It is a project worth investing; a program worth attending; and a discussion whose worth is immeasurable.

The planned Riverfront Community Day Forum, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 25, is not only a chance to celebrate the completion of phase one of the impressive riverfront project, it is also a chance for residents to interact with their elected leaders in a way not often available.

Not only do we offer our compliments to city leaders and planners for the work along the riverfront, but we also applaud openness of Selma city leadership and city council to organize the forum.

With that said, it will be interesting to see if each member of the Selma City Council has the wherewithal to attend, face the questions and celebrate a wonderful milestone in the development of Selma’s riverfront.

If some choose not to attend, then their commitment to the city as a whole should be questioned. Their commitment to projects — whether they are in their ward or not — that are obvious improvements to the city should be challenged.

City councilmember Corey Bowie, a member of the special committee organizing the Riverfront Community Day Forum, said this event should center around the tremendous development of the riverfront and work to further unite the obvious divisions in Selma.

“We can’t alienate the youth and have Selma grow. We can’t alienate the elderly and have Selma grow. We can’t alienate the black community and have Selma grow and we can’t alienate the white community and have Selma grow,” Bowie said. “We have to find a way to bring everyone together, and this is just another opportunity to do just that.”

Mr. Bowie, thanks for saything and we couldn’t agree more.