We were pleased to endorse the incumbents in last week's Blade-News, and now are even more pleased to see those votes of confidence become reality.

The City Council, along with the mayor, all deserve much praise for what they've accomplished over the years, as well as working together as one of the more cohesive bodies in recent memory. Sure, there will always be disagreements and certain agendas to contend with, but this current group knows what it takes, and knows that it's all about doing what's right for this fine city.

While there are many challenges and roadblocks up ahead - all these trees coming down, environmental issues, and upcoming construction and constant growth of the city - we know this is the group to handle it once again. And it's clear from the people of Bowie that they agree.

To see Fred Robinson back in again, for a sixth term, is indeed well-deserved. He received nearly 90 percent of the votes, and it must be said that the fact that his challenger received slightly over 12 percent of the vote, is about 11 percent too high, considering he did not show up to a candidates forum which all candidates were indeed invited to, or even respond to a series of questions for an election special section in a previous edition of this publication.

It's also good to see the experienced Dennis Brady (now in his eighth term) and Geraldine Valentino-Smith return to their at-large seats. Challenger Anthony Kennedy gave it a good shot, garnering more than 1,000 votes (just over 10 percent) against those two strong incumbents. But again, it's all about experience and what's been working well these past two years, and obviously with an overwhelming vote of support from constituents to keep the current body in place, this was just not the year for newcomers. We hope Kennedy keeps up his youthful exuberance and stays active in the city.

And in what was thought by some (not us) to be a tighter race, challenger Pete Mellits lost to incumbent Diane Polangin, who returns with 62 percent of the vote, to serve District 2, and with her dedication and service over many years, and not just on the council, there clearly is no better choice.

A hearty congratulations also go to the three unchallenged members of the council: James Marcos, Todd Turner and Isaac Trouth.

So again we say, well-deserved, and welcome back, all!