Several came before the Dallas County Commission Monday evening to speak during the public comment section of Monday’s regularly scheduled Commission meeting.
Bob Prescott, of LED Solutions, was the first to take to the podium.
Prescott updated the commission about the plan to provide updated lighting to the Dallas County Jail, Courthouse and Courthouse Annex.
According to Prescott, the updated lighting would pay for itself with the money it would save the County.
Faya Rose Toure spoke before the commission next.
Toure returned to once again ask the commission to consider naming the Dallas County Courthouse Annex after J.L. Chestnut and Bruce Boynton.
“Our children need role models,” said Toure. “They need to be reminded African Americans did great things.”
Stanford Angion, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Selma University, was the fourth and final person to speak during the public comment section of the commission meeting.
“I am here to share with you that Selma University is at a critical crossroads,” said Angion. “We need each member of the commission and friends of the university to unite with us during our Fall 2019 giving campaign.”
According to Angion, Selma University is in need of $2 million to pay off debt to the U.S. Department of Education and to establish an endowment for the institution.
“It is necessary that we raise these funds immediately to be able to reapply for recertification for the federal student financial assistance program,” said Angion. “Your generous financial contribution to our goal is requested by Nov. 2, 2019 or as soon as possible.”
“I do not want to see Selma University close,” said Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn. “That would be two out of three colleges closing down.’
“We should try to do what we can to help somebody,” said Dallas County Commissioner Curtis Williams.
Williams became emotional, challenging everyone in the Commission Chambers to give what they could to help the struggling university.
“There was many a student in Dallas County that got an education there [at Selma University] that wouldn’t have got it anywhere else,”said Dallas County Commissioner Larry Nickles.