The Times-Journal asked a few questions of the eight candidates seeking the Ward 3 seat on the Selma City Council. Below are the responses and other information about the candidates on today’s ballot:

Greg Bjelke

Address: 700 Lapsley St.

Hometown: Selma

How many years have you lived in Selma? 53 years

Occupation: Owner of Four Seasons Garden Center

Church and other organization affiliation: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, junior warden. Sturdivant Hall Museum Board

Why did you choose to run for public office? I got real upset when I heard people say Selma had lost its charm. I’m determined that Selma’s had (charm); it’s been good, and it could be good again.

No. 1 issue: Code enforcement — You’ve got these abandoned houses that are just drawing this bad element … Enforce the codes that are already in place. Right now the city is doing everybody else’s work for them.

Gwen Brown

Address: 609 Tremont Street

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

How many years have you lived in Selma? 4.5 years

Occupation: Community service and non-profit work, radio host of “Real Talk”

Church and other organization affiliation: Dallas TEEN Mentoring, Friends of the Trail, Freedom Foundation/RATCo, Selma Community Church, Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Why did you choose to run for public office? I really believe that there is some change needed in Selma. I really feel like all people need representation and someone to advocate for them.

No. 1 issue: Really trying to get involved to personally listen to everyone’s concerns. I really feel like what needs to happen is to listen to the people. I want to be able to be an ear and a voice for every part of the neighborhood.

Garfield L. Clarke

Address: 612 Church St.

Hometown: Miami, Fla.

How many years have you lived in Selma? Six years

Occupation: Part owner with wife, Galina, of the Future Education Center, a private learning center.

Church and other organization affiliation: Attends Queen of Peace Catholic Church often; Head Start Policy Council, vice president of Selma Optimist Club and community associate for Black Belt Community Foundation

Why did you choose to run for public office? People before me have not done enough to benefit everyone. I feel like I can communicate with businesses around the world and help bring business back. We have a tremendous amount of history here and it’s time for the city to move forward.

No. 1 issue: I want to come up with a plan in three areas: tourism, fixing up abandoned houses and making the community more business friendly. I’m focusing on growth and vision of the future; we have to step up to the plate and create more jobs, especially for our youth.

Tom Headley

Address: 709-B Parkman Ave

Hometown: Selma

How many years have you lived in Selma? 45 years

Occupation: Retired from Liberty National Life Insurance Company

Church and other organization affiliation: Church of God; National Association of Life Underwriters

Why did you choose to run for public office? Selma is at a crossroads and I feel like my expertise as a former Selma City council member, work ethic and application of skills would benefit Selma at this critical time in Selma’s history.

No. 1 issue: For me the number one issue is crime and support of the Selma Police Department and code enforcement, which is terribly underfunded. We need to face crime head-on and need to set a living wage for police officers to attract new recruits.

Karl Lewis

Address: 42 Alabama Ave.

Hometown: Selma

How many years have you lived in Selma? 48 years

Occupation: International Paper

Church and other organization affiliation: Pastor at New Sister Spring Baptist Church, president of Riverview Neighborhood Association, Turn the Tide on Youth Violence

Why did you choose to run for public office? I have been serving this community ever since I’ve been back here from the military. In order for our historical area to be built up like it’s supposed to be, we’re going to have to build the whole ward up.

No. 1 issue: Code enforcement and preservation — You don’t need to tear down everything that’s not being used. I think if we would just enforce the codes and the small laws, we would be able to curb a lot of the problems.

SherRette Marie Spicer

Address: 418 King St.

Hometown: Attended high school is St. Louis, Ill., and is a part of a military family

How many years have you lived in Selma? Nearly six years

Occupation: Unemployed but volunteers and has a talk show on WBFZ 105.3 radio

Church and other organization affiliation: Tabernacle of Praise Church, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Black Belt Arts and Cultural Center, Project Flame, 21st Century, Gees Bend Association, Alabama New South Coalition, Bridge Crossing Jubilee and Ancient Africa, Enslavement and Civil War Museum

Why did you choose to run for public office? Too many times people have been told by persons in leadership positions that things would happen and they don’t. I want to be a voice for the people to effect change. This is my moment.

No. 1 issue: Safety. I hear gunshots more than once a week in my neighborhood and the murder and violence rate is just ridiculous. We have to get a good line of communication opened between the public and law enforcement in order to get things done.

Pam West

Address: 131 Water Ave.

Hometown: Selma

How many years have you lived in Selma? “Off and on forever”

Occupation: Pet Containment (underground electric fencing)

Church and other organization affiliation: Moose Lodge, Selma Humane Society

Why did you choose to run for public office? The current administration is not getting the job done, or they’ve run out of new ideas. I’ve got to do what I can to make some positive changes.

No. 1 issue: Crime — That affects everything else … If we just get some people working, that’s going to get some money into town. If they can get a job, they’re not going to have to steal.

– Candidate responses were compiled by staff writers Desiree Taylor and Alison McFerrin.