Colorful, combative and controversial, Laurel Prussing has earned a second term as Urbana's mayor.

Despite our philosophical and stylistic differences with her, Mayor Laurel Prussing has proven herself to be a competent city leader.

Prussing has had a generally successful four-year tenure, presiding over a financially sound and reasonably well-run city. She is running against three very good candidates — Republican Rex Bradfield, Green Durl Kruse and Independent Rob McColley — who have valid reasons for running. But, in the end, there is no reason to think they would be more successful running the city than Prussing has been.

This race is all about Prussing, her sometimes combative personal style and "I-know-best" approach to government. So her opponents have some fertile ground to plow.

Republican Bradfield, an engineer, faults Prussing for, among other things, not having hired a chief administrative officer, even though city ordinance requires it, after having fired veteran CAO Bruce Walden early in her term. Prussing said she's tried. But does anyone really believe that this oversized personality would willingly share real administrative authority she now has all to herself?

Green candidate and former school administrator Durl Kruse, a veteran of political combat with Prussing, suggests that the mayor is too zealous a Democrat to do anything outside her party's interests and contends that one-party rule is not "serving Urbana." Prussing made that case herself just last week with her tone-deaf, highly partisan and defiant response to news that Urbana City Clerk Phyllis Clark ignored state law in an effort to give Democrats the most favorable ballot placement.

Why not just concede an obvious error and pledge to make things right? All three candidates properly lament Prussing's sometimes imperial conduct.

Independent Rob McColley, a lawyer and musician, got into the race because of the city's tepid response to nuisance complaints in some of the city's less affluent neighborhoods. He raises valid points about how the city could do better in neighborhoods that need help.

But the question is whether their objections, however well-founded, are enough to overcome Prussing's generally favorable record. In our view, the answer is no.

Prussing, a former county auditor, brings to her job a solid understanding of financial issues, a long record of working with the public and an enthusiasm for policy-making and the day-to-day operations of government. She works well with the city council, has worked hard to attract tax-revenue generating businesses to Urbana, kept her pledge to hire more police officers to address crime issues and cracked down on landlords whose run-down properties can become a source of municipal problems.

That is the essence of what a mayor does, and it reflects well on Prussing. Urbana, however, would be well served if she heeded her opponents' criticisms and moderated her style to become a less-polarizing figure.

Further, the city would benefit from the continued involvement of all three of her capable opponents. At this point, however, none has proven he can govern more effectively than the incumbent.

As the saying goes, if it's not broken, don't fix it. The city of Urbana is doing well with economic development, sustainability, public safety and fiscal responsibility — largely because of Mayor Laurel Prussing. Urbana's government is stable and to make any drastic changes, particularly during an economic recession, would be asking for trouble. That's why we urge those of you who can vote in the April 7 Urbana mayoral election to re-elect Mayor Prussing.

During the past four years, Prussing has developed a good, working relationship with city employees and the City Council. Upon beginning her job as mayor in 2005, she inherited an administration with a poor level of communication and a hostile relationship with city employees and the City Council. By changing the atmosphere, she made a breakthrough in labor negotiations by reaching a win-win agreement with the firefighters' union, saving taxpayers $100,000 in attorney fees and staff time.

Mayor Prussing has always reached out to the student community and sought to connect herself with the University. She has worked to make apartment complexes safe, and in Urbana apartment renters are frequently students. With a large part of the campus in Urbana, it is important that our representative understands our needs and how they differ from those of the general community.

Additionally, Urbana has made a lot of progress and blossomed under her leadership in the past four years. Prussing promised to "create an atmosphere of respect for people and for the democratic process." She has done just that and the city should support her bid for re-election.

Comparing Champaign to Urbana highlights the strengths of Prussing's city. Champaign is currently facing hard financial times. But Urbana's fiscal standing is safe and secure. City staff and the City Council share some credit for that, but she was the impetus behind stabilizing Urbana's finances. Prussing's work has shown her dedication to the Urbana community. She wants what's best for the city, as demonstrated by her intention to not increase the property tax.

Under Prussing's leadership, Urbana has prospered in business development; according to the News-Gazette, 96 businesses have expanded or opened in Urbana in the past four years. Other cities have had to lay off workers, downsize and close some businesses.

Urbana also prides itself on being a green city. Sustainability is very important to our campus, to our community and to Prussing.

She understands the importance of preserving the environment for ecological and economical reasons. If re-elected, she will continue to push toward becoming more sustainable.

