The Selma City Council made the correct choice Tuesday night when it decided the voters of Ward 3 should have the opportunity to select their council representative.

The council position will soon be vacant as Ward 3 representative Dr. Monica Newton prepares to move to Atlanta and early discussions had called for someone to be appointed to the seat for the remainder of the term.

While that idea may have been the more cost-effective method of filling the council, it was the wrong way to do so and we are pleased city leaders voted for the special election, likely to be held in middle to late May.

The voters of Ward 3 have the right to select their representative and thankfully will not have to endure the political circus that would no doubt have ensued in the council selecting someone.

Those who voiced their opposition to the special election did so based on finances, and we applaud such a mindset, but rather than cutting corners on a fundamental right of citizens within the city, we challenge council members to find other areas to cut costs.

If this opening had fallen any closer to the end of the term, which is set to expire in 2012, our opinion might have been different, but the next Ward 3 representative will have more than a year in office before running for re-election and that is more than enough time to get in the seat and get to work.

Again, we congratulate the council on their decision and look forward to seeing the community-minded candidates declare themselves for the race.