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Dallas swimmer Kaylin Augustin will attend Widener University

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Search underway for man who eluded Luzerne County deputies

Choose wisely, Wilkes-Barre.Residents of Luzerne County&#8217;s largest city will, one week from Tuesday, vote for mayoral contenders in the Democratic and the Republican primaries, edging closer to picking who ultimately fills the post after more than a decade of Mayor Tom Leighton&#8217;s administration.Republican candidate Frank Sorick is unopposed on the May 19 ballot and will advance to the fall contest. Four Democrats are hoping by the time Tuesday&#8217;s votes are counted to become their party&#8217;s nominee to challenge him. Meanwhile, at least one Independent candidate intends to join the fray after the state&#8217;s closed primary season, setting up a multi-person race in November.The winner of the general election will inherit a city seemingly teetering between revival and distress.Under careful guidance, and with a bit of good fortune, Wilkes-Barre could continue its business-district recovery and reinvigorate its neighborhoods. A few wrong moves, however, and the place might see its building blocks for success quickly crumble.As Leighton wraps up his third, four-year term, much has changed for the better. Downtown, big strides were made since 2003 to beautify the streetscape and bring in new businesses, including an array of restaurants. Large investments were made in neighborhoods. (Remember all those collapsing sewer grates that required replacement?) And, significantly, the city&#8217;s credit rating has been restored.For visitors, including attendees at this week&#8217;s Fine Arts Fiesta and college commencement activities, there&#8217;s much to admire about Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s setting: two college campuses, splendid architecture, attractive mountain backdrops, a downtown department store, a movie theater, an arts center and the shimmering Susquehanna River.Not so obvious are pending projects. The downtown mix soon will include more apartments and condos, as well as, within easy walking distance, a grocery store. Plus, the former Hotel Sterling lot awaits its reincarnation &#8211; an opportunity likely to fall to the hands of the next mayor.Unfortunately, as the nation and area continue to claw back from the Great Recession, the city is yet again being tested. Violent crime, punctuated by a spate of shootings this spring, poses a threat to public safety as well as public perceptions. Solving the issues contributing to this violence won&#8217;t be simple or quick.Our Opinion Board interviewed the four Democratic contenders for Wilkes-Barre mayor and made <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/editorial-ouropinion/153350333/OUR-VIEW-Tony-George-top-choice-among-Dems" target="_blank">its endorsement</a>. Of course, that&#8217;s only one piece of information for city voters to consider. Read news accounts about the candidates, visit their websites and get to know their priorities and platforms.You shouldn&#8217;t leave this decision up to chance.

Our Opinion: Wilkes-Barre mayor’s race a high-stakes contest