With the enthusiasm of fans at a hometown football game, local residents gathered at Dumont Plaza Saturday to support Casandra Sloan as she announced her candidacy for the upcoming Meridian mayoral race.
Accompanied by the famous theme songs from the "Rocky" movies – "Gonna Fly, Now" and "Eye of the Tiger" – the afternoon rally was spirited as a crowd of more than well-wishers waved banners and repeatedly shouted Sloan's campaign theme "Together We Can Make It Better."
"Our eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord," said the Rev. William C. Brown, referring to the recent election of the United State's first African-American president, Barack Obama.
"And it's in this spirit of change and freshness that we welcome, that we receive and that we endorse Casandra Sloan as the next mayor of Meridian," said Brown, whose words invoked cheers from the crowd.
"This is the season of freshness and Casandra Sloan represents freshness," Brown continued. "Casandra is offering our great city a great personality that embraces fresh vision, fresh intelligence and fresh leadership ... She will bring freshness to the economic and social life of Meridian; and her freshness simply says, 'We can do better.'"
The high-spirited momentum of the occasion continued as others took to the podium to show their support of Sloan. Lifelong friends, neighbors, colleagues and church members spoke of her kindness, dedication to helping and serving others, as well as her work ethic and knowledge of business and economics. And when Sloan took to the podium, she expressed her love for her hometown and the sincerity behind her seeking office.
"I am not running because someone asked me to. I am running because I have a vision for this city," she said. "And let me assure you that I have the ability and the capability to see it through."
Her vision includes three major components. First, providing decent paying jobs. And to do this, the city's education system must continue to be improved, Sloan said.
Strengthening Meridian's infrastructure is her second focus. The mayoral candidate said while building a downtown parking garage, renovating city hall and the Three-foot project are important, several other issues demand a sense of urgency.
"While approving these things, we were putting our children out of the mall with no options," she said.
Revitalization of downtown Meridian is Sloan's third objective.
"I envision it the way it once was – with barber shops, boutiques, restaurants," she said. Not only will these entities provide employment, but also attract business to the area.
In addressing concerns about her experience – or lack of – Sloan said that she has "broadened her perspective and has become quite knowledgeable of Meridian's industry" through her job as manager of Manpower, a worldwide employment service.
"I have developed, executed and managed multi-million dollar budgets, put together sales strategies and I know what it takes to win," Sloan said. "I access the needs of businesses everywhere, and I've provided them with qualified employees ... I have presented proposals to Fortune 500 companies and closed the deal."
Throughout her presentation and in closing, Sloan asked one thing of the group.
"I'm asking you to walk with me and not behind me," she said. "And together, we can make it better."
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Casandra Sloan announces candidacy for mayor
- Local News
-
-
City cuts payment to Watkins
The Meridian City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cut their monthly payment to David Watkins, project developer of Meridian's new police station, by $9,999 until work resumes on the project.
The order, made during the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday morning, included a mutual agreement between the councilmen and Watkins to reduce the project developer's monthly consultant fee of $10,000 to $1, effective Tuesday. -
Crews work on gasoline pipeline
If you hear a loud, booming sound early today, between 4 a.m.-10 a.m., there is no cause for alarm.
Workers with Plantation Pipeline will be performing maintenance work on their 30-foot gasoline pipeline in the Meridian area to accommodate the widening of Highway 493. The location of the work activity will be at Highway 493 North and Oak Hill Baptist Church, just inside the city limits. -
Team Spirit
-
High Honor
The flowers and balloons Crestwood Elementary School Principal Kimberly Kendrick received at school Monday were not an early Valentines' Day gift.
Kendrick has been named Meridian Public School District's 2012 Administrator of the Year – an announcement that both surprised and wowed the 17-year veteran educator when made by MPSD Superintendent Dr. Alvin Taylor. -
Master Dance Class
-
Digital system promises better communication
Hopefully in the near future you won't hear someone in the emergency services ask over the radio, "Can you hear me now?"
A digital communications system, one which is being pushed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), is a few months away and, in some cases, is already in the testing phase in Lauderdale County. -
Inmate escapes custody
Mississippi Department of Corrections officials said Monday afternoon an inmate escaped from custody Friday and is still being sought.
Officials said Johnny Hall Jr. escaped from two Wilkinson County Correctional Facility officers’ custody while being escorted from his father’s wake at the Picayune Funeral Home in Picayune. Preliminary information indicates Hall left the officers and jumped into a waiting black vehicle with a white female driver. -
Citizen’s Police Academy begins today
The work law enforcement conducts on a daily basis is often misunderstood by the general public.
Officials at the Meridian Police Department developed a program to inform and educate citizens on what police do in serving and protecting the population. The program, The Citizen's Police Academy, has been gaining speed for a couple of years since it was first offered. Officials said it shows residents are interested in police work and how it is conducted. - Woman: decongestant brought meth charge in Alabama
-
Star Of The Week: Dominique Goodwin-Jenkins
- More Local News Headlines
-
City cuts payment to Watkins
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
