‘Thank you’ luncheon honors Evans
Published 6:40 pm Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Selma Mayor George Evans’ tenure was celebrated with a luncheon Wednesday at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.
A luncheon was held Wednesday to mark the end of Selma Mayor George Evans’ tenure in City Hall.
Instead of farewell, Evans’ Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brother Billy Young said the event should be a “thank you” luncheon.
“I know we are calling it a farewell luncheon, but I’d rather call it a thank you luncheon,” Young said. “A lot of great things have been said about Mayor Evans. The reason we can say that is because he is a great person.”
Young was one of many people to speak about working alongside Evans, who was presented with several plaques and gifts.
Evans was presented with several gifts, including a proclamation from Selma native and U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell (left).
City employees pitched in and bought Evans and his wife Jeannie a weekend getaway to Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Georgia.
“I do appreciate what he has done for the city,” said City Attorney Jimmy Nunn, who has worked with Evans for 16 years. “I do consider ourselves a family. We work together. I spend probably more hours with him than I do with my wife.”
City Treasurer Ronita Wade was hired by Evans two years ago and helped organize Wednesday’s program.
“We have the hardest working boss in the city,” Wade said. “We want to let you know how much we truly appreciate you. We love you, we value you and we want you to get a little rest.”
Other presenters included Anita Archie, chief of staff for Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange; Mosses Mayor Walter Hill, with the Alabama Conference of Black Mayors; Kerry Morrison with WSFA; and others.
Selma Mayor George Evans is shown with his wife Jeannie.
Evans thanked those who spoke for their kind words and reflected on his time in office.
“I’m real pleased with the progress we made in the city. We couldn’t have done that without the employees who worked to help me do that as well as the citizens of Selma,” Evans said. “And I can not leave out the city council, who has been a force of help and strength for me … It’s just remarkable how much we have accomplished over the last eight years. I wish we could have done more, but we did a lot.”
Evans was elected mayor in 2008 and served two terms. He was defeated in a reelection bid this past August by State Representative Darrio Melton.
Before being elected mayor, Evans served two terms as city council president and is a past superintendent of Dallas County Schools.
