Percy Bland

Last updated
Deidre Bland
​
(m. 1999)​
Percy Bland
PB inaug 01444.jpg
Bland at the Meridian Temple Theater, 2013
Mayor of Meridian, Mississippi
In office
July 1, 2013 (2013-July-01) –July 1, 2021 (2021-July-01)
Residence(s)Meridian, Mississippi
Alma mater Xavier University of Louisiana (B.S.)
University of Southern Mississippi (M.P.H.)
ProfessionState Farm Insurance Agent
Website Official Website

Percy Bland is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as the mayor of Meridian, Mississippi from 2013 to 2021. Bland was the first African American Mayor of Meridian MS and is known for the transformation of Downtown Meridian.

Contents


Under Bland's leadership, the Threefoot Hotel became a reality, the Highway 59/20 lighting project was completed which was funded and supported by the State of Mississippi, downtown businesses like Castle Pipeline established their new corporate headquarters in downtown Meridian, and because of the Go Cup Ordinance, more restaurants like the Three-foot Brewery were established.

Early life and family

Percy Bland was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi on September 23, 1970. Bland grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and attended St. Joseph High School, Bland later earned a B.S. in chemistry at Xavier University of Louisiana of New Orleans, and played collegiate basketball. Bland also earned a Master's of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Bland met his wife Deidre in Atlanta and the couple was married on August 15, 1999, they have two children. Deidre currently sells real estate in Mississippi and Alabama.

Career

Bland went on to work for the Fulton County Health Department in Atlanta, Georgia where he served as an epidemiologist in the Tuberculosis Control Department.[ citation needed ] Bland returned to Mississippi and began employment as the Human Resources Director and Marketing Director with the G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center. Bland came to Meridian to own and operate a State Farm Insurance Agency. Bland continues to run and manage a very successful insurance agency selling property, casualty and life insurance in Mississippi and Alabama. [1]

Community involvement

In 2007, Bland served as co-chair to pass a bond issue for the first major renovations and improvements to Meridian's public schools in more than 20 years. The bond issue was for $19.5 million. The bond issue passed on March 27, 2007, with 71.3%. [2] [3] [4]

Bland also helped establish the Magnolia Youth Sports Association. [1] Bland helped establish the First Tee Golf Program in Meridian, the first in the state, a golf program aimed at improving the quality of life of primarily inner-city children. [5] [6]

Mayor of Meridian

On June 4, 2013, Percy Bland won the election for mayor of Meridian by 54% of the vote. [7] [8] Before he took office, Bland formed a 29-member transition team from the community to study five issues - education, community development, public safety, infrastructure and city partnerships - and make recommendations about how to more improve those areas in Meridian. [9] [10] Bland was sworn in as the first African-American mayor of the city of Meridian on July 1, 2013. [11] [12]

During the first Meridian City Council meeting of the new administration, on July 2, 2014, Bland proposed his livable wage policy. Bland proposed a $9 an hour minimum salary for all city employees that was to be funded by money saved through cuts to other areas of the municipal budget. [13] Bland's livable wage proposal became city policy when the city council passed the municipal budget on September 17, 2013. [14] [15]

Bland and several local businesses began recognizing an outstanding teacher or staff member from two MPSD schools a month during the 2013–14 school year. [16] Improvements to public safety were made to the newly annexed part of Meridian through a new warning siren at the recently constructed fire station in that area. [17] Meridian youth sports were brought together through one comprehensive program in the Meridian Parks and Recreation Department. The program brought in more mentors, more coaches, and more churches as partners for the City of Meridian to work with youth through athletics. [18] In May 2014, the City of Meridian pledged $750,000 to help build a new community center. [19]

In May 2014, the City of Meridian launched a series of new programs to help fight crime in the city, including a new gang task force, [20] a new team of Meridian police officers and citizens to help with tips on crime, [21] and penalizing parents when their children do not comply with the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law. [22]

In June 2014, Bland built a team to bring a new airline carrier to Meridian. American Airlines the largest airline carrier in the world brings their service to Meridian under the American Eagle brand. Express Jet will operate the service for American Airlines.

