Ask YC: Where to find the right contractors?

As Chron X approaches it's launch date, we've begun looking for a Flex contractor to help finish off the client.. There's always the rentacoder/elance route, but it seems like there has to be something better. We're in the same situation when it comes to supporting the NY Sales office. I can't get up there as often as I'd like, so we need someone to help the staff on occasion with support.. I've been asking friends, both personally and on Linked in for who they'd recommend, but it seems there has to be some other way. With Craigslist, all I'm looking at is a bunch of names without any information.. It would seem like there should be some sort of ebay-like reputation system for contractors, where we could search through people in an area, see who's left them comments and what they've done, and find someone who's a good fit. Any ideas on where I should look? Where do you find help?