41st District (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Ocean Hill and Brownsville): The Boyland family, headed by the retired Assemblyman William Boyland Sr., regards this district as its own private political preserve. After Mr. Boyland won re-election to the Assembly two years ago, he stepped down and handed his seat over to his son, William Jr. Now he is running for City Council, hoping to succeed Tracy Boyland, his daughter, who is term-limited.
Mr. Boyland, who did not make himself available for an endorsement interview, told the good-government organization Citizens Union, ''I would like to do what Tracy did.'' That alone is reason to consider extending term limits to include family members. If Ms. Boyland distinguished herself in the Council, it was for nonperformance.
The non-Boylands in the race are plenty, which could splinter the vote to the family's advantage. The ball of fire here is Darlene Mealy, a transit worker and first-time candidate who has devoted years to organizing distressed neighborhoods and helping transform them into safe, desirable places to live. Ms. Mealy has the makings of a dragon slayer, which this underserved district needs. Darlene Mealy gets our endorsement.