ByAlanRiquelmy/Times-JournalWrtier

Bruce L. Holmes Sr. has declared his candidacy for the Selma City Council Ward 3 seat.

“People should vote for me because I’m one of them,” Holmes said. “I’m out in the community every day working with kids. I can get straight to the issue.”

Holmes discussed several issues when declaring his candidacy, including crime, a youth curfew and industry.

“The curfew is the number one issue,” Holmes said. “If I’m riding to the store at 1 a.m., I see young kids on the street. They have no business being on the street.”

According to Holmes, most crimes occur after 10 p.m. and 35 percent of those crimes are caused by youth.

“Maybe the parents are working at night,” Holmes said. “We need a curfew.”

Concerning industry, Holmes said that before new businesses come to the area, existing jobs must pay well.

“There are people in Selma’s General Services Department that have been there for 15 or 16 years who are making $7 or $8 dollars an hour,” Holmes said. “We need some good paying jobs.”

Holmes also pointed to members of Selma’s police department as people in need of a raise.

“They’ve lost some pretty good officers in the last year or two,” Holmes said. “They do deserve a pay raise. If anybody can do it, Chief (Robert) Green is the man for the job.”

Holmes said that if Selma could get more jobs such as the ones Hyundai’s tier II supplier will provide, Selma’s future looked bright.

“I’m looking forward to working with the mayor,” Holmes said. “He’s brought this town a long way in a very short time.”

Holmes also spoke about the condition of Old Towne’s homes, schools and Selma’s history.

According to Holmes, Ward 3 is in need of home repair.

“I’m always for improvement,” Holmes said. “I don’t think any building needs to be torn down.”

Holmes wants schools to improve as well. He decried schools that were majority black or majority white. “When I was in high school, I made white friends,” Holmes said. “It makes life after high school easier. I’m for what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong.”

Holmes, who said he grew up in GWC Homes, said he remembered events such as Bloody Sunday, but noted that it was in the past and should stay there. “We need to move forward and let Selma grow,” Holmes said.

Empty hospitals and assisted living facilities were another issue Holmes addressed at his declaration. “Dunn Nursing Home, the old Vaughan Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital aren’t being used,” Holmes said. “Vaughan Regional Medical Center serves the whole Black Belt.”

Holmes discussed the council’s executive sessions as well. According to Holmes, certain issues needed to stay behind closed doors. “I don’t want people to get the wrong understanding before the council gets the right opinion,” Holmes said. “Everything can’t be discussed before the people.”

Holmes is a universal associate for Honda-Lock America and the president of the local 793 union. He is a little league football coach and a little league basketball coach at the Claude C. Brown YMCA, where he also volunteers when needed.

Holmes is the founder of the Parents and Players Association, which presents student athletes with awards. “By working with kids, I realized that I needed to give something back,” Holmes said.

Councilwoman Jean Martin is the incumbent for Ward 3.