Ken Seligman is running for a spot on the Princeton City Council and he’s posted lawn signs around the city telling us of his desire.

They include his desire to bring a good Republican to the council.

And that, dear friends, stopped me in my tracks when I saw it.

Seligman is not seeking a partisan political job. Which makes me wonder what the hell is this guy thinking? Service on a local council, or school board, or college board of regents is devoid of partisan consideration.

I am reminded of a woman who once challenged then Amarillo Mayor Kel Seliger. Mary Alice Brittain called on “good Republicans” to vote against Seliger. I was editor of the opinion pages of the Amarillo Globe-News and I reminded Brittain of her error in conflating her race with that of county commissioner or state legislator. She lost to Seliger.

Seligman has long been involved in Princeton city government. I applaud his desire to seek improvements in the way City Hall does its business. But dammit, a candidate’s party affiliation has nothing to do with providing police protection, setting municipal taxes or fixing potholes.