Endorsement: Right now, Thoms is right for Rock Island

The city is buried under $40 million debt, half of which is due to the Jumer's Crossing and Walmart debacles. Private sector growth is paramount as Rock Island lives or dies on sales tax and gaming revenue. And downsizing government is probably required in the near term, even if the new mayor succeeds in luring economic growth.

The cash-strapped city needs a mayor willing to "step in it" with potentially unpopular proposals. It needs a mayor who commands immediate respect throughout the Quad-Cities on day one. Only Thoms meets those requirements. 

Rock Island voters are flush with distinct choices on Tuesday.

Thoms is a respected business executive, who is plugged into the non-profit scene. 

Andy Rowe is a former congressional aide with an MBA and a background in health care administration. Terry Brooks is a former aldermen and longtime advocate for the blighted West End. And Steve Tollenaer is a sitting alderman who runs an auto shop. The visions offered by the four men are as different as their backgrounds.

We struggled with this decision. During deliberations, we concluded that Rowe, too, would make a capable, smart mayor. But, even so, Thoms is a better fit for the needs of the community as things now sit.

Thoms has negotiated with unions. He's a pro-business conservative and served as a delegate for GOP presidential candidate John Kasich. Thoms discussed the budget with ease and the problems now facing the city, largely because of egregious missteps at City Halls.

Economic development -- spurred by regulatory changes -- won't happen overnight, Thoms correctly noted. The city has to become more efficient on the front-end. Consolidation of auto shops with neighboring governments and school districts could save cash. So, too, could the city's continued support of "friends" groups that have taken on much of the burden at Rock Island's parks and cultural amenities. 

Again, we really liked Rowe. The perspectives offered by Rowe and Thoms are, quite literally, on the opposite ends of the political spectrum. Rowe calls for city programs that encourage neighborhood-based growth. He rightly rejects the city's recent laser focus on big box retail and prefers a more local approach. Rowe is, unsurprisingly, a policy wonk, skills honed while working for former Democratic U.S. Rep. Phil Hare.

But Rowe's progressive vision for Rock Island, of a bustling arts and cultural center, better fit a city that isn't in financial straits. It's not Rowe's policy with which we quibble. It's his timing.

Brooks is passionate. Unlike his competition, he can speak to the poverty and blight experienced in Rock Island's long-languishing African-American communities. But his ideas simply weren't fully formed. Take, for example, his proposed athletic center at the site of the city's $20 million Walmart boondoggle. Brooks offers no way to pay for it. The same can be said for the rest of his list of priorities. He's a man with vision, sure. But that's simply not enough.

Tollenaer is a veritable riot. But, frankly, we found the sitting alderman hard to follow. Tollenaer is clearly knowledgeable. Yet, he'd doubtlessly struggle at conveying his agenda.

Each candidate correctly lamented Rock Island's second-class status amid the push for Quad-City regionalism. A region-first approach remains the best one overall. Yet, Rock Island should be an equal among its sister cities. That's a job that will fall to the new mayor and city manager. 

Thoms commands instant respect. He's a force at the board table. And his willingness to deal in reality would make a few enemies, but serve Rock Island along the way.

We urge Rock Island voters to support Mike Thoms in Tuesday's election.