Martin miracle worker?

Ideally, the new Martin County administrator will be a diplomat who can do the impossible: take direction from a board of commissioners that often is bitterly divided.

In fact, Commissioner Sarah Heard asked each of the four candidates how they would handle situations in which residents want one thing and the board majority wants something different. Commissioner Heard and Commissioner Susan Valliere often are the two minority votes, particularly on issues that call for tighter controls on growth.

To their credit, the candidates for county administrator were able to identify growth as the major issue in Martin. The candidates are: Charles Saddler, former administrator in Jefferson County, Wash., and a finalist for Wellington city manager in 1996; Duncan Ballantyne, city manager in Concord, N.H., since 1996; Pamela Brangaccio, former assistant city manager in West Palm Beach, city manager in Safety Harbor and county manager in Bay County; and Edwin Smith, city manager in Chiefland in Suwannee County. All appear experienced and competent. On Saturday, as Martin and Stuart commissioners met together, the candidates had a taste of contentious airport issues, spiced with some shouting from residents unhappy with county decisions.

The four want to fill the vacancy left by Russ Blackburn, who served eight years until he was ousted in an out-of-the-sunshine deal among commissioners. He left with a package of $235,200, nearly twice his normal salary. Mr. Blackburn had tried to fire airport Director Michael Moon, only to be overruled by a commission majority that not only kept Mr. Moon but gave him an 18 percent raise. The commissioners, who decide today, should choose someone whose good advice they are willing to take.