To the editor:

On Thursday, July 15th during a broadcast on a local radio station Faya Rose Toure threatened to take action to have a billboard placed by the Friends of Forrest (FOF) removed.

The billboard in question was placed over three months ago on Hwy. 80 East by the FOF to help generate tourist interest in Selma’s role during the War Between the States and its various historic sights.

Accepting that the billboard has been in place since April 5, we must question her motives in choosing this point in time to try and create another divisive issue.

Is it her desire to control what aspects of our city’s history are recognized?

In 2000, Toure and her associates in the city government had the Forrest Monument moved on the grounds that it was placed on public property.

However, in this case the billboard is on private property and was paid for with private funds donated to the FOF for that purpose.

If that is Mrs. Toure’s motivation, is she willing to deny the Constitutional right of free speech to those whose point of view is different from hers?

All Selmians should hope not. With the mayoral election at hand, it appears she may be attempting to shift the focus of the voting public from the real issues of the election by creating yet another controversy in an effort to get her candidate reelected.

Unfortunately Selma has seen this divisive tactic used in earlier mayoral races, and since it has been successful we fear Selma will be subjected to it yet again.

However, the issues voters should be concerned with are rampant crime, lack of financial responsibility in city government, unemployment at more than twice the state and national averages, and the promotion of the vital industry of tourism.

Understanding the importance of tourism dollars to Selma’s economy, the goal of the Friends of Forrest has always been to promote the relatively untapped aspect of Selma’s historic role in the War Between the States.

Our organization will continue to do so despite what appears to be continued attempts to undermine our efforts.

Board of Directors

Friends of Forrest, Inc.