Selma City Council President Corey Bowie stopped by Monday’s Selma Rotary Club meeting to deliver an inspirational message and report about the activity at City Hall.

“Oftentimes, on the news and on social media you hear about the challenges that Selma is facing,” said Bowie. “You can either let the challenges embrace you, or you can embrace the challenges. I want to encourage you to embrace the challenges.”

Bowie thanked everyone in the community for coming together to face the challenges of the City of Selma.

“It’s very important that we come together and rise above it all,” he said.

After his hopeful message, Bowie spoke about a few recently passed measures he believes will be good for the city.

Bowie cited the renovation of the St. James Hotel as the catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Selma and revealed his collaboration with Selma – Dallas County Chamber of Commerce Director Sheryl Smedley to increase tourism in the area.

“Tourism is an asset,” said Bowie. “There are things that we can do to capitalize on the tourism to create revenue for the City of Selma.”

Bowie also stressed the importance of perseverance and stated that the city must do its best to solve its problems despite the recent layoffs of 68 City hall employees during October.

“We’ve got to come together so that we can make Selma a better place,” said Bowie.

Bowie then focused on public safety, stating that he has discussed with Interim Police Chief Robert Green the importance of recruiting and retaining police officers to serve the city.

“We’re losing police officers and fire fighters to surrounding counties,” said Bowie.

Bowie then thanked Selma City Schools Superintendent Avis Williams for her partnership in providing Selma City Schools with School Resource Officers (SRO).

“These SRO’s can be mentoring to the young men and women in our school system,” said Bowie.

Bowie then expressed his elation about a recent $1 million “Weed and Seed” grant to fight crime in Selma.

“That’s going to be very helpful in curbing some of the crime in Selma,” he said.

Following Bowie’s report, Selma Rotary Club Member Catesby Jones asked a question sparking and impromptu question and answer session between Bowie and the Rotary Club.

The questions asked covered a wide range of issues within the City of Selma, including small businesses not paying sales tax, the overgrown condition of many of the city’s properties, including cemeteries, the lack of officers at the Selma Police Department and the trash that fill the city’s streets.

Bowie thanked the Rotary Club for their questions and concerns and assured them the city is doing all that they can to combat its issues.