The selection of Joann Flower to fill Lee Tafanelli’s seat in the Kansas House would be a good deal for everyone.

Tafanelli, who was re-elected in November to represent the 47th District (Jefferson County and part of Atchison County) decided to resign his seat after learning that the Kansas Army National Guard he commands will leave Wednesday for a year in Iraq. It surely was a difficult choice, but Tafanelli made the right decision not to leave his seat vacant and his constituents without representation during the important session that will start in January.

In announcing his resignation, Tafanelli recommended that Joann Flower, the Oskaloosa legislator he replaced in the 47th District, be appointed to fill his seat. It seems like a good suggestion. Tafanelli has said he wants to return to his seat when he returns from Iraq. Although no commitments were announced, it seems likely that Flower, who already has retired from the seat once, would be willing to step down again when Tafanelli returns. In the meantime, the residents of the 47th District would have a capable, experienced representative in Topeka.

Tafanelli should be applauded for resigning, but given that his move was necessitated by his military service, it seems only right to try to fashion a way to return him to his seat when he returns. Hopefully, Flowers will agree to serve and make that possible.