By Jennifer Jacob Brown
Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry said Friday that the town of Marion has officially paid off its debt to the city of Meridian, but neither of the mayors would say how much it was.
Marion and Meridian have battled over the debt, owed for sewage services, for years. With the battling over, Marion Mayor Elvis Hudson was elated. "I am just glad this is over," he said Friday. "This is a great day for not just Lauderdale County but East Central Mississippi as a whole... There is no telling how many opportunities were missed because this ordeal was going on."
Hudson presented Barry with a check for an undisclosed amount agreed to by the Meridian City Council and the Marion Board of Aldermen earlier this month, and the legal ordeal between the neighboring municipalities came to an end after the related paperwork was finished.
"The debt has been paid," Barry said in a written statement. "Unity and partnership are critical for the advancement of East Mississippi. It has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Hudson in an effort to build trust, respect, and working relationships with our sister community."
Hudson blamed the previous city administration for the long court battle, saying "The past administration in my opinion did not work with Marion to settle that debt... The new administration realized that this whole thing could be over if we could just cut a check."
Like Barry, Hudson was optimistic about the future relationship between Marion and Meridian. "I want to mend all the fences that need to mended with the City of Meridian and I'm looking forward to working with them," he said.
