Before the backdrop of a gigantic American flag, Mayor-elect Cheri Barry and five city council-members were sworn into office at downtown Meridian's Temple Theater Tuesday.
Barry, who will officially take office July 7, spoke a message of unity and optimism to the cheerful crowd in the theater.
"This is the time that your Queen City calls," she said. "She calls for you to take her into the 21st century. She calls for your energy and your leadership. It is your task to answer. And my job is to be there beside you."
Barry, who will be Meridian's first female mayor, also called upon the city council and the county board of supervisors to work for a united and effective government. She said, with the council, she hopes to bring Meridian into a "new era of cultural and economic progress."
Barry said the things that are most important to improve upon in the here and now are Meridian's culture and quality of education.
Immediately upon entering office, Barry said in an interview, her first task will be to "learn my staff and to do the best things for this city."
Barry said she has had a briefing on the city budget from Chief Financial Officer Ed Skipper, but that she still has a lot of research to do before the city enters its budgeting process later this year.
"The current administration has been working tirelessly on the budget, and as I step in we will also be working hard on the budget... We will review each department and look at not duplicating services and cut out things that are not needed to run city government."
Barry's main budgetary priority, she said, will be making sure that all Meridianites are provided with basic services.
All five city council members, both incumbents and returning councilman Bobby Smith, were sworn in at the same ceremony.
Many of the incumbent council members talked about the importance of family and, like Barry, expressed a wish for unity in government and participation by the community.
Smith, who is returning after one term out of office, expressed his willingness to work with all of his constituents.
"Those who supported me and those who did not support me, all you have to do is call me, I will do my best," he said.
The first city council meeting with the new council and the new mayor will take place on Tuesday, July 7, at 9 a.m. in the Meridian Police Station court room.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Ready To Serve
Barry’s first council meeting is Tuesday
- 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
