The State College Borough Council voted last Tuesday to delay action on passing a proposal in support of a two-year moratorium on the death penalty. Many residents and students at the meeting voiced their opinions and disapproval about the council's decision not to take a stance.

But the council made the right choice in delaying a vote. Many borough council members are in favor of a moratorium and have said they would sign a petition — individually — saying they are in favor of the two-year ban.

But the council refused to act as a representative body and take a stand on the issue because they weren't sure how the community they represent feels about the moratorium.

Council members said they didn't think they could accurately represent their constituents by making a decision, so they decided to hold off on taking a vote, which is what a good group of representatives should do.

A moratorium on the death penalty really isn't as much of a local issue as it is a state and national issue. Although a citizen's stance on the issue should not be discounted, this should be taken to the state legislature for direct action.

If the council would have voted to support the proposal, it would have been used to influence the Pennsylvania government to put a temporary halt to executions.

The state would take that time to examine our current capital punishment system.

The council's vote would not actually impose the moratorium, but just support it.

The council should certainly consider supporting the moratorium as a way to take closer look at the death penalty and its success or failure.

But taking the time to make sure the State College borough is accurately represented is the council's job, and council members should not be condemned for waiting until they have more information to make a decision.

Individuals who feel strongly about the death penalty — who either support or are against it — could perhaps make more of an impact by directly addressing state representatives who have greater effect on imposing a moratorium and who are ultimately the ones who will decide whether to support it.

We urge the council members to do the same on an individual level.