Jamie Wallace’s involvement in the Selma community goes much deeper than his 16 years at the helm of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce.

From his early days as a newspaper and radio reporter to his longstanding association with such organizations as the West Alabama Rehabilitation Center, Wallace leaves an enviable record of civic dedication and human compassion.

Before he took over the reins of the Chamber of Commerce, before he became point man for the area’s economic development efforts, Jamie Wallace earned his living stringing words together for The Selma Times-Journal – progressing from reporter to sports editor to managing editor and, finally, to editor.

Fellow reporter Kathryn Windham remembered that he was “young and red-headed and had a marvelous way with words – and he knew the difference between I-T-S and I-T-apostrophe-S.”

“Jamie could cover anything,” Windham said. “He was the kind of reporter that any paper would be glad to have.”

Windham recalled that one of Wallace’s unofficial duties at the paper was keeping track of the word count in sentences penned by fellow staffer Octavia Wynn, who was noted for her convoluted syntax.

“Some of her sentences,” Windham said tactfully, “were quite remarkable.”

Wallace recorded the results of his tabulations on a long white wall in The Times-Journal newsroom, which doubled as a sort of interactive reference library. In addition to documenting Ms. Wynn’s journalistic output (the record was a breezy 147 words in a single sentence), the wall contained such newsy tidbits as the height of the Alabama River at flood stage, record high and low temperatures for the area, and phone numbers where city officials could be reached discreetly after hours for a quick quote. Alas, the wall was painted over during a long-ago renovation.

Sighed Windham, “They erased a lot of history when they erased that wall.”

Former Mayor Joe Smitherman praised Wallace for his reporting of the civil rights turmoil that wracked Selma in the 1960s.

“He and Kathryn Windham probably had the most influence on (former police commissioner) Wilson Baker, and the change that happened with Baker,” Smitherman said. “The public gave Jamie and the newspaper a hard time. They said the paper was too liberal. But the national press once held a seminar and used The Times-Journal as an example of how to do an accurate job reporting the facts.”

The Associated Press apparently agreed, naming The Times-Journal “most improved daily newspaper in Alabama” during Wallace’s stint as editor.

Wallace is perhaps best remembered for his lengthy involvement in the area’s economic development efforts. Those who worked alongside him in such efforts say he brought innovation and a willingness to go the extra mile to the task.

Gov. Don Siegelman lauded Wallace as “a committed partner in the effort to attract good jobs for Selma residents.”

“The people of Selma can honestly say that the city would not be what it is today without the leadership and service of Jamie Wallace,” the governor said.

Don Hopper credits Wallace with helping him learn the ropes during his years as executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Economic Development Authority.

“Jamie took me under his wing,” Hopper recalled. “I never once called him that he didn’t respond – and he never worried about who got the credit. He doesn’t do things for credit. He does them because they need to be done.”

Former Selma City Council President Carl Morgan Jr. remembered Wallace’s “dogged determination in trying to sell Selma.”

“Jamie has been a bulwark of this community for years and years and years,” Morgan said. “He and his staff have made the chamber here recognized as one of the top chambers throughout the state. It’s a distinct loss to the city of Selma to see him step down.”

Morgan worked closely with Wallace and other civic leaders over the years in efforts to four-lane U.S. Hwy. 80. Said Morgan, “I believe he was one of the ones who helped coin the phrase ‘blood alley’ because of all the accidents that took place back when it was just a two-lane road.”

Current City Council President George Evans, who has gaveled his share of contentious meetings to order, said he has long admired Wallace’s steadfastness and personal integrity.

“I have never observed Jamie angry at anybody,” marveled Evans, “even to the point of not speaking negatively about anyone. Nor do I think Jamie recognizes color. He recognizes people as just people.”

Dallas County Probate Judge Johnny Jones echoed those sentiments. “Jamie’s a friend. I don’t know any other way to put it,” Jones said. “He has meant so much to the economic development of this area. His footprints will be forever etched in Dallas County.”

But beyond his professional integrity and his efforts on behalf of the area’s economic development, Wallace is also remembered for his warmth and compassion.

When the West Alabama Rehabilitation Center burned down in 1970, Wallace covered the story for The Times-Journal. He was so moved by what he learned about the center’s work that he volunteered to serve on its board of directors. He has remained in that capacity now for nearly 30 years.

Administrator and CEO Larry Lewis summed up Wallace’s contributions to the organization this way: “Jamie is one of our most devoted board members. He would walk five miles to help a person who needed help. A lot of people today go out of their way to avoid someone who needs help. Jamie goes out of his way to help.”