With her leadership, authority, and experience, Prussing has done well these past four years. When you go to vote, consider what Prussing can accomplish with the solid foundation she has already built.

Mayor Prussing has our support, our trust and our vote. She deserves yours, too. If you can vote, re-elect Mayor Prussing in Urbana's mayoral election Tuesday, April 7.

The two contrasting headlines in the March 13 News-Gazette jumped off the page. While Champaign is facing the worst financial picture it has seen in a quarter of a century, city Comptroller Ron Eldrige reports that in Urbana, revenues for the last year will exceed expenses by $1 million.

To the three men running against Mayor Laurel Prussing in the April 7 election, I say you can't blame the mayor for everything you don't like about city government and then deny her credit for the city's financial success. While city staff and the city council certainly share in the credit, Urbana's sound fiscal position would not be possible without the mayor's leadership.

Laurel Prussing has a master's degree in economics and worked as the chief financial officer for the county government for 16 years. As mayor, she has done an outstanding job of creating new programs consistent with a progressive view of government but without busting the budget. No debt, no tax increases and city revenues exceed expenses. As a county board member I only wish that Champaign County were in such a position. I have not always agreed with Ms. Prussing on various issues but I deeply respect her incredible talent and leadership. I hope voters will join me in re-electing Mayor Prussing on April 7.

Thomas Betz
Urbana

As the April 7 election draws near I think how much Urbana government changed for the better during the four years that Laurel Prussing has been mayor.

The March 13 News-Gazette reported that the city's financial position is strong with revenues for the last year exceeding expenses by $1 million. That stands in stark contrast to our sister city where the city manager is asking the council to approve fee increases and program cuts and allow 16 staff positions to remain vacant.

Urbana newly has a rental registration program, an arts council and a police review board. It is doubtful any of these programs would exist had Prussing not been mayor. The Philo Road area has improved dramatically in the last four years with new and expanded businesses and a crime rate dropping significantly.

Mayor Prussing has a better working relationship with the city council than any mayor in the last three decades. The firefighters' union endorsed Prussing for re-election because, for the first time in years, these dedicated professionals are finally getting full respect from the administration.

Urbana is a great place to live and Mayor Laurel Prussing has earned our support.

Bernadine Evans Stake
Urbana

'Urbana will not require employee layoffs or furloughs,' said Mayor Laurel Prussing. City staffing is lean but has quality workers, she said. She said the locally managed police pension fund has done 'better than the stock market.' The increased contributions sought for the state-run Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund — in order to make up for declining stock values — may not be necessary if the market recovers, she said.

'We are not going to do any big expansion. We are not going to increase the property tax. In recent years, we have been able to reduce the property tax. This year we will hold the line, but we certainly won't have any increase,' Prussing said.

Urbana firefighters would like to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Prussing and the Urbana City Council for their support throughout their entire term in office.

Firefighters have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with Prussing and the council over the last four years. This relationship was built on mutual respect for the job each has to perform for the public. This relationship had nothing to do with money or a collective bargaining agreement.

The mayor and council fostered an environment of open dialogue, solving problems together and developing and retaining our department personnel.

Under their leadership, we have broken down the walls of traditional labor/management strife and have developed cooperative programs and projects that are carried out by our department members as department members, not union or management. Two of these programs are Muscular Dystrophy Association's Fill-the-Boot and Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army. For the first time, the local administration collaborated in a public service project.

Mayor Prussing has lived up to her promise of not bullying or trying to intimidate the city employees. She has realized that the firefighters aren't a renegade group that is only pushing its own initiatives. She knows this because she has taken time to get to know us, taken time to understand the job we do, taken time to ask intelligent questions and entrusts the fire department's administration to do the job that she appointed them to do.

The Urbana firefighters are proud to endorse Mayor Prussing and the incumbent city council for re-election in 2009.

Trent Short
Urbana

I'd like to offer some factual information in response to Michael Fuerst's monthly letter to the editor complaining about Urbana. Despite the recession, eight new businesses have opened in Urbana since January 1 of this year.

Morning Cup and More, Fleurish, Xinh Xinh Café, Madeline's Gallery, Black Dog Smoke & Ale House and The Great Impasta have all opened in downtown. Sandella's Flatbread Café opened across the street from Krannert and Armored Gopher Games moved from Champaign to Urbana's Cunningham Avenue. Last fall, Furniture Lounge and Common Ground Food Co-Op also became two new downtown Urbana businesses.

Ninety-six businesses have opened or expanded in Urbana in the last four years. These include 28 new and expanded restaurants or entertainment venues, 7 new gift stores and galleries, 7 new auto sales and service centers and 2 new hotels as well as many professional offices and services, gas stations, grocery stores and other businesses.

Kudos to Mayor Prussing, the Urbana city council and Urbana's economic development staff for the continued momentum of business development in Urbana. As we read about other cities laying off workers and businesses across the country down-sizing or closing, Urbana residents have good reason to take pride in the work our city government is doing to promote a vibrant business climate in Urbana.

Esther Patt
Urbana

I recently received a telephone call from a company in Iowa that claimed to be conducting a public opinion poll about the upcoming mayoral election in Urbana. It turned out to be a campaign call for the Republican candidate for mayor. This is what some people call a "push poll." Its purpose is not to get people's opinions but to push certain ideas which could hurt an election opponent.

Early in the push poll, I told the caller that I am supporting Democrat Laurel Prussing for mayor. The caller persisted, asking me specific questions to see if the information presented would change my mind.

One question infuriated me because it was a blatant lie. The caller said that Prussing plans to raise taxes and asked if that made a difference to me. The property tax rate for Urbana has dropped from approximately $1.31 to $1.29 since Prussing became mayor four years ago. I checked with the mayor to see if she had any plans to raise our taxes and she said no.

Those push polls are annoying, but if a candidate is going to hire a company to do one, is it asking too much that the candidate at least try to be honest? As a result of getting that call, I am even more determined to vote for Laurel Prussing for mayor on April 7.

Phyllis Cline
Urbana

In his Feb. 22 letter to the editor, Republican mayoral candidate Rex Bradfield shows he has no clue about Urbana's form of government and utter confusion about "separation of powers." Urbana has a mayor-aldermanic government with the mayor as chief executive, not a city manager.

The administrative officer is appointed by the mayor and "may be removed by the mayor at any time." The administrative officer is not independent and cannot be a watchdog. Checks and balances exist between the council and the mayor. The city council may approve, change, or reject budgets, appointments, ordinances and resolutions.

As a council member, I have enjoyed these past four years because of our cordiality and no-nonsense behavior. With Mayor Prussing, we established goals that have served as our common guide without the rancor and infighting of past administrations. Our talented staff works closely with the mayor to achieve these goals.

Mayor Prussing was Champaign County auditor for 16 years. She was the first county auditor in Illinois to win a national award for excellence in budgeting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. Bradfield's claim that she is not qualified to do a budget is more evidence that he doesn't know what he is talking about.

Our increased sales tax revenue has allowed us to actually lower the city property tax rate. We should all be proud that Urbana has seen many new businesses start up and existing businesses expand in the past four years.

Charlie Smyth
Urbana City Council Member

The February 8 editorial criticizing Urbana's contract with the city's firefighters ignores key facts. First, the contract was negotiated nearly two years ago. Second, Urbana firefighters are not paid as much as Champaign firefighters.

The editorial claimed that Urbana "has no competitors" when it comes to wages. However, some fact checking about labor law would reveal that in collective bargaining we are measured against a group of cities our size in Illinois that are considered "comparable." If contract negotiations failed and we were out of line with comparable cities we would lose in arbitration. Champaign is in a group of larger cities with higher wages.

The Urbana firefighters' contract was negotiated in good faith and is a win-win model of fairness to employees and taxpayers. The City of Urbana represents the citizens of Urbana when we negotiate labor agreements. At every step, proposals from both sides are carefully evaluated in terms of short-term and long-term costs to the city by Urbana Comptroller Ron Eldridge and our management team.

After being sworn in as Mayor in 2005, I found an atmosphere of bullying and intimidation in how the former administration dealt with employees, especially those in the Fire Department. I put an end to it.

Contrary to your assumption, labor strife does not save taxpayers money. Getting our negotiations done on time in an atmosphere of mutual respect saved taxpayers at least $100,000 in attorneys fees and staff time.

In addition, I have saved taxpayers at least another $300,000 in salary, fringe benefits and expenses by assuming the responsibilities of the Administrative Officer for the last two years.

If the state and federal governments operated with the same fiscal responsibility exercised by Urbana, they too could pay their bills on time and have no debt.

Laurel Lunt Purssing
Mayor of Urbana