By Brian Livingston
Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry wants fresh faces on the five-member Civil Service Commission board.
Barry presented her list of five new commission nominees this week to members of the Meridian City Council for consideration and approval.
Ward 5 Commissioner Quinn Carlisle said he received a "nicely written letter" from Barry recently that said his services were no longer needed as a member of the commission.
"I talked to every one of the commission members and they all got the same letter," said Carlisle. "Although she didn't come out and say I was being dismissed, I'm pretty sure she doesn't want me to continue serving."
City Council members said Barry presented her list to them earlier this week. Neither City Council President Bobby R. Smith or Meridian Chief Administration Officer Mark McDonald would release the names. But sources close to the situation said Nadia Irum Siddiqui of Ward 1, Roscoe Jones of Ward 2, Yevette D. Neal of Ward 3, Thomas Hopson of Ward 4, and John S. House Jr. of Ward 5 were the mayor's picks to occupy the five seats on the commission.
Barry wouldn't confirm those names; she said the release of the names was up to the City Council and added the recommendations were in the hands of the council. Barry said understands not all councilmen want to approve all five of her appointees at once. She said she respects the insight and decisions from the council members but said she is excited about her picks to take over the important seats.
"Most people in Meridian have no idea how many citizens contact me wanting to serve on a board or commission," said Barry. "It is reassuring to me so many people want to serve their community and city."
Smith, who represents Ward 5 and Councilman Jesse Palmer, who represents Ward 4, said Barry's request that her nominees all take over positions on the commission at one time is unacceptable.
"Traditionally the commission members have been dismissed at different times, with months in between, so the commission retains the experience of past commissioners while at the same time showing the newer member how things are done," said Smith. "Frankly I was somewhat shocked she would ask us to replace everyone at once."
Palmer agreed.
"You can't afford to let everyone go at the same time thereby losing all those years of experience," Palmer said. "These positions are too important."
A civil service commission is a government agency that is constituted by the Legislature to regulate the employment and working conditions of civil servants, oversee hiring and promotions, and promote the values of the public service. Civil service commissions are often independent from elected politicians.
In Meridian, commission members can serve up to six years before their term expires. Commission members earn $100 per month for serving on the commission. All five of the current commission members are serving on expired terms. Smith said this isn't a problem.
"This isn't like the president of our country who stops on a predetermined day. There is no law that I'm aware of that states these members have to step down immediately," Smith said.
Most recently, commissioners did not approve one of Barry's newly-created positions of executive advisor to the mayor. Barry appointed Kirk Thompson to that position shortly after taking office. Despite the lack of approval, Thompson continues to work on a temporary basis at an annual salary of $65,000 a year.
Smith said he doesn't expect any rush for the city council members to move on approving new commission members. He said it may be after the first of the year before any more discussion is made in this matter.
"She made her list and now we are going to go over it in due time," said Smith. "We will most likely stagger out the new commission members over a period of several months but the council will sit down and talk about it soon."
Palmer said the burden of who moves into the vacated posts will ultimately reflect on them as council members.
"We have the final OK," said Palmer. "We don't want to do something that will look badly on us, the commission or the city of Meridian."
Carlisle said he hasn't lost any sleep over the entire issue.
"The mayor has the right to nominate anyone she wants," Carlisle said. "I enjoyed serving on the commission."
