Posted by bamafan (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It sure would be more benficial to the business's and the residents of the City of Selma, if they would spend that money on the SEWER lines, than on street curbs, etc...

As I have said before, you could help make the corner of broad st and Jeff Davis look 100% better, if you would make that Simmons Junk Yard/Used car lot MOVE, and make the owner of that old goodyear building tear it down, or improve the looks of it.

Please when that red light stops you for a minute or two, just take a good look at that car lot, what an aweful eyesore it is!!

Posted by yellowroseofTexas (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with you, bamafan. Most of the other communities in this list are using the money for a far better purpose. Selma's project is just one more example of the waste/corruption in the stimulus package that was passed without thorough reading and analysis of it beforehand.
But Selma's biggest problem is that too many people here can't focus on anything other than 1965.

Posted by Sensible (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jeff Davis Ave. has been an eyesore for as long as I can remember. It is lined with houses and buildings that should be torn down to get rid of the drug dealers and criminals that inhabit them. You feel that you are taking your life in your hands every time you drive down it. Spending $500,000 to put on curbs and gutters on this street is not going to improve anything or do anything for the city either. That money would be better spent improving Highland Ave. That highway is heavily traveled by motorists passing through Selma. If it looked halfway inviting, maybe more people would stop and eat, shop etc., which would improve the tax base of the city and help fund other services. Spending half a million dollars on a lightly used street in downtown Selma is the most idiotic thing that the morons that run Selma have ever done!

Posted by bamafan (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That stimulus package, was, is, and will always be the biggest joke to ever happen to America!!

Thank you yellowroseofTexas!

And I agree with you Sensible, totally!!

Posted by Sunshine (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

According to our local leaders, this project has been in progress for several years now...It is not something that came up just to abuse stimulus money...this project had begun well before the street was changed to JL Chestnut Blvd and way before our great and current President took office...

anyway remember who distribute stimulus funding...Gov. Bob RIley and his team is responsible for the relaese of funds and which projects will be funded.

I think that some asthetics on JL Chestnut Blvd is needed as do many other parts of Selma (Broad Street)....so the early bird gets the worm...

Remember shovel ready...this was one of those projects...and maybe it got attention because it is a highly traveled street and it needs to be done....

hopefully citizens would place their request to the proper individuals in the city so that more upgrades like this take place....you have to start somewhere and JL Chestnut Blvd is a great place to begin....RIP Mr. Chestnut

Posted by e7173000 (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Sunshine.It doesn't matter what the city does somebody is going to have something negative to say about it.

Posted by bamafan (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wouldn't care if they named the street Drug Alley, there are MORE IMPORTANT PROBLEMS that could HELP THE ENTIRE CITY, due to the fact that EVERYONE in the city uses the SEWER system, and there and has been problems with it long before the death of jlchestnut, and long before gov riley took office, and even longer than the stimulus joke, this is not negative, it's a fact, and by the way you can have ALL the worms that you want, cause Selma is full of them!!!!!!!!!!

Sure do hope those lovely curbs bring some economy to Selma.

Posted by Sunshine (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW

Posted by tbrb (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the funding should be using to fix the streets but, what good is it to fix them and we have these eyesores? Selma needs a facelift across the whole city. If I had a business I wouldn't want to bring it to Selma!

Posted by mommyof4grls (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 6:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There are plenty of things to fix up in this city. I just think it's crazy to fix up a street only because of the new name. HA, shows what Selma is really about. No wonder Selma will NEVER grow.

Posted by sharon (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"which was applied for months before the Selma City Council voted to change the name of the street from Jeff Davis Avenue to J.L. Chestnut Jr. Boulevard." perhaps reading the actual article before making comments would help.
$500,000 = 1 Contractor (hopefully a local contractor) now gainfully employed, people working for contractor (hopefully local) now employed, local resturants gaining from workers eating lunch in the area. Local stores and plants selling the contractor the supplies. Walmart and Winn-dixie selling contractor and workers groceries every payday.
That is $500,000 dollars the city didn't have last week.
Sometimes the glass is half full.

Posted by Sunshine (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

People should read prior to commenting! Reading is fundamental, it baffles me how bloggers can have such a hostile tone in Their blog but didn't take the time to read the article.

???

This type of behavior is what is detrimental to Selma's progress! Be a solution and get accurate information before attacking our city, county, state, and national government.

Posted by yellowroseofTexas (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is strange how people are accused of being negative when they question certain ideas, projects, etc. When sewage floods your streets and homes because the system fails because it can no longer handle the load, will you still celebrate money being spent on such frivolous projects? Who applied for money for this project? Obviously, there was not much thought put into what Selma really needs!

