Marion and Meridian officials will represent Lauderdale County’s municipalities at the state level after being appointed to the Mississippi Municipal League’s Board of Directors.

Marion Mayor Larry Gill, Meridian Mayor Jimmie Smith and Meridian council members Joe Norwood Jr. and George Thomas will serve as representatives of the central district and lend their voices to help craft MML’s policies.

MML is a statewide organization supporting municipalities and elected officials by offering training, lobbying the state legislature and providing resources for local leaders to use when writing ordinances or implementing new initiatives.

“I am honored to have been appointed to The Mississippi Municipal League’s Board of Directors,” Gill said. “I look forward to representing Marion and working with my fellow board members to address the challenges and opportunities facing municipalities in our state.”

The MML board is made up of members appointed annually from each of the three state Supreme Court districts, with the MML officer from each district responsible for making the appointments. The Board of Directors meets three times throughout the year to discuss and review recommendations from the organization’s executive committee, according to the MML website.

“I am honored to be appointed to serve on the MML Board of Directors and look forward to working alongside other elected officials and the MML staff to make contributions that will ultimately help me better serve the citizens of Meridian,” Norwood said.

For more information about MML, visit mmlonline.com.