Mayor James Perkins honored for his 'season' at the helm of Selma

The City of Selma honored outgoing Mayor James Perkins Jr. in a “A Historic Legacy of Service” ceremony on Wednesday with employees, council members, family and friends highlighting the legacy he leaves after 13 years in office.

The ceremony at Carl Morgan Convention Center recognized Perkins’ three terms as mayor. Perkins became Selma’s first Black mayor in 2000 and served two terms until 2008. He served again starting in 2020 and his term ends with a new administration takes over on Nov. 3.

Perkins did not win reelection in the August municipal election. Johnny Moss III won the seat in a runoff on Sept. 23.

City council members, state lawmakers and family and church members said they hope Perkins’ legacy will live on and be “embraced and advance to new heights.”

Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn said Perkins’ time at the helm of Selma was a “season” and that there will be many more seasons where Perkins can serve the city.

“It is a historic day in Selma when we recognize a historic legacy of service,” Nunn said. From the podium, Nunn looked at Perkins who was sitting to his left, and said, “God is not done with you yet.”

Jasmine Robinson, the mayor’s executive assistant, said Perkins stands as one of most transformative mayors in Selma, the state of Alabama and the Black Belt region with what he has accomplished and how he led the city. She noted he took over in 2000 at a “pivotal moment for the city” and he fiscally turned around the finances and even got the city to a $10.5 million cash balance. He raised wages during the first term for the first time decades, she said, and he raised city wages again in this term. She noted he brought in 10 new industries that gave the city a season of “growth and expansion.”

The first term also saw the first population increase since Craig Air Force base closed in 1977, she said.

“Mayor Perkins did more than maintain the city, he led it into the future,” she said. “He built eras not served terms.”

City council members Michael Johnson, Sam Randolph, Lesia James and Atkin Jemison spoke about their relationship with the mayor over the last five years.

City employees spoke about their time working for the mayor. Planning Director Danielle Wooten said to Perkins that his “work will speak for you, and the fruits of your labor will manifest. Someday, the citizens of Selma will appreciate the fruits of your labor.”

Council President-elect Kennard Randolph, who is also CEO of Selma Housing Authority, said it is hard to be a leader in Selma.

“Selma makes leadership difficult,” he said. “You have to have tough skin.”

Randolph thanked the mayor for being “consistent” and that he should be running a victory lap for his work.

“You may think you lost, but sometimes God allows things to happen,” he said. “Selma is better because of you. The work you did – Selma will see results of it real soon.”

Leaders from other organizations sent video messages to the mayor, including Rep. Terri Sewell, the head of Delta Regional Authority, state lawmakers Rep. Prince Chestnut and Sen. Robert Stewart, and state Board of Education member Tonya Chestnut. 

Incoming Mayor Johnny Moss sent a video message saying he has watched how Perkins led with faith and courage and appreciated how he paved the way for others to serve. “We can now keep building the Selma you dreamed of,” Moss said.

Community leader Pastor John Grayson of Gospel Tabernacle also sent a message. In the audience were Selma-Dallas County Chamber Director Sheryl Smedley, District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. and District Judge Vernetta Perkins Walker.

The keynote speaker, who got to the podium after two hours of testimonials, was Helenor Bell, the first African American female mayor of Hayneville in Lowndes County, who served from 2004-2012. Bell served two terms as president of the Alabama Conference of Black Mayors. She co‐owns and operates with her husband, Bell Funeral Home in Hayneville and Montgomery.

When it was his turn, Perkins said he felt released and relieved as he leaves office.

“I do not feel any hurt. I’m not angry. I’m not disappointed,” Perkins said. “I feel release, because this was not something I personally desired. To pursue the office of mayor, you are called, but you’re crazy. I feel released from the assignment.”

Perkins recalled that when he became mayor the first time in 2000, the city had only one computer, and its hard drive had been erased. But Perkins said former Mayor Joseph Smitherman met with him, even though Smitherman warned Perkins that their supporters would be upset if they knew that they were speaking to one another.

Perkins said he has met with Moss and with Randolph to help with the transition.

Perkins also showed off two $1.9 million federal checks for infrastructure improvements that arrived as he leaves office.

“I really wanted you, the public, to know, Selma is going to be all right,” Perkins said.

Associate Publisher Brad Fisher contributed to this report.