June 6, 2016: WTOK: MPD chief could face salary cut
"I have voiced to the City Council president Randy Hammon, as I have voiced to you, this is an unacceptable act," Mayor Percy Bland says.
"I have voiced to the City Council president Randy Hammon, as I have voiced to you, this is an unacceptable act," Mayor Percy Bland says.
Mar 2, 2016: WDAM: Nearly 50 Mississippi mayors endorse Clinton
Mayor of Meridian, Percy Bland
Mayor of Meridian, Percy Bland
Dec 1, 2015: WTOK: Meridian City Hall Hosts Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Mayor Percy Bland lit the 32-foot tall electronic tree in front of a large crowd. Santa Claus even made an appearance at the lighting checking his list for those who were naughty or nice.
Mayor Percy Bland lit the 32-foot tall electronic tree in front of a large crowd. Santa Claus even made an appearance at the lighting checking his list for those who were naughty or nice.
Nov 8, 2015: WTOK: Investigation Into Meridian Sinkhole Underway
Mayor Percy Bland says right now, they are still uncertain what caused the sinkhole, but the 30 foot deep chasm does stretch across an area of culvert for the city. The hole has caused a lack of water for many local businesses, which crews are working to fix.
Mayor Percy Bland says right now, they are still uncertain what caused the sinkhole, but the 30 foot deep chasm does stretch across an area of culvert for the city. The hole has caused a lack of water for many local businesses, which crews are working to fix.
June 20, 2015: WTOK: State Games Opening Ceremonies Energize Downtown Meridian
"It's going to help our local economy, and it means that Meridian is still the place to be, and State Games is a very important part of the state of Mississippi, and it's an even more important part of the city of Meridian," said Meridian Mayor Percy Bland.
"It's going to help our local economy, and it means that Meridian is still the place to be, and State Games is a very important part of the state of Mississippi, and it's an even more important part of the city of Meridian," said Meridian Mayor Percy Bland.
June 18, 2015: Meridian Star: Van Veckhoven appointed to Meridian public school board
The Meridian City Council approved Tuesday night the appointment by Mayor Percy Bland of Michael Van Veckhoven to the Meridian Public School District Board.
The Meridian City Council approved Tuesday night the appointment by Mayor Percy Bland of Michael Van Veckhoven to the Meridian Public School District Board.
May 19, 2015: WTOK: Former Officer Asks Court to Enforce Its Order
According to the document filed Monday, Meadors has attempted to return to work but was told by Police Chief Benny Dubose that his return must be approved by Mayor Percy Bland. The motion alleges Bland is defying the court's order and is in contempt.
According to the document filed Monday, Meadors has attempted to return to work but was told by Police Chief Benny Dubose that his return must be approved by Mayor Percy Bland. The motion alleges Bland is defying the court's order and is in contempt.
May 12, 2015: WTOK: Meridian's Mayor Speaks on Voting Changes
Meridian's mayor is asking the City Council to reconsider its decision to unify voting precincts. "As city leaders, we cannot afford to be naive or gullible and passively accept changes without requesting real answers as to why and how it will impact future city election outcomes," Mayor Percy Bland says.
Meridian's mayor is asking the City Council to reconsider its decision to unify voting precincts. "As city leaders, we cannot afford to be naive or gullible and passively accept changes without requesting real answers as to why and how it will impact future city election outcomes," Mayor Percy Bland says.
May 7, 2015: WTOK: Meridian Mayor Hopes to Appeal Judge's Decision
Meridian's mayor has no plans to let stand a judge's ruling to reinstate a fired police officer. "Despite the circuit court judge's ruling, we're looking at our options for an appeal," Meridian Mayor Percy Bland says.
Meridian's mayor has no plans to let stand a judge's ruling to reinstate a fired police officer. "Despite the circuit court judge's ruling, we're looking at our options for an appeal," Meridian Mayor Percy Bland says.
May 5, 2015: WTOK: Vowing to Veto: Meridian's Mayor on Voting Precinct Changes
he change will affect almost 4,300 voters. Mayor Percy Bland is vowing to veto because he feels that a thorough analysis of the proposal should have been conducted by an outside authority.
he change will affect almost 4,300 voters. Mayor Percy Bland is vowing to veto because he feels that a thorough analysis of the proposal should have been conducted by an outside authority.
Apr 20, 2015: WTOK: Call To Hire More Full-Time Employees: City of Meridian
"Pay raises have been given that we haven't authorized," says Ward One Councilman George Thomas. In light of this fact, Thomas is requesting Mayor Percy Bland's office to present all proposals for pay raises to the city council for approval.
