Page 99 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2021

Gautier Mayor Casey Vaughan
Casey Vaughan
is a lifelong Gautier resident who served as city councilman for eight years and is a descendant of Fernando Upton Gautier for whom the city was named. He has worked with Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick for 25 years.
His vision:
I will work with the city council and manager to improve infrastructure, parks, streets, sidewalks and bike paths; strengthen our public safety; enhance recreational programs and family activities; increase economic development; and provide a business-friendly environment.
The city’s main challenge:
Gautier’s major challenge will be sealing the deal
on the purchase of the former Singing River Mall property and redeveloping it to become a retail and mixed-use development. In conjunction with our new Town Commons Park, which is under construction adjacent to the former mall, this will create a centralized downtown or town center. Positive points:
Gautier is referred to as nature’s playground because we have beautiful bayous and waterfront and our city is teeming with wildlife. We enjoy amenities such as fishing, golfing, hiking, and bird-watching. Our city is home to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and the 395-acre Shepard State Park.
Kenny Holloway
Ocean Springs Mayor Kenny Holloway
is a real estate broker who’s been involved in community affairs for many years.
His vision:
I want to provide smart growth and economic development while maintaining the charm and beauty that makes Ocean Springs such a special place to visit and live.
The city’s main challenge:
We have an aging infrastructure and need to
update our water, sewer and drainage within the city.
Positive points:
We have a thriving downtown area, great school system, progressive medical community, vibrant real estate market and room to grow to the east and northeast. And like all other South Mississippi cities, we have the Gulf of Mexico as our playground.
Jay Willis
is a long time community leader who retired after 35 years of practicing dentistry.
His vision:
I aim to grow the legacy of Pascagoula as a family-centric, inclusive, safe, economically- thriving community. We must focus on our best assets. We have thriving local businesses and industries that will bring stable employment opportunities for decades to come. By promoting our stellar quality of life, low cost of living, and the fact that this is a wonderful town in which to grow up, we can attract families to move here. I’m excited to work with a talented city council and manager.
The city’s main challenge:
The financial outlook for Pascagoula continues
to improve with each passing year. Tackling the expensive task of aging infrastructure replacement and maintenance will be a challenge as we
limit discretionary spending and work through budgeting and financial challenges.
Positive points:
Thanks to our abundant natural resources, a booming local economy, an award winning public school system, and terrific people, Pascagoula is
a great place. We are on the cusp of seeing great things happen here; redevelopment has begun downtown and is quickly spreading throughout
the city. In the past year we’ve seen more strategic development and quality investment than we’ve seen in more than a decade. And most importantly, everyone is “rowing in the same direction.”
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
August 2021 | 99
Pascagoula Mayor Jay Willis