Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich will be sworn in for his first full term of office during a Saenger Theater ceremony on Wednesday where all seven members of the City Council also will be administered the oaths of office.
Doors at the downtown theater open at 5:30 p.m. and the public ceremony will begin promptly at 6 p.m.
Gilich, who was first elected in a special election in 2015, will be sworn in by Justice Court Judge Albert Fountain, who also will swear in Councilmembers George W. Lawrence of Ward 1, Felix O. Gines of Ward 2, and Kenny Glavan of Ward 6.
Also taking the oaths of office will be Councilmembers Dixie Newman of Ward 3, who will be sworn in by Justice Court Judge Bruce Strong; Robert L. Deming III of Ward 4, who will be sworn in by Circuit Court Judge Christopher Schmidt; Paul A. Tisdale of Ward 5, who will be sworn in by his brother, Biloxi Municipal Judge William “Gig” Tisdale; and Nathan Barrett of Ward 7, who will be sworn in by Gulfport Municipal Court Judge Fant Walker.
William Sackett, host of the weekly “City Desk” podcast, will emcee the affair.
See your invitation
Sidewalk crews now working in east Biloxi
The incessant rain from Tropical Storm Cindy last week knocked east Biloxi road crews a week off their schedule, but the good news is that two separate crews this week are working on installing sidewalks on neighborhood streets where asphalt has been applied.
Sidewalks are being installed where they existed pre-Katrina for the most part. The biggest challenges are whether adequate right-of-way exists and if utility poles are in the path.
All sidewalks, which will be from 4- to 8-feet wide depending on right-of-way, will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Two firms are installing sidewalks: Enterprise, which has one crew of eight workers who are now working on Seal and Iroquois; and Gulf Breeze, which has a crew of five workers who on Tuesday will begin installing sidewalks on Division Street, just west of Oak Street.
News and notes
Splashin’ paused: The Parks & Recreation Department has temporarily closed the splash pad behind the Margaret Sherry Library to allow the surface to dry prior to applying a less slippy pad surface. Work could take up to three weeks or longer to complete based on the weather. For more information, call the department at 228-388-7170.
The week that was: The calls for service in the Police and Fire departments increased slightly during last week, owing to the rainy weather and the influx of Scrapin’ the Coast traffic. To see the reports from the Fire, Police and Community Development departments, click here.