Page 53 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2017

Shea Dobson
OCEAN SPRINGS
Dane Maxwell
PASCAGOULA
Q1. I never thought I would run for public office because I have been involved in 29 campaigns and saw how the citizens and media were so brutal to the candidates running. Many times, they worked hard to destroy the lives of those who had stepped forward
to offer themselves to serve. During the campaign,
we started looking at property to build a house and after seeing how far the neighborhoods had declined, the empty buildings, the vacant grownup lots and the attitude of the people in general, I felt strongly that God led me to run for mayor.
Q2. My past experience has been in law enforcement, government agencies and private businesses. I have built several successful businesses and sold them for a profit.
Q3. In the short-term, I want to begin working with residents and businesses to clean the city and make some much needed repairs. We have to highlight the qualities of Pascagoula to draw people back here. It starts with showing pride in our city and doing some common-sense things. In the long-term, it’s about establishing the tax base with smaller businesses
that can become firmly rooted here. That includes clothing stores, restaurants and basic needs types of businesses. Above all, I would like to see the positive attitudes come back to the city.
Q4. The top three sectors fueling our economy are shipbuilding, oil refinery and medical care. With the changes we are making, we want to build off those and diversify our sectors even more. Seafood and tourism are two areas we will work hard to build.
Q1. I ran for mayor because I believe I have the right life experiences and leadership for Ocean Springs. As an elected official it is necessary to work as a team, and I have the right temperament and attitude to work with everyone.
Q2. Over the past year I have been working for Financial Design Associates as a financial planner. Before then I worked for several conservative organizations such as the National Association for Gun Rights, Americans for Prosperity, and Concerned American Voters.
Q3. My vision is economic growth and infrastructure. I believe it is essential to maintain our identity while growing and planning for the future. Economic development is essential and I will work with the aldermen to increase business throughout the city.
Q4. Ocean Springs relies on sales tax and tourism. I believe it is essential to make it as easy as possible to come into Ocean Springs and start a business without jumping through a million hoops or dealing with burdensome red tape. This also means ensuring public safety throughout the downtown area
while visitors come and enjoy our amazing community.
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August 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 53