There’s an oft-repeated saying, “Things aren’t what they used to be.” The variation in these parts is heard as, “Meridian isn’t what it used to be.”

That is fair, none of us are what we used to be. And, we think, most changes have been for the better. We are often stronger, faster, wealthier and more patient and almost always more knowledgeable and wiser from our experience.

Change most often is for the good, despite the pessimism hurdled to get there.

As a community, unemployment, crime, condition of streets, lack of opportunities for young people have been cited as problems to address. Those are fair concerns that shouldn’t be ignored and may be labeled priorities.

But communities shouldn’t be defined by their negatives.

The rich resources of a city park at Bonita Lakes, MSU-Riley Center’s lineup of the arts downtown, growing success at Meridian Community College, new plans for the Bonita Lakes Mall and Crossing and young entrepreneurs investing in the community are positive signs. Even the jackhammers on 22nd Avenue pound with the rhythm of a march toward progress.

They call new businesses and people to this community.

Meridian residents will have a say on Tuesday in continuing that progress as they vote on a proposed 2 percent tax on prepared food and beverages at local restaurants and hotels.

The board of the proposed downtown Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience says the tax would be temporary, cost only change on a meal and would allow them to bond $20 million to build the $45-million to $50-million center. The remainder of the necessary money will come from the state and private donors.

Should voters say no to the tax, planners say construction, which could begin in September and be completed by December 2017, would be paused as the board determines how to complete the funding. The project would likely be delayed two years.

That would mean an extra two years of nothing but red dirt at 22nd Avenue and Front Street.

A campaign by a group that calls itself The Concerned Citizens of Meridian is campaigning to defeat the tax and other individuals have raised fair questions about city priorities and an increased tax burden on its citizens.

We are concerned by the genuineness of the Mississippi Arts and Experience board and the race to hold a referendum and pass a food in beverage tax this summer.

Surely, the group knew before July that it would need additional funds from City of Meridian residents to begin construction in September. And the repeated line that non-residents will be paying this tax, makes us wonder if we’ll be asked for a driver’s license at checkout.

Additionally, holding a referendum on a hot Tuesday in August, only few weeks after the date was set by City Council adds yet another meaning to Meridian being a railroad town.

Those concerns, however, are not enough to derail our support of the proposed tax and the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience it will bring.

We can imagine the additional pride it will bring to the community. And an additional 150,000 visitors to Meridian each year may be a stretch, but we can imagine tour buses on the way to New Orleans, Memphis or Nashville booking a stopover in Meridian between music cities.

We know this community, just as its individuals, has flaws and needs for improvement, but we prefer instead to applaud those who want to make Meridian better than it used to be.

No matter your position, we encourage all eligible residents to vote between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.