Selma’s voters will have a chance to voice their opinions before the next election, Selma City Council President George Evans said.

To get citizens more involved, Evans will hold the first of two public forums next week to answer questions and give the public a chance to get to know their government.

“(It) gives the public

an opportunity to meet the council and ask questions,” he said.

Evans said the forum is necessary because council members do not normally allow questions from the public during their regular meetings.

Evans said he expects the public to remain respectful to each other and the council members during the forum.

“This is not a chance to attack us,” Evans said.

Evans decided last year to make public forums an annual event.

“Because of all the negative stuff that was going on at that time, I basically said this is something we (need to) do annually,” he said.

Evans even campaigned on the forum, saying he would hold at least two each year.

“I just felt it was important,” he said.

Evans said last year the council was mired in a lot of “miscommunications,” partly because of the election and partly because of differences of opinions.

He advocated a forum then to help clear the air.

This year, Evans said, the council is not as “negative” as it was last year.

“I think there are still people who have differences of opinion but it’s not nearly the types of miscommunication going on then as there is now,” he said.

Last year, the forum was moderated by Steve McLamb, a WAKA television reporter.

“Basically the procedure will be individuals will come to the mike and ask a question. Then council members will respond,” Evans said. “The same one we followed last year.”

Evans said all the members of the city council are expected to attend.

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. won’t be a part of the panel, Evans said, although he is welcome to attend. Evans said the mayor attended last year’s meeting as an audience member.

The meeting isn’t expected to last long, Evans said, no more than an hour-and-a-half.

The meeting will be held at the Selma Performing Arts Center, starting at 6 p.m. on February 15.

For more information, call the City Council at 874-1234.