Percy Bland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Percy Bland
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Bland at the Meridian Temple Theater, 2013
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| Mayor of Meridian, Mississippi | |
| In office July 1, 2013 – July 1, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Cheri Merritt Barry |
| Succeeded by | Jimmie Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 23, 1970 Crystal Springs, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Deidre Bland
(m. 1999) |
| Residences | Meridian, Mississippi |
| Alma mater | Xavier University of Louisiana (B.S.) University of Southern Mississippi (M.P.H.) |
| Profession | State Farm Insurance Agent |
Percy Bland is an American politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He served as the mayor of Meridian, Mississippi from 2013 to 2021. Bland was the first African American Mayor of Meridian. He is known for helping to improve downtown Meridian.
During his time as mayor, many good things happened. The Threefoot Hotel project became real. A lighting project for Highway 59/20 was finished. New businesses like Castle Pipeline moved their main offices downtown. Also, because of a new rule called the "Go Cup Ordinance," more restaurants like the Three-foot Brewery opened.
Contents
About Percy Bland
His Early Life
Percy Bland was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi on September 23, 1970. He grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. He went to St. Joseph High School. Later, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. This was at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. He also played college basketball there. Bland then earned a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Percy Bland met his wife, Deidre, in Atlanta. They got married on August 15, 1999. Deidre Bland now works for the Meridian Public School System. She helps connect the schools with the community.
His Career Journey
After college, Bland worked for the Fulton County Health Department in Atlanta, Georgia. He was an epidemiologist, studying how diseases spread. He worked in the Tuberculosis Control Department.
Later, Bland moved back to Mississippi. He became the Human Resources Director and Marketing Director for the G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center. Then, he came to Meridian to open his own State Farm Insurance Agency. He still runs this successful agency today. He sells different types of insurance in Mississippi and Alabama.
Helping the Community
In 2007, Percy Bland helped lead a project to improve Meridian's public schools. He was a co-chair for a bond issue. This was a way for the city to borrow money for big projects. The goal was to get $19.5 million for school renovations. This was the first major upgrade in over 20 years. The bond issue passed on March 27, 2007, with 71.3% of the votes.
Bland also helped start the Magnolia Youth Sports Association. He helped create the First Tee Golf Program in Meridian. This was the first program of its kind in Mississippi. It helps improve the lives of children, especially those from inner-city areas, through golf.
Becoming Mayor of Meridian
On June 4, 2013, Percy Bland won the election to become mayor of Meridian. He won with 54% of the votes. Before he officially started, Bland put together a team of 29 people from the community. This team studied five important areas: education, community development, public safety, city services, and city partnerships. They made suggestions on how to make Meridian better.
Bland became the first African-American mayor of Meridian. He was sworn into office on July 1, 2013.
First Term as Mayor
At the first City Council meeting on July 2, 2014, Mayor Bland suggested a "livable wage" policy. This meant a minimum salary of $9 an hour for all city employees. The money for this would come from saving funds in other parts of the city budget. The city council approved this policy on September 17, 2013.
Mayor Bland and local businesses started a program to honor teachers and staff. They recognized an outstanding person from two Meridian Public School District schools each month. Public safety also improved in new parts of Meridian. A new warning siren was installed at a recently built fire station.
Youth sports programs in Meridian were brought together. They became one big program under the Meridian Parks and Recreation Department. This program brought in more mentors, coaches, and churches to work with young people through sports. In May 2014, the City of Meridian promised $750,000 to help build a new community center.
In May 2014, the city started new programs to fight crime. These included a new gang task force. There was also a new team of police officers and citizens to help with crime tips. Parents could also face penalties if their children did not follow school attendance laws.
In June 2014, Mayor Bland worked to bring a new airline to Meridian. American Airlines, a very large airline, started service to Meridian. This was under their American Eagle brand.