In September 2014, Bland began a mayor's initiative to raise awareness of school attendance and the dangers of dropping out of high school. Through his Mayor's Youth Council, Bland created a public service announcement that emphasized issues that high school students face, such as bullying, drugs, and depression. [23]

In October 2014, Bland launched his Kidz Zone Initiative, a program that partnered the City of Meridian with city and county schools, both local and private, to strengthen families. On the second Saturday of each month Disney movies are shown at the Meridian Temple Theatre for $2. The program encourages fathers to play an active role within their children's lives. All fathers are allowed free admission to the movie. [24] Also in October 2014, Bland started a "Senior Prom" initiative to engage senior citizens and provide more community activities for that population. [25]

On October 6, 2014, Bland received a letter from Governor Phil Bryant that stated Meridian has been approved for a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant to help fund a new community center in the city's east end that would accommodate up to 400 children. [26]

On January 26, 2015, Bland and Choctaw Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson signed an agreement to restore public transportation in Meridian. The Choctaw Regional Transportation Facility operates in more than a dozen counties in Mississippi. The bus that will be used in Meridian is handicap accessible, and can seat up to 29 people. People will have to call a special number to make arrangements to be picked up and dropped off at sites. [27] [28]

On September 2, 2015, Bland, in cooperation with Commissioner Dick Hall, of Mississippi Department of Transportation, and Meridian Public Schools officials, opened a federally funded Safe Routes to Schools bridge at TJ Harris Lower Elementary School. [29] [30]

On February 2, 2016, city officials unanimously approved a resolution that authorized and directed the issuance of general obligation bonds for $7.5 million. The bonds will provide funds for the construction, improvement, and paving of streets, sidewalks, driveways, parkways, walkways, bridges and culverts, public parking facilities, and other municipal projects. [31]

On May 18, 2016, Meridian city officials, along with community members and leaders, held a groundbreaking ceremony for Velma Young Community Center. The $2 million project is the first project that brought together the City of Meridian, Lauderdale County, Meridian Housing Authority, and East Mississippi Development for a predominately African-American project. "This has been an under-served area for a number of years, and this community center right here is going to be a huge shot in the arm for this community," said Mayor Percy Bland. [32]

On July 5, 2016, Mayor Bland and the Meridian City Council passed a resolution and ordinance setting a date of August 16, 2016 for a referendum of a two percent (2%) food and beverage levy at restaurants within the city of Meridian. Revenue from the levy will fund the construction, equipment, furnishings, and operation of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center. [33] The referendum passed with 68.2 percent. [34]

On June 6, 2017, Mayor Bland won a second term against two opponents, Independent Dustin Markham and Republican William Compton. Mayor Bland received 64 percent of the vote, Markham received 34 percent, and Compton received 2 percent. [35]

Second term

Percy Bland with John Tampa, developer of Threefoot Marriot Hotel Percy Bland with John Tampa developer of Threefoot Marriot Hotel.jpg
Percy Bland with John Tampa, developer of Threefoot Marriot Hotel

Bland continued building and improving infrastructure in Meridian during his second term as Mayor. He promoted businesses whose purpose was to improve the quality of life for all citizens especially youth. [36] His administration paved more than 28 miles of streets in the inner city during the last four years in office. [37] [38] He started a LED lighting initiative in which LED lightings were installed in neighborhoods throughout the City of Meridian beginning in 2015 with a strong partnership with Mississippi Power. [36] [39] [40] Through his Parks and Recreation Program, Bland grew sports activities offered to all children from 30 to more than 55. [41] He installed new playground equipment at Velma Young Center, James Chaney Park, Bonita Lakes and opened a Splash Pad at Highland Park. [41]

In November 2018, during the aftermath of an F-2 tornado in Ward 2, he championed the Partner's in Recovery Response Team response and helped recover faster. [42]

In October 2019, his administration renamed part of downtown 8th Street to David Ruffin Blvd and brought in JSU's Sonic Boom to highlight the occasion along with a dozen of Ruffin's family members. [43]

In November 2019, Bland created a family and kid-friendly environment that helped to bring new businesses to Meridian like Hype, Event Zone, and an updated family-oriented Movie Theater with a strong partnership with Developer Andy Weiner. [44]

In December 2019, under the Bland administration, the Go Cup or Open Container ordinance for restaurants downtown Meridian went into effect. [45]

In 2020, he pushed the $12.5 million paving bond to pave streets in the inner city. [46]

In March 2021, he worked with Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons to make improvements to Interstate 59/20 in Meridian. [47]

In April 2021, he helped purchase the Meridian Police Department Headquarters from a group of private investors that the city had a 41-year lease agreement with. [48] This reduced the re-payment on the building by 11 years and saved taxpayers $11 million. [48]

