Dear Editor:

With the appointment of John Brock as police chief, Selma now has two white department heads and 12 black department heads. Anyone with a sense of fairness would say that proportion is about right for a city with an 80 percent black population.

A just society only asks one question when a man is given a job, “Is the person qualified for the job?” That agrees with the high sounding words that a person should be judged by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin.

John Brock is eminently qualified to be the police chief of this city.

Does not 29 years of experience in a job indicate an ability to get along with people and to be a team player? Does not rising through the ranks demonstrate leadership abilities and the approval of one’s superiors and peers?

No person in Selma, black or white, should underestimate the potential for disaster when the President and more than 100,000 people crowded into our small city in March.

One man in Selma was the point man for public safety of the city, citizens and President during that week: John Brock.

That Selma got through that gigantic event with so many people together in a small city without a major catastrophe is a miracle for which we should all continue to thank the Lord. Through the leadership of Mayor George Evans and the coordination of John Brock with the Secret Service, FBI, state and local law enforcement officials, Selma was a shining light for the entire world.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Rose Sanders publicly says that John Brock and Mayor Evans must go. I ask every citizen of our city to prayerfully ask themselves this question, “Would the city of Selma be better off if Evans and Brock went, or would it better off if Mrs. Sanders went?”

John Brock is well qualified by experience, demonstrated leadership, concern for public safety for all citizens and commitment to Selma to be the police chief of Selma.

However, I understand that he is a season ticket holder to the University of Alabama football games.

Now there is a character flaw that should be investigated!

Cecil Williamson

Ward 1 Councilman