is solid on issues, approachable, and well-versed on the city's downtown, small business needs and tourism.

He would, without question, relentlessly promote the city. His personality would allow him to stretch across political lines to forge compromises with county, state and federal officials and fight relentlessly for the city's share.

But his plan for economic development — attracting businesses by streamlining the permitting process — is not as forward thinking as Judd's.

The five aldermen must possess original ideas and distinct approaches, and not routinely rubber-stamp the wishes of the mayor, who is the chief executive officer.

Voters are fortunate; this field of candidates is one of the strongest in years. Their promises have been carefully couched — few are certain that they will be able to fulfill their goals during an economic tsunami and all have endorsed fiscal restraint.

Democrat Carol Krimm, 58, has worked as a legislative aide to Del. Galen Clagett and Del. C. Sue Hecht for 10 years. Her knowledge of the machinations of Annapolis, as well as her political connections to the power brokers in the state capitol, would serve the city well. Voters can count on Krimm to be their connection to the state.

Republican Amanda Haddaway, 32, is a human resources expert who touts fiscal responsibility as her primary reason for running. She disagreed with the buyout, budget cuts to police, and $2 million payment to the Frederick Keys baseball team. She wants to get away from the "use it or lose it" mentality behind government budgets.

She is the youngest candidate to win The Gazette's endorsement, but she speaks intelligently about a wide range of topics, and will be a staunch supporter of the Frederick Police Department.

Michael O'Connor, 42, is a Democrat who has spent a career in Frederick County media, providing him with a deep background on all issues facing the city. He believes the city needs to better engage residents, possibly by using Neighborhood Advisory Councils more and setting aside a specific agenda item on the board's meeting so residents can see their neighborhood council at work.

Kelly Russell, 49, a Democrat, is a retired Frederick Police Department officer who can relate to all kinds of people. She refers to herself as a natural collaborator and problem solver, traits that came in handy during her 22 years as an officer. She will be able to transfer those skills to maintain a good working relationship with county government.

Karen Lewis Young, 57, a Democrat, is businesswoman who will use well-researched statistics to analyze projects and spending. She spent 30 years in senior management, mostly banking, managing budgets in excess of $100 million. She'll be the alderman voters can rely on to critically examine proposals for their budgetary impact.

Finally, a word about the incumbents who did not receive an endorsement.

Alderman Donna Kuzemchak (D), running for her fourth term, entered politics 12 years ago during the Grimes administration and worked to open up the walls of City Hall to residents. Without question, Kuzemchak has fought for the average voter in the city and looks out for their best interests, and has built herself a reputation of being the contrarian alderman. But 12 years is enough time on the board. Residents would benefit from a fresh perspective and new voice.

Voters should reject Aldermen Alan Imhoff (R) and C. Paul Smith (R) in large part because of their vote last year in favor of the early retirement plan. The plan offered two years' of salary to eligible employees to retire early, but allow them to return to City Hall 30 days later, albeit at lower pay than when they retired.

Both Imhoff and Smith acknowledged they would handle the vote differently today than 18 months ago, but city residents do not need elected officials who say they would handle their votes differently. They need elected officials who have sound enough judgment to know better than give two years' of salary to employees to retire early only to allow them to return in a month. Such a generous benefit is unheard of in the private sector, and should simply have been a non-starter.

Some may take issue to pointing to a single vote as a reason to reject an incumbent, but the early retirement plan is a vote the city will have to live with for 30 years, as the city has to pay back the money it borrowed from the pension fund to make the buyout possible.

A single issue often dominates an election. In this race, there are several matters that have seized the headlines — taxes, annexation and the buyout. The buyout tips the scales against the incumbents.

The endorsements for the board tip heavily toward Democrats, but this is not by design. Republicans Smith and Imhoff are ineligible for re-election for the reasons stated above, and neither Shelley Aloi (R) nor Chris Huckenpoehler (R) is ready for public office.