from staff reports
A lot of Meridianites have strong opinions on the smoking ordinance that was passed by the Meridian City Council Tuesday, and many of those Meridianites have been awaiting news on whether Mayor Cheri Barry will veto the ordinance.
Before Tuesday's meeting Barry said she was inclined to go with what the council passes, but that she wanted to see exactly what the ordinance says before making a decision.
But Barry was out of town at the U.S. Conference of Mayors on Tuesday.
After Tuesday's meeting Meridian Chief Administrative Officer Mark McDonald said Barry would not be able to read the ordinance passed until she returned to Meridian.
On Friday Barry said she couldn't veto it if she wanted to and that she does not have veto power in the case of the smoking ordinance because it has already been signed into law by someone else.
When Barry left town she said she appointed Council President Bobby Smith as acting mayor in her absence. She was gone Tuesday when the ordinance was passed by the council, and she was gone Wednesday when Smith signed it as acting mayor.
Smith, however, was not entirely sure that Barry truly lacks veto power. When asked Friday when the ordinance would go into effect, Smith said, "30 days from when I signed it, unless the mayor vetoes it."
Smith, who introduced the ordinance to the council's agenda, said he is "just proud that we finally passed it and I'm proud that we have a mayor who won't veto it."
If there is no veto the ordinance, which bans smoking in all public enclosed areas and some outdoor areas, goes into effect Friday, Feb. 19.
Calls to City Attorney Bill Ready, made this week pertaining to the smoking ordinance, were not returned.
Local News
Barry: No veto power on smoking ban
- Local News
-
-
Morning update for Wednesday, May 30, 2012
-
In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
-
Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
-
Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
- More Local News Headlines
-
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
