WE CAN'T make this claim every year, but the field of candidates running for local offices in tomorrow's election is generally an outstanding one. That's an encouraging sign for City Council and the Toledo school board, and it's one more reason voters should find the time to make it to the polls, which will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Turnout in recent elections has been abysmally low, to put it charitably. We cannot realistically expect public officials elected by a minority of those registered to take their jobs seriously if larger numbers of those they claim to serve - the voters - don't do theirs.

Following is a summary of The Blade's editorial recommendations regarding the candidates and issues on Tuesday's local ballot.

With no shortage of problems, Toledo Public Schools need stronger leadership on the board of education. The candidates we believe will help improve the schools and put an end to infighting on the board are Jack Ford, the former Toledo mayor, and Lisa Sobecki, an energetic parent advocate from Point Place.

As with the TPS board, factionalism has crippled City Council in recent months. Six district seats are up for election, and our choices for the four contested seats are D. Michael Collins in District 2; Michael Ashford in District 4; Tom Waniewski in District 5, and Lindsay M. Webb in District 6.

In nine months on the job, incumbent Republican Mike Goulding has proven himself to be the superior candidate in this three-way race for a full six-year term as judge.

Lucas County's public transit service, park system, and libraries count among the amenities that make for a rich living environment in the Toledo area, and they must be maintained. We strongly urge votes FOR replacement levies to support the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (Issue 13), the Metroparks (Issue 15), and the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library (Issue 16). If all three pass, the additional cost to the average homeowner would be just $49 a year. It's a bargain.

Likewise, the Center for Science and Industry, the children's science museum downtown in the former Portside building, merits voter support in its second attempt to secure local tax funding and keep its doors open. COSI's modest 0.17-mill levy for five years would cost the average homeowner just $5.21 annually. That's another bargain inasmuch as COSI contributes mightily to science and mathematics education in both public and private schools throughout Lucas County. We recommend a vote FOR Issue 14.

This is another no-brainer, but at no cost to city taxpayers. Approval of this issue would require the Toledo city administration to submit a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year to City Council by Nov. 15. This would give Council and the public additional time to consider the spending plan and make the city budget process more transparent. We recommend a vote of YES on Issue 22.

First Published November 5, 2007, 11:28 a.m.