Ben Wilder, a consultant hired by the town of Selma, to assist in recruiting and hiring a new town manger has narrowed 40 applicants to approximately 15 to 20, according to interim town manager C.L. Gobble.
Wilder provided copies of each application to Selma Town Council members for review during a special meeting held last Tuesday afternoon. With Council’s help, the field was narrowed by at least, said Gobble.
“Mr. Wilder will interview the remaining applicants by telephone and come back during another special meeting sometime in August,” said Gobble. “The selection process is moving forward.”
Gobble aid there are about 10 lead candidates for the job. He said many of the applications were a clear yes or no.

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While his career brought Lewis Mullen to Selma, it was a love of the place that kept him here. Since his retirement, he’s made hobbies of photography and web design and uses them daily to promote the town he calls home.

Mullen relocated to Selma 41 years ago when Sylvania opened in Smithfield. He had previously worked with GE Communications in Lynchburg, VA, where he lived with his wife Marian. He spent many years with Sylvania as an engineer, designing test equipment to be used to test television sets before they were sold.

During that time Mullen and his wife had two children, Teresa and Robert. When the company looked at moving to Tennessee, Mullen took his family for a visit. He was told that in order to keep his job he would have to relocate along with the company.

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Johnston County Industries (JCI) has a new home in Selma. The operation was moved from Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield and into the former Eaton plant on East Preston Street in Selma over the week o July 4.

Johnston County Industries is a non-profit organization that works with adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Through the program, JCI’s clients learn skills that help them obtain and maintain employment.

Vicky Shore, executive director of Johnston County Industries, said that JCI is excited about the move that took place over a two to three week period. JCI was opened and fully operational by Monday last week.

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A proposed $80,000 grant to hire a business and tourism coordinator for Selma received wholehearted endorsement Tuesday night from Selma Town Council.

Ray Jaklitsch and Eric Jackson, members of the Selma Historic Homeowners Association, appeared before Council asking for Council’s endorsement so the group, through the Selma Development Partnership, can pursue the grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation.

“We have a passion for the town,” said Jaklitsch, explaining that the group wants to “take Selma to the next level.”

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Selma residents and businesses were warned just two weeks ago that an increase was coming on electric bills. What no one knew was that it would come so quickly.

Selma Town Council voted Tuesday night to pass along a 14 percent wholesale increase in electric prices to town residents and businesses beginning in August. For most residents the increase will be about 11.5 percent more per month.

The increase will show up as a “fuel rider” on electric bills, according to Town Manager C. L. Gobble, who admitted that as long as he has been associated with Electricities he had never seen an increase given in the middle of the summer.

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Donnie Lassiter named to Mount Olive College Board of Trustees Donnie E. Lassiter of Selma has joined the Mount Olive College Board of Trustees for a six-year term. The 30-member Board is charged with the oversight and governance of the College. MOC Trustees have the responsibility of establishing the identity of Mount Olive College through leading, planning and interpreting. Lassitor, who lives between Micro and Selma, is a major scholarship contributor to North Johnston High School. [Read More, Leave an Opinon]

Det. Sgt. Ashley McLamb attempts to extract a bullet from the side of a house where a shooting over the weekend injured four. By Kelly Lake, News Editor 08.JUL.08 Selma Police are investigating a shooting at a July 4th party that left three people, including the gunman, seriously injured. A fourth person received a minor hand injury. At approximately 12:41 a.m. on July 5, police were called to 203 Valley Court, Selma, in reference to a shooting. As officers approached the address, a male victim was found lying in the roadway in the area of Valley Court and Merriman Drive with a gunshot wound to the chest. Witnesses told police that there were two other shooting victims at 203 Valley Court and people were yelling for help from what appeared to be a backyard party at the residence. [Read More, Give an Opinion]

Thousands watched as the sky was lit non-stop for approximately 20 minutes during Selma's Fifth Annual All-American Festival in Uptown Selma Friday. Visitors enjoyed free watermelon slices, music by Two Boys and a Babe and food from local vendors and restaurants. By Kelly Lake, News Editor 08.JUL.08 Selma’s Fifth Annual All-American Festival, held on July 4th, is being called the best attended yet by organizers. According to Joe Carter, Selma Parks and Recreation director, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people attended throughout the evening, with the largest crowd gathering for the fireworks that capped off the event. “I think we had the most people we’ve ever had for the fireworks,” said Carter. “This was the first year we put out bleachers for people to sit and watch the fireworks. We put up eight sets and they were all full.” Four sets were set up at Mitchener Station (two on each side of the railroad tracks), two were set up on Railroad Street near the cheesecake factory and two others were set up near Pizza Xpress. “The fireworks were really good,” said Carter. “We have the best and most unique display I’ve ever seen.” [Read More, Give an Opinion]

Dr. Harold “Hal” Harbin has been appointed to Edgerton Memorial United Methodist Church as pastor. His first Sunday as pastor was Sunday.
Harbin was born in Bessemer, Alabama. Upon graduation from high school, he worked for Management Services, Inc., a subcontractor of NASA, with the space program as a photo lab technician.
In September 1965, he enrolled in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for nine and a half years, obtaining the rank of GySgt. E-7 before being honorably discharged. During his military career, Harbin served a tour in Viet Name and was trained in five military occupational specialties.
After his enlistment, Harbin lived in New Bern, where he was called into the ministry at the age of 28. Having no religious roots, he began to search for where he was to serve God’s call on his life.


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