Be it remembered that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the
City of Ocean Springs met in a Regular Meeting at City Hall in the City of
Ocean Springs at
Alderman Cody gave the Invocation.
Mayor Ainsworth led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
The meeting began with the Mayor’s Proclamation stating that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Peggy Eckert, representing the Women’s Center for Nonviolence, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Center.
A motion was made by Alderman Gill with a second by Alderman Cody to approve the Consent Agenda except for items d (pulled by Dalgo), k (pulled by McDonnell), item w (pulled by Dalgo). The motion carried unanimously.
A-2 Cemetery Deeds
Alderman Cody stated that this has been a reoccurring problem and a solution needs to be found. City Attorney Edwards stated that he was aware of the issue and that he had written to the Attorney General in May regarding cemetery deeds for the City of Ocean Springs. The Attorney General’s office suggested that the Cemetery Committee, with the help of Mr. Edwards, develop a written policy regarding cemetery deeds. After policy is written, the deeds can be released. Alderman Cody made a motion to release the cemetery deeds once the cemetery policy is completed. Alderman Lloyd seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Ocean Springs
Republican Primary Committee
Alderman McDonnell discussed a problem that has been ongoing for over three years regarding the Republican Party Primary Committee. Alderman McDonnell stated that it was up to those on the Board that wanted to be a part of the Republican Primary they had to contact the Chairman of the County Executive Committee of the Republican Party and with a petition of five or more members of that political party residing in the City of Ocean Springs to meet at a designated time and place. At that time the members of that party shall select an executive committee that shall serve until the next primary election. If this is not done, then those that choose to run again will have to go out and collect signatures. Alderman McDonnell made a motion that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen write to the County Executive Committee and giving them two dates that are acceptable and a facility where this meeting can take place and resolve this problem. Alderman Jalanivich seconded the motion. Alderman Jalanivich stated that he did not want to collect signatures again and that he was a Republican and he wanted to run as a Republican and get this problem behind us. Alderman Lloyd asked if the same courtesies have to be shown to the Democratic party if they are acting as a board and not individuals. Alderman McDonnell then stated that this does not have to be done as a Board, but can be done as a group of individuals. This situation must be resolved before qualifying is over at the end of March or they will have to run as independents again. Alderman McDonnell states it is an embarrassment to the City not to be able to host a Republican primary and this problem needs to be resolved.