Posted by Clarissa49 (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope the city and county governments have not gotten taxpayers involved in this project. I also agree that as with most other familly-oriented places in this area punks will destroy it unless adequate security measures are included in the package.

Posted by alabamaWOW (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the idea behind this is good but you do have to have adequate security measures. It is something Selma needs if it is run properly!

Posted by SillySy08 (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm glad that they are doing this for our community. There isn't really much to do around here and when there are people within the community that put young people like myself down because of my peers it hurts and we often become disappointed and distrurbed greatly deep down inside do to everything that is going on in todays society. Hearing the down side of everything all the time from your elders makes you want to just give up, I mean we are barely making it now.

Posted by alwaysthere (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why are some of you all so negative about everything? This is something great for our children to have and enjoy and all you can say is how the "PUNKS" are going to do this and that to the place. It has not even been built yet and you all are already speaking bad about it. If you are so unhappy with Selma move.

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope Dr. Taylor's investment works out. As long as Selma is not selling bonds to make this park a reality, I'm good with it. If this vision of Taylor's is full proof and as needed as he says, then he shouldn't have a problem with the full funding of it to recoup his investment. The reality of it is, there will need to be a pretty detailed security. It's sad that it has to be like this, but when history proves itself over and over and over....it becomes a necessity. "Alwaysthere"...I don't think people hate Selma...I think people are just tired of the corruption, underhanded politics, crime and all the racial overtones.

Posted by TCOLEM1 (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I want to just say its saddens me that the people of this great town are so negative. We as people of this historic city should be proud that somone wants to bring something positive to the city.Take time and think about the things that go on here and the crowds that are drawn, but there is nothing to do here at night when the festivities of the day are over. The people don't really have a resturant they can go sit down in and have a good meal, everyone don't want chicken or a burger all the time. So I say stop being negative towards everything positive an add something positive to the city.

Posted by jonsavant (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Selma as usual - before the place is built people has already torn it down and closed it up. Selma's only problem is Selma itself.
John S Black

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That' certainly been the case for the past eight years,jonsavant.Dr.Taylor has done some very positive things for the community...entertainment,political forums,etc,etc and should be commended.I'm sure he's aware of the security concerns,and has built that into his plans...I wish him luck with his investment.

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now that you mention it....why is it that Selma doesn't have more variety of eating places? Do we have a workforce that could be reliable enough to hold a job? Do we have a work force that can sustain "Customer Service Skills and Proper Etiquette" other than what we have now?

It's embarrassing to go to one of these fast food places and deal with such low skill, grammer and customer service. If you hate your job that much, maybe you should find something else more suitable to your personality. DOn't get an attitude when someone ask for ketchup. Hell, I'm paying for it...plus, it's not yours so why are you mad about it? If YOU mess the order up....fix it without acting like it's the customers fault. How about saying, "THANK YOU....COME AGAIN" instead of handing the food out of the window with your head turned the other way. This is part of working in a business where you depend on the patronage of customers.

Posted by changeneeded (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

eyeonyou.......I COMPLETELY agree with everything you stated in your last post. I experience this 99.9% of the time when I go to a fast food restaurant in Selma. It makes you wonder if the managers even care anymore...

Posted by ChangeSelma (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with you jonsavant !!!!!!! Taylorville isn't even completed and here come the complaints by some people .They will always find something to complain about regardless . It's too much negativity in this town .

Posted by ChangeSelma (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with you as well alwaysthere!!!!!!!

Posted by mccrary36703 (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Everybody. Selma has been under so much negativity since the voting rights march. Now we have all this crime and we the people cannot come together and help each other. So tell me somebody, anybody, what can we do as citizens of Selma to win our city back?

Posted by gladimoved (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear People of a Cursed City (town)---Selma will never improve if you continue to fight against progress. Finally, a professional citizen of Selma has purchased land to provide you backwoods people something besides a burger and chicken. Others have only provided buildings that were falling apart the last time I was in town. Don't be afraid of change!!! Be happy about new ideas from a younger generation. Stop being afraid of the people or as you called them "PUNKS", and start organizing neighborhood- or maybe town watches. Your city(town) can be safe if YOU want it to be. Look at B'ham, ATL, Memphis- they have crime but they also have other avenue for the youth to get invovled in so that they don't have to join gangs or get pregnant during their EARLY teens. Give them something to do and stop harboring your ideas and put downs on them,that's why GOOD young people go off to college and do not return and leave you with the PUNKS. start building and end the curse..Then maybe, some of us taxpaying people will come back.