Posted by sharon (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What is sad is how truly awful your life must be when you can never see the good in anything. I wonder if the conversation would be different if the street was still called Jeff Davis, or if it were Broad street or perhaps Pettus, probably not because of who you are. This project if done right, will bring money into Selma. I think that some of you would rather see anything associated with PRESIDENT Obama fail rather than see even a little good come out of it. That is cutting your nose off to spite your face. The real joke is the energy you spend hating people and pointing out problems. PRESIDENT Obama hasn't been in office long enough to be held responsible for our problems and the economy. The other joke is that for all your loyality to ex president bush, he wasn't thinking about you or small town America. He only wanted your vote and then he had his way with you and didn't even kiss you. Name anything Bush made happen in Selma, I imagine with that c average he had, he would be hard pressed to even find Selma on a 5th grade map.

Posted by mommyof4grls (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well, i did read the article, and yes, it says "applied for months before the city council voted on the name change." HELLLOOOO, APPLIED for. Does it say this is what the money was going to be used for, for this exact street? Nope, I don't think that is what the article said. It's funny how people want to think optimistically about this town.

Posted by Sunshine (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The man in the mirror! Look very closely and the real problems are looking back at you!

As the late great J L Chestnut would say,
"Lord please help us"

Posted by sel36703 (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jeff Davis is a very dangerous street. Accidents and car damages are very likely. For a street which is suppose to be divided by 4 lanes, it is almost impossible for two cars to drive close beside each other. The road itself is just as dangerous, particularly for your car. It's bumpy and not well marked. Highland ave recently had revesions made to it and Broad could use some minor repair in front of SHS, but it has nothing on the demise of Jeff Davis. BTW, it is a heavily traveled street, maybe not by some of communities, but it does have a lot of traffic. Calhoun Foods, a local small busines is also located on this street, and we should support it by repairing the street where it is located. (Just a thought since someone brought up businesses, let's take care of what we have before we put our hands out asking for more business) BTW, I can care less about the name of the street and where the money comes from as long as the work gets done.

Thanks

Posted by sharon (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You said : "I just think it's crazy to fix up a street only because of the new name." This is what we were addressing genius, they are not fixing the street because of the new name, they are fixing the street because someone, probably Hank Sanders, applied for the money to get the street fixed, when it was Jeff Davis Street.
"Does it say this is what the money was going to be used for, for this exact street? Nope" Again genius, "A $500,000 project to construct curbs and gutters" it does say what they are supposed to be using it for.

The real questions should be "Will it really cost $500,000 dollars to construct curbs and gutters?" and if it does not cost that much, where is the excess money going? Who is allowed to use the excess if there is any. Now is the time to be proactive and make sure the mayor and council use the contractor who submits the lowest bid and that all of the workers are local people (with social security cards) not people who will get paid and send their money to another country.

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It would take more than $10 million to fix the problems on this street and I'm not talking about sewer and curb problems. The street needs a MASSIVE clean up including thug sweep, dilapidated houses, junk lots, junk car lots, and a very desperate need for a Police Sub Station with 24 hour patrol. It's one thing to change the name of a street, but it's another thing to gloat about it and still have the same crime, trash, and social problems. I promise you...new gutters and sewers aren't going to change anything on this street other than drainage.

Posted by LegalEagle (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Negative citizens, please propose your own plan before bashing an IMPROVEMENT presented by others. Are there bigger problems than fixing J.L.C. Blvd? Yes! But, are there also bigger problems than fixing the sewer system? Of course! The fact of the matter is, all improvements cannot be made at once and the rehabilitation of JLC Blvd makes our city better than it was the day before.

If you naysayers put your heads together and draft a sound proposal perhaps those in power will follow your suggestions as to how the stimulus money will be used. If you continue to spread anonymous hatred on blogs, you're no better than the drug dealers and thugs that hold our city hostage.

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Legaleagle, that's what the city PAYS our elected officals to do. When you want to start paying me for ideas, then I'll keep posting what I see. Here's an idea: For all the people that stepped up to get the street named changed, why don't they put their heads together to fix the massive problems that infest that street? Considering they are the one's that live, work and talk about it everyday, that would seem appropriate. Sewage and Gutters are only 1% of the major problems over there.

With JLC's millions and millions of dollars he made, when will there be some philanthropy work to give back to his people? Honoring him was noble, but for his estate to give back to the people that obviously need the help....that would be more noble. If you truly believe in something, shouldn't there be an investment??

Posted by LegalEagle (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Eyeonyou, the city pays for elected officials to make reasoned decisions and improve the city. That's what they are doing. If you disagree with how they go about making the decisions then YOU should come up with a contrary plan. If the people who live around that area agree with the suggested improvement then why would they come up with an alternative? It's you that has the problem, so you should be productive or save the Selma Times Journal server space with your unproductive negativity.

