While Friday’s Courier endorsements for three council seats was a tough decision for editorial board members, the choice for mayor is a no-brainer.

The Courier heartily endorses incumbent Dale Uehling for his eighth term as our city leader.

The term city leader says it all.

Uehling has been a leader in all city endeavors.

We think he has done his job well, and we want him to continue to lead Ottumwa in the right direction.

What direction is that?

The one that in the last few years has seen a brighter Ottumwa emerge from years of not keeping up with Iowa’s other mid-sized cities.

If Ottumwa has not grown as we would have hoped — due to the world’s economy these past few months — we have seen local businesses stay and thrive as best they can in these tough times.

We may have lost some industry, but we have gained a more cohesive community spirit with trusted leaders in charge who talk the talk and walk the walk.

The Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation continues to make contacts and headway to entice new companies and businesses to settle here.

Frog Legs at Ottumwa Regional Airport is a new, successful company. Bowling Motors is at the airport. Both Al-jon and Winbco have expanded there the past couple of years. Dr Pepper/Snapple Bottling continues to thrive.

Downtown there has been a flurry of activity in renovation. Anyone who has done such work knows the time and effort it takes. Slowly we are seeing the results with key buildings being renovated.

The Des Moines River banks have never looked better. We have our new Bridge View Center, The Beach Ottumwa and the Wapello County Trails System. In Uehling’s tenure, business has grown in the Quincy Place mall area and on west.

One of the biggest boons yet is the anticipation of the Job Corps Workforce Center soon to be under construction, which will result in new jobs and new housing.

One of challenger Frank Flanders’ key points is increased involvement with Indian Hills Community College. And, his assertion Uehling works only with the chosen few, such as the OEDC and the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce.