Poplarville Mayor Louise Smith announced Monday that she will seek re-election in the upcoming primary election on April 1, emphasizing progress made during her first term and plans for further city improvements.

“Serving as Mayor of Poplarville over the past four years has been an incredible honor and privilege. Today, I am excited to officially announce my candidacy for re-election, as I seek to continue building on the progress we have made and seize new growth opportunities. The primary election will take place on April 1st, and I humbly ask for your support.

With over 34 years of experience serving our community in various capacities, I have witnessed both the challenges we face and the resilience that defines us. The true strength of Poplarville lies in its people—your dedication to our future, your commitment to prosperity, and your passion for preserving the small-town way of life we cherish. As your mayor, I remain committed to leading Poplarville toward a future where everyone can live, learn, work, and thrive. I invite you to join me in continuing to move our city forward.

A Record of Accomplishment While I am proud of the achievements we have made together over the past four years, I recognize that there is still work to be done. Some of our key accomplishments include:

• Infrastructure & Public Services o Installed over 500 new water meters, modernizing our system for greater efficiency. o Extended city water lines to previously unserved annexed areas. o Paved numerous streets, filled potholes, and initiated additional paving projects as funding allows. o Addressed litter and beautification by hiring a dedicated worker to maintain our streets and parks. o Installed a security camera in the city park to enhance public safety. o Hired a full-time worker to care for city cemeteries, ensuring they remain places of honor and remembrance.

• Community & Economic Development o Passed an ordinance allowing food trucks, expanding dining options and supporting local entrepreneurs. o Helped attract new businesses, including Popeyes and a children’s medical clinic, fostering local economic growth. o Opted into the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act to provide additional healthcare choices for residents. o Supported the Poplarville Athletic Association in securing funding for facility and field upgrades. o Partnered with local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to enhance economic development.

• Public Safety & Employee Support o Increased wages for all city employees, ensuring fair compensation for their hard work. o Purchased state-of-the-art equipment and vehicles for police officers, firefighters, and public works employees. o Acquired life-saving equipment for our firefighters, enabling them to stabilize individuals until medical personnel arrive. o Established a new police station to better serve our community.

• Community Engagement & Fiscal Responsibility o Participated in the Mayors March Program to support families in need and stock our local food pantry. o Ensured fiscal accountability by conducting independent, comprehensive annual audits.

A Vision for the Future As we build upon these accomplishments, I am committed to pursuing the following priorities to continue improving our community:

• Public Safety & Emergency Services o Enhance tools and resources available to our police department to strengthen public safety. o Continue efforts to lower the city’s fire protection rating, reducing insurance costs for residents and businesses. o Replace our outdated ladder truck with a new 100-foot ladder Quint fire truck and construct a new fire station on the opposite side of town. o Invest in rebuilding and replacing aging fire hydrants to ensure adequate fire protection.

• Infrastructure & City Services o Continue implementing our zoning ordinance and code enforcement to support responsible growth. o Follow a structured timeline for repaving city streets and addressing sewer trench repairs. o Prioritize upgrades to our aging water infrastructure, including replacing lead service lines to ensure long-term sustainability and compliance with regulatory standards. o Continue improving city parks and recreational facilities.

Poplarville is on a path of progress, and together, we can continue making strides toward an even brighter future. I am grateful for the partnerships we have built with businesses, civic organizations, and government agencies at all levels that have helped us secure funding and support for these vital initiatives.

I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving as your mayor and working alongside you to build a stronger, more prosperous Poplarville. I ask for your vote on April 1st so we can keep moving our great city forward!”