Velma Crawford-Brewer wants to clean up her ward. That’s one reason why she’s running for the Selma City Council Ward 4 seat.

Brewer addressed several issues as she declared her candidacy, including crime, truant youth and industry. &uot;We’ve got young people in the streets, and we need a truancy law to stop it,&uot; Brewer said. &uot;Nothing is being done about it. We need to change things. We need to address the problems of the people.&uot;

According to Brewer, an increased police presence on the streets would curb crime. &uot;Now, it’s hard to get the police out to do things,&uot; Brewer said. &uot;I don’t think it’s them. I think they just don’t have the manpower.&uot;

Brewer said areas in her ward were deteriorating due to crime, vandalism and dilapidated houses. &uot;You’ve got to have people patrolling those areas,&uot; she added.

Crime and the availability of jobs are related, Brewer said. According to Brewer, if Selma’s youth have job training and skills, they’re more likely to get jobs. &uot;Education is the key,&uot; Brewer said. &uot;If you can’t get the degree, get the skills. We’ve got to educate and train people. That will get them off the streets and working.&uot;

The city’s government must end its bickering, though, in order to bring industry to the area, Brewer noted. &uot;As long as people view Selma as a negative, they won’t bring industry here,&uot; Brewer said. &uot;Look at Prattville – it used to be a little wooded town. Now it’s rapidly growing. Selma could be the same way.&uot;

Concerning the council’s executive sessions, Brewer said that the doors should be opened. &uot;I feel like there shouldn’t be any closed-door sessions,&uot; Brewer added. &uot;If you have all these closed-door sessions, then the people only know what you want them to know. I think there should be an open-door policy.&uot;

Brewer also discussed Selma’s finances when declaring her candidacy. Brewer said that it appeared the city had its finances in order. &uot;Anyone dealing with finances and following up on someone else’s work would have a problem, but I feel like it’s going pretty good,&uot; Brewer added.

Brewer said people should vote for her because she believes she can make a difference in City Hall. &uot;I’ll represent the people, I’ll speak for them and I’ll be available for them,&uot; Brewer said. &uot;I’ll be faithful to the citizens of Selma. With that in mind, you can’t go wrong.&uot;

Brewer was born and raised in Selma. She’s been employed with the Alabama Department of Corrections for 18 years. For the past five years she’s been at the Bibb County Correctional Facility. &uot;I travel all over the state doing my job, but I always return to Selma,&uot; Brewer said.

Brewer has served as a volunteer with the Selma City School System. She’s also helped with special projects to improve school safety and beautification. She currently serves on Selma’s Board of Adjustments.

Brewer has two children, Mina and Jamie. She has one granddaughter, Taariq Paul.

The Ward 4 incumbent is Councilwoman Nancy Sewell.