On Tuesday night, the Selma City Council will decide if city employees have to live in Selma or if the city could hire employees who live in Dallas County.

The “live in Selma” rule has been on the books. Councilman Cecil Williamson wants the change to include Dallas County.

Williamson’s chief critic on the council, Bennie Ruth Crenshaw, says her colleague wants to change the rules to pave the way for an individual who lives in Valley Grande to work for the city either as treasurer or city clerk.

On the other hand, the city council has about 20 applications — some wanting both positions — from people who believe they are qualified for the council-appointed jobs.

The administrative committee of the council, chaired by Councilwoman Dr. Monica Newton, has scheduled a meeting for the near future.

The law prescribes that our elected officials live within their districts. Much ado was made when Gene Hisel ran for council president and mayor because he took an apartment in the city to do so.

We don’t know the exact logic of these arguments, but would just about guess the selections for city clerk and treasurer are made and the council will go through formalities. If that’s the case, the joke is on the voters who support open government.