SEPTEMBER 2022

INSIDE THE FLAGSHIP CITY

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PASCAGOULA

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

This month I would like to provide a shout out to an elderly citizen who, though unable to stand upright or walk without a cane, for years has been a visible early morning fixture, picking up roadside trash, smiling and waving at every car that passes in the area of Martin Street and Washington Avenue. For many years every morning at about the same time he can be seen walking along the roadside, often with his little dog on a leash, bending over and picking up any piece of trash that he encounters. As cars approach, he looks up, smiles and waves, though I imagine that he may not know who is passing by. Every citizen in our city should be emulating Mr. Robert "Bob" Blackman in his desire to make Pascagoula a better city, a friendly place where neighbors smile and wave when they see you, even if you may have never met, and a more attractive place to choose to live, work, and play by doing his part, though he is physically limited, to get trash off the roadside. Mr. Blackman celebrated his 90^th birthday on August 30. Happy birthday, Mr. Blackman and thank you for your civic service to Pascagoula.
-Mayor Jay Willis

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 16: Third Friday, 5:00-8:00 pm, Downtown Pascagoula
SEPTEMBER 17: Festival Hispano, 12:00-6:00 pm, Beach Park
OCTOBER 2: Zonta, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Downtown Pascagoula
OCTOBER 6-8: 'Goula Cruise, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Beach Park
OCTOBER 21: Third Friday, 5:00-8:00 pm, Downtown Pascagoula
OCTOBER 22: Pascagoula Run Paddle Battle, 8:00 am, Pascagoula River
OCTOBER 22: Men's Club BBQ Throwdown, 11:00 am-4:00 pm, Downtown Pascagoula

WATER DEPOSIT REFUNDS FOR RESIDENTS IN GOOD STANDING

The Pascagoula Utilities Department will begin issuing water deposit refunds to residents in good standing starting in mid-October. Account holders who have continuously made payments on time for two years (24 months) and are not otherwise indebted to the City can have their deposit refunded upon request. Refunds will be issued as account credits. It may take up to 30 days for citizens to see refunds processed in their accounts and noted on future bills. Homeowners and renters are eligible for water deposit reimbursement. Businesses are not eligible. The refund policy may be applied retroactively, so account holders who already meet the required criteria may apply. While refunds won’t start being issued until mid-October, citizens may begin filling out applications immediately. Residents can download a refund request form at the following link: cityofpascagoula.com/waterdepositrefund. Completed forms can either be hand delivered to the Utilities Office at 622 Delmas Avenue or mailed to: Pascagoula Utilities Department, 622 Delmas Avenue, Pascagoula, MS 39567. Questions regarding refunds can be directed to the Utilities Department at (228) 938-6633. Please be patient with staff as they process requests and field questions. It may take some time for them to return messages.

INGALLS AVENUE TRAFFIC ALERT

Contractors working on the Ingalls Avenue improvement project are beginning work east of Market Street. Westbound traffic lanes on Ingalls Avenue will be closed from Parker Dental to the Market Street intersection. Drivers are encouraged to detour at 9th to Polk. The eastbound lane will remain open for now. Please use caution while driving through the area.

NEW CLASS OF MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL

Congratulations to the newest class of the Mayor's Youth Council! We're thrilled to welcome our largest group yet and are so encouraged by this group of young people eager to take an active role in their community: Gabrielle Bond, Emma Brandenstein, Melany Carrasco, Eli Coates, Silas Corder, Daleisha Francis, Mackenzie Gray, Riley Hanson, Mia Harris, Harris Hinkel, Maggie Hinkel, Reagan Hofheinz, Evelyn Lachaussee, Makayla Jade Mendez, Lola Mezaayala, Ja'Kaylee Minor, Ja'Shaylee Minor, Sarah Grace Munn, Caroline Purdy, Ella Roth, Emma Roth, Sarah Jean Scearce, Sydney Sudduth, Kershlyn Tadlock, Ethan Triplett, Ali Walker, Mary Walker Foster, Kennedy Williams, Hailey Wood.

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY CHECKS

The Pascagoula Fire Department now has a child passenger safety technician on staff. Fire Inspector Ryan Doswell has taken a course to become a certified technician. He will be available by appointment to install or check any type of child car seat. Those interested in scheduling an appointment may call Central Station at (228) 762-3066.

CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Join us in welcoming four new employees to the Pascagoula Fire Department: Dylan McClain, Connor Masters, Trevor Crabtree, and Christopher Blythe. We're so glad to have them as part of the team protecting and serving the citizens of Pascagoula!

WE'RE HIRING: JOB OPENINGS

Join the City of Pascagoula team. We're hiring gym attendants in the Parks & Recreation Department and a Utility Service Worker in the Utilities Department. Click here for job descriptions and applications.

MAIN STREET WINS STATE AWARDS

Main Street Pascagoula was recognized twice during the Mississippi Main Street Association annual awards luncheon in Jackson. Main Street Pascagoula won the award for Outstanding Project Promotion – Large Community for “The Flagship District.” Community partners hosted a focus group to get input from young professionals who work in Pascagoula, but live elsewhere on how to attract them to live here. As a result, Main Street obtained the city’s blessing to brand downtown The Flagship District and partnered with local artist Alice Kate Berry who designed the logo. Main Street’s marketing team launched Flagship District Facebook and Instagram pages to promote the downtown lifestyle.

The Pascagoula Public Art Enterprise won the award for Outstanding Public Arts Project – Large Community. Led by the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, the program enlists students at the Pascagoula-Gautier School District’s College and Career Technical Institute to design, fabricate, and install three large-scale steel sculptures at key arteries in Downtown Pascagoula. The first was installed in Spring 2022 at the intersection of Pascagoula Street and Delmas Avenue. The second was installed in Summer 2022 at the intersection of Delmas Avenue and Magnolia Street. The last sculpture is in fabrication. The program creates an innovative model for cross-sector collaboration that supports Mississippi’s future homegrown workforce while creating a sense of place necessary for economic development impact.

LPK WINS HERITAGE TRUST AWARD

The LaPointe-Krebs House was recognized during the Mississippi Heritage Trust's annual awards recognizing preservation victories across the state. The LaPointe-Krebs House brought home the 2022 Heritage Award of Excellence for Restoration. LPK underwent a major restoration effort that took several years to complete. If you haven't checked it out yet, we recommend doing so! The LaPointe-Krebs House & Museum is located at 4602 Fort Street. Their hours of operation are Monday-Saturday from10:00 am-5:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm-5:00 pm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 'GOULA CRUISE

The sound of revving engines will be back at Beach Park October 6-8 for 'Goula Cruise. This event has grown tremendously over the years and we're so glad Cruisers from all over choose to spend their time in Pascagoula. This event is not possible without the help of volunteers. Consider spending some time helping welcome hundreds of visitors to the Flagship City. It's a great, laid back time where you get to enjoy live music, classic cars, and of course the view overlooking the Gulf from Beach Park! Click here to sign up for a volunteer shift.

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Pascagoula-Gautier School District:

The Pascagoula High School Performing Arts Center is hosting a National Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit "Voices and Votes, Democracy in America" through September 20, 2022. The exhibit is open free of charge Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The exhibit includes the history of voting from its inception to current day and a local voting exhibit that was put together by a local group of volunteers. Special Tuesday events include an Essay and Art Student Night on Tuesday, September 20. A presentation by Dr. Rebeca Tuuri will take place from 9:30-11:30 am on Wednesday, September 21. Dr. Tuuri is an assistant professor of African American and American history at the University of Southern Mississippi. Field trips are also available by contacting Brandon Wilson at bawilson@pgsd.ms

Resurrection Catholic School:

The new school year is off to a great start at Resurrection Catholic School! At the Middle/High School campus, Father Adam Urbaniak and Principal Kristal Sisson invited all first responders to a Blue Mass that celebrated these men and women for all they do for our community. In sports, the RCS Lady Eagles volleyball team have been on fire again this year with a 13-4 record and the Eagle football team is off to a great undefeated start! At the Elementary School, students and families celebrated one of our new favorite traditions, the Grandparent’s Day parade! Grandparents in more than 150 decorated cars and golf carts stretched all the way from the school to the Beach! We are so thankful for all the families that help to make RCS a great place for our students and faculty.

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