The debate in Selma City Council chambers got a little heated with discussion of the possibility of a public forum to discuss the relationship between

the council and Mayor James Perkins Jr.

Last week, Council President George Evans had proposed a public forum to clear the air about perceived problems between the council and the office of mayor. Councilwoman Nancy Sewell and councilman James Durry did some preliminary planning work on the idea.

After a long debate, the council finally approved to move forward with a town hall type meeting to be held Monday, July 19 from 6-7 p.m. at a site to be determined. The vote was 6-2 with councilman Sam Randolph and councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw against.

Evans said the meeting would be a chance for the council and the public to “clear all of the rhetoric.”

Crenshaw said the forum would have been a good idea two years ago.

“I really think it’s really too late for that. It should have been done some time back,” she said. “If this had been done two years ago, this city would have moved forward at a rapid rate.”

“This city is moving forward,” Evans countered.

The debate comes from council members hearing from the public that the council does not work with the office of mayor.

Evans said that is a misconception.

“I have worked hard as a council president to keep harmony,” he said. “When people go out and make statements about this council, they’re talking about me. I felt this council needed to face its’ accusers and let them ask anything they want. The public can tell us what they feel about what we’re doing as a council.”

After Evans explanation, Crenshaw said that she personally did not need to have a forum, but could understand Evans’ plan.

“I think you probably need to have that forum, I don’t really feel the need,” she said.

Councilman James Durry said he felt like the council needed to get their positions out there.

“It’s just the fact that the council has not dialogued with the general public with the circumstances that are emanating out there in the community,” he said. “I feel the same way. The public in general really doesn’t know the full ramifications of what this council does, therefore they’ve been getting a really a one-sided view.”

The debate got a little more heated when Crenshaw asked Evans about his thoughts on running for mayor.

“I’m going to ask this question, Mayor Perkins had only been in office two years, you had gone around to certain people that called me that said you where in the process of running for mayor,” she said adding that it showed a lack of support for Perkins.

“What you’re saying is all false. I have never told anyone that I was going to run for mayor, I told some people I would consider it,” he said. “George Evans has not been against the mayor. I’m not running for mayor, I’m running for (council)

president.”

Perkins had left the meeting

to attend the education town hall meeting at the convention center and missed the debate.

However, Evans said for the most part the council has supported the mayor’s proposals.

“Anything that the mayor has brought to this council, the majority of which I have supported, if you check the record 90 percent or better I have voted a yes on,” Evans said. “There was a statement made that there were only three council members that support the things that are going on. Three people can’t pass nothing on this council. It takes five votes to approve any item that comes before the council.”

Crenshaw said with the election coming up and only a few more council meetings left before the new terms, it was simply too late for a forum to help.

“Now it is a political year, we could have a couple more council meetings and go home,” she said. “We’re moot up here.”