Candidates for Selma mayor, president of the city council and the Selma City School Board introduced themselves to voters at the second day of political forums sponsored by the Coalition of Concerned Families.
Candidate for mayor Temekia Sykes said, “You need a mayor that not only has leadership skills— on larger scale— but that is also administrative.” She said she plans “to lead a results-driven, people-first administration.
Aaron Roper said, “When the tornado destroyed my home, I had the option to leave, but I stayed. I rebuilt my whole life here. And I have helped others do the same.” He promised “safe neighborhoods, consistent garbage pickup, economic development and leadership that you can count on.”
Thayer Spencer spoke to the crowd about acceptance, competitiveness and economic growth in the downtown area. He also spoke about how important it is for city leaders to work together. He assured the audience that he was in Selma to stay.
Johnny “Skip” Moss said he has three decades of experience in education and economic growth. He homed in on job growth, training and public safety. “This isn’t about politics, it’s about pride,” Moss said. “It’s about restoring something that Selma has been missing for a while –belief that we can move forward. And we don’t have to do it alone.”
Incumbent James Perkins Jr. asked the audience to give him their vote to “continue the work that is already being done.”
Perkins said his administration has brought in over $100 million in funds for the city, and the river walk project stands to bring revenue to the city in the future. He also brought up the recent renovations at Memorial Stadium. Perkins said he will work on bringing industries to Selma, and said he is traveling throughout the country to promote job building.
Rev. Jarmal Sanders said he wanted growth and community wellness for the city, and he said he understands many members of the community in a way that will make him a good candidate for the job.
Ronita Wade talked about the importance of understanding analytics and how concentrating on economic growth will make you also have to improve community mental and emotional health. She said socio-economic problems are the “root of the problems” in Selma. She said the city lacks access to opportunity, but this can be overcome with a strategic focus on revenue and community building.
Both candidates for president of the city council attended the forum at the Walton Theater.
Incumbent Warren “Billy” Young said that roadwork in Selma is “proof that our branches of government actually work, and they can work together. Young said he wants to reduce the city’s long-term debt, which is costing the city $2.1 million a year.
Challenger Kennard Randolph said, “One of the things that I believe that Selma needs is leadership that works for you – not against you. Leadership that’s willing to listen. Leadership that’s willing to understand.”
School Board
Candidates for the Selma City School Board also spoke.
Mrs. Cicely Curtis, candidate for president of the school board, said, “I believe in the village. I’m no stranger to struggle. I am no stranger to starting from the bottom. I’m no stranger to fighting for our children. And here I am again, fighting to become your school board president, to be a voice for our children.”
School Board President candidate Lebarron Mack said he’s “the candidate that does not need a learning curve. I’m ready to go – Day 1.” Mack said he has 19 years of experience working with education leaders. He also stressed safety.
In the District 3 race, Tammy Maul said she has “skin in the game” because she has three grandchildren in Selma city schools. She said she has experience in the education, municipal and congressional arenas. “Our system needs stability,” she said, citing 17 superintendents “over the past several years.” She described herself as anti-yes and pro-analytics.
District 3 candidate Kimesha “Sunshine” Alvarado said, “We have to fight for our children. As a parent and a leader of the community— as someone who has children in the system— we have to be advocates for those children. We have to be advocates for the staff. I want to be able to bridge that gap between the community and the staff.”
Brittany Houser, one of the youngest candidates on the forum, made her statement about her school board District 4 run. “I also believe that God is intentional,” Houser said. “Every role I’ve held, personally and professionally, has prepared me for this very moment. I’ve been positioned on purpose, for a purpose.”
Dr. Tanya Miles, the Dist. 4 school board incumbent, said that she is proud of the 31 years that she has served in the Selma City School system. “We have done things in Selma city to make our district a better district. We have made some great gains,” Miles said. “We found out that 90% of our 3rd grade students are on grade level. They are progressing, and they are moving forward.”
Miles also added the three bullets of her platform, with safety being at the top of that list, “because what’s going on in our neighborhoods is spilling over into our schools.”
Rev. Dexter W. Patterson, the third candidate for District 4, spoke of his experience in community work and in the education system, where he served as a coach for many years. He mentioned his military experience and his experience working in and around the U.S.
The forum was organized by CCF President Angela Benjamin. Jasmine Pritchett was the moderator for both forums.
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