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  • Rodrick Amos, flanked by family and supporters, announces Friday on the front steps of Meridian City Hall he is throwing his hat into the ring for mayor of Meridian. Brian Livingston / The Meridian Star

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January 26, 2013

Amos running for mayor

By Brian Livingston / blivingston@themeridianstar.com The Meridian Star

MERIDIAN —     Meridian attorney Rodrick Amos announced Friday at noon on the steps of the Meridian City Hall he will run for the office of mayor.

    Rodrick, an attorney in Meridian and a former Lauderdale County election commissioner for District 2, said since his childhood he has watched as Meridian has slowly declined both financially and in the quality of life offered to its residents.

    Amos, who has worked in banking and accounting with the Mississippi Department of Medicaid, said if elected he will look hard into the city budget to cut out wasteful costs and programs.

    "We have to get more bang for our buck," Amos said. "I will look at the tax base and property values in order to explore ways we can improve our financial footprint. We have to think outside the box."

    Amos grew up in Meridian and is a graduate of the 1980 class at Meridian High School. He said his belief that Meridian could be doing better was a determining factor in his decision to run for mayor.

    "Meridian has the untapped potential to be one of the premier cities not only in our region or state but nationally and even internationally given our rich cultural history," Amos said. "Meridian has the potential to be a place we are all proud to call home."

    Amos said crime in the city is a concern for him and expects it to be a major issue in the mayoral race. He said getting the economy in Meridian going again will take care of some of that crime.

    "We have to give the workers here a decent wage so the quality of life can go up," Amos said. "The crime here didn't happen overnight, therefore, lowering the crime rate won't happen overnight either. But if we work together we can make Meridian a much safer place in which to work, live and raise our families."

    A member of the 1978 and '79 state championship teams for the Wildcats, Amos said he learned the value of hard work, teamwork, and that through determination anything is possible.

    "I believe I can lead this city, bring people together to address and solve the problems we are facing," Amos said. "Otherwise I wouldn't have committed to this important office."

    So far Amos is the only person outside incumbent Mayor Cheri Barry to file for the mayor's race.

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