After serving two terms as Selma City School Board president, Johnny Moss III has announced he is running for mayor.
Moss said in his campaign announcement Monday that his work with the school board resulted in “transformative change, including regaining local control from state intervention, improving fiscal management and achieving significant academic growth across the district.”
In a three-page campaign document, Moss said he “envisions a Selma where opportunities abound, safety is prioritized and community pride is restored.”
His campaign rests on what he called “three core pillars:”
- Revitalizing Infrastructure: Ensuring well-maintained roads, clean neighborhoods and functional public spaces.
- Fostering Economic Growth: Attracting investments, supporting small businesses and creating jobs.
- Empowering the Community: Engaging residents in decision-making, fostering civic pride and investing in youth.
Moss said he would institute quarterly community cleanup campaigns, increase garbage collection, institute recycling and enforce penalties for illegal dumping. He would appoint a Blight Removal Task Force that would prioritize the demolition or rehabilitation of unsafe properties and incentivize property upkeep.
When it comes to public safety and crime prevention, Moss said he would build trust between law enforcement and residents, create a Crime Prevention Task Force and install solar-powered streetlights and security cameras in high-crime areas. He also said he would create sports leagues, arts programs and job opportunities to reduce youth involvement in crime.
Moss’s economic development plans include offering grants and streamlining the permit process. He said he would promote Selma’s historical significance to attract visitors, and he would partner with educational institutions to train residents for high-demand jobs, particularly in aviation and healthcare.
For education and youth development, Moss said he would develop summer jobs and internships with local businesses, increase funding for academic and recreational programs in underserved areas, and partner with businesses to support students pursuing higher education and vocational training.
In the area of infrastructure improvement, Moss said he would prioritize patching and repaving frequently used roads, and he would develop a five-year strategy for infrastructure improvements, including sidewalks, parks and public facilities.
His campaign document lists the actions he would take in his first 100 days in office to improve public safety, infrastructure, economic development, education and community engagement.
Moss promised to hold his administration accountable by launching a public-facing dashboard to track progress, providing monthly updates on initiatives and publishing quarterly reports on the city’s operations.
Moss works at Wallace Community College Selma, and he is a realtor. He is a graduate of Selma High School, and he studied finance at Tuskegee University and received a master’s in business administration from Troy University, according to his Facebook page.
“My leadership will restore the city's pride and prosperity by prioritizing safety, economic growth and community engagement,” Moss said in his campaign document. “Together, Selma can thrive.”
Candidates running for municipal offices in the August election can share campaign information like this by emailing platform details to news@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com
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