Selma City Council ponders locking up gambling machines and Old Live Oak Cemetery 

The Selma City Council is considering locking up electronic gambling machines and Old Live Oak Cemetery.  

Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford recently sent a letter to several establishments warning them that their electronic gambling machines were unlawful. Montgomery Attorney Michael Strickland, who is representing one of the establishments who received the letter, told the City Council at the Nov. 28 meeting that his client is operating in the open and has paid the city licensing fees for the machines.    

City Councilman Clay Carmichael responded that gambling machines can only be lawful if the county has an act from the Alabama Legislature allowing them, and Dallas County has no such act. The city has an ordinance dating back to 2002 that addresses gambling, and Carmichael made a motion to tighten gambling restrictions by rescinding that ordinance. The council voted to table the motion.  

Carmichael also brought forward a motion to erect gates at the entrances to Old Live Oak Cemetery on Dallas and Selma avenues to protect the historic landmark and deter crime. Carmichael said the Riverview Neighborhood Association, which represents about 40 homeowners who live near the cemetery, are in favor of keeping traffic out of the cemetery at night, as are the Cemetery Association and the state’s tree preservation agency.  

Reducing traffic would reduce litter and damage to trees and to the cemetery, according to Carmichael. There have also been reports of illegal activity and acts of violence in the cemetery at night, he said. He pointed out that New Live Oak Cemetery is already locked at night.  

The motion to erect gates at the cemetery was also tabled by the city council. Selma City Council President Billy Young said he wanted to ensure the city has the authority to erect gates and whether a public hearing is required to restrict access on a public street.