The Republican Party in Philadelphia may have a mayoral candidate who is drawing attention, but it has managed to round up challengers for only five of the nine district seats on City Council now held by Democrats.

They're fresh faces, all right, but fresh doesn't necessarily mean well-prepared.

Even though a number of the Democratic incumbents have shortcomings, they are likely to give better service and representation to their constituents than the GOP's nominees.

The Inquirer has previously strongly endorsed two solid councilmen, FRANK DICICCO in the First District and MICHAEL NUTTER in the Fourth. Here are the rest of the district candidates:

Council President ANNA C. VERNA of South Philadelphia's Second District is running unopposed and deserves re-election.

That is not the case with West Philadelphia's Jannie L. Blackwell, who is unopposed for the Third District seat. Voters would do better to write in a person they'd like to see run in 2003, or else the name of her Democratic primary challenger, Prentice Cole.

Ms. Blackwell's record of serving individual needs doesn't overcome her poor judgment shown in her dealings with a former aide, convicted tax evader Michael Youngblood, and her deplorable performance as chair of Council's education committee during a crucial time for the city schools.

DARRELL CLARKE deserves a full term in the Fifth District seat vacated by his mentor, former Council president and mayoral candidate John F. Street. Mr. Clarke, who is completing Mr. Street's term, narrowly won a primary challenge. The election is under investigation for by the district attorney for vote fraud. Mr. Clarke says that no wrongdoing took place and that he welcomes the probe.

Mr. Clarke has strong experience serving North Philadelphia and Center City as a top aide under Mr. Street, and has handled with aplomb the community meetings about the controversial proposal to build a baseball stadium at Broad and Spring Garden Streets.

He is facing a challenge by Green Party candidate Gene Miller, who quite correctly points to campaign-finance reform as an unmet need in Philadelphia.

Earlier this year JOAN KRAJEWSKI, who is gunning for her fifth term representing the Sixth District on Council, earned praise for her speedy success in getting compensation to the residents of sinking homes in the Wissinoming area. This constituent service specialist's victory is virtually assured over Republican Thomas J. Lynch, a 12-year Army veteran who's just learning the issues affecting the river wards and Northeast.

If reelected, RICHARD MARIANO would be the first Seventh District incumbent returned to office by voters in the Lower Northeast and Kensington in more than two decades. He's another who focuses on constituent service. With more experience, his thoughtful Republican opponent, Jackie Osbourne, might make a compelling candidate. But this time, she's just too green.

DONNA REED MILLER, the Eighth District incumbent, is not the best Council candidate that Northwest Philadelphia could produce. While some constituents, particularly in and around her home neighborhood of Germantown, give her acceptable marks, those in the northern and southern ends of the district are less contented and often turn to other Council members for help.

But Ms. Miller has a better grasp of the issues than her Republican opponent, Bert Lancaster, a charming fellow who tells great tales from his days as a star track athlete and car salesman.

In the Northeast's heavily Republican 10th District, Republican BRIAN O'NEILL is another incumbent Councilman who emphasizes constituent services, particularly playgrounds and recreation centers. Opponents have long complained that his law practice detracts from his Council work and Mr. O'Neill's committee attendance record is not among the best. But he produces for his constituents and his opponent, Democrat Harry Citrino 3d, 21, is not even of legal age (25) to serve on Council.