Community Forum held by Meridian Leadership Council at City Hall

As a part of ongoing efforts in the City of Meridian, the Meridian Leadership Council is giving community members a way for their voices to be heard.

“You need to know today that you matter, your voice matters, your story matters and your experience--it matters and your life truly matters,” said Co-Chairwoman of the Meridian Leadership Council Shelia Austin.

City leaders performed a panel to answer questions and concerns from the people of Meridian. One favored topic is the ongoing fight against COVID-19. Mayor Bland announced the mask mandate will be extended.

“We will continue our mask mandate which actually ends at the end of this month--October 31st, but we’re going to extend it and we’re going to extend it for the forsee of the future and that is because we have seen a decrease when we have our mask mandate in place,” said Mayor Bland.

Also in discussion was the new community and economic development coming to the City of Meridian in the future.

“With the personnel we have with public works and also community development, we’re going to try to do an increased job of continuing to demolish these properties and also clean up a lot of these areas where you may see garbage or just trash in your community,” Mayor Bland explained.

The new Police Chief of the Meridian Police Department plans for a change in the department.

“It is my duty, my job and my responsibility,” said Chief Read. “The first thing is accountability. If we hold citizens accountable, we have to be held accountable and I hold them accountable.”

The Meridian Leadership Council says they plan to have more forums like this in the near future.