Same song, different verse in mayoral race - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Same song, different verse in mayoral race

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By Melissa McKinney - bio | email

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SELMA, AL (WSFA) -

The same two people are running for Mayor in Selma this year that did four years ago. And the race is just as heated as it was then.

In 2008, George Evans defeated incumbent Mayor James Perkins.

Now, the tables have turned.

"It was a very contentious race," says Perkins.

Perkins wants his seat back, claiming it would help Selma get back on track.

"We don't have time to retrain someone. I'm doing this because I care. I'm doing this because I know the process. No one has to explain to me the process. No one has to show me the way to the bathroom," adds Perkins.

Perkins believes Evans' current administration puts politics before people.

Mayor Evans claims that's just not true.

"There are a lot of things going on in our city. People are working together. The council and mayor are working together. It's nothing like what we've had in the past," says Evans.

One hot topic is development--including a most recent riverfront park project Perkins believes took money from public services.

"I think those projects were right. I think they needed to be done. But not at the expense of the people."

"Development money hasn't taken anything from public service. Most of the money has been grants or gifts," adds Evans.

At the end of the day, both men admit they're prepared for yet another go-around of what they refer to as a dirty fight to the finish.

"This time it's very unique because you have two people who have held the office. So you have a chance to compare the records of both candidates," says Perkins.

"These three and a half years I've been in as Mayor has helped me to learn a lot more things I didn't know as President of the council. So I feel even more adequately prepared now than I did then," adds Evans.

Election day is August 28th.

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