Meridian Mayor Jimmie Smith asked voters to give him four more years on the job Thursday as he announced his reelection campaign with an event at the Frank Cochran Center. Smith, a former police officer and Lauderdale County Supervisor, took office in 2021 and is finishing his first term.

 

Smith said voters should look closely at the candidates and choose who they believe will do the right thing for the city.

 

“One of the things that I’m concerned about is leadership in our city. We’ve got to make sure that we elect people with integrity,” he said. “You understand what I’m saying, people with integrity. We ought to have people that’s in office, in every office, that they have integrity, because that’s what’s important, because then those people are doing the right things.”

 

Since taking office, Smith said he and his team have worked hard across each of the city’s departments to improve quality of life for Meridian’s residents. Highlighting the police department, he said Police Chief Deborah Naylor Young is doing a great job at both rebuilding the department’s manpower and tackling crime in the city.

 

“My chief is the best chief I could have,” he said.

 

Public Works Director David Hodge is also an asset to the city, Smith said, and much of the progress Meridian has made in repairing its infrastructure are due to his efforts. He said residents quickly forget the paving of Eighth Street, North Hills, in the Medical District and downtown, new bridge at Meridian Activity Center and Royal Road, and other improvements that have been made over the past four years.

 

“David Hodge is one of the best engineers that has worked for the city. One of the best,” he said. “He has done a yeoman’s job.”

 

Smith also highlighted Public Safety Director Doug Stevens, who oversees classes teaching first responders from throughout the state how to conduct search and rescue operations in a variety of scenarios, Fire Chief Michael Evans, who oversees more than 80 fire fighting and emergency response personnel, and Community Development Director Craig Hitt, whose department has been involved with helping multiple new businesses get established, coordinated festivals and events and overseen the condemnation and demolition of blighted properties throughout the city.

 

Parks and Recreation Director Thomas Adams also deserves recognition, Smith said, for his work to both improve the city’s parks and provide fun, safe and engaging activities for the community.

 

“Again Thomas, I want to thank you,” he said. “Appreciate the work that you’re doing working with the community to help the young people. You’re doing a tremendous job.”

 

Much has been accomplished over the past four years, Smith said, and he is asking the voters to give him another four years in office to take the city even further.

 

Primary elections for mayoral and city council seats are scheduled for April 1, with a runoff date of April 22 if needed. The general election is set for June 3.