THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

Ward projects should not lag behind this summer in Selma.

The Selma City Council voted Monday night to split the $147,492.27 municipal gas and oil fund check 10 different ways.

The move came over the objections of Council member Johnnie Leashore, who wanted the money lumped together and spent on one project that would benefit the most people in the city.

Leashore and Council member Bennie Ruth Crenshaw of Ward 7 also objected to the division of the money, saying at least one council member, Reid Cain of Ward 2, could not obey the guidelines.

They referred to work Cain had completed in his ward without getting the prior approval of Mayor James Perkins Jr.

Cain said he acted properly in having 735 feet of concrete

sidewalk poured last year and denied a formal contract was signed by him for the work.

By law, only the mayor of a city may enter into a contract for the municipality.

The vote was 8-1 with Leashore the single vote in opposition to the money, which will be shared with the

mayor’s office. Each entity will receive about $14,749.