When Frank Chestnut Sr. runs the numbers for his business, he wants to see black, not red. He expects the same from his city’s budget.

That’s one reason why he’s running for Selma City Council president.

Chestnut spoke to a room of supporters about his stand on crime, industry and the future of Selma. &uot;Selma is going somewhere, and I want to be the person to help make it happen,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s for my children and your children.&uot;

Chestnut stressed the importance of making Selma a place where children would stay after graduating high school and college. Instead of moving away and finding jobs outside of Dallas County, Chestnut wants Selma to be the city they call home. &uot;We’ve got to do something good for them right here,&uot; Chestnut said. &uot;If jobs are in Selma, there’s going to be less crime. We need jobs.&uot;

Chestnut said that Selma’s government needed unity. He related a story about the last time he visited a council meeting.

&uot;I left the meeting and went home and told my wife, ‘I’m not going back until it’s better,’&uot; Chestnut said. &uot;I’d like a chance to get there, and I want your vote. I’ll be a council person you can come and talk to.&uot;

Concerning executive sessions, Chestnut said that council meetings should be open to the public, though in some cases they are needed. &uot;We’re there for the public,&uot; Chestnut said. &uot;The public should know what’s going on.&uot;

Several people spoke in favor of Chestnut on Tuesday, including his son, Prince Chestnut. &uot;Frank Chestnut is a businessman, not a politician,&uot; Prince Chestnut said. &uot;He’s a citizen called to public service. Some people have asked if he can make the transition from business to city government. He can. If there’s any way the city can save money, believe me, my father will find a way.&uot;

Frank Chestnut Jr. also spoke about his father on Tuesday. &uot;I’ll speak to you on one word, and that word is ‘character,’&uot; Chestnut Jr. said. &uot;A salesperson is a representative who connects people to his company in the same way that the council connects people to city government. Dad, I want to say you are made of character and are the man for the job.&uot;

Stoney Vintson, who owns a local insurance agency, said that Chestnut was honest and a hard worker. &uot;I think we need a good businessman with a good head on his shoulders to move Selma forward,&uot; Vintson said.

Jannie Thomas, a Chestnut supporter, agreed. Thomas said that Chestnut was a forward-thinking man. &uot;What do we do about jobs?&uot; Thomas asked. &uot;What’s Selma going to bring to us? Maybe one day we’ll put people in office that will bring industry here. One thing we need to do is work together. By putting Frank Chestnut in office, Selma could turn around and be a better place.&uot;

James Perry Jackson, Chestnut’s campaign manager, said that city government needed unity and accountability to work. &uot;Without unity, this city can accomplish very little,&uot; Jackson said. &uot;A city that’s divided will never go any place.&uot;

Jackson said that some politicians forget their purpose once they enter office, which causes a city to suffer. &uot;Let’s all get together and bring unity and accountability through Frank Chestnut so we can have a better city,&uot; Jackson added.

Chestnut is the owner of National Products Company, which produces hair care products. He owns two barber shops and two beauty salons.