During every election cycle, Selma and Dallas County residents travel to the polls to decide who should represent them in political offices, but every once in a while, elected officials don’t have the final say in deicsions.

In some instances, public hearings are required by law before votes are taken. Though it’s optional in the city’s code of ordiances, the city council’s administrative committee set a public hearing date for May 17 in the Lapsley Street renaming.

With the renaming, the council took a positive step in ensuring Selma residents have an opportunity to express their opinion.

During previous discussion, the council considered many options in the renaming, but no, one idea emerged as a favorite. Though, a majority of the council was in favor of a hearing.

Before erasing part or all of Lapsley Street and perhaps the Lapsley family from Selma, the council should place a heavy consideration on the opinion of area residents because of varying opinions.

Councilman Greg Bjelke lives on Lapsley Street and expressed stark opposition to an entire renaming, but eight other council members posses a vote in the matter. The council often defers to the member representing the ward, when making ward-specific decisions.

In this instance, an entire renaming would affect two different wards — Bennie Ruth Crenshaw’s Ward 7 and Bjelke’s Ward 3. Both are in opposition to each another’s opinion.

Whatever option emerges as the favorite during the public hearing should, in turn, be the final decision of the council.