During his administration, guidelines were issued to residents and business owners to follow safety precautions during the first year and six months of a national pandemic caused by the COVID-19. Thus, protected the lives of many citizens during an unprecedented national and local crisis. [49] He helped engage the city council and community and helped to get buy-in on the MAX (Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience) and the Meridian Mississippi Children's Museum. [50] [51] He also worked with a developer, John Tampa, during his time in office to revitalize the Three-foot Building into a new state of the arts Marriott Hotel and Roof Top Bar and Restaurant that overlooks the city. [52] [53] New businesses opened in downtown Meridian such as Castle Headquarters (formerly Progressive Pipeline), Three-foot Brewery, and near Bonita Lakes Mall, a new Starbucks Coffee Shop during his tenure. [54]

Percy Bland lost to Democratic Candidate Jimmie Smith in the April 2021 primary. [55] Throughout the primary, Smith refused to publicly debate Bland on issues-running instead on a slogan "We Can Do Better" without ever having to disclose what better would be. [56] Smith's campaign manager was a well-known Mississippi Republican and he was endorsed early on in the campaign by former Republican Meridian Mayor Jimmy Kemp. [57] Democratic candidate Smith won the general election in June 2021 with the huge backing of Republican voters. [58]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meridian, Mississippi</span> City in Mississippi, United States

Meridian is the eighth most populous city in the U.S. state of Mississippi, with a population of 35,052 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Lauderdale County and the principal city of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area. Along major highways, the city is 93 mi (150 km) east of Jackson; 154 mi (248 km) southwest of Birmingham, Alabama; 202 mi (325 km) northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana; and 231 mi (372 km) southeast of Memphis, Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Springs, Mississippi</span> City in Mississippi, United States

Crystal Springs is a city in Copiah County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 5,044 as of the 2010 census, down from 5,873 in 2000. It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sela Ward</span> American actress (born 1956)

Sela Ann Ward is an American actress. Her breakthrough TV role was as Teddy Reed in the NBC drama series Sisters (1991–1996), for which she received her first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1994. She received her second Primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for the leading role of Lily Manning in the ABC drama series Once and Again (1999–2002). Ward later had the recurring role of Stacy Warner in the Fox medical drama House, also starred as Jo Danville in the CBS police procedural CSI: NY (2010–2013) and starred as Dana Mosier in the CBS police procedural series FBI (2018–2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDAM-TV</span> NBC/ABC affiliate in Laurel, Mississippi

WDAM-TV is a television station licensed to Laurel, Mississippi, United States, serving the Hattiesburg area as an affiliate of NBC and ABC. It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power Telemundo affiliate WLHA-LD. The two stations share studios on US 11 in unincorporated Moselle in southern Jones County, where WDAM-TV's transmitter is also located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTOK-TV</span> ABC/MyNetworkTV/CW affiliate in Meridian, Mississippi

WTOK-TV is a television station in Meridian, Mississippi, United States, affiliated with ABC, MyNetworkTV and The CW Plus. The station is owned by Gray Television, and maintains studios on 23rd Avenue in Meridian's Mid-Town section; its transmitter is located on Crestview Circle in unincorporated Lauderdale County, south of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGBC</span> Fox/NBC affiliate in Meridian, Mississippi

WGBC is a television station in Meridian, Mississippi, United States, affiliated with Fox and NBC. It is owned by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company LLC, which provides certain services to CBS affiliate WMDN under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Big Horn Television. The two stations share studios and transmitter facilities on Crestview Circle, in unincorporated Lauderdale County, south of Meridian. Together, WGBC and WMDN are known as "The Meridian Family of Stations".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Threefoot Building</span> United States historic place

The Threefoot Building is a historic office building located in downtown Meridian, Mississippi named after the Threefoot family who owned and operated a business in downtown Meridian during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Designed by Claude H. Lindsley and completed in 1929 in the Art Deco style, the 16-story building is still the tallest in the city. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 18, 1979, under the Meridian Multiple Property Submission of buildings contributing to the historic nature of the city's downtown. In 2008 the Threefoot was recognized by the state as a Mississippi Landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregg Harper</span> American politician (born 1956)

Gregory Livingston Harper is a former American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Mississippi's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes the wealthier portions of the state capital, Jackson, along with most of that city's suburbs. Other cities in the district include Meridian, Natchez, Starkville, and Brookhaven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wechsler School</span> United States historic place

Wechsler School is a historic school in Meridian, Mississippi erected in 1894. The school was the first brick public school building in Mississippi built with public funds for African-American children. It originally served primary through eighth grades but was later expanded to include high school as well. The school was named in honor of Rabbi Judah Wechsler of Congregation Beth Israel, who had led and inspired Meridian public to approve a bond issue to raise money for construction of the school. The school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and designated a Mississippi Landmark in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheri Barry</span> American politician (died 2023)

Cheryl Merritt Barry was an American politician who served as mayor of Meridian, Mississippi. She was the first woman to hold that position.

