The presidential campaign makes headlines, but it’s the local races that often matter most.

Why? Because that’s where the work of governance has the greatest influence on people’s quality of life. Local city councils determine such things as appropriate police and fire staffing, how best to keep parks and other facilities operating so people can enjoy them, what work can be done to maintain our streets and roads – albeit with limited resources, particularly for the latter.

Voters in Fairfield, Vacaville and Suisun City will pick two council members each, and will decide who will serve as city clerk and city treasurer in two of the cities, and who will serve as treasurer in the other.

Here are our recommendations.

Fairfield

Four people seek two seats on the City Council. All bring particular strengths to the table. We believe each wants what’s best for Fairfield residents. The differences are in the details.

We recommend that voters return Rick Vaccaro to the council, and that they elect challenger Brian Thiemer.

Vaccaro has served since October 2008, filling the seat vacated after Matt Garcia was slain. He’s a thoughtful council member who through his work – he led the county’s educational efforts in Juvenile Hall and now works in the Vacaville School District – understands at a fundamental level what so many Fairfield residents experience each and every day.

He’s faced tough choices and has made the hard decisions necessary to keep the city afloat during rough economic times. Now it’s time for him to lead, as he’s starting to do on the homelessness situation that affects not only Fairfield, but all Solano County communities.

Thiemer, through his education and vocation – he has a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA in operations management, and works as a business analyst for a major corporation with offices in Fairfield – represents a fresh way of thinking.

He does not support Measure P as it appears on the ballot; he thinks voters should reject it as presented, which he said would force the city to return to voters with a proposal that offers such things as a strategy for success, as opposed to what’s essentially a blank check. He will also hold staff to a high level of accountability, seeking a cost-benefit analysis for city projects to ensure residents get a good return on their tax dollars.

Thiemer has sought the office before, but was not successful. We have every reason to believe that if elected, he will focus his energies on serving Fairfield residents and will not take his eye off the ball and seek higher office midway through his first term.

There’s also a contested race for city treasurer that pits a long-term incumbent against a newcomer who seeks to revamp the position to make it akin to what he describes as a sixth council member. Both have strong financial backgrounds; each are retired members of the city finance team.

Oscar G. Reyes Jr. has served well in his role as treasurer, working primarily behind the scenes to help manage the city’s investments. He seeks another four-year term, and has earned our support. He deserves your support as well.

Vacaville

Three people seek two seats on the City Council. We recommend the incumbents, Dilenna Harris and Ron Rowlett.

Both were elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. They work well together, and with the remainder of the council and the mayor, to forward a vision for Vacaville that’s both promising and successful. They have served the community well, and deserve your vote.

City Clerk Michelle Thornbrugh and Treasurer Jay A. Yerkes are unopposed. They should be returned to office.

Suisun City

Two incumbents are running unopposed for two seats on the City Council: Lori Wilson and Mike Segala. Wilson is actively campaigning – raising and spending money – while Segala is conducted a low-key campaign. Suisun City voters should return both to office

Likewise for Treasurer Michael McMurry and City Clerk Linda Hobson, each of whom is unopposed.