The Commercial Appeal editorial board's recommendations to voters for the Oct. 6 city election in Memphis begin today with an enthusiastic endorsement of Mayor A C WHARTON for election to his first full term.

Over the next several days, we will review candidates for City Council and City Court clerk. Today we will focus on why Mayor Wharton should remain in office.

First, while the mayor should be supportive of city employees, it is not helpful for the mayor to be in debt to them, especially when little growth in revenue is expected and taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet.

Edmund Ford Sr., a former member of the council, has the endorsement of city employee organizations, but he has not had the responsibility to meet the public's expectation to prepare a balanced budget.

Wharton has, and he exhibited a balanced approach in June during a difficult budget season.

The final budget, with a one-time 18-cent property tax increase, 125 layoffs, the elimination of 248 vacant positions, a pay reduction for city employees and new revenue generators, was approved by a 9-3 vote -- a tribute to Wharton's skill in a very difficult situation.

Wharton, who won a special election in October 2009 to fill out the two years remaining in former mayor Willie Herenton's fifth term, has also shown considerable skills in efforts to attract new job-creating industries to Memphis. In cooperation with other political and business leaders, he has succeeded in recruiting and encouraging major investments by Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc., Electrolux and Kruger Inc.

Another aspect of the Wharton administration has not been as popular with the public but in the long run will enhance the city's livability.

This energetic former county mayor is determined in his role as city mayor not to assume the posture of a mere caretaker during difficult economic times.

Instead, he forges ahead with initiatives to enhance Memphis' ability to attract new job generators and the creative class -- in Wharton's slogan, to make Memphis a "City of Choice."

Some critics would restrict Wharton to his primary goal -- to provide basic city services as efficiently as possible. The creation of an Office of Talent and Human Capital, for one example, or hiring a specialist to make Memphis a more bicycle-friendly community, for another, might have invited ridicule by critics.

But the mayor also has the responsibility to engage in long-range planning not only to attract industries and jobs but also to give young Memphians a reason to stay.

Wharton, even his critics must recognize, is also a charismatic representative of Memphis on the national and international stage.

Also on the ballot are Ford, Leo Awgowhat, James R. Barbee, Carlos F. Boyland, James Harvey Sr., Robert Hodges, Dewayne Jones, Marty Merriweather and Kenneth B. Robinson, none of whom has shown during the course of this race an ability to emulate Wharton's dynamic personality, his intellect or his perspective on the issues. He clearly deserves to continue in office for another four years.