To the editor:

On a recent trip to Savannah, Georgia I was awestruck by the beauty and genius of the city’s architecture and was a tad jealous of anyone claiming to be “Old Family from Savannah.” It was simply amazing how this port city utilized its history, architecture, and resources to attract visitors from all over the world. And oddly enough, there was not one parking lot on the list of attractions for Savannah! Touring this “living history” imbued within me pride for my own port city hometown pondered what prevents Selma from becoming a pristine tourist attraction like Savannah. Now I know that it is people like the elite few in the First Baptist Church, the place where I first learned the importance of community. Over the past four years I have been allowed the privilege and pleasure of surveying the renovations of the Harmony Club on Water Avenue. During this period I witnessed a floor covered in pigeon droppings transform into a glamorous dance hall. Resurrection of this beautiful edifice will surely enhance the overall appeal of Selma. I seriously doubt the destruction of a rare example of Second French Empire style for a parking lot will benefit the community.

In Exodus chapter 31 God tells Moses that He is sending him craftsmen filled “with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work…to make everything I have commanded you.” Not only did God grace the craftsmen with artistic talents, He graced Moses with the artists. For centuries God has graced Selma with various artists whose works are still available to us today. No doubt, the devil would be proud to see the fruition of God-given talents destroyed, including the God-given talent of keeping a church congregation together.

Beverly Blagg

Montgomery