John Robert Smith served four terms as mayor of Meridian, Mississippi and formerly serves as the President and CEO of Reconnecting America, a national non-profit transit research and advocacy think-tank. Senior policy adviser at Smart Growth America and chairman of Transportation for America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uptown Meridian</span> Shopping mall in Mississippi, United States

Uptown Meridian is an enclosed shopping mall located in Meridian, Mississippi, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meridian City Hall</span> United States historic place

City Hall in Meridian, Mississippi in the United States is located at 601 24th Avenue. Originally designed by architect P.J. Krouse in 1915, the building underwent several renovations during the 1950s that diminished the historic quality of the building. City Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and as a Mississippi Landmark in 1988. After complaints of a faulty HVAC system, the building underwent a restoration to its original 1915 appearance beginning in September 2006. The project was originally estimated to cost $7–8 million and last two years. Because of several factors including the building's listings on historic registers, a lawsuit filed by a subcontractor, and unforeseen structural problems, the final cost and duration of the renovation far exceeded original estimates. The renovation was completed in January 2012 at a total cost projected to reach around $25 million after interest on debt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weidmann's Restaurant</span> United States historic place

Weidmann's Restaurant is a historic restaurant in Meridian, Mississippi, United States, established in 1870. It was originally listed as a contributing property to the Meridian Urban Center Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Urban Center Historic District was combined with the Meridian Depot Historic District in 2005 to become the Meridian Downtown Historic District.

The numerous historic hotels in Meridian, Mississippi, provide insights into the city's growth and expansion, both in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and into the modern age. Many hotels were built in downtown Meridian in the early 1900s to provide lodging for passengers of the railroad, which was essential to the city's growth at the turn of the 20th century. Two of these historic hotels–the Union Hotel, built in 1910, and the Lamar Hotel, built in 1927–have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erin Elizabeth Stewart is an American politician and the 40th Mayor of New Britain, Connecticut. Stewart is the daughter of the former Mayor of New Britain Tim Stewart, who served from 2003 to 2011. She was elected to her first term on November 5, 2013, at the age of 26, to become the youngest mayor in New Britain's history and the city's second female mayor. Stewart was re-elected to a second term on November 3, 2015, and a third term on November 7, 2017.

Hannah Camille Roberts is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Mount Olive, Mississippi. She was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi in 2011 and crowned Miss Mississippi 2015. Roberts competed for the Miss America 2016 title on September 13, 2015, and was named first runner-up.

Jimmie Smith is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has served as the mayor of Meridian, Mississippi since 2021. Previously, he served 20 years on the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors.

