Even by Kuna’s standards for local political discontent, these are turbulent times.

A $27 million wastewater treatment plant project is embroiled in a lawsuit. An ill-timed and unsuccessful 2010 bond issue to build a new City Hall and swimming pool is also unpopular with most of this year’s candidates.

With 12 people in this city of 15,210 running for mayor or council, we’re convinced local government needs a shakeup. We’d also like some experience in the mix. We endorse former Mayor Greg Nelson and former council member Dave Szplett, and endorse Briana Buban-Vonder Haar for the second council spot.

GREG NELSON

A 20-year veteran of the mayor’s office, Nelson said he is running again — and, he says, for only one more term — at the urging of seniors and business people. He offers a promising idea to resolve the wastewater plant impasse that has pitted city leaders against landowners: negotiating with Meridian, which had expressed an interest in partnering on the plant.

Similarly, he suggests partnering with the YMCA on a swimming pool, which he considers an enormous community need.

Incumbent Scott Dowdy touts Kuna’s efforts to rein in spending and reduce debt, but he doesn’t seem to have much of a sense of urgency about resolving the wastewater plant issue. And it is troubling that Richard Cardoza is running for mayor after two years on the council, lamenting a lack of communication with the mayor’s office.

The best formula for change is to bring Nelson back as mayor, while Cardoza closes out his council term.

SZPLETT, BUBAN-VONDER HAAR

Szplett, who served on the council from 1997 to 2005, describes himself as a reluctant candidate. But his planning and engineering background gives him the ability to see a range of options on the wastewater plant and swimming pool issues — and creative thinking is something the council needs.

Buban-Vonder Haar, an attorney and repeat council candidate, makes a strong case for openness and transparency, saying both were lacking in the wastewater plant process and the bond issue. She is a narrow choice over Joe Stear, a machine shop owner and longtime fire commissioner, who also wants to bridge what he sees as a disconnect between City Hall and citizens.

Like Dowdy, council incumbent Jeff Lang takes a low-key approach to the wastewater plant mess. This crowded race presents voters with better options.