This week the residents of Picayune will have the opportunity to meet and speak with Mississippi’s Speaker of the House Philip Gunn.

This is the third year that Gunn has hosted his Ideas Tour throughout the state of Mississippi.

The tour is designed to give the people of this state a forum to share their thoughts and concerns about where Mississippi is heading.

This is a great opportunity for the people of Picayune to meet with a legislator and have his or her opinions heard.

Many Pearl River County residents already exercise their right to vote, but this is an excellent opportunity to participate and really talk about current issues.

It’s one thing to cast a vote for a particular candidate who people feel will represent their ideas in the best possible way, but it is a rare opportunity to speak almost one-on-one with the Speaker of House.

True change will only come when people get involved.

If you want to see changes in the state or federal government then it is up to you to question and monitor elected officials.

Change will not come from sitting at home and screaming at a television screen or complaining to neighbors or family members.

Attending town hall meetings such as this one is a step in the right direction.

It informs elected officials that people are not stagnant, but are paying attention to current affairs and care about decisions made for the good of the people of the state of Mississippi.

We encourage Picayune residents to attend this special town hall meeting at city council chambers on Thursday Sept. 25 at 1p.m.