The contrast between the Democrat who will join the Auburn City Council and the one leaving could not have been made more clear during the past two weeks.

Lame-duck councilor Robert Hunter at the past two council meetings is pointing out the shortcomings of the city's power agency plans. Hunter is not outright opposed to efforts to develop a municipal utility, but he's making it clear that he has major concerns about costs and the overall feasibility.

As part of his newfound concern, Hunter researched some data on nearby Solvay's power agency. He learned the profits that utility realizes cannot go to the general fund, which he believes is the perception being created in Auburn.

Our question for Hunter: Why didn't you publicly raise these concerns a long time ago? Perhaps in the fall of 2004, before the public voted to create a public power agency?

If you can sift through his politically-motivated parting shots, the outgoing councilor is right: Mayor Tim Lattimore has made his power initiatives seem a lot simpler than they are. You don't just approve an agency and then, bam, lower rates for everyone.

But now is the time for the council, the power agency and other city officials to be working together, and Hunter sounds more like a bitter politician after a stinging election loss. Perhaps because he is.

Fortunately for city residents, Democrat William Graney will be bringing a new attitude to the city council. He wants to make the public power efforts work, and he's more than willing to work with Lattimore to make it happen.

Graney sees the value that a vibrant municipal power agency can bring to this community. No, it may not help the city's budget, but it will mean cheaper utility rates for residents and businesses.

Graney's biggest problem with the public power effort so far is that it hasn't moved forward quickly enough. The mayor shares that sentiment. We need more like-minded city leaders pushing the idea and the agency, and less pessimism coming from council chambers.

How many days until Jan. 1?