Selma mayoral race heats up as first candidates announce plans to run

Selma residents won’t vote for their mayor and city council until the last steamy Tuesday in August, but two candidates have already stepped forward this chilly January to run for the city’s top job.

Entrepreneur Havard Spencer announced his candidacy last week, and Selma City School Board President Johnny Moss III announced Monday.

Selma and most Alabama cities will hold their municipal elections on Aug. 26. Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. and the current city council got an extra year of service because a state law moved municipal elections off of presidential election years.

The last mayoral race in 2020 drew 12 candidates, and it is unclear if Perkins will run for re-election.

Spencer was one of those 12 candidates. In 2020 he came in fifth, but he said that doesn’t bother him. He said in Louisiana where he grew up, candidates run the first time just to get to know people.

“I cannot wait to express my ideas and explain the solutions (platforms) I have been working on for the last five years,” Spencer said. “I know one thing. I will not sue the city council just to get my way. I will spend the tax money collected and fix the sewer, streets and storm drains. ‘I'll fix it’ is my motto.”

Spencer said he has a plan to “repair Selma.”

First, Spencer said he would serve as mayor for free. He would also push to create the position of city manager, an unelected administrator who would handle the day-to-day operations of the city.

Spencer said he would improve the Selma Police Department’s ability to collect fines by creating an impound lot to hold the cars of violators who don’t pay their fines. “This happens in most towns and cities,” Spencer said.

Building owners will be held responsible for repairing their deteriorating buildings or face fines if Spencer is elected. He also said the city should not accept donated buildings that are in poor condition.

If elected, Spencer said he would authorize regular audits and post the city’s budget in the local newspapers. “You basically have to attend a city council meeting to acquire the information,” Spencer said. “More transparency for the people.”

Spencer said he would enhance parks and recreation, which he said has “been minimal these last two mayor terms. “We need activities to give our children a chance to enjoy sports in Selma,” Spencer said.

He said he would help fund parks and recreation by reducing the number of department head positions. “Let’s cut director positions that don’t help the citizens,” Spencer said. He said there are too many positions, and the salaries are too high for what they do. Some directors are political appointees who are unqualified to do their jobs, he said.

Spencer moved to Selma because he and his wife wanted to restore an historic home. They brought the Henderson House in downtown Selma back to life, only to have it damaged in the January 2023 tornado. He has since moved his mother to Selma.

During the public comment portion of the Selma City Council meeting, Spencer often presents concerns about spending and infrastructure issues.

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Spencer was a health care administrator for 35 years with Marriott Hotels Senior Living and then as a consultant. He and his wife owned a wastewater treatment plant in suburban Atlanta for several years, and he owned several restaurants.

“Just remember, when we elect a mayor, make sure it’s someone that has experience and knowledge about keeping Selma citizens safe and help repair the city,” Spencer said. “Other towns keep growing. We need to keep up. Repair Selma.”

Johnny Moss III has announced he is running for mayor after serving two terms as Selma City School Board president. He is also director of marketing and college relations for Wallace Community College Selma and a Realtor with Keller Williams.

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 for revitalizing infrastructure, fostering economic growth by attracting investments, supporting small businesses and creating jobs and empowering the community by 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 is a graduate of Selma High School, Moss studied finance at Tuskegee University and received a master’s in business administration from Troy University.

“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.”