DISTRICT 3

In District 3, which stretches through Little Havana, The Roads, Silver Bluff and Shenandoah, seven candidates seek the seat being vacated by Joe Sanchez, a mayoral candidate: Frank Carollo, an accountant and brother of former Mayor Joe Carollo; Guillermo Chacon, who runs a kids' sports league; Pedro Diaz, a college student with a printing business; Antonio Colmenares, a U.S. Marine veteran who works for the American Red Cross; Mavel Lopez, a businesswoman and community activist; former state Rep. Luis Morse; and Maria ``Beba'' Sardiña Mann, an executive assistant for a law firm and a neighborhood activist.

Mr. Morse, in particular, has a wealth of knowledge he earned as an effective legislator from 1984 to 1998. Ms. Sardiña Mann's recent hands-on experience on city boards and neighborhood associations, however, gives her the edge.

A member of the Silver Bluff Homeowners Association and Neighborhoods United, she's been a strong advocate for families and the elderly. As past vice chair of the Planning Advisory Board and a member of the Urban Environment League, she has championed smart planning. She is passionate about protecting neighborhoods from incompatible development while promoting economic revival in Overtown, Little Havana, Little Haiti, Allapattah and Wynwood.

Her top priority is stabilizing city finances by reducing too-high salaries and escalating pension debt while continuing to improve police, fire, sanitation and public works. For District 3, The Miami Herald recommends MARIA ``BEBA'' SARDINA MANN. DISTRICT 4

Four candidates are vying to represent District 4, which covers Flagami and stretches to the city's western edge at the Palmetto Expressway. The winner will replace long-time commissioner Tomás Regalado, who is running for mayor.

They are economist/school teacher and five-time commission candidate Manolo Reyes; entrepreneur and Gross Pointe Highlands activist Denis Rod; attorney and community activist Oscar Rodriguez-Fonts; and attorney Francis Suarez, son of former Mayor Xavier Suarez.

Although Mr. Suarez has the fund-raising edge and name recognition, he hasn't been as involved in civic groups or city boards as a commission candidate should be. Mr. Rodriguez-Fonts has solid experience on that front and would add heft to a commission desperately in need of such expertise.

A former city attorney, Mr. Rodriguez-Fonts proposes to overhaul the pension system that contributed to the city's $118 million budget hole. He has served on the Miami Code Enforcement Board and Abriendo Puertas, a nonprofit social support group for the poor in Little Havana, and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, which raises money for after-school and other worthwhile programs. He also served as an ethics watchdog as past chair of the Florida Bar's grievance committee, which investigates attorney misconduct.

To spark economic development, he wants to streamline the city's permitting process and create empowerment zones while restoring environmental gems like Virginia Key. For District 4, The Miami Herald recommends OSCAR RODRIGUEZ-FONTS.

DISTRICT 5

Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones represents some of Miami's poorest neighborhoods, including Overtown and Model City. Unfortunately for her constituents, Ms. Spence-Jones has spent much of her first term defending herself against allegations of improper relationships involving projects and contracts. It has taken a toll on her and on District 5.

David Chiverton, who runs a federally funded anti-crime and community-building association, and Jeff Torain, a security specialist who served as Opa-Locka's deputy police chief, oppose Ms. Spence-Jones. Both offer good ideas to improve services and spark jobs in the district, but Mr. Torain seems to have a broader vision for the city.

Mr. Torain has served on the board of the Institute for Social Justice. As a police officer he helped organize tenant associations and National Night Out events. As a commissioner, he would push for more job training dollars as part of a crime-fighting strategy in the district.

He wants the city to target community development block grants to attract businesses in District 5 instead of ancillary projects that don't benefit district residents directly. He proposes renegotiating the city's untenable pension fund obligations. For District 5, The Miami Herald recommends JEFF TORAIN.

Sunday: Miami mayoral candidates.