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DN Editorial: Our endorsements for 3 Council districts

OUR ENDORSEMENT in the 1st District comes with an asterisk. A local blog recently reported that a reporter who is not a voting member of this editorial board but has participated in many board discussions, including those involving endorsements, had explored helping a candidate in this race with his campaign. Readers should know that the reporter had long ago recused himself from discussions because of his past relationship with that candidate. The reporter has since resigned.

OUR ENDORSEMENT in the 1st District comes with an asterisk.

A local blog recently reported that a reporter who is not a voting member of this editorial board but has participated in many board discussions, including those involving endorsements, had explored helping a candidate in this race with his campaign. Readers should know that the reporter had long ago recused himself from discussions because of his past relationship with that candidate. The reporter has since resigned.

We work hard to judge the candidates fairly. While all endorsements are based on subjective and personal judgments, we endeavor to be honest brokers so that voters can trust our recommendations.

The 1st District

The 1st District was going to be a tough race if incumbent Frank DiCicco had tried to keep his seat despite his participation in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan; now that he's resigned, it's still a tough race.

The four candidates are as varied a lot as you can get: Lawyer and community advocate Vern Anastasio; former John Street spokesman and CeaseFire executive director Joe Grace; Jeff Hornstein, an organizer for the SEIU; and Mark Squilla, who has served as an analyst in the Auditor General's Office. While Hornstein's academic background adds dimension and depth to his ideas for the city, we believe JOE GRACE has the on-the-ground experience to be the best candidate for the job.

An ex-spokesman for Mayor Street (and, full disclosure, a Daily News journalist more than two decades ago), Grace has spent the last few years leading CeaseFire Philadelphia; that would bring a needed focus on the issue of gun violence to Council. He has an appealing reform agenda: He would ban outside employment; end Council's summer break; impose term limits, and push for more hearings in the neighborhoods.

The 2nd District

When Anna Verna was first elected in the 2nd District, Gerald Ford was president.

Things are a little different now, for the country and this widely diverse district. The Delaware waterfront, the Navy Yard and the airport are within this district, as are communities troubled by crime and unemployment. There's a slate of strong candidates, including Kenyatta Johnson, elected to the state House in 2008, and Tracey Gordon, a fierce community activist.

But we endorse lawyer and real-estate developer BARBARA CAPOZZI, who has wide-ranging experience in both business and community affairs that would be an asset on Council.

Capozzi has served on many city, professional and community boards. Her private-sector experience is sorely needed on Council, and she has smart and measured policies on school governance, economic and neighborhood development, and reform.

The 5th District

For the 5th District, we endorse incumbent DARRELL CLARKE, who has made neighborhood revitalization and housing a priority.

He recently put forth an idea to create a Jobs Commission, and was instrumental in the merger of the parks and rec departments.