September has been quite a month for the City of Selma. Actually, the garbage pick up problem began earlier in the year when Advanced Disposal decided not to renew its existing contract for the service.

The city has until December to come up with a replacement for Advanced Disposal or make changes in the way fees are collected under a new  contract.

It seems Advanced is only able to collect about half what it is owed due to customers not paying their garbage collection bill. This really makes you wonder how many other city services are going unpaid by residents?

It is unfair to expect half of Selma to pay the bills for all of Selma. I’m not sure what kind of future is in store for Selma at this rate of participation in paying fees. There has already been one substantial migration to the suburbs by tax paying residents.

However, it has just been announced new bids are in and two companies have responded. Advanced is one of the two, but only if the city collects the fees.

Hmmm, sounds like a solution to pass it on to the paying users, and or, tax payers of the city. At any rate, paying customers are being primed for a rate increase.

In addition to the turmoil over garbage in the city, it seems some on the water board want to double their pay for serving on that board.

My thoughts on this are strictly as an outside observer and citizen of Selma having no knowledge of the functions of the water board. However, it is not the first time a dust up has occurred with serving on the water board particularly if already a paid civil servant.

Perhaps, it is time to consider a management consultant service to provide oversight for the water department, if allowable under the code or statute. It just might be as cost effective as doubling the salaries of board members. Also, it will take the politics out of it, and in addition, receive managed guidance for the service.

Water service is essential. Here again, the paying customers can expect higher water and sewer rates.

And then there is the old Achilles heel, the Saint James Hotel. It seems after an all out effort to retain ownership of the historic old structure, the council is ready to concede it is a money pit.

The problem will probably be in finding someone willing to purchase it. If I understand correctly, there aren’t enough rooms to be attractive to any of the chain hostelries.

Looks as if tax payers will have themselves a used boarded up hotel on their hands unless other uses can be found for the structure.

What do you think the future is for the entertainment district and the new amphitheater?

Well, at least we have a new fire chief and police chief to be thankful for in September.

James. G Smith is a regular contributor to The Selma Times-Journal.