Selma City Council appoints interim fire chief, interim deputy fire chief – The Selma Times‑Journal

The Selma City Council appointed an interim fire chief and a deputy acting fire chief at Tuesday's city council meeting.

In a close vote by the City Council, Coley Byrd was named interim fire chief and named interim deputy fire chief Walter Dailey. Board members Billy Young, Troy Harvill, Clay Carmichael, Christie Thomas and Jannie Thomas voted yes. Lesia James, Michael Johnson, Sam Randolph and Atkin Jemison voted no.

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. and some council members dispute that the positions were properly discussed. Perkins said he was not informed of an executive session on May 23, but members of his administration were. Young disagreed, saying Perkins was invited to the executive session. Carmichael added that the positions were open to discussion.

Young said the goal is to find a permanent fire chief. Byrd spent 25 years with the SFD, replacing Franklin Edwards. Dailey was already in this position.

In other town hall news:

-May 21 will always be known as Asher Havon Day in Selma, in honor of Season 25 Voice winner Asher HaVon. A proclamation was signed by Perkins and the city council to make it official.

-A disciplinary hearing will be held at a later date for City Attorney Major Madison.