from original post:
1. Have the drop down populate to the current database entry on the update page. I can do this now (see line 207) but it just adds a redundant line. This redundant line is okay ultimately if I could also:
update:check:done. had this 5 minutes after i started.
2. Then have the choice selected in the drop down list (whether it is a new choice or not) used to update the database on submit.
this one is what i am asking for help with. i cannot get the drop down choice to record (update the database) when "update' is submitted. Using the last field as the test, I have tried deleting line 204. then it records nothing; not null, just blank.