"If you're not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem"

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you see $500K dollars fit to fix that streets problems, then go for it. Why aren't we hearing anything about the suggested crime, trash, poor housing, etc. in that area? So when the absorbent amount of money is invested into that street...then problems over, huh? I would think this area would have more pride about standing up and demanding more protection against crime and cleaning up the area. But as normal, that seems to always fall to the bottom of the priority list.

SO as long as the streets are fixed and draining water properly on JLC Blvd...Selma is in fine shape. I guess the criminals that haunt that area of town we'll be pleased and everyone can go along their marry ways. I can think of 100 more logical and benficial ways to spend $500,000 dollars, but the people have spoken. Gutters and sewage it is!!!!

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You never answered my question: From the millions and millions JL Chestnut made, when will there be some philanthropy work to better the people and Selma?

Posted by LegalEagle (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I won't comment on why there aren't philanthropic efforts coming from JL Chesnut's estate because honestly don't know how much money the man made and what he put that money towards (and I suspect you have no clue either). Secondly, what does Mr. Chesnut have to do with this article or the city's decision to fix the street? Lastly (and most importantly) I'd like to focus on a particular sentence from your 12:45 post:

"I can think of 100 more logical and benficial ways to spend $500,000 dollars, but the people have spoken."

If you can think of 100 more logical ways to spend the money how about you start with putting one of those on paper in the form of a proposal instead of spending all your time criticizing others? In fact, I'll help you write the proposal if you truly have a solid idea.

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The reason JL CHESTNUT is relevent is because we are discussing JL CHESTNUT BLVD and the $500,000 dollars the city is paying to fix this street. Go take a look at his connection in the Black Farmers legal case and the settlement, then you tell me what % he took home. It is flooring. In all the good deeds outside of his lawfirm, I haven't heard of any recent philanthropy work by his family or the people that surrounded themselves with him. I imagine they have plenty to spread around to the willing and needy.....considering that's where the majority of the money was earned.

I tell you what, since you are such an advocate for this project and this community, why don't you do the task of asking the people on this BLVD to what their priorities are? I think the reason they are such advocates for this project is because it's THE ONLY ONE being thrown their way. Ask them if they would like enhanced police force and surveillance so they can actually sleep at night without being stolen from or houses shot around. Ask them if they would like for their kids to be able to play at a local park or out in the yard at dusk without worrying if some thugs are going to spray bullets at them? Do you understand where I'm coming from? It's about aligning priorities.

Posted by LegalEagle (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Eyeonyou, please read the article again and then all of the comments. This has absolutely nothing to do with JL Chesnut, the person. We are talking about fixing the boulevard. Who cares what the name of the street is?

Also, I don't see where you're going with your second paragraph. Everyone has priorities, including you and I. If some people feel that fixing the street is more important than increasing the size of the police force (which by the way cannot happen with stimulus funds) then that's their prerogative. If you think otherwise, you should draft a proposal and otherwise keep your fruitless thoughts to yourself.

Posted by sharon (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

eyeonyou, I don't usually agree or disagree with you on your comments but you are going in the wrong direction with this one. Mostly because we don't know if the city can decide how the money is spent. Don't they have to spend it on what it was intended for? Any community wants more protection from the police and of course the homeowners in the area want the people who walk around and steal gone, who wouldn't. If the city of Selma can use the money for something else then I will be the first to say excuse me but that $500,000 has to be used for curbs and gutters, priorities not withstanding.
BTW: Thanks for the story you posted the other day. Here is the Vanity Fair story everyone has been buzzing about, you probably already read it. http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/featu...

Posted by LegalEagle (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Guys, the stimulus packaged was premised on the idea that spending on PROJECTS would catalyze the economy. Namely, when construction and similar projects are undertaken you must hire contractors, architects, builders, etc., thus creating jobs. Further, the theory goes, the areas improved by these projects will see more visitors, patrons, etc. Spending on the police force does not fall within the provisions of the current stimulus.

Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Legaleagle, I hear you keep saying "Who cares what the name of the street is"? OBVIOUSLY, there are many that care. Matter of fact, they care so much that they not only got the street renamed, but they are celebrating the name Jeff Davis was removed. You know, that tyrrant-racist-confederate-no good-guy (Their words). SO...THAT"S WHO CARES.

Sharon, thanks for the article, but I'm neither Republican nor Democrat. Shocking huh?!?

Posted by LegalEagle (anonymous) on July 8, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Eyeonyou, you lack the ability to recognize context. Of course many people care about the renaming of the street, just as many care about Jeff Davis and JL Chesnut. My "who cares" was in reference to the article above and our ensuing conversation which had NOTHING to do with the naming of the street. If you're incapable of debating real issues devoid of race talk then just say so.