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Selma Native Otto Hunter is a longtime member of the Selma community and is now striving towards a seat within the Selma City Council.

Hunter is a former worker and retiree of the Selma City Water Works, who worked there for 25 years and told Selma Times-Journal exclusively earlier this week of his urgency to run for the overseeing position of Ward 2.

Hunter said running for the position is a decision that has not left his mind for years. He said he’s very passionate about the citizens and the city of Selma. Within his community, Hunter said he sees a lot of needs that need to be met and brought up to par, and he feels like he is the right one to get the job done.

“Like I said, I’m passionate for the city and the residents of Selma,” Hunter said. “I want to see Selma grow. I’m not going anywhere and my roots are here, my parents, grandparents are here, my grandkids and kids are here and it’s been on my mind every time I lay down. When I try to go to sleep, and I wake up, it’s still on my mind and I feel peace about it and God said get involved, help the citizens and I believe that I have something to offer Selma.”

If elected during the August 2025 election, he said he would partner closely with the mayor and officials including the local, state and federal law enforcement agents to combat the first issue written down on his list, which is crime.

“Crime is a great issue in town and within our city”, Hunter said. “The crime rate is very high and I will work with officials within the city to increase the budget to have more police officers, have the means to purchase proper equipment for our local law enforcement and work to have cameras installed in our neighborhoods to make citizens feel safe.”

The second pillar of Hunter’s campaign consists of closing the gap of community darkness, where he said would actively work to make Ward 2 well-lit.

“I also want the neighborhood to be lit up with lights all around, so when residents come home, they don’t have to worry about being in the dark or in a blind spot where somebody may be standing out to hurt them. So, I will be asking for more police presence in our neighborhood because we need that as well,” Hunter said.

Hunter also mentioned other efforts that he will strive to do such as host quarterly ward meetings, vouch for infrastructure to not only improve lights within the neighborhood but repave streets, minimize debris and litter within the neighborhood including the timeliness of trash pickup and create more recreational opportunities for our youth.

“We need to find something to do for our youth,” Hunter said. “And, become more hands-on with them to help them become better as well and to have an interactive space where they can feel safe too. I also want to include health and wellness opportunities for our senior citizens, and continue to have health fairs for them and see how I can cater to their needs.”

Hunter said he would also strive to advocate for the city workers’ annual pay. He said he would never vote for himself or to give himself any money unless he knows his ward is great, because he said it’s not all about him but about the citizens of Selma.

“That’s what I’m here to do,” Hunter said. “To work with the citizens, and I’m a compassionate man who will listen to their outcry.”

Hunter said since he has heard the call from God, he is willing to run for the council position and continue to fight for change, equality and the effort of partnership with the mayor, if he is elected in Ward 2, to come to common ground and make just decisions as a councilmember.