Candidates for city council Wards 4-8 met at the Performing Arts Centre Tuesday night for the second half of the Chamber of Commerce’s two-day political forum.

Not all the candidates participated in the forum, causing the event to end sooner than expected, even after giving candidates extra time to explain their platforms.

Before the start of the event, moderator Jamie Wallace explained candidates could only focus on the issues and not make attacks against each other.

Dr. Geraldine Allen, Ward 4 candidate, began the forum by proclaiming the council must “not build walls of resistance” and work towards creating a better community.

“I believe in a friendly environment for job opportunity,” Allen said. “If elected, I would create a health advisory board devoted to keeping health promotion in the community.”

As a former member of the Selma City School board, Allen said education would be one of her main priorities.

Incumbent Ward 5 councilman Samuel Randolph said he sees an endless opportunity for growth in Selma.

“I want to continue to work in dealing with crime,” Randolph said. “I want to continue to work for our senior citizens in keeping them informed.”

Randolph said one of his future plans would be to create a youth initiative and continue giving graduating seniors from his ward college scholarships.

Ward 6 candidate Johnny Leashore said he is prepared to bring professional jobs to Selma and work to end the city’s problems with crime.

“Selma is no different than any other community. We have a crime problem like any other town,” Leashore said. “What I propose to do is work with the mayor to bring high-tech industry and reduce our crime.”

Incumbent Ward 7 candidate Benny Ruth Crenshaw used her time at the podium to focus on what she has accomplished during her four years in office.

Crenshaw said she has plans to solve poverty

and provide progress and prosperity.

Crenshaw’s opponent in ward 7, Lola Sewell, said the north side of the ward is in great condition, but the southern end still needs a lot of work.

“The southern end of ward 7 is an eyesore for the City of Selma,” Sewell said. “I want to continue to be successful and be a voice for the people. I want to be a team player and be a part of a city we can be proud of.”

Instead of stating his goals or plans if elected to the council, Ward 7 candidate Stanley Jordan chose to recite a Bible scripture about seeking the kingdom of God.

James Durry, who is running for re-election in Ward 8, said he worked towards changing the face of his ward by creating the fish pond and creating a home for seniors.

“I want to enclose a plot of land and make it a safe place for children to play,” Durry said.

Bruce Holmes, one of Durry’s opponents in Ward 8, said he would work towards reducing the loud noise, drainage problems and crimes being committed in the ward.

“I want to improve the Weed and Seed program in Ward 8 and put half my salary towards a brown-bag program,” he said.

Fellow Ward 8 candidate Jannie Venter said she chose to run for office because she cares about her community and wants to make it better.

“The council should be concerned about the ward,” Venter said. “I’m a member of the crime task force, and I would like to see some of our suggestions put into place, like the curfew.”

Ward 8 candidate Corey Bowie said his main interest is in education and would create a program where high school seniors in his ward would make visits to college campuses.

“I’m a people’s candidate,” Bowie said. “I’m a man of action and finance ability.”

The candidates who did not participate in the forum were Velma Crawford-Brewer, Herman Watts, B.L. Tucker and Anthony Rutledge.