UPDATE: Today marks the final day in office for Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr., concluding a transformative leadership era in Alabama’s Queen City. Perkins steps down after serving the community through significant challenges, including natural disasters and public health crises.
Perkins, who has led Selma for a total of over 12 years, highlighted his tenure as a heartfelt calling rather than a political aspiration. “I never had a desire to be mayor. This was always an assignment. And now, I feel released and relieved,” he stated as he reflected on his time in office.
Under his leadership, Perkins oversaw pivotal developments, including the recruitment of 2,000 new jobs and the attraction of major industries like Hyundai to the region. He emphasized his administration’s focus on long-term infrastructure improvements, stating, “We created new jobs, modernized garbage service, and saw Selma’s population grow for the first time since the 1960s.”
Re-elected in 2021, Perkins faced immediate crises with Hurricane Zeta, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and an Arctic Freeze that severely damaged the city’s water system. His response included securing $152 million for infrastructure upgrades, resurfacing 80 blocks, and enhancing drainage and sewer systems.
Despite these achievements, Perkins acknowledged criticism from residents who yearned for visible developments like new restaurants and retail stores. “People want restaurants and stores, but you can’t build on collapsing infrastructure,” he remarked, emphasizing the necessity of foundational work.
As he bids farewell, Perkins urges the incoming administration to continue the momentum in infrastructure development and strengthen the relationship between the mayor’s office and the city council. “I hear the noise. But this is foundational work. Now someone else can build on it,” he added optimistically.
Perkins expressed gratitude for his time in office, stating, “I’m probably not a great politician, but I’m a good public servant. Thank you for the privilege of serving.” He plans to continue his community service from the pulpit, remaining engaged in the city he has called home his entire life.
As Selma looks toward its future, the legacy of James Perkins Jr. will undoubtedly influence the next chapter for this historic city. The focus now shifts to how the new administration will build upon the groundwork laid during Perkins’s tenure.
