A chain of events that was set in motion about a year ago now is wheeling toward its logical and appropriate conclusion in Jefferson County.

When the Kansas-based 891st Engineering Battalion of the Kansas Army National Guard was called to active duty in Iraq late last year, its commander, Lee Tafanelli, did the right thing. To ensure that his constituents would be adequately represented during his absence, Tafanelli, who lives in Ozawkie, resigned his seat in the Kansas House of Representatives.

Fortunately for both Tafanelli and the residents of his district, a veteran Republican legislator, Joann Flower of Oskaloosa, was available and willing to fill his legislative seat. She said at the time that she had no interest in returning to the Legislature on a long-term basis.

After representing the state and serving the nation well in Iraq, Tafanelli and the 891st returned to Kansas earlier this month. Not coincidentally, Flower announced Thursday that she would resign her legislative seat before the 2006 session opens next month. Tafanelli has announced his desire to return to the Legislature, and all indications are that Republicans in his district will return him to office.

The action will come as no surprise; most observers surmised that this succession was assumed when Tafanelli resigned last year. It’s true that the fix probably was in, but this has none of the shady subtext of a backroom deal.

Tafanelli was unopposed in the November 2004 election in the 47th District, which covers Jefferson and part of Atchison counties, only about a month before he was called to active duty. Returning him to the Statehouse is a reflection of the voters’ will as well as the state’s appreciation for his service in Iraq.

Tafanelli did the right thing by resigning; Republican officials will be doing the right thing by returning him to office.

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