A couple of weeks ago we wouldn’t have bet on the outcome of the search for two members of the Selma Water and Sewer Board.

The Selma City Council is responsible for selecting members of the water board. Members of the council Administrative Committee decided to accept resumes from people interested in the positions. No council members applied, but 28 residents of the city offered their expertise for the spots.

A couple of council members raised questions about the process that called for people to submit their resumes for consideration. A couple of council members wanted to take the issue in hand, appoint a couple of members and the public be tossed to the wind again.

But the Administrative Committee under the leadership of Councilman Corey Bowie held steady. The committee endured 10 hours of interviews, talking to each of the candidates who showed up at their given time slots. In the end, the committee recommended 10 names for the council to consider — 10 good names from a pool of well-qualified individuals, according to a consensus of the council.

On Tuesday night, the council selected Roderick West as one member and elected to return the Rev. Lee Goodwin to the water board. Although at least one council member raised questions, the process worked.

The way the water board members were selected proved orderly and fair. The other members of the council and committees should take notice when vacancies arrive on different boards and councils in the city.