State of the City 2010: The whole story

“I’m not here to sugarcoat things,” Mayor A.J. Holloway told a capacity crowd of 600 during his State of the City luncheon today. “Despite what some people might tell you, I am NOT a silver-tongued devil.

“I’m here to tell you where we are, tell you how we got here, and tell you how we’re getting past it and moving forward.”

The mayor, who outlined a host of city initiatives and cited progress on numerous multi-million-dollar projects, noted that a depressed national economy continues to challenge Biloxi’s recovery.

“You can pick whatever cliché you like, but the fact is, we haven’t turned the corner, we’re not out of the woods, and we’re not at the point where we can see light at the end of the tunnel.”

State of the City: The inside story

— To read highlights of the mayor’s presentation, click here.

— To see nearly 150 pictures from the Biloxi Bay Chamber luncheon, click here.

— To read the complete text of Mayor A.J. Holloway’s State of the City address,
click here.

— Cable One will carry the mayor’s speech on Cable 13 in Biloxi on Thursday at 8 and 10 a.m. and 8 and 10 p.m. To read more about the cablecast in a postcard that is being delivered to all Biloxi homes and businesses today and Thursday, click here.

Holloway opines on Saints success, retirement and the Mrs.

At the outset of his State of the City address, Mayor A.J. Holloway couldn’t pass up the chance to have some fun and clear up rumors for the 600 members of the audience at the Biloxi Bay Chamber luncheon.

Some examples:

He began his 35-minute presentation by reciting a pledge to the New Orleans Saints that he had received in an email: “I pledge allegiance to the Saints and to the great city of New Orleans, and to the Super Bowl for which we will win, one city, below sea level, under Brees, with Mardi Gras and alcohol for all.”

Next, he addressed recurring talk about his future: “I’ve been hearing a rumor too for the last month or so. I don’t know where it got started, but I’m here today to clear it up. The rumor is I’m going to resign in February. Well, to tell you the truth. I have given it some thought, and I MIGHT resign in February — February 2017.”

And, finally, turning serious, Holloway commented on his wife’s health: “Some of you will notice that Macklyn is not here today. For 17 years, she has attended the State of the City address. She’s been a little under the weather of late, battling a pesky infection. She’s allergic to a number of medicines that would have already cured her infection; rest assured, she’s coming through. I would not be where I am today were it not for her. And I love her very, very much. And for the record: She’s not resigning, either.”