Cincinnati stands in an intersection of shining hope and broken-glass fear lingering from looting and riots. Too many downtown storefronts are dark, and nightlife is dimming. But just around the corner, a sparkling new dream is rising on the riverfront — stadiums, parks and an exciting new backyard of housing, nightclubs and retail.

        This is no time to roll the dice and bet the future on an untested, inexperienced leader.

        The election on Nov. 6 has been called “historic” so many times the meaning has been worn out. But it is critically important. Voters will have the first chance in 70 years to choose a strong mayor who will take our new system for a shake-down cruise, push it to its limits and see if it can deliver the speed, power, efficiency and accountability that has been so critically missing.

        The next mayor will serve for four years, rather than two. If voters make a mistake now, it cannot be quickly fixed.

        The choice is clear. Incumbent Mayor Charlie Luken, a Democrat, knows City Hall the way Procter & Gamble knows soap. More than that, he understands the changing job he hopes to win, and is determined to define Cincinnati's first strong mayor in a bold way. He pledges to be more than merely a political leader; he talks about being mayor of the region, the go-to guy who can make deals for the city and deliver in ways that were never possible when the figure-head mayor was hobbled by limited powers and publicity-hungry council members.

        Cincinnati desperately needs leadership, and Mr. Luken has the experience, savvy and poise to deliver it, from his experience as mayor, congressman, TV anchorman and mayor again.

        His opponent, former TV anchorman Courtis Fuller, a Charterite, is a highly respected man of integrity, who has done a great service for his city by stepping forward to prevent an unopposed contest for Mr. Luken. Mr. Fuller won the primary in an upset, and it looked as if the city would finally get the mayor's race it was longing for: two candidates, head to head, rolling out their visions for the future and defending them in vigorous debate.

        Unfortunately, Mr. Fuller has been a disappointment. He has failed to live up even to his own promises to engage on the issues. At dozens of community forums and debates, he has been missing in action. He has campaigned so far above the issues that voters are left grasping at clouds to figure out where he stands or what he would do in office.

        As a candidate without any government experience, he needed to prove he was ready for such a tough and demanding job, leading one of America's great cities.

        Instead, he has chosen to hide away from questions and debate. Voters would have gladly forgiven Mr. Fuller if he stubbed his toes a few times on complex issues; what is harder to forgive is that he refuses to even run that obstacle course.

        Mr. Luken is not a visionary leader. Critics have questioned his accountability and leadership. His Cincinnati Action Now commission to tackle race relations, for example, has delivered little help to the city after nearly six months of meetings — yet the mayor has insulated himself from it when he should be taking a more active role.

        The big unspoken issue in this election is race. Our city is polarized after the April riots and protests over police-community relations. Many have criticized Mr. Luken's handling of the crisis. But he stepped forward when the city needed strong leadership; he imposed a curfew to regain control and took immediate steps (the CAN commission and a Justice Department investigation) to reassure critics of the police.

        His balanced response now draws attacks from black activists who think he was too tough, and whites who think he was too soft. But there is no question that he assumed control and responsibility.

        Mr. Luken says he will do the same as strong mayor. He intends to use his enhanced committee-appointment powers to build a coalition on council; and use his control over the hiring and firing of the city manager (with council consent) to reorganize City Hall and shake up a fat and unresponsive bureaucracy.

        Mr. Luken pledges to push hard for development, housing, an expanded convention center, the riverfront Banks project and better police-community relations.

        The next mayor will have two or three years before worrying about re-election, to accomplish great things for our city. We'd like to see a 100-day action plan, and long-range goals that voters can use for accountability.

        Cincinnati can't stand in the crossroads and wait for something to happen. It's time to get moving. And Charlie Luken is the best strong mayor to lead our city.

Enquirer endorsements for city council