A call to active duty in the Navy has thrown a curve to Fresno City Council Member Larry Westerlund. He'll have to be replaced for the balance of his term, which ends in January, and he'll miss the June primary, in which he will be seeking re-election. Here's today's Bee editorial on the matter.

And he won't be able to campaign or participate in city business during his tour of duty, which is expected to last 14 months. Federal law and military rules are very strict about such matters. Westerlund cited a recent example of a Georgia lawmaker who left his active duty post to return home for a crucial vote, and was reprimanded by his military superiors.

Westerlund's impending absence -- he leaves for Iraq April 24 -- raises some interesting questions. He has asked that his own recommendation for a replacement be strongly considered by his council colleagues, and at least one -- Jerry Duncan -- has said he's OK with the idea. That strikes others as inappropriate: Such a hand-picked appointee might be seen a merely a seat warmer for the incumbent, and not be effective for the constituents of Westerlund's District 4.

In the end, it's the voters in the district who will decide Westerlund's political future. If they don't like the idea of an absent representative, they'll choose someone else. If they don't mind, they'll re-elect Westerlund.