Mariner Durant is running for Mayor

Mariner Durant, who’s a software engineer, is the Libertarian candidate running for mayor.

“I’m running for mayor because I’ve lived in Meridian since I was five years old. I think it’s a great city. It has some fairly serious problems,” said Durant.

He started the Libertarian party in Meridian back in October. He hopes to create jobs and to alleviate poverty if elected mayor.

“The poverty rate in some parts of the city is 67.9 percent. I think that’s unacceptable. My economic policy that I’ve laid out is a complete 180 from Percy Bland’s. It focuses on the free market, allowing entrepreneurs to open up their own businesses instead of a government run economy,” said Durant.

He added that targeting poverty will help reduce crime in the city. As far as education, Durant said option is key.

“I’d like to see education open up in the private sector and more choices for education, like trade schools.”

He also believes in supporting youth.

“I don’t think there’s enough activities for the youth. I would like to see more activities for kids, families, teens, and disabled youth. I’d like to see some activity centers opened for them.”