Back in the 1770s, a group of people expressed concern over taxation without representation.

Today, some people are concerned about representation — make that full representation — on the Washington City Council. They are upset that a vacancy on the City Council has gone unfilled since June and that the City Council seems to be in no hurry to fill that vacancy.

They may have a point.

Washington’s charter provides for five members on its City Council. With the seat once held by Bobby Roberson, who resigned as he was appointed interim city manager in June, remaining vacant, city residents are losing 20 percent of their representation on the City Council. Currently, four council members, not five, are making decisions concerning city business. Some of those concerned with the ongoing vacancy on the City Council wonder if there is a political agenda that’s preventing that vacancy from being filled.

The power to fill that vacancy rests with the City Council. There are several options the City Council can use to fill that vacancy. One option is to simply appoint someone, as long as that someone meets the statutory requirements to hold that office. The City Council can, as it has done before in a similar situation, interview people who want to fill the vacated seat and choose someone from that group to join the council.

Because the term for the seat vacated by Roberson expires in December, the City Council could leave the seat vacant until then, allowing the new City Council to take office. The City Council election takes place this fall.

But those concerned about the vacancy contend letting that happens cheats them of full representation on the City Council. They want the City Council to do its duty and appoint someone to that vacant seat.

Some of them suggest the council appoint the person who received the sixth-highest vote total (just missing election to the City Council) in the last municipal election, saying that person received substantial voter support. That person was Gil Davis, a former council member.

Washington residents do deserve full representation on the City Council. And the four current council members should carry out their duty and appoint someone to that vacant seat.