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Mayoral and Council candidates who participated in Part One of the Serve BSL Online Forum (by submitting a 200 word bio and photo before our March 20th deadline) were sent a letter and list of questions on March 23.
100% of them sent in responses to the questions, meaning that 22 out of 23 candidates running for office in BSL have fully participated in the ServeBSL online forum! We posted their answers on April 13th. Although many of the questions are the same, some differed, so one set of questions was included for mayoral candidates and another for council. Scroll down to read both. |
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Mayoral Forum Questions
1. What are your top three goals for the city in the next four years (term of office).
2. How would you foster cooperation between the City Council and Mayor?
3. What measures would you support to increase the city’s revenue?
4. As the city grows, what should be the mayor’s role in managing the enforcement of current city ordinances (ex: zoning), codes (ex: building codes) and possible future ordinances (ex: noise, golf cart, and vacation rentals)?
5. What are your ideas for preserving our community's unique character while supporting residential and business growth?
6. What actions can the city take now to maximize benefits when it becomes a stop on the future Amtrak route?
7. Should the city provide financial support to economic development organizations like the Hancock Chamber and Hancock County Tourism? Support your answer.
8. What importance do you place on proposed community amenities such as a swimming pool, additional bicycle paths and dog parks?
9. What importance do you place on beautification in general and on the highway gateways coming into our city?
10. The number of golf carts on city streets continues to grow. How should golf cart use be regulated?
11. As the city grows do you think it should consider changing its present form of government? Explain your answer. Note: The “BSL Government Overview” page on our Serve BSL website contains information and resources that might be helpful in answering this question.
Thank you for participating in this ground-breaking online forum!
Remember: your answers to the questions above must be received via email by 5pm on April 10th to participate in Part Two of the Forum.
2. How would you foster cooperation between the City Council and Mayor?
3. What measures would you support to increase the city’s revenue?
4. As the city grows, what should be the mayor’s role in managing the enforcement of current city ordinances (ex: zoning), codes (ex: building codes) and possible future ordinances (ex: noise, golf cart, and vacation rentals)?
5. What are your ideas for preserving our community's unique character while supporting residential and business growth?
6. What actions can the city take now to maximize benefits when it becomes a stop on the future Amtrak route?
7. Should the city provide financial support to economic development organizations like the Hancock Chamber and Hancock County Tourism? Support your answer.
8. What importance do you place on proposed community amenities such as a swimming pool, additional bicycle paths and dog parks?
9. What importance do you place on beautification in general and on the highway gateways coming into our city?
10. The number of golf carts on city streets continues to grow. How should golf cart use be regulated?
11. As the city grows do you think it should consider changing its present form of government? Explain your answer. Note: The “BSL Government Overview” page on our Serve BSL website contains information and resources that might be helpful in answering this question.
Thank you for participating in this ground-breaking online forum!
Remember: your answers to the questions above must be received via email by 5pm on April 10th to participate in Part Two of the Forum.
Council Candidates' Questions
1. What are your top three goals for the city in the next four years (term of office)?
2. How would you foster cooperation between the City Council and Mayor?
3. What measures would you support to increase the city’s revenue?
4. List three ways you would foster support of and communication with the city's appointed commissions (Planning and Zoning, Harbor and Historic Preservation).
5. What are your ideas for preserving our community's unique character while supporting residential and business growth?
6. What actions can the city take now to maximize benefits when it becomes a stop on the future Amtrak route?
7. Should the city provide financial support to economic development organizations like the Hancock Chamber and Hancock County Tourism? Support your answer.
8. What importance do you place on proposed community amenities such as a swimming pool, additional bicycle paths and dog parks?
9. What is your position on the possibility of the Hancock County Sheriff's Department managing the BSL Police Department. State the advantages and/or disadvantages you foresee.
10. The number of golf carts on city streets continues to grow. How should golf cart use be regulated?
11. As the city grows do you think it should consider changing its present form of government? Explain your answer. Note: The “BSL Government Overview” page on our Serve BSL website contains information and resources that might be helpful in answering this question.
Thank you for participating in this ground-breaking online forum!
Remember: your answers to the questions above must be received via email by 5pm on April 10th to participate in Part Two of the Forum.
2. How would you foster cooperation between the City Council and Mayor?
3. What measures would you support to increase the city’s revenue?
4. List three ways you would foