Staff report

Jean Martin has announced her candidacy for Selma City Council president.

She currently serves as council president pro-tempore.

“Due to my four consecutive terms on the council, and my many years of community involvement, I am in a position to see firsthand the needs of the city and to work to meet them.”

Martin said she plans to use personal contacts developed through years of political service to gain support for the city.

“One city, one community was the slogan for my first campaign,” she said, “and although we have made progress, there is still work to be done and promises to keep in making this a reality.”

Beautification of downtown Selma needs to expand and continue. this is a strong facet to promote tourism, which brings in dollars to the city.

For example, the Water Avenue streetscape needs new bricked sidewalks on the north side, from Broad to Franklin. The city should procure grants to continue the sidewalks all the way to the Old Depot Museum and the Foundry building.

“Doing something about the damaged buildings and area across Water Avenue from the historic St. James Hotel, a project in which I was deeply involved, is presently in the process of clean-up and planning underway for appropriate infill for future development,” she said.

Martin also promises to conduct council meetings in a fair and orderly manner. “Those matters pertinent to the city business will be included on a streamlined agenda for complete public discussion,” she said.

Martin, a Selma native, is a widow; the mother of two sons and a daughter. she has three grandsons. She was reared in the First Presbyterian Church and is also a parishioner of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

She is a member of the Riverfront Park Advisory Committee, Weed and Seed Steering Committee and chair of the city’s Community and Economic Development Committee.