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May 30, 2009

Anonymous The Meridian Star Sat May 30, 2009, 10:37 PM CDT

By Paula Merritt

Well, I'll start off by saying that I am not much into politics and I admit, I am sometimes clueless in what is going on around me. I'm not a Meridian resident, heck, I'm not even a Lauderdale County resident.

I do, however, work in Meridian and most of my time is spent there. In my job I have followed many elections and there is one thing that has come to my attention. People are not using their right to vote.

Voting is each individual's voice and from what I have witnessed in voter turnout over the past years is that there is a lot of silence going on. People aren't using their most powerful weapon to decide what happens in their community. That weapon is a simple four-letter word — "VOTE!"

We have two candidates that have repeatedly expressed their love of Meridian and have put together their strategies to take care of the concerns that have evolved. We've all had the opportunity, those who have taken it, to learn about the candidates and what their goals are.

Now it's time to step up to the plate and take that 30 minutes out of your day to let your voice be heard. That 30 minutes represents the next four years and we can't expect good things to happen or changes to be made by just sitting back and hoping that someone else will make the right choice. Their choice may not be for your same concerns.

On June 2, I'm hoping to witness a better turnout than what I have seen in the past. There's something not right about a city that has a population of more than 35,000 and the vote count to only be a third of that. So take those few minutes out of your day and be heard.

Paula Merritt is head photographer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at

pmerritt@themeridianstar.com.

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Columns

European travel tips
If there is a condom machine in the restaurant’s restroom, you have made a mistake in your choice of dining establishment.
That is one of my rules for dining in Europe. Unfortunately, if you are already in the restroom, it’s probably too late.

February 8, 2012
Military cuts and BRAC to challenge leaders
February 6, 2012
Let ms.gov know what's going on
The state's newly relaunched web portal, www.ms.gov, is a great idea. According to a news release this is the first major update for the site in more than a decade.

February 5, 2012
Today’s need — $3,893.76
Today’s need concerns eleven circumstances. The first need is a couple in their forties working all the hours they can. The husband’s paycheck has been running low because he has not been receiving the hours at work he was accustomed to. With $274.38 we can keep their utilities form being cut off.

February 4, 2012
Killer, the cat ...
February 3, 2012
Counsel fight remains a political cold war
The ongoing legislative battle over the so-called “outside counsel” or contingency fee law remains a political cold war between the state’s trial lawyers and the state’s business and medical interests – and it’s a story that has two sides.

February 1, 2012
Travel technology
After leaving the Trapani Salt Flats on the western coast of Sicily on a late November afternoon, I maneuvered our vehicle down yet another remote, unmarked dirt road and passed dozens of vacant houses. No one was on the streets. It had been 10 minutes since we had seen another car. Sunlight was at a minimum. We had been warned several times about remote areas of Sicily.

February 1, 2012
Restoration spurs renewal in East Miss.
Choctaw tribal chief Phyliss Anderson restored and reopened Phillip M’s at the Pearl River Resort last week. She also signaled her intent to renew the economic policies so successfully implemented by the restaurant’s namesake.
"Under the visionary leadership of our late Chief Phillip Martin, our tribe realized great progress and today I am proud to honor his legacy with the re-opening of Phillip M's," said Anderson, flanked by members of Martin's family.

January 30, 2012
Today’s need — $2,393.77
1 JOHN 3:17 - “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” Praise belongs to God as every need in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 has been met. Thanks to everyone who has generously given over the years to change lives physically, financially, and spiritually. Each week I stand in awe of God as I witness God’s provision in our lives.

Today’s need concerns six circumstances. The first need is a lady in her fifties just released from the hospital. Her sister she was living with died a few months ago. She is trying as hard as she can to pay the mortgage to keep her sister’s house. She has been able to maintain all her expenses so far but does not have money for her prescriptions. These prescriptions are necessary to keep her physically well. With $300.00 we can provide her much needed medications.

January 29, 2012
Gratitude
As I sit down to write this first column in a wrap-up series of the six-month, 17-country, two-continent research tour through Europe, I am struck by an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
I am grateful to the employees and managers of our restaurants who did an excellent job keeping the wheels in motion during my absence. I am grateful to our customers who helped make 2011 a record sales year for the company. I am grateful to longtime friends, new friends, and friends we have never even met for their prayers of support and well wishes. I am also grateful to the friends we met along the way.

January 25, 2012
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