For the most part, Westlake Village was a quiet little town until April 2006. That's when an effort to place an initiative on the ballot to allow the construction of a Lowe's home improvement center on Russell Ranch Road began in earnest.

Then came the 3-1 City Council vote July 13, 2006, to place that initiative, Measure Z, on the ballot, with Councilman Jim Bruno the lone dissenter. Overnight, it seemed, the city changed.

Residents bitterly criticized the council for its vote. Proponents and opponents of the project lashed out at each other. It was all too reminiscent of the controversial council vote in the mid-1990s that eventually brought a Costco to Westlake Village.

Voters settled the Lowe's question last November when they defeated Measure Z. It was time to leave the divisiveness behind, but the rift flared again in December when, eschewing tradition, the council passed over Mr. Bruno, who was next in line to be mayor.

The snub of Mr. Bruno, who later decided not to seek re-election, has spilled over into the recent campaign.

Now, with the arrival of Tuesday's election comes another chance for residents to move on. There are four solid candidates, including incumbent Philippa Klessig, for two seats. Challengers are Theodore Corwin, M.D., Carol Kirschbaum and Ned Davis.

The Star endorses Councilwoman Klessig and Mr. Davis.

Ms. Klessig, who is seeking her second term, and Mr. Davis, who has logged years of community involvement, believe it's time for the city to heal and focus on similar priorities: improved communication with residents, sensible growth, improved parks and safer streets for pedestrians.

A 16-year resident, Ms. Klessig is proud of her first-term accomplishments. She has worked to improve the city's parks, encouraged green practices, reduced the city's fiscal debt and kept the city a safe place to live.

She embraces the idea of more cooperation between neighboring cities, especially as it relates to public safety and water issues. If re-elected, she said she hopes to jump-start a "healthy city" program, which includes improved sidewalks, bike trails and street lighting.

Ms. Klessig wants to explore with residents the development of a community center and sports park. She also pledges to work closely with the developers of the office complex going up on the formerly proposed Lowe's site to make it the best project possible.

Mr. Davis, a 14-year resident, entered the race, he said, because he wants to "step up his involvement in the community." A longtime backer of area schools, he understands a quality education system benefits students and property owners alike.

He also favors additional lighting and sidewalks to enhance pedestrian safety and would pursue building a community center.

He said the city should be trying to attract business and industry that are compatible with Westlake Village.

While he favored — from a revenue standpoint — Measure Z, Mr. Davis said he believes the council could have done more to keep it from becoming a polarizing issue. He said his professional work as a management consultant would be an asset in communicating city issues to residents.

At a time when Westlake Village residents need to put some divisive issues behind them and the City Council needs to get on with the business of keeping the city fiscally strong and responsive to residents' needs, Ms. Klessig and Mr. Davis top the list of candidates.