Selma City Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw began a fourth term in office at noon Monday. Crenshaw represents Ward 7.

Other city council members and Mayor-elect George Evans will take their oaths of office at 5 p.m. Monday at the Performing Arts Center. A short organizational meeting will follow the swearing-in ceremony.

Crenshaw said she decided to take her oath at City Hall in council chambers because she had always done it on site. The council voted last week to change the swearing-in location to the Performing Arts Center, so more people could attend. Council chambers would not hold enough people, a majority of the council decided.

Of her decision, Crenshaw said, “It has nothing to do with anyone else. It’s about me.”

After taking the oath of office, Crenshaw spoke briefly to friends, supporters, relatives and fellow council members, promising to help move the city forward. She acknowledged her support during the mayor’s race for incumbent James Perkins Jr., because “I was on this journey with him,” Crenshaw said. At the same time, she promised to work with Evans and other council members.

“I want to work for anything that will move the city forward,” she said.