Posted by gladimoved (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh yeah mccrary36703- the good 'ole boys will never run Selma again. THE VOTING RIGHTS MARCH WILL NEVER BE SEEN AS NEGATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. PEOPLE LIKE YOU IS WHY THIS TOWN IS CURSED.

Posted by mccrary36703 (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

(gladimoved) I don't see the voting rights as a negativity. I said Selma has been under negativity since the voting rights march. Meaning that there is slow improvement among the citizens of Selma including myself.The Voting RIGHTS MOVEMENT is a symbol of we have overcome. Well look what we are doing to each other. That historic moment is suppose to be a wake up call for everybody of color especially including myself. So if you all have misunderstood me I AM SO SORRY. Now I just want to know how can we win back our city

Posted by cgorden334 (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dr. Taylor is an annointed man of God. This entertainment center will prosper. The only buildings in selma that are ruined are the ones owners do not upkeep. It is bad that people are infested with so much of negativity. But for all of you positive individuals keep your head up and do believe in Selma. With believers a change can and will happen.

Posted by saveselma (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can say that I have spoken with Dr. Taylor. He seems to care about the youth in Selma. He actually walks the walk and talks the talk. He volunteers in the schools. He spends his time (that he could have been using to make money for himself in his practice) visiting the schools to actually SPEAK with the kids. I agree, let's put aside the negative talk and see what he can do. Atleast he is actually DOING something to help the youth out. With that said, I do hope it is with his own money and I wish him the best of luck. I hope he makes a million dollars with this project. Who knows? Maybe Selma will WISH they had a piece of his pie!

Posted by jmhjr11 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 5:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear "gladimoved". From where are you glad you moved? Also, every story or event has two sides, even the voting rights march.
Concerned, active citizens make any city work for the good, and, by the way, there are gangs in the other cities you mentioned.
Society only prospers when families show morals in their actions and consideration for others.
I'm pullin' for ya', 'cause we're all in this thing together!!

Posted by TCOLEM1 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would just like to comment on these prior comments. To Mccary36703, you asked what can we do to win our city back. There are a number of things we can do, the most important one is to get in a good bible based church so that we as people can learn to be appreciative of what God has given us. It is not anything that we have that God didn't have a hand in, when you learn to be thankful of the little things you will be blessed with more. We have to learn to to come together as people no matter what the color of our skin, when the skin is removed we are all the same color so let come together on one accord and have a positive hand and voice in our city. Selma should be like a spotlight shining on the map, Dr. King marched here to make it better, don't let his work be in vain. Parents that are not going to your children school start representing, "train up your child in the way that he or she should go", if you train them right they may stray but they will look back at something positive to go back to. Another thing we need is prayer, prayers of the righteous availest much,so lets pray without ceasing. I could go on but these are the most important!!!!

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To Gladimoved: You mention Memphis, one of the highest murder rates in the nation. You mention Birmingham, has the highest Bond Sewer Debt in the millions that's breaking the citizens. DO to incompetent leadership. The biggest in history. It also has a horrible crime rate as well. You mention Atlanta, if you don't live in the suburbs....good luck. It's run over. The problem in Selma IS SOME OF THE PEOPLE. Go look at the police reports in the Selma paper. Is it a pure coincidence that 90% of these crimes are in a certain part of the city everyday? No, its not. Until these people can change their thug mentality and find a job, then nothing will change. If you are working, you don't have time to be out committing crimes.

A big problem is there are a majority of hard working, progressive minded, good hearted people in this town that continue to be silenced. They are the backbone of this community. Their concerns over crime, incompetent leadership, budgets, education and so on is being ignored. People are SICK OF IT and we've had enough. You can only take so much before you have to flee. People aren't going to continue to raise their family in a town that isn't out for the citizens best interest. Once these people leave, this town will be another Union town. Promise. Wise up Selma....listen to the people.

Posted by gladimoved (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I moved from Selma to have a better life, and I am living it in B'ham. Yes, we a sewer debt, but we also have better school districts, entertainment for young and adult crowd, great bible based churches, an array of restaurants, shopping centers. But most of all, ATL, Memphis, and B'ham have jobs for people to make an honest living. And by the way i mentioned they have crime also. Evey city has crime, but Selma is much too small to have so much crime. You are right, Selma has some good citizens; however, they are shut up in their homes not trying to make a difference. Parents at home expect teachers to teach their kids morals, common courtesy, and responsibilty--that starts at home. but some parents at home cannot teach what they donot know themselves. Break the cycle--Start at the grade school level with CLASSES that teach about morals, common courtesy, responsibilty and correct behavior and continue until they graduate. School maybe the ONLY place they can get this. Get rid of these teachers we know are sleeping and partying with the students. We know this has been happening for YEARS. Then LEADERS have a place in the workforce for them to make a living. YOU GOOD CITIZENS got to take back the city. Call authorities when you see something instead of saying "It's not my business, because in the long run IT IS YOUR BUSINESS!!! If so much of the crime takes place in the same neighbor hoods, it shouldnot be hard to find the PUNKS and lock them up. VOTE for judges that will lock them and keep them there until they learn their error of their ways. Some people doing mind a LITTLE jail time- thro w the book at them.

