Bland

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland touted his accomplishments during his first term in office Tuesday as he announced his bid for re-election on the steps of city hall.

Bland, surrounded by family and supporters despite overcast skies that threatened to force the announcement indoors, rolled off a list of accomplishments he thought spelled a difference in improved quality of life. He said the work to improve Meridian is not finished and asked for four more years.

At times, the announcement resembled more of a pep rally than a political speech. At the beginning and conclusion of his speech, Bland led supporters in a chant and supporters repeated it back in unison: “One team! One dream! One Meridian!”

Bland said his first term has been rewarding. He said by working together, a lot more can be accomplished.

“We’ve hired new police and firefighters and raised their pay. We used illegal drug money taken from the streets to buy new laptops and body cameras for our police officers. We’ve installed new technologically advanced lighting that makes our neighborhoods safer at night and makes for a better quality of life in our neighborhoods. We’ve added jail space so those arrested aren’t immediately returned to the streets. We’ve demolished over 100 buildings. We are investing millions into our roads and sidewalks. Unemployment has dropped substantially in the last four years. We have a major airliner operating out of our airport again. We have begun our spectacular downtown revitalization process which will bring more visitors to Meridian, which means more jobs and more money for our economy. We have more parks and recreation programs and we have new businesses popping up all over town. That means we are a town with a new culture in community development that is pro-business. And we haven’t raised taxes.”

Bland said the challenge lies ahead.

“We have Meridian moving in the right direction once again. The real work, the new challenges lie ahead. We can’t go back to old school politics as usual. That will stunt and even halt our progress,” Bland said. I’m running because there is so much more to be done.”

Bland said the list of unfinished business included the fight against violent crime, job recruitment, improved schools and better streets and roads.

“Let’s take the next step together and keep Meridian moving forward,” Bland said.

Bland’s 14-year-old daughter, Demia, introduced her father.

The qualifying deadline for the municipal election is 5  p.m. on March 3. The primary election is May 2, while the runoff is scheduled for May 16. The general election is June 6.

Bland is running in the Democratic primary. His Democratic challenger is frequent city council critic Allen Shute. Local attorney and city council member Dustin Markham is expected to enter the race, but has not revealed his intentions as to how he will be affiliated. 

Running on the Republican ticket is attorney William Bond Compton Jr., and the Libertarian Party candidate is Mariner Durant. Compton ran for mayor in 2013 and was defeated in the Republican Primary by Cheri Barry. He also ran for the House District 83 seat in 2015 and was beaten by Greg Snowden. 

On the city council, incumbent Ward 1 member George Thomas, a Republican, has been on the council since 1985. He filed papers last month.

In Ward 2, Tyrone Johnson has qualified to run in the Democratic Primary. No candidate has yet filed as a Republican or Independent. Markham represents Ward 2.

Ward 3 Councilwoman Barbara Henson, who has held the seat since 1989, is not seeking re-election. Michael Joe Hoadley is running for Henson’s seat as a Republican, while L.O.V.E’s Kitchen Director Fannie Johnson is running for the seat as a Democrat.

Ward 4 incumbent Kim Houston is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Amy Payton.

In Ward 5, Republican Randy Hammon is the incumbent. His challengers include Democrat Weston Rush Lindemann and Libertarian Party candidate Charles Kimbrough.