The conduct of several members of the Selma City Council has simply become untenable, something that was clearly evident at Monday’s council meeting as council president George Evans’ gavel could be heard throughout City Hall. Evans attempted, unsuccessfully, to restore order to what should be an orderly process; city council members conducting the people’s business for the people who elected them.

Instead, what transpired was an embarrassing, disorderly, five-hour display of unprofessionalism that can simply no longer be tolerated by the citizens of Selma.

The answer to the communication problem several council members have is fairly simple, but apparently too difficult for them to grasp. It is to realize that, as imperfect human beings, there are going to be differences of opinion and it’s how they, as council people, work through those differences that reflect positively, or negatively, on the people and City of Selma.

The reality is that the city is for sale every hour of every day. What are we selling, you ask?

We are selling to all those who visit or have an interest in Selma as a place to live or conduct business that we are a progressive, forward thinking city where people from all races and backgrounds can live together and work hand-in-hand for the betterment of all who live here.

It’s safe to say that if an industrial or retail prospect had attended Monday’s city council meeting, the last thing they would have seen of Selma would be what they saw in their rearview mirror as they sped out of town, and that’s a shame.

Each day there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people working behind the scenes to try to make Selma a better place to live and work and to have a city council that does not think or act in the same way is disrespectful to those that are working hard to do so. Is it really an unreasonable expectation that our city council members act with professionalism when considering the best course of action for the people of Selma? We think not. We see it as your obligation and a prerequisite for you to serve the people of Selma in the capacity you do.