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Reader concerned with lack of jobs in Selma
Published Thursday, October 8, 2009
I am very concerned about the lack of jobs in Selma. Is anyone else? If so, I haven’t spoken with many of them!
Mainly the people who seem to be upset, are the ones now in fear of losing their jobs because of down sizing in the few larger companies here in town.
Aside from the few and far in between job fairs, which actually do not give the prospective employee much, where is the concern here for the welfare of our citizens? There is never more than three to five job listings in the STJ on any given day, and not one online in STJ classifieds as of my writing this letter.
If there are ample jobs available, where can the average person find them? The employment office lists mainly jobs that are out of the Selma area, besides that fact, who can sit for hours upon hours waiting to talk with the employment specialists?
Whatever happened to making an appointment, and then actually getting to speak with someone on time? There is also the trend of hiring a “friend of a friend,” so that if you don’t know almost everyone in Selma, you don’t get hired!
It seems as if all the jobs are either in Prattville or Montgomery. What is to become of Selma?
I see a restaurant or some other small store opening here and there, but where are jobs? Where is the push to get larger companies to come to Selma? This was top of the list of concerns for Selma at one time, but now seems to have fallen by the wayside.
If our elected representatives can’t seem to bring jobs here, what do we do? Move out of the area? Is Selma to become a ghost town?
Say it isn’t so, Selma!
Eva Seekers
Jones
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Comments
Posted by say_what (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Eva, Wake up and smell the coffee. We are in the worst recession since the "great depression." There is great concern here and throughout the country...let's say the world...for the welfare of citizens. Your letter implies that everyone is sitting on their hands doing nothing. Believe me when I say to you that many people are working very hard to bring more industry to Selma. It doesn't happen over night...it takes years. But know also that many of these large industries are also feeling the recession and are unable at this time to expand, or move, here or anywhere for that matter. There have been several smaller businesses open in Selma, as you said in your letter. They may not provide a huge number of employment opportunities, but consider the fact that they would not have invested their time and money in our city to open a business if they thought we were going to become a ghost town. These are hard times that elicit some hard decisions. It appears that you are faced with some.
Posted by evenflo09 (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear say_what,
I understand that there is a recession going on, I also understand that it is across America and not just our town! I never meant to imply that everyone is sitting on their hands, I would just like to hear about these plans more often as I'm sure all Selma citizens would. I am also concerned for the smaller buisnesses, as I know most of them are neighbors, friends, etc. Where will they be if all their customers have to move away to make a living??? It seems as if you have taken my letter too personally, for that I apologise. I have no hidden agenda, it's just my opinion, and at least I have the conviction to put my name behind it! Thanks, but no thanks for the coffee! ;)
Posted by evenflo09 (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eva Seekers
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Googled "help wanted selma Alabama", found "USAJOBS.com" and it produced 1213 jobs within 50 miles of Selma and 121 jobs within 25 miles of Selma. That took about 60 seconds. Now as to having the proper education for one of these positions, that's up to you. popdukes12
Posted by Selma (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Popdukes, the writer referenced jobs in Selma. not Demopolis, Pine Hill. Lowdnes County or Montgomery. There are limited jobs in Selma, and to get one you need to know somebody. A community should work to provide jobs with a livable wage to its residents. There is an economic development board and a city government planning and development offices in Selma. What is the level of economic development that they have brought to the City. Local citizens are crying for jobs, to talk about what other city/s are doing does not diminish the fact that there are no jobs in Selma that will pay a livable wage. If we want to increase the quality of life in Selma for the residents of Selma economic development must be a priority. Economic development directly relates to quality education. Until these issues are adequately addressed I will quote a bumper sticker I saw years ago, "The last person out of Selma please turn off the lights".
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