New Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry has already made plans to come through on one of her campaign promises - involving the community in the governing process.
Barry said at a City Council meeting Tuesday that she will use an advisory committee of citizens to help appoint new school board members.
Two school board members' terms are currently expired, Barry said, while one other member's term will expire in March of next year. She said the terms of Fred Wile and George Myers have already expired and the term of Ed Lynch will expire next year.
With the help of the committee members, Barry said she will select school board members both by looking at resumes and by asking school board hopefuls to submit a 10-point plan on improving public education in Meridian.
"What I want to do is involve this community and give ownership back to the residents of Meridian," she said. "I want their input. I want their ideas."
The committee, Barry said, will be "a diverse team of residents of the city of Meridian," who have the best interests of the school system at heart. She said she wants to help create for Meridian a school district that other districts look to as a model.
"We can get her there," Barry said of the school system.
She said the school board advisory committee will be the first of many advisory committees made up of regular citizens. There will be a Threefoot project committee, an economic development committee, a health care committee, and a Young Professionals committee, just to name a few, Barry said.
"I just think that we need individuals in this community to take leadership and bring ideas to the table. That's what she (the community) has been lacking," Barry said.
The committees will not be by invitation only, she added. Anyone who is interested in serving on one of the mayor's advisory committees is encouraged to call the mayor's office and make their interest known.
"The more the merrier," she said. "We want as many people as involved in this community as possible so that she (the community) will reach her fullest potential."
She said she hopes to soon involve the community in clean-up efforts, which she said will likely start with small parks.
"Community involvement, inclusiveness, making sure that everyone feels a part of and takes pride in our beautiful city," will be major themes of her tenure, Barry said.
"I want people to come from out of town and notice that this is a community that takes pride in itself," she said.
Local News
Mayor puts emphasis on community involvement
- Local News
-
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
-
Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
-
Morning update for, Friday, May 25, 2012
-
Celebrating Jimmie
- Feed your mind at Nexus Hero Brown Bag Lunch
-
Man faces kidnapping charges
-
Classroom Visit
-
The Drought Is Over
All Mason Irby was hoping for was to find a way on base.
The Southeast Lauderdale sophomore did that and so much more. Irby's single with two outs in the seventh inning broke a tie, lifting the Tigers to a 6-3 MHSAA Class 3A state championship win at Smith-Wills Stadium on Wednesday, and handing Southeast (32-7) its first title since 1966. -
Ronald McDonald House charity event scheduled
A 54-hole golf tournament is coming to Briarwood Country Club on June 26-29. The Emerald Coast Golf Tour will hold their Pro-Am Classic here in Meridian, but in addition to this all proceeds will go to a great cause – The Ronald McDonald House.
-
UBS in urgent need of blood
Due to unforeseen circumstances this month, United Blood Services has had some drives cancel, leaving the local hospitals at a critical shortage of blood.
- More Local News Headlines
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
