Bill Criley’s entry into the race for a Butler City Council seat in the Nov. 8 general election portends to remove the ho-hum from the fall contest.

Instead of two unopposed candidates for the two council seats up for grabs, with Criley entering the race the foundation is in place for some much-needed dialogue on what strategies should be pursued regarding the city’s big financial challenges and other problems.

Having two unopposed candidates vying for the two seats set the stage for a low-key council election without much discussion of the city’s issues. Now that should change.

Not that Criley, who is registered as an independent, intends to question the qualifications of the two previously unopposed candidates, Cheri L. Scott and Lisa Guard, both Republicans. But his entry into the contest will require them to be more visible and more prepared to discuss issues than they might have been otherwise.

A May 19 Butler Eagle editorial — two days after the spring primary — lamented the lack of interest by other city residents in running for a council seat:

“Without questioning the qualifications or abilities of Scott or Guard, it was troubling that the two council seats drew no additional interest. The city is facing many serious challenges, especially financial ones, in the next several years, and city residents should have had the opportunity for a spirited debate among more candidates.”

The opportunity for that is now at hand. It’s to be hoped that the three candidates don’t disappoint.

For Criley, it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision to get his name on the ballot. In an article in Friday’s Butler Eagle, he said that he made the decision prior to the May primary, but didn’t announce because he’s an independent and didn’t need to participate in the primary process.

Meanwhile, Criley’s interest in the city’s well-being and city issues isn’t new. Several times, Criley has had letters to the editor printed in the Butler Eagle about what was and wasn’t being done by city leaders.

Likewise, over the past few months he’s been studying and reflecting on city issues and what needs done to overcome the city’s financial problems.

“I have, for the last several months, spent quite a bit of my free time going over this year’s city budget,” he said.

Unfortunately, based on that budget examination, he sees few options for the city other than concessions in employee labor contracts. As the election campaign gears up, city residents must also ask Scott and Guard for their opinions on that topic.

Criley, who described himself as a “penny pincher,” said that, if elected, he would approach the city budget in much the same way as departing Councilman Joseph Bratkovich, who, along with Councilman Fred Reese, is not seeking re-election.

Bratkovich has not been reluctant to discuss the city’s financial plight; neither should Criley, Scott or Guard.

Criley’s entry into the race is a refreshing development because it will put the council race in the spotlight, where it belongs.

There’s no reason to doubt the qualifications of Scott and Guard but they, like any other candidate, should have to earn election by way of campaigning, not be given a free ticket.

City voters should welcome this development.