City Councilman Tim King's decision to withdraw as a candidate in Lomita's city election next week narrows the field to four City Council candidates vying for three seats.

Lomita voters' choices are incumbent Councilwoman Susan Dever, Planning Commissioners Barry Waite and Andrew Nieto, and former Councilwoman Margaret Estrada. Our endorsements go to Dever, Waite and Estrada.

Dever, an educator for 33 years, is seeking a second term. Among her strong points is an interest in finding regional solutions to problems. Dever now chairs the South Bay Cities Council of Governments.

Her top issues are improving the condition of city streets, completing construction of the city's water reservoir, coping with growth and demographic changes, and revitalizing the city's commercial areas, along with the expansion of the Lomita Railroad Museum. A key challenge, she said, will be improving Lomita's infrastructure while keeping the city fiscally sound.

Dever's priorities are similar to those of Waite and Estrada.

Waite, who has spent more than 20 years in the public sector, now serves as a geographer for the city of Carson. He has worked on regional projects, including the traffic alert system, and has also been active in the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. Appointed to the Lomita Planning Commission in 2000, Waite said his top issue was economic development, filling in vacant storefronts and using the Railroad Museum as a springboard to lure in complementary businesses. In addition, he is critical of Sacramento's continuing encroachment on local land-use decisions.

Estrada, a 32-year Lomita resident and former mayor, left the council two years ago. She said she wants to return to the council to help fill the void that will be left by the exit of veteran councilman Ken Blackwood. Estrada's top issue is improving deteriorating streets. Among her other concerns are completing the reservoir, providing for senior needs and maintaining a healthy budget reserve. She would also encourage the city to continue attracting businesses like Starbucks, Sav-On and House of Hardball.

On Election Day, we encourage Lomita voters to cast their ballots for Susan Dever, Barry Waite and Margaret Estrada.