In September 2014, Bland started an initiative to raise awareness about school attendance. He wanted to show the dangers of dropping out of high school. Through his Mayor's Youth Council, he created public service announcements. These messages talked about issues high school students face, like bullying and depression.
In October 2014, Bland launched his "Kidz Zone Initiative." This program partnered the City of Meridian with local schools. It aimed to make families stronger. On the second Saturday of each month, Disney movies were shown at the Meridian Temple Theatre for $2. The program encouraged fathers to be active in their children's lives. All fathers got free admission to the movie. Also in October 2014, Bland started a "Senior Prom" initiative. This was to involve senior citizens and offer more community activities for them.
On October 6, 2014, Meridian was approved for a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant. This money would help build a new community center in the city's east end. It would be able to hold up to 400 children.
On January 26, 2015, Mayor Bland and Choctaw Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson signed an agreement. This agreement brought public transportation back to Meridian. The Choctaw Regional Transportation Facility operates in many counties in Mississippi. The bus used in Meridian was accessible for people with disabilities. People could call a special number to arrange pick-up and drop-off.
On September 2, 2015, Mayor Bland worked with Commissioner Dick Hall and school officials. They opened a federally funded "Safe Routes to Schools" bridge. This bridge was at TJ Harris Lower Elementary School.
On February 2, 2016, city officials approved a plan to issue $7.5 million in bonds. These bonds would provide money for building and improving streets, sidewalks, and other city projects.
On May 18, 2016, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Velma Young Community Center. This $2 million project was a team effort. It brought together the City of Meridian, Lauderdale County, and other groups. Mayor Percy Bland said this center would be a big help for the community.
On July 5, 2016, Mayor Bland and the Meridian City Council passed a resolution. It set a date of August 16, 2016, for a vote. This vote was about a two percent (2%) food and beverage tax at restaurants in Meridian. The money from this tax would help build and run the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center. The vote passed with 68.2 percent in favor.
On June 6, 2017, Mayor Bland won a second term. He ran against two other candidates. Mayor Bland received 64 percent of the vote.
Second Term as Mayor
During his second term, Mayor Bland continued to improve Meridian's buildings and services. He supported businesses that aimed to make life better for everyone, especially young people. His team paved more than 28 miles of inner-city streets. He also started a project to install LED lights in neighborhoods. This was done with a strong partnership with Mississippi Power.
Through his Parks and Recreation Program, Mayor Bland increased sports activities for children. The number of activities grew from 30 to over 55. He installed new playground equipment at several parks. He also opened a "Splash Pad" at Highland Park.
In November 2018, after a tornado hit Ward 2, he led the "Partner's in Recovery Response Team." This team helped the community recover faster.
In October 2019, his administration renamed part of downtown 8th Street to David Ruffin Blvd. They held a special event with a band and Ruffin's family members.
In November 2019, Bland created a family-friendly environment downtown. This helped bring new businesses to Meridian. These included Hype, Event Zone, and an updated movie theater.
In December 2019, the "Go Cup" or "Open Container" rule for downtown restaurants started. This was under the Bland administration.
In 2020, he pushed for a $12.5 million bond to pave more streets in the inner city.
In March 2021, he worked with Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons. They made improvements to Interstate 59/20 in Meridian.
In April 2021, he helped the city buy the Meridian Police Department Headquarters. The city had been leasing the building for 41 years. Buying it saved taxpayers $11 million and reduced the repayment time by 11 years.
During his time as mayor, he also provided safety guidelines for citizens and businesses. This was during the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic. This helped protect many lives during a difficult time. He also helped get support for the MAX (Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience) and the Meridian Mississippi Children's Museum. He worked with a developer, John Tampa, to turn the Threefoot Building into a new Marriott Hotel. New businesses also opened downtown, like Castle Headquarters and Three-foot Brewery. A new Starbucks Coffee Shop opened near Bonita Lakes Mall.
Percy Bland lost the Democratic primary election in April 2021 to Jimmie Smith. Smith later won the general election in June 2021.
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