"Pay raises have been given that we haven't authorized," says Ward One Councilman George Thomas. In light of this fact, Thomas is requesting Mayor Percy Bland's office to present all proposals for pay raises to the city council for approval.
Mar 18, 2015: Meridian Star: Council limits number of pets residents can keep
In a separate matter, Mayor Percy Bland awarded a proclamation honoring Meridian Police Department Detective William Powell for his 25 years of service to the department prior to retiring.
In a separate matter, Mayor Percy Bland awarded a proclamation honoring Meridian Police Department Detective William Powell for his 25 years of service to the department prior to retiring.
Mar 13, 2015: Meridian Star: City updates business owners on revitalization
Meridian Mayor Percy Bland was happy with the turnout and said the presentation by Thompson Engineering's Tim Bryan helped ease concerns of the impacted downtown business and property owners.
Meridian Mayor Percy Bland was happy with the turnout and said the presentation by Thompson Engineering's Tim Bryan helped ease concerns of the impacted downtown business and property owners.
Mar 11, 2015: WTOK: Meridian Town Hall Meeting Thursday
“That project is a very big project going on in the city right now and we just want to let the community to be aware, the council folks, and so the council can go back and tell the people in the wards and the citizens here and those business owners in the downtown area can get a feel on the time line on that,” explained Meridian Mayor Percy Bland.
“That project is a very big project going on in the city right now and we just want to let the community to be aware, the council folks, and so the council can go back and tell the people in the wards and the citizens here and those business owners in the downtown area can get a feel on the time line on that,” explained Meridian Mayor Percy Bland.
Mar 4, 2015: Meridian Star: Hammon takes issue with city's priorities
Meridian Ward 5 City Councilman Randy Hammon expressed frustration that the last 15 minutes of mayor Percy Bland's presentation to the council involved athletics and not major issues facing the city.
Meridian Ward 5 City Councilman Randy Hammon expressed frustration that the last 15 minutes of mayor Percy Bland's presentation to the council involved athletics and not major issues facing the city.
Mar 4, 2015: WTOK: Temporary Workers: City Council Members Express Concerns
The City of Meridian's Civil Service Commission handles all hirings for the city. When Mayor Percy Bland took office almost two years ago, he released all but one member from the commission. Since October 2014 the commission has been fully staffed, and Mayor Bland says efforts are continuing to improve the hiring process.
The City of Meridian's Civil Service Commission handles all hirings for the city. When Mayor Percy Bland took office almost two years ago, he released all but one member from the commission. Since October 2014 the commission has been fully staffed, and Mayor Bland says efforts are continuing to improve the hiring process.
Feb 10, 2015: WTOK: No Movement on Boys and Girls Club Contract
Two members of the Meridian city council say they are sticking with their decision about having a contractual agreement with the Boys & Girls Club. Mayor Percy Bland says he is working on the situation and declined to go into detail.
Two members of the Meridian city council say they are sticking with their decision about having a contractual agreement with the Boys & Girls Club. Mayor Percy Bland says he is working on the situation and declined to go into detail.
Jan 19, 2015: WTOK: 30th Annual MLK Day Breakfast
“We have over 300 people here today and the capacity of city hall cannot handle that, I foresaw that and we changed the venue about a week or two out from this event,” stated Mayor Percy Bland.
“We have over 300 people here today and the capacity of city hall cannot handle that, I foresaw that and we changed the venue about a week or two out from this event,” stated Mayor Percy Bland.
July 2, 2013: One Voice: A New Day Percy Bland Sworn in as Meridian’s First African-American Mayor
The Meridian City Council – newcomers Kim Houston, Ward 4, Dustin Markham, Ward 2, and Randy Hammon, Ward 5, and veterans George Thomas, Ward 1 and Barbara Henson, Ward 3 – took their oaths of office, which was administered simultaneously by The Honorable Lester F. Williamson Jr. Each council member gave responses after the ceremony.
The Meridian City Council – newcomers Kim Houston, Ward 4, Dustin Markham, Ward 2, and Randy Hammon, Ward 5, and veterans George Thomas, Ward 1 and Barbara Henson, Ward 3 – took their oaths of office, which was administered simultaneously by The Honorable Lester F. Williamson Jr. Each council member gave responses after the ceremony.
Percy Bland was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi on September 23, 1970. Bland grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and attended St. Joseph High School, Bland later earned a B.S in Chemistry at Xavier University of Louisiana of New Orleans, and played collegiate basketball. Bland also earned a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of Southern Mississippi. Percy Bland is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who currently serves as the mayor of Meridian, Mississippi.