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Now that was dead on. I totally agree these cities have more opportunities. Selma has a PRIORITY problem. The leaders like to fulfill self agendas such as arguing over street names and buildings rather than fighting for the citizens safety, progress and education. We have a grossly understaffed Police Dept...you think anyone of them care? Nope. How do I know this? They aren't doing anything about it.

The problem is, you have a certain group of people here that take value in "racial issues" rather than issues that face us ALL...like this crime problem. They would rather jump up and down about these pseudo injustices rather than get the people behind REAL issues. WE NEED INDUSTRY, JOBS, COMPETENT LEADERS, EDUCATED TEACHERS, COPS, RESTAURANTS, STORES, ON AND ON AND ON AND ON. Where are the cries for this. NO WHERE.

Posted by e7173000 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow this is amazing.How can so many people be so negative?The place hasn't even opened yet and it's all ready shut down.Some of the same people that have the place shut down already will jump in their cars and drive to Atlanta or somewhere else with no problem but when this place opens you won't even drive out highway 80 to check it out.And if you do go check it out no matter how nice it is your going to say well it's not all that.I've been all over the country and I have met rude people at the drive-thru it's not just Selma trust me.It's not always the person working the drive-thru sometimes it's the person in the car.I would probably be rude sometimes too after dealing with some of you all day.There is crime all over the country if you don't believe it watch CNN.So instead of being so negative, how about praying for Dr.Taylor and that this project will be very successful.You never know you might just have to work there.So if you don't have anything positive to say just be quiet because if your not part of the solution your part of the problem.

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To e7173000: That is part of the problem. People like you want to sweep the REAL problems under the rug. Blame the victims....the citizens. No, the problem isn't the person in the car paying for the product...it's the person delivering POOR QUALITY SERVICE. People around here are just so use to the quality, you are expected just to swallow it. Not me. I respect the value of a dollar and expect to get service when I am paying for it. People in Selma strive for Mediocracy in everything. Like I'm supposed to pat you on the back for doing YOUR job. You get paid to do that job. If you don't like it....find something else to do. Yes, there are rude people all over the country. But in a small town like Selma...it's the norm. For every one good service you get here....you have 10 more poor ones to cover it up.

No. No one on here is going to be quiet either. This is a public forum. I pay work, live and pay taxes in Selma. I raise my family in Selma. I have a say on about every single thing that comes on this board. WHy? Because I see the incompetence in it. I see where things could be done a lot better if a little more effort and attention was given. Good luck to Dr. Taylor for going out on a limb to do something better here. I hope it goes over. I hope people use it everyday. I hope the kids love it. I hope the adults take care of it. I hope the thugs respect it. With the man investing this much money into something....I'm sure he will take the precausions to safeguard it. That's just good business.

Posted by jmhjr11 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To "gladimoved". Move back and become part of the solution. "TCOLEM1" has the answer; GOD. There is only ONE GOD and His name is Jahovah, not Allah, and He is there for people of all races, even those who, through being misled, worship the wrong Intity.

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree jmhjr11.It irks me when Selma's expatriates criticize from afar.Why don't you do what Dr.Taylor is doing;sacrifice,take risk,and give back.I don't blame people for leaving Selma but if you can only remind those of us that have chosen to remain here of the problems plaguing this place and don't offer in viable solutions,you're part of the problem.

Posted by e7173000 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To eyeonyou,Im not sweeping anything under the rug.Respect goes both ways just because your paying for a service does not give you the right to be rude.Im not saying that you should just accept poor service and if your experience at the drive thru is always a bad one maybe you should cook at home.And yes this is a public forum and you do have a say but if all your doing is sitting back and talking on this forum about how bad it is instead of getting out and trying to make a change like I said earlier just be quiet.