References

  1. 1 2 "About the Mayor". City of Meridian. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  2. ↑ "City Gets Ready for Bond Vote". WTOK-TV. February 2, 2007. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Campaign for Meridian's school bond issue in full swing". Meridian Star. March 3, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Meridian School Bond Election". WTOK-TV. March 28, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Founding Members, Advisory and New Board Members". The First Tee of Meridian. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2018– via archive.is.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ↑ "Donate". The First Tee of Meridian. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2018– via archive.is.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ↑ "Bland Defeats Barry in Meridian Mayoral Race". WTOK-TV. June 5, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  8. ↑ Terri Ferguson Smith (June 5, 2013). "New Mayor". Meridian Star. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  9. ↑ Andrea Williams (June 13, 2013). "Bland Plans Blueprint for the Future". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  10. ↑ "New Mayor's Agenda". WTOK-TV. June 28, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  11. ↑ Andrea Williams (July 1, 2013). "Mayor, Council Sworn In". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  12. ↑ Lachlan McIntosh (July 1, 2013). "Percy Bland swearing-in as Meridian Mayor". YouTube . Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  13. ↑ Andrea Williams (July 3, 2013). "Livable Wage Proposed". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  14. ↑ Candace Barnette (September 17, 2013). "Meridian City Council Passes 2014 Budget". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  15. ↑ Terri Ferguson Smith (September 16, 2013). "Council approves employee pay raises, cuts some top salaries". Meridian Star. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Meridian High School: MPSD Teachers Honored by City of Meridian". September 10, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  17. ↑ "New Siren To Be Installed". WTOK-TV. October 2, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  18. ↑ Andrea Williams (December 7, 2013). "Parks & Recreation Director Discusses Plans". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ Terri Ferguson Smith (May 11, 2014). "City pledges $750,000 for grant Money will fund new community center". Meridian Star. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ Andrea Williams (May 14, 2014). "MPD Gang Task Force Launched". WTOK-TV . Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  21. ↑ Candace Barnette (May 14, 2014). "MPD and Citizens Team Up to Fight Gangs". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  22. ↑ Aaron Morrison (May 16, 2014). "MPD Penalizes Parents for Youth Behavior". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  23. ↑ Thomas Burton (September 30, 2014). "School Attendance Awareness PSA". YouTube. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  24. ↑ Andrea Williams (October 7, 2014). "Kidz Zone Kickoff". WTOK-TV . Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  25. ↑ Andrea Williams (October 8, 2014). "Meridian's Mayor on Economic Development & Senior Citizen Efforts". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Velma Young Project: Creating Jobs?". WTOK-TV. October 7, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  27. ↑ Andrea Williams (January 26, 2015). "Choctaw Tribe - City of Meridian Public Transportation: Signing Day". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Public transportation to run again in Meridian". May 11, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  29. ↑ Jeff Byrd (September 3, 2015). "Pedestrian bridge to provide students safe route". The Meridian Star . Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Safe Routes to School Project Unveiled". WTOK-TV. September 2, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  31. ↑ "404 - City of Meridian" (PDF).{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  32. ↑ Emily Paul (May 18, 2016). "Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Velma Young Center". WTOK-TV. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  33. ↑ "404 - City of Meridian" (PDF).{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  34. ↑ Randall Hammons (August 16, 2016). "Meridian voters support 2-percent entertainment tax". The Meridian Star. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Mayors re-elected in Meridian, Philadelphia". WTOK-TV. June 6, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  36. 1 2 columnist, Percy Bland Guest. "2019 PRIORITIES: Quality of life issues steer Meridian's goals for year". Meridian Star.
  37. ↑ Snabes, Anne. "Upgrades planned for Eighth Street in Meridian". Meridian Star.
  38. ↑ Kelly, Erin. "Scratching the surface of Meridian's street woes". Meridian Star.
  39. ↑ Hammons, Randall. "Meridian to add LED lights to busy stretch of Highway 39". Meridian Star.
  40. ↑ Moorman, Bianca. "Crime in Meridian worries residents". Meridian Star.
  41. 1 2 Kerekes, Drew. "City, state and federal sites offer many facilities, activities". Meridian Star.
  42. ↑ Downard, Whitney. "MERIDIAN TORNADO: Seven months later, recovery continues". Meridian Star.
  43. ↑ Kelly, Erin. "Meridian to honor David Ruffin with street naming, star unveiling". Meridian Star.
  44. ↑ Kelly, Erin. "Bonita Lakes owner sees Hype, proposed ballfields boosting Meridian". Meridian Star.
  45. ↑ "Go Cup Ordinance now in effect". wtok.com.
  46. ↑ Kelly, Erin. "Meridian moves forward with plans for $12 million in paving, infrastructure bonds". Meridian Star.
  47. ↑ Williams, Tom. "Major infrastructure project announced in Meridian". wtok.com.
  48. 1 2 Jackson, Tynisha. "City of Meridian purchased Law Enforcement Center". wtok.com.
  49. ↑ Snabes, Anne. "Meridian mayor expects mask mandate to be extended". Meridian Star.
  50. ↑ Snabes, Anne. "Mississippi Children's Museum-Meridian to open March 27". Meridian Star.
  51. ↑ Kelly, Erin. "Upgrades planned at The Max in Meridian". Meridian Star.
  52. ↑ Williams, Tom. "Mayor Percy Bland looks back on his time in office". wtok.com.
  53. ↑ Bland, Percy. "GUEST VIEW: The crown jewel of Meridian is back". Meridian Star.
  54. ↑ Kelly, Erin. "REBUILDING MERIDIAN: Progress continues on developments, despite COVID-19". Meridian Star.
  55. ↑ Snabes, Anne. "Smith beats Bland in primary runoff". Meridian Star.
  56. ↑ Snabes, Anne. "'We can do better': Meridian Mayor Jimmie Smith pledges to move city forward". Meridian Star.
  57. ↑ Williams, Tom. "Former Meridian mayor endorses Jimmie Smith". wtok.com.
  58. ↑ Star, Anne Snabes The Meridian. "Jimmie Smith wins mayor's race in Meridian". Meridian Star.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Meridian, Mississippi
July 1, 2013 – July 1, 2021		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.