At Monday’s Dallas County Commission meeting, Dallas County Extension Agent Callie Nelson announced the application process is open for adult Leadership Selma classes.

“We are accepting applications and nominees for the adult class,” she said. “If you have anyone you’d like to recommend and pay their tuition, we would be happy to accept their application.”

The program focuses on leadership development, which is working with a group; leaders that focus on the individual; and service learning, which is finding a need in the community and doing something about it.

Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard said he encourages people to nominate others for the program because of the positive impact it can have on their lives.

“It’s so important,” he said. “We’ve all spoken to those leadership groups at times, and you see what happens with some of those young people that go through there. It’s very positive.”

Commissioner Larry Nickles agreed, and said his grandson participated in the program.

“He ended up going to Alabama and Auburn through the program and has really benefited from that,” Nickles said. “It has been a great experience for him.”

The commission also remembered Dr. Bracey Hamilton Cross, who died July 7 after a lengthy illness.

Services for Cross were held Monday at Church Street United Methodist Church.

Commissioner Curtis Williams said he had come to know Cross as his dentist and a friend through the years.

“He was my dentist, and in addition to that he was a good friend of mine,” Williams said. “He was a gentleman and a scholar, and if you could not get a long with Dr. Cross, you could not get along with anyone. He was a friend to the community, and if there was anything he could do to help you, he would do it.”

Ballard agreed, saying Cross was a joy to be around.

“He loved life, and he enjoyed it,” Ballard said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”