The presidential and senatorial elections are just around the corner — and before we know it, that corner will be turned, and yet another election will be within clear sight.

Next year is a municipal election year, and the race for the mayoral post will begin with candidacy qualifications in January. The primary election will be held in March, and in June Meridian will choose its leader for the next four years.

With the race so close, rumors about who will and won't run are flying around town like a flock of hungry pigeons around a loaf of bread. The Meridian Star asked some of those rumored to be eyeing the mayor's seat to let Meridian know what they really plan to do.



John Robert Smith:

Long-time Mayor John Robert Smith said he is unsure, as of now, whether he will seek re-election next year.

He said he will talk seriously with his family and those closest to him before deciding whether or not to run again.

"You have to make sure first that you believe in your heart that it's the best thing for the community," he said.

Smith said that any opposition in the race will not affect his decision either way.

"I've always had opposition," he said, "so that's not a factor."



Jimmie Smith:

Former county supervisor Jimmie Smith said "I'm considering it" when asked if he would run for mayor next year, and would divulge nothing further.

Smith ran in the 2005 mayoral election and lost by barely over 100 votes. He served as a county supervisor for more than 20 years, but lost that seat to Wayman Newell last year by less than 30 votes.



Harrison Lewis:

Another mayoral candidate in the 2005 race, Harrison Lewis, who prints "The Truthmaster Tabloid Newsletter," said if his health is OK he will likely run again.

"I'm confident more people know me than they did four years ago, and for all the things I've done for the community I'm almost assured to be elected," Lewis said.

Lewis is a former talk radio personality, former greyhound dog owner and founder of the Coalition for Change.



John Harris:

City Councilman John Harris said he's made no plans to run for mayor next year. However, he wouldn't give a firm "no" to the question of whether he would run.

"As of right now I don't have any intentions," he said. "But you never know what can happen between now and January."



Cheri Barry:

Red Cross Key Chapter Executive Director Cheri Barry said she has been approached about putting in a bid for the mayor's post, but that right now she hasn't even begun to make a decision.

"People have approached me about that," she said, "but I've been so busy I haven't really had time to give it much thought."

Barry said working with the Red Cross has kept her mind too occupied to wander toward thoughts of becoming Meridian's next mayor.



Bubba Hampton:

Like Barry, Community Bank's Bubba Hampton said he has been approached about running for mayor.

"I really haven't given it any serious consideration," he said, but added that there is a "slight" possibility of his running and that he's keeping his options open.

Hampton has been in the banking business in Meridian for decades, and has also spent a lot of time with local community service agencies, particularly United Way.



Bill Marcy:

Former Chicago cop Bill Marcy ran for Congress this year, and said he will be running for mayor next year.

"Yes I am (running for mayor) and probably the announcement will be made within 15 days," Marcy said Tuesday.

Marcy said he will be running as a Republican and that, as mayor, he will put people and their safety first.

"We need to put a lot more focus on our neighborhoods and our people," he said.

Marcy said he supports downtown redevelopment, but believes that improving residential neighborhoods along with commercial areas like downtown will help bring business into Meridian because developers will be less reluctant to move here.

Meridian has had the same mayor since the early '90s, and Marcy said he thinks Meridian is ready for someone new.

"You can feel it in the attitudes of the people in certain neighborhoods," he said. "Some of them have kind of given up. And you can see it in that the crime has gone up in those areas."



Tim Miller:

Former Fire Chief Tim Miller said he is "seriously considering" a bid for mayor. Miller worked in the Meridian Fire Department for 23 years, serving as chief for his last two. He now works at Judge Little Sporting Goods.

Miller said he wants to run because he feels he can improve the community.

"From growing up here all my life, seeing where we are and what we can be — there are some things in our community that can be better."

And Miller said he thinks he's the one to make them better. He said he probably won't be 100 percent sure he is running until it's time to qualify for the election.



Skip Scaggs:

East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's Skip Scaggs said he will definitely not be running for mayor. Scaggs said that he has been approached about running, but that he prefers to devote his time to his family.

"At this time I've got family interests that are more important," he said. "I need to be a daddy more than I need to be a mayor."



Cassandra Sloan:

Cassandra Sloan said she does plan to run for mayor next year, but that there's a possibility she may change her mind.

Sloan, who is a manager at Manpower and is part of the Lauderdale County Democratic Executive Committee, said "(To run for mayor) is my intention," but added, "I certainly cannot officially confirm that because anything could happen between now and January."

Sloan said she's committed to making a positive difference in the community.

"I believe I can make a difference in this city," she said. "When you think you can make a difference with something, you should do whatever you can to do that" —whether it's running for mayor, or deciding you can do more if you don't run.