With an annual budget of $58 million and a separate police force, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has too long been an under-the-radar political entity for many voters. But this summer it was in the spotlight when some commissioners pushed an unsuccessful, counterproductive drive that would have allowed the board to levy taxes independent of the City Council. The debate raised the profile of this fall's Park Board races-- all nine of the four-year seats are up for election -- and highlighted the need for new leadership. We are endorsing in the following four races:

District 1: Liz Wielinski Liz Wielinski is seeking elective office for the first time by running for the retiring Walter Dziedzic's seat. As a founder of Minneapolis Park Watch, she has regularly attended Park Board meetings for years and has a wealth of knowledge about its finances. There are few watchdog groups as tenacious as Park Watch; its work draws both applause and ire. Wielinski's hard-nosed questions will be a healthy change for a cliquish board.

Wielinski's main challenger is well-known coach Bernie Kunza. The failure of Kunza's sportswear business, which resulted in a recent court order to repay a bank loan, raises questions about his financial management skills. Kunza's below-the-belt contention that Wielinski has not set foot in Minneapolis parks is untrue. Another candidate, John Malone, declined to be interviewed.

District 5: Jason Stone In 2005, upstart Jason Stone nearly knocked off incumbent Carol Kummer. Stone, who won our endorsement four years ago, has earned it again. Stone was the rare candidate who understands that enlisting City Council members as park advocates -- not casting them as mortal enemies -- is the key to protecting parks. With his management experience, he's the right person to rebuild these strategic ties. Stone also has a realistic view of the board's financial challenges. He is mindful of taxpayers and has innovative ideas for cost savings -- forming partnerships with other jurisdictions to reduce expenses at the Neiman Sports Complex, for example, or working with local universities on youth programming. He has also courageously questioned a potential conflict of interest involving Park Board counsel Brian Rice -- who also represents a police union and police retirement fund -- who donated $20,000 to the Park Board independent taxation drive last summer.

Stone's two main challengers are incumbent Kummer and Steve Barland. Kummer worked hard on the Minnehaha Falls restoration. Barland is a fresh voice, but had trouble articulating his vision. Both represent the status quo. Also on the ballot: McClain Looney and Dan Peterson.

District 6: Brad Bourn Brad Bourn stood out among two solid challengers -- Steven Jecha and Meg Forney -- for two key reasons: his experience working on the city's troubled North Side and his level-headed approach to park finances. As a program manager working with youth service agencies and public schools, Bourn understands neighborhood parks' importance and will ensure they're a funding priority. His master's degree in public administration gives him expertise in management and business dealings. Bourn also put a welcome emphasis on streamlining parks operations. Forney was too quick to call for raising property taxes. Jecha seemed hesitant, and didn't come across as a strong advocate. Candidate Geneva Hanvik did not respond to interview requests.

At Large: John Erwin, Annie Young and Tom Nordyke John Erwin was one of the most impressive Park Board candidates interviewed by the Editorial Board. A University of Minnesota horticulture professor and previous Park Board commissioner, Erwin has a record of working collaboratively and will think strategically about City Hall relations. He also has a wealth of creative ideas. Among them: improving parks programs for seniors and having the parks partner with the U and local health insurers to get grants to combat childhood obesity. Erwin also puts a priority on funding for neighborhood parks.

Annie Young is a longtime commissioner with a welcome independent streak. A Green Party member and Phillips neighborhood resident, she combines street smarts with environmental activism. Her down-to-earth demeanor also makes her approachable. At a recent board meeting, a park employee came up to her to voice concerns about staff morale and clearly felt comfortable speaking only to her. The board needs more listeners like Young.

Tom Nordyke, the board's current president, gets a more cautious nod. Nordyke is realistic about the need for a healthier City Hall relationship and has the connections to make that happen. He's also opposed extending the current park superintendent's contract, correctly arguing this would undermine the new board. These positives outweighed other concerns. Last summer, he opposed letting some opponents of the Park Board independent taxation drive use park facilities. A back-tax situation also gave us pause. Because of an accounting error, he failed to file his 2003 income taxes, although the situation has long since been addressed and Nordyke is making payments to the federal government.

Two high-profile current commissioner candidates -- Bob Fine and Mary Merrill Anderson -- deserve praise for their many years of service. They were not endorsed mainly because they'd continue the war against City Hall, and they support prematurely extending the superintendent's contract now. Another candidate, David Wahlstedt, is a promising newcomer. Nancy Bernard and John Butler did not seek the newspaper's endorsement.

Editor's note: The fact that the Star Tribune is not making endorsements in all races should not be read as an endorsement of an incumbent or challenger.

ELECTION 2009