Haberek in Stonington

Oftentimes a politician's fate is sealed by how he or she handles a weather emergency.

Like Connecticut's late Republican Gov. Thomas J. Meskill, who knew better than to even seek a second term after a hailstorm of criticism for his failure to return to Hartford from vacation when a severe ice storm struck in December 1973.

Democrat Ed Haberek knows better than that. The Stonington first selectman, who is seeking a third term, became a rock star of sorts for his handling of Tropical Storm Irene. If he honed his weather-calamity skills in the devastating March 2010 flooding, Mr. Haberek perfected them with Irene.

Not only was he on top of the town's emergency preparations and response, but he deftly used social media - Twitter and Facebook - to keep anxious constituents fully apprised. Since assuming the post four years ago Mr.

Haberek has grown a reputation as a hands-on, on-the-scene municipal leader, seemingly always willing to open his door or take a phone call from a resident with an issue. But that reputation grew exponentially with his handling of Irene, where the first selectman not only relayed hour-by-hour updates, but was delivering food rations and information right to people's doors.

Certainly there is more to being a good municipal leader than being on top of a storm, and Mr. Haberek has matured in those duties, too. He's been a bulldog on trying to lure new business and industry to town, an advocate for affordable housing, fiscally conservative, and able to secure federal and state monies for public projects. Under his tenure, substantial infrastructure and public improvements have been made. To Mr. Haberek's credit, he acknowledges that others have helped to shepherd that good work along.

This election season, Mr. Haberek is being challenged by political newcomer Richard McKrell, a recently registered Republican. Mr. McKrell became involved in the campaign as result of his opposition to a Pawcatuck condominium development, and by his own admission, is going door-to-door now to hear what the important issues are.

That's not good enough. While we appreciate Mr. McKrell's willingness to run as an opponent, his lack of a platform makes him a weak candidate. We urge him to stay politically involved and broaden his perspective on the major issues facing the town.

But as for this election, the choice is clear. The Day endorses Ed Haberek and urges Stonington voters to return him for a third term as their first selectman.