By all accounts, the first summit for Elected Officials in Northwest Mississippi held October 27, 2009 at Northwest Community College was a success.  Participants spent half of the day learning about things they can do to make their communities healthier.

 

Elected officials gather information to make their communities healthier

 

 

Dr. Victor Sutton and Mayor Chip Johnson of Hernando

 

 

Leon Andrews challenges attendees to combat childhood obesity

Comments heard from participants indicated their time spent was profitable.    

 

“I realize from what I heard today that we can get started making changes to improve our community even if we don’t have a lot of money to do it.”  (Mayor of small, rural community)

 

“I have been inspired today to make it a priority to make our community a healthier place.” (Councilmember of one of the more progressive cities in Mississippi)

 

 

30 elected officials and staff members representing 15 communities attended the summit including six Mayors, one Deputy Mayor, two assistants to Mayors, and 21 members of Boards of Alders and City Councils.

 

Presenters at the summit were Dr. Victor Sutton, Director of the Office of Preventive Health, MDH;  Leon Andrews, Director of Youth Education for National League of Cities; and Mayor Chip Johnson of Hernando.

 

Representatives from MDH School and Community Health, Safe Routes to School, Tobacco Control, the Bower Foundation, Delta Promise Project, staff members of the Community Foundation of NW MS and health consultant, Ellen Jones also attended.