Posted by tiredofthistown (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe that this project "Taylorville" will be quite a success. It is being built in a new up and coming area. The crime on that side of town isn't bad. The only thing that may hurt this project is the lack of customers. People in this town just do not have that extra bit of money lying around to take their children to places like this. I only hope it does become successful, and maybe we could pull in customers from Demopolis, Prattville, and many more surrounding areas. This is what this town needs. If it becomes a great success then maybe we could get some chain restaurants in the area. Lets not criticize a person for taking his own money and investing in a project for the good of this town. Let us all pray this goes as planned. Good Luck Dr. Bruce Taylor!

Posted by GBA (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Selma , Why does everything have to be negative.Why dont we start here and have a postive attitude and turn Selma around.We can do it. Think positive!

Posted by e7173000 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's what Im saying be positive and get behind this project and support it or get the heck out of the way with the negativity.

Posted by Sunshine (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here it is a man opens a business in Selma, it does extremely well, and he wants to give back to the community from which his success grew!

What can be wrong with that?

Isn't that the American way.

Other business owners who have gotten rich from the people Need to stop bickering about it and do the same; REINVEST in your community TOO......

GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS DR. TAYLOR!!!!!!

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

e7173000......How do you know that I'm not out trying to make a difference? Do you know me? I happen to be very involved in Selma's movement through several boards, groups and affiliations. I'm not just sitting back typing on the computer. The reason I feel so compelled to question and answer is because I AM involved. On another note...I give nothing but respect to people that earn it. It's not something that is freely given. That goes for drive thru windows and anything else. You show some manners, courtesy and respect...you'll get it back 100 fold. Simple as that.

What you say makes no sense. Stay at home because someone continues to give poor service. That is giving in to incompetence. How about doing your job. How about the manager doing their job and hiring someone that can show good attitude. Do you realize that effects a business bottom end? DO think it's wise to sit back and just let someone drive your business into the ground because they choose to have a poor attitude? Sorry. That's not how a business works. There are too many people out there in need of a job that can show up and do right. Better be glad they don't work for me. There is always a replacement waiting in the wind.

Posted by e7173000 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Once again I didn't say you have to accept poor service ,I said respect goes both ways.And I find it hard to believe that you have so many bad experiences at the drive thru.I use the drive thru alot and sure I get a rude one every know and then but that's life.And in one of your previous post you said that if they don't like the job they should do something else and my reply to that was if your having so many bad experiences you should cook at home.And usually when you have that many bad experiences it's time to look at the ole common donominator which is you.Groups, boards and affliations are great but you have to do more than sit on them.How about next time you go to the drive thru instead of expecting poor service expect something good and it might just happen.How about you you smile and be pleasant even if they are not.You know the ole show some manners,courtesy and respect and you will get it back 100 fold.You know they are preparing your food and if I was you I would hate to piss off the person that's preparing mine.You never know what they might put in it.Just a thought.

Posted by kdnichols (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Luck. Selma never supports anything. Look
at the businesses that have came and gone.

Posted by gladimoved (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There's no way I would move back to a city that has no desire to do better. I believe in God. Saved, Sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Everything I said is not negative; I'm simply trying to give some ideas how you can take your city back. But again, you don't listen. Love, good morals, common courtesy,and responsibility. Take it, Learn it, and then teach it.

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's certainly within your rights,gladimoved,but from what I gather Dr.Taylor is a Christian too and he's walking the walk and talking talk not playing arm chair sociologist from afar.One of the things Selma needs is more people like him not former residents contributing to the economies of other cities telling us things many of us already know.

Posted by sel36703 (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just want to say that the service at restaurants in Selma, like many other areas, is bad even when you are polite. Its frustrating and I for one have asked for a refund and have drove to Zaxby's with whom I have always had a quality experience in Selma and other locations.

Dr. Taylor, thanks for the opportunity to have something positive in Selma for our youth.

Also, the culture of Selma needs a transformation and it will take a truly charismatic leader to do so.

To whom much is required, much is given

Posted by mccrary36703 (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I ask how could we win our city back? I will agree that it is good that Dr. Taylor is giving Selma something positive. Now it is up to the rest of us to help support his dream. When we go out to dine in restarants and the service is bad, please let the manager know that your service was terrible, so that manager can correct that problem. If you drive thru places like Burger King or McDonald's and the service is without a smile just get out of your vehicle go inside and let a manager know. Most of these managers are unaware of what their employees are doing. Everybody we are respondsible for each other, rather we like it or not. Sometimes it takes a village to raise everybody. It will not hurt you to correct somebody.We are the people, we must take charge. Yes there are people that will always think negative, and they will be that way until they hit their grave. All it takes is good people like us to turn those negative thoughts into LIES. I have no doubt that everyone on this blog wants to make a difference. We can do this if we take charge.