To the Editor:

I have lived in Selma all my life. During that time I cannot tell you how often I have heard how Selma needs new business growth or that Selma needs more jobs and more options when dinning out. Despite hearing these things over and over again, I sit here and wonder if any of it was ever true.

There are individuals in Selma who obviously do not feel we need any of these things.

These individuals are doing their best to prevent one of the hardest working women I have ever met from opening a restaurant in downtown Selma.

Wanda Bush is in the process of opening a restaurant downtown in the old Kyser building on Broad Street.

This business would bring new business growth, jobs, and tax revenue.

The business would give Selmians more choices when dinning out and reduce the large number of vacant buildings in the downtown area.

The individuals that oppose this business do so because it would be a liquor licensed restaurant.

Not allowing the restaurant to operate with a liquor license would automatically place it at an unfair disadvantage with the other restaurants in town.

Practically every restaurant in town that is open at night serves alcohol. There are people who choose to abstain from alcohol, and while I have no problem with that, there are those that wish to have a drink with their evening meal while dining out. If you can’t give your customers what they want, they will go somewhere else.

Allowing Mrs. Bush to operate her business with a liquor license simply gives her a level playing field with the other restaurants in town. It doesn’t degrade or devalue Selma or the downtown area.

If anything, this restaurant will add value to Selma and the downtown area.

I have started a petition in favor of Mrs. Bush and this restaurant. I encourage anyone who wishes to support Mrs. Bush and this restaurant and what it can do for Selma to sign the petition. You can access it on the web at .

Jess Henderson