Both Brian Pitts and David Newton are rightly concerned about too-narrow streets in the western parts of their city, the challenges of rapid growth, public safety and bringing in the right kinds of economic development. Both are long-term West Jordan residents and have experience on the City Council.

They both tactfully acknowledge a lack of leadership by the current mayor and council members, leadership that is essential if the city's current council-manager form of government is to work effectively. Pitts said that many residents are worried that the city government is being run by a professional city manager with too little supervision.

With many other qualifications shared by both candidates, we are convinced that Pitts is the better choice to provide stronger leadership as mayor.

Pitts, 49, spent eight years on the City Council from 1994 to 2002. He worked for 18 years for the federal government as an air traffic controller and manager and now owns a small business. That experience, and Pitts' ability and determination to promote the city's interests with state and county governments and agencies, should prove valuable to this rapidly growing city of 95,000, likely destined to overtake West Valley City as the state's second-largest municipality after Salt Lake City.

We were impressed with Pitts' idea as a councilman to call attention to a too-narrow section of Redwood Road in his city by erecting a billboard urging residents to e-mail the Utah Department of Transportation about the problem. That kind of innovative thinking worked when lobbying didn't.

One of many strengths possessed by Newton, 56, is his ability to work behind the scenes to accomplish things for the city that only citizen groups can. He believes that bringing people together as volunteers on a city project is a good way to get things done while, at the same time, building a bond among the citizenry. We agree.

Newton is working with a committee to get unused sugar factory property remodeled into an arts center, having built a theater in one area of the old factory with volunteer time and money. He worked on the West Jordan playground, a massive volunteer park project, and he and his wife teach drama as volunteers at West Jordan High School.

We hope Newton continues his volunteer work, as it requires a special kind of talent and is vitally important to the city.