The Selma Times-Journal

Without enough members to conduct any official business the Selma City Council met and discussed several issues, including speculation over why they didn’t have a quorum.

Then there was the suggestion of the organizer of a marathon race designed to promote teamwork, break down stereotypes and create mutual respect.

It was the council’s last regularly scheduled meeting of the year, but Mayor James Perkins Jr., said there may have to be “a special called meeting” to deal with some things before the end of the year. Councilman Cecil Williamson said he could have been the reason why his colleagues opted not to attend, since Williamson wanted to discuss procedures in removing several department heads.

“I just wanted to know how we go about doing this,” Williamson said. “What is the procedure, if there is a majority of this council that decides to remove them?”

Attending the meeting was Perkins, Council President George Evans, Councilmen Reid Cain and Williamson, and Councilwoman Dr. Geraldine Allen. Absent were Council President Pro Tem Jean Martin, Councilwomen Jannie Venter and Bennie Ruth Crenshaw and Councilmen Johnnie Leashore and Sam Randolph.

Frank Hardy, organizer of the fourth annual Defiant Run, a 13-mile marathon race and obstacle course during which two individuals are bound together at the wrists, asked the city to sponsor the March 31, 2007 event. Hardy said it would be an ever better idea if they all participated.

“We should have representatives from all levels of government,” Hardy said. “Mayor Perkins participated last time, and Dr. Allen.”

The Defiant Run concept came from the 1958 movie “The Defiant Ones” starring Sidney Portier and Tony Curtis, who played two men shackled together during a prison escape. Once filled with racial animosity, the characters’ relationship develops once they both realize they share one common goal.

Perkins said he knew “several council members” were making preparations for the annual Youth In Government gala, which was set to begin at 6 p.m.

Perkins said he would be attending himself. Council members present, including Council President George Evans, said their colleagues may not have attended because they did not like several items on the tentative agenda.

“If they don’t like what’s on the agenda, they should come and vote it up or down. I have an obligation to be here, whether I like what’s on the agenda or not,” Evans said. “Those items were removed. They were about employees and they were inappropriate.”

Evans said he didn’t plan to address them had they been on the final agenda, and stated each council member has the right to have items placed on the meeting agenda.

Councilwoman Allen said she saw the tentative meeting agenda and she didn’t like several items.

“I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” Allen said. “I saw them. I was not pleased, but this is the season of giving, the season of peace. This is the season of love.”