Second Liners to parade Saturday

The Biloxi Second Liners parade, which originated as a neighborhood parade of children and wagons and today boasts dozens of units, will roll Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Second Liners parade is one of five parades this weekend on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the march to Fat Tuesday, Feb. 9, continues.

This year’s parade will begin at the Dr. Frank Gruich Community Center on Howard Avenue, travel west on Howard, around MLK Boulevard, west on Howard, north on Caillavet, turning east on Esters Boulevard and ending at Doris C. Busch Park.

Dr. Alfred McNair will serve as grand marshal of the parade and presiding royalty will be King Asante VIII and Queen Zaria VIII, Jevon Vontoure and Gladys Sloan, respectively.

The Second Liners Mardi Gras Club, based in east Biloxi, began in 1993 when a group of residents decided to have a neighborhood parade, which primarily consisted of children and wagons. Over the years the annual procession has grown and several times boasts as many as 80 units of all shapes and sizes.

The organization itself also has grown, numbering dozens of members from across the Coast who, throughout the year, sponsor, support and provide family oriented community activities designed to promote a sense of community.
See the parade route
Visit Mardi Gras Central
See your overall weekend preview

 

Myriad issues on council agenda Tuesday

A number of lingering issues – regulation of taxicabs and other vehicles for hire, better oversight on tree permits, and adjusting the city’s water, sewer and garbage rates – may be resolved by the Biloxi City Council next week.

Councilmembers, who meet Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 at Biloxi City Hall, face an agenda with measures to address all three issues. The taxicab issue has been discussed for years, since taxicab drivers began complaining about the countywide Motor Vehicle for Hire Commission. On Tuesday, councilmembers will consider a proposal being advocated by Council President Robert L. Deming III.

The water and sewer rates, which are being increased to cover the city’s cost of providing water and sewer service for Biloxi residents and businesses, will be discussed during a public workshop Tuesday morning at 10:30 at City Hall.

In another measures set for Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, the city’s monthly $10 garbage fee, which falls short of covering the expense of garbage collection, will increase to $13 a month in April, to $15 a month in April 2017 and to $16 a month in April 2018.

Another issue that has been under review for months will see a seven-member advisory group have a say in permit issues for tree removal in Biloxi. Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich is proposing the measure after hearing citizens complain about the city’s oversight of permitting.
See the complete agenda
Hear background on this week’s City Desk podcast

 

News and notes

Bingo: The Friends of Hiller Park group is inviting you to an afternoon of bingo Sunday afternoon at the Biloxi Elks Lodge on U.S. 90.  Doors open at 1, and games begin at 2.  Food, drinks, raffles and a live auction also will be part of the event.  To read more in the “Bingo for Hiller Park” flyer, click here.

State of the City seats: More than 500 seats have now been sold for the annual State of the City address, which takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in a Biloxi Bay Chamber-sponsored luncheon at the Beau Rivage. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Seats are $35 per person or a reserved table of 10 for $350. Reservations:  228-435-6149 or info@biloxibaychamber.org.

Cup of Joe: The Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum is now taking reservations for the inaugural installment of “Cup of Joe,” a gathering where members of the Joe Moran family will assemble to share stories about the noted Biloxi artist. The gathering takes place Thursday at 9 a.m.  at the museum. For background on the exhibit, click here.

Development report: To read this week’s report from the Community Development Department, click here.

Traffic update: The Public Works Department has latest word each weekday on the status of streets and infrastructure work in Biloxi. To see the Traffic Update issued this morning, click here.