Haverhill is better off now than it was when the just-ended political campaign began.

Not because the economy is better — in fact, re-elected Mayor James Fiorentini joked Tuesday night that he planned to send out a search party for the recovery — not because Gov. Deval Patrick spared the city cuts to local aid and not because of which candidates were elected to office on Election Day.

It is better because the candidates — those who participated but lost in the primary as well as the 26 whose names appeared on the Nov. 3 ballot — ran fair, issues-based campaigns that brought to light the positives as well as the negatives of the past two years.

Mayoral challenger John Michitson earned the accolades he received on Tuesday night from Fiorentini and others, who referred to him as "a class act" and "a real gentleman."

Michitson conceded early and graciously, correctly pointing out that his campaign brought issues such as long-range planning and civility in municipal government to the forefront.

Fiorentini embraced some of the ideals from Michitson's campaign, saying he enters his fourth term with a renewed zeal for resolving many of the outstanding contract issues with municipal employees while standing firm to his pledge to resolve them to the benefit of the taxpayer.

Michitson offered — and Fiorentini seemed to accept — help with some of the two candidates' shared goals of finding eco-friendly industry for Haverhill and revitalizing downtown.

The results of the City Council election give added momentum to the quest for single-stream curbside recycling.

The arrival of Paul Magliocchetti and Ray Sierpina to the School Committee signal voters' wish for more civility and a more positive attitude on the School Committee.

The days ahead are filled with challenges. State and local revenues continue to lag and creative solutions will be necessary.

Luckily for the city, even those who failed to win on Tuesday said they remained committed to making the city the best place to live, work and raise a family.

We encourage them to remain vocal and active and ask those who were elected on Tuesday to find ways to use their challengers' skills and enthusiasm to carry the city through the difficult times that are on the way.