Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 election!
We look forward to four years of transparent leadership—where residents feel heard, valued, and genuinely included in the decision-making process. That sense of inclusion has been sorely lacking over the past four years, and the sweeping changes that occurred on April 1st are a clear response to that absence.
SaveOS was founded to shine a light on what was happening at City Hall.
Our goal has always been to ensure residents know how their elected officials are voting and what issues are on the table. We spoke out against actions we believed weren't in the best interest of Ocean Springs—always backing our concerns with facts, public records, and other verifiable sources shared on this website. We never told people how to think or vote—we simply gave them access to information they weren't getting elsewhere.
In response, many supporters of the incumbents—including the incumbents themselves—dismissed SaveOS as a “fringe group,” a “radical left-wing group,” or a “special interest group.” Let's be clear: the first two labels couldn't be further from the truth. As for being a “special interest group?" Absolutely—we represent the special interests of Ocean Springs residents. That was always our focus. They claimed we wanted control over City Hall. All we ever asked for was transparency and inclusion—both of which were consistently absent. We will continue to ask for these things from the new mayor and board.
What's most surprising is that no one from the mayor's office or the board ever reached out to ask us why. Why were there so many SaveOS signs across town? What were our concerns? What direction did we believe the city was heading in? Instead, they chose to ignore us—hoping, perhaps, that we'd just fade away. That same willful ignorance led to some of the most frustrating decisions: the Securix contract, Hanshaw Bridge, the marina situation—always followed by the same excuse: “We didn't know.” They didn't know because they didn't ask.
We're optimistic this new mayor and board will approach things differently.
We hope they'll take the time to fully understand the issues they're voting on—and be able to explain those votes to the public. That they'll welcome public input and open debate before casting their votes. If that happens, SaveOS can step aside—mission accomplished.
After more than a year of talking with residents door-to-door in EVERY ward, countless neighborhood meetings, and board of alderman meetings, we believe there are a number of issues that residents feel are unresolved. Therefore,
We urge the new mayor and board of aldermen to eliminate the Urban Renewal Plan (URP) and dissolve the Ocean Springs Redevelopment Authority (OSRA). This initiative is unnecessary and completely out of place for our city. Ocean Springs is not a blighted community—it doesn't need redevelopment authorities designed for areas with slums or urban decay.
New legal representation. We urge the new mayor and board of aldermen to quickly replace the City's legal representation given its role in numerous and unnecessary lawsuits. The law firm that advises the city on legal matters should NOT be the firm that represents them when the city gets sued.
The Front Beach marina project should be scrapped entirely, along with any attempt to commercialize our beaches. Ocean Springs' natural beauty is one of its defining traits—turning it into a commercial zone serves neither the residents nor the character of our town.
Noise pollution from amplified music is another issue that continues to affect residents. Music should be enjoyed by those who choose to hear it, not forced on neighbors who don't. Who gets to decide what kind of music you're subjected to in your own home at 10 or 11 PM? Bars and restaurants should contain their sound indoors. If it can be heard outside, it should not carry beyond 100 feet or exceed a reasonable decibel level.
The Comprehensive Plan should be thrown out and replaced by a revised version of our existing, approved plan—with real input from the community from the beginning, not just at the review stage. Residents with experience and insight from each ward should be invited to shape the new plan from the ground up.
The Planning and Zoning Boards should be restructured. Each ward deserves representation. The current boards should be reconstituted with appointees selected by the new Board of Aldermen—people who reflect the diversity and values of our community and who serve without conflicts of interest—this includes many that currently serve.
Finally, reinstate the tree committee. The tree committee was a group of residents who volunteered their time to help the city maintain its natural beauty. They were recently disbanded, and residents believe that was a mistake. We urge the new mayor and board to reinstate this committee and allow them to work with the city to protect our trees and green spaces.
Best Regards,
SaveOS Board of Directors
2 April 2025