The three-man race for mayor of the city of Oneonta essentially comes down to a choice between the two men named Miller.
Former Hartwick College President Richard "Dick" Miller and Third Ward Alderman Erik Miller have both distinguished themselves in this long campaign and are worthy of consideration for the city's highest office.
We wish we could say the same about 21-year-old State University College at Oneonta student Jason Corrigan.
We applaud the idea of a student taking an active role in city government. But not this student.
Corrigan's campaign has been rife with vague accusations of "corruption within the city's offices" without naming just who might be corrupt.
He has been deceptive, secretive and disingenuous regarding his signature quixotic issue of enticing Amtrak to extend service to Oneonta, and in last week's League of Women Voters debate hurled vast amounts of mud at his opponents, hoping something might stick.
Being a credible candidate for mayor of Oneonta is not child's play, and Corrigan has run a childish campaign.
As for Richard Miller, he has been widely regarded as the frontrunner of the three, particularly so after obtaining 77 percent of the vote against Corrigan in the Democratic primary.
In a city with a sizeable Democratic Party registration advantage, it is likely that he will be elected the next mayor.
Given his success at fundraising when he was Hartwick president, we're confident he could not only handle the city's finances well, but would have the gravitas to preside over a sometimes-fractious Common Council with wisdom as well as authority.
However, Richard Miller has given little indication that he would be an activist mayor, someone who would do more than preside over the status quo.
That might be fine in times when the challenges facing our citizens were not so acute, but this is no time for inaction or biding our time.
The Daily Star Editorial Board believes this is the time for Erik Miller, and unanimously endorses him for mayor of Oneonta.
He would be the first to admit that he is an imperfect candidate, often saying that he is not much of a politician. More of a policy wonk than a back-slapper or glad-hander, Erik Miller seems almost ready to burst with ideas to benefit his city.
Whether it is environmental issues or work schedules, efficiencies in government or expertise in technology, he is the right person for these challenging times.
Oneonta needs a do-er. It needs Erik Miller to be our next mayor.
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