Selma swears in new Mayor Johnny Moss III, council members during ceremony Monday

Johnny Moss III was sworn in as the new mayor of Selma in a ceremony on Monday, announcing that “the rebuilding of Selma begins today.”

Moss, along with a new city council president and council members representing the city’s eight wards, took the oath of office at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center at noon.

Moss said that while he and the council may not always see “eye to eye,” he said that “disagreement must never make division.”

“People don’t want to see us fighting,” Moss said. “They want to see us fixing. They want a government that listens more than argues, collaborates more than competes, that delivers results instead of excuses.”

Moss said he will be meeting with city department heads to develop his 100-day plan “to ensure service, stewardship and progress.”

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City Council President Kennard Randolph said he was looking forward to working with the new city council to build a coalition that can “move the city forward.” Randolph assured Moss that the mayor would “not have to guess what I was thinking,” and he pledged not to talk about you behind your back.”

“God brought us together for a purpose,” Randolph said. “To transform Selma in a way Selma has never seen.”

Moss, Randolph and each of the councilpersons were sworn in separately. Reelected councilmembers are Troy Harvill, Ward 1; Christie Young, Ward 2; Clay Carmichael, Ward 3; Lesia James, Ward 4; Jannie Thomas, Ward 7; and Michael Johnson, Ward 8. Newcomers are Nadine Sturdivant, Ward 5, and Ashley Ervin, Ward 6.

State Rep. Prince Chestnut served as the master of ceremonies for the event.