Choose Julie Carson for Wilton Manors City Commission

In Wilton Manors, two of the city's former mayors, John Fiore and Scott Newton, are vying to snatch the commission seat out of the hands of political newcomer Julie Carson. Voters shouldn't let them.

Carson, 47, beat out eight other candidates to win the appointment to the at-large seat vacated when long-time Commissioner Gary Resnick was elected mayor in November. Her impressive resume and record of civic involvement suggest she would be a huge asset to the city.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board urges voters to elect Carson to a full two-year term in the Feb. 10 special election.

A senior paralegal at a North Miami Beach real estate investment and management firm, Carson handles complicated real estate transactions, so her top priority would be to trim the budget without hurting services. She sees an opportunity to cut some costs when the police department and waste management contracts come up for renewal later this year.

Carson's other priorities include finding a quick solution to the parking squeeze created by the construction of the new courthouse, and marketing Wilton Manors' image as a hot spot known not just for its thriving gay community but for its family life, entertainment district, award-winning schools and scenic waterways, too.

Carson is no stranger to civic service. She is the vice president of the board of directors at her reform synagogue in Wilton Manors and has an impressive history of volunteerism.

It may not be the typical resume, but Wilton Manors is not a typical city, and it could benefit from Carson's energy and varied background.

Her opponents, Fiore, 54, an urban planner for Broward County launched an unsuccessful bid to return to the commission in 2006, and Newton, 51, a small business owner who lost his bid for re-election to the mayor's post in November, both have served the city admirably over the years and deserve voters' appreciation. But it's time for some fresh ideas.

Listen to a message from Mayor Gary Resnick