Finally. It’s over.

As much fun as the staff of the STJ thinks elections are, it’s still a relief to know they’re finished.

Congratulations to all the winners of the municipal elections and the runoffs. Everyone who ran deserves our thanks, as anyone willing to put themselves out in a public arena for criticism and judgement for the sake of giving us a choice should be commended.

But, as Council member-elect Jannie Venter said, “The honeymoon’s over.”

Now that Selma has a new council and the mayor has another term, it’s time we got started on the business of making a city the best it can be.

Selma is one of the most beautiful, hospitable and hardworking city’s in the state, if not the country.

We need a city council willing to work hard and convince the rest of the country of what we already know. We need a city council that sets and achieves positive goals for everyone in the community. We need to move past differences toward a unity of ideas.

And hopefully we can.

Hopefully, this new council can come together, find common ground and work together.

Because, just like Mayor James Perkins Jr. said, “It’s time to govern.”