Dear editor,

It’s back and better than before! Under the direction of Mr. Bill Ezell, the St. James Hotel is more handsome than ever. By making sure everything is in place and giving attention to the smallest detail before re-opening the hotel, he has created a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy a night’s stay. The bar is a great place to meet friends and enjoy a drink with some great food. The crab hushpuppies are a must try.

My wife and I had the pleasure of dining with friends there recently, and what a wonderful meal we had. My buttermilk soaked chicken and collard greens were equal to anything that I ate on a recent trip to New York City over the holidays and a lot less expensive.

The quality of the food and service does our fair city proud. The St. James needs our support. I certainly will be a regular customer and hope everyone in Selma will give it a try. Based on my dining experience, you will not be disappointed.

Dr. Glenn R. Delp

Shelia Crawford Hayes is

committed candidate

Dear editor,

I am writing to encourage your readers to vote for Shelia Crawford Hayes as delegate to the Democratic National Convention, District 7, pledged to Sen. Hillary Clinton.

I want to share with you a brief history of why Shelia is so committed to the Democratic party and the causes it has championed. After his father died in 1962, her family was sustained by Social Security survivor benefits. at that time, Social Security gave coverage through age 22, if a surviving child stayed in school. Shelia used the benefits to graduate from the University of Alabama and became a public school teacher for almost 30 years.

The family had the advantage of health insurance, because in those days their mother was able to purchase coverage at reasonable rates. Shelia’s husband worked for Bell South and was always very active in the communication workers’ union, serving as job steward before his retirement.

Her brother is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and Shelia has been a tireless advocate in helping him work his way through the VA system. In recent years, Shelia has become a founding member of the blue river Democrats in Tuscaloosa, a founding member of Tuscaloosa’s Democratic Task Force and a member of the Tuscaloosa County Democratic Executive Committee.

Being a lifelong Democrat is personal with Shelia. as a first-time delegate, Shelia will work to ensure that the Democratic platform protects and enhances Social Security, provides health coverage for all Americans, improves public schools, sustains and encourages unions and promotes the belief that supporting the troops begins with supporting the veterans.

Carol Myers

Tuscaloosa

Selma&8217;s silent history created

by Daniel R. Brantley Sr.

Dear editor,

Growing up in Selma during the early 60s and in the midst of the Civil Rights Era, there was a silent piece of history being born, and many Selmians today are not aware of.

That silent history was being created by a man who I call a great sensation. His name is Daniel R. Brantley Sr. In the early 60s, musical groups like the Temptations, Spinners, Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge and many others flooded the airways. But there was a musical group right in our back yard that was making as much noise as these great musical legends. This group called “The Micronites,” formed and created by Mr. Daniel R. Brantley, was one of the first black musical groups in Alabama to receive a recording contract and record a major album.

This eight-member musical group had the potential to be one of the best of all times. Unfortunately, coming from a small town like Selma and not having the financial backing, the group didn’t get the support or the recognition they deserved.

As a music lover, I was born in the great City of Selma in 1962. As a little boy, I grew up listening to the sounds of The Micronites, Motown and all the other great musical entertainers of the 60s.

The Micronites were able to record alongside Eddie Kendricks, who was an original member of the Temptations. The first album that the group had the pleasure of recording was “Mr. Please Accept My Love.” All the songs on this album were written and produced by Mr. R. Brantley Sr. The Micronites entertained the City of Selma for almost a decade.

I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking to Mr. Brantley about his musical adventures and the way music had changed his life. He stated, “that music itself had a way of reaching out and opening doors that are normally hard to open.”

He also stated, “that music was and still offers a lot of comfort in his life.”

Besides being a song writer and producer, Mr. Brantley plays a number of musical instruments. Some of the instruments he plays include the piano, drums, guitar, keyboard and trumpet.

As a music lover, i wish that the rest of Selma had the opportunity or the pleasure to hear this musical group that I grew up listening to. Members of the group included Dan R. Brantley Sr., Charles Latrell, Larry Lundy, Samuel Moultrie, Jonathan Smith, Albert Southall, Angish Southall and Coleman Woodson.

I believe that the city of Selma is blessed with a history that is second to none.

John A. Reese