This editorial was corrected on Oct. 27. An explanation follows the story.

Bowie, with a population of more than 54,000, has a range of challenges that must be addressed by those elected in the Nov. 8 city elections. The southern part of the city has long focused on finding the right mix of commercial and residential growth, while the northern part of the city, which is older, has worked on revitalization. Concerns about speeding, school crowding and crime have been a citywide issue.

Mayor G. Frederick Robinson, who has led the city since 1998, and District 1 Councilman James Marcos are running unopposed in the elections. Council members serve two-year terms, with no limit on the number of terms.

The following candidates receive The Gazette’s endorsement for their ability to bring the right mix of experience and leadership to address Bowie’s challenges:

Ÿ District 2

Incumbent Diane Polangin is running for a third term against second-time challenger Piero “Pete” Mellits, who lost to Polangin in 2009 with nearly 40 percent of the vote.

Both Polangin, who owns a tax-preparation business in the city, and Mellits, a civil engineer and one of Bowie’s deputy volunteer fire chiefs, are well known for their work in Bowie. However, Polangin has a slight edge for her strong constituent service, and efforts to reduce speeding and create more housing for senior citizens.

Mellits’ land-use and public safety background could bring valuable insight to the council, such as his proposed incentive program to bolster the city’s volunteer firefighting base and a comprehensive approach to traffic control. However, he could continue these efforts outside of elected office and may lack the consensus-building skills on the council and resident-approachability that Polangin possesses.

Ÿ District 3

Current at-large Councilman Henri Gardner is running for the District 3 seat, potentially trading places with current District 3 Councilman Todd Turner, who is running for the at-large seat. Both were considered to fill the at-large seat vacated last fall by Councilwoman Geraldine Valentine-Smith’s election to the state delegation, but Gardner won the appointment.

Gardner, a salesman with a background in human resources, has been in office since January, but in less than half a term has started a free Bowie fitness program and formulated a solid plan to involve private-public partnerships. He also hopes to employ youths in the city’s summer jobs program to provide minor house help, such as mowing lawns or painting, for those in need around the city. He’s a creative thinker who adds energy to the council.

His challenger, Babatunde Alegbeleye, is a nurse at the Washington, D.C., Veterans Affairs Medical Center who serves on the city’s advisory diversity committee. Alegbeleye’s passion for service and advocacy for residents are admirable, but he lacks specific goals for the city or district.

Ÿ District 4

District 4 Councilman Isaac C. Trouth III, a pharmaceutical salesman, is running for his third term against first-time candidate Carl Brown, who is executive director of the Center for Minority Business Development of Prince George’s Community College.

The endorsement goes to Brown, whose goals to promote business and economic development in Bowie are ambitious but are matched by his business savvy. He brings innovative ideas, such as marketing the city as a corridor for cybersecurity and health care information technology, and transforming vacancies at Pointer Ridge Plaza Shopping Center into space for a small-business incubator.

Brown’s fresh approach would make him a good successor to Trouth, who has been more reactive.

However, Trouth would continue to be a dependable councilman if re-elected; he is well-connected to county political and business leaders and an excellent fundraiser. He has persistently advocated for construction of the South Bowie Library and a permanent concession stand at Church Road Park. The stand, set to open in the next several weeks, replaces portable, rundown equipment.

Ÿ At-large:

Two current council members and one newcomer, James Bell, are running for the two at-large seats. The Gazette’s nod goes to longtime at-large Councilman Dennis Brady and current District 3 Councilman Turner.

Brady, an electrical engineer who is in his eighth term, has unmatched institutional knowledge of the city and helped steer the completion of the new Bowie City Hall, the development of the Bowie business incubator and the creation and expansion of the city’s police department to more than 50 officers.

Turner, a lawyer who works as a legislative officer for the Prince George’s County Council, is in his third term representing District 3.

Turner, who is first vice chairman on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board, plans to continue his work pursuing additional transit service in Bowie, as well as attracting and growing businesses by helping establish the city’s business incentive fund.

Turner’s experience on the council and clear plans for improvement give him a strong edge over Bell, a former teacher, who lacks consistent involvement in the city and thorough understanding of its issues.

The original editorial incorrectly stated the council seat vacated by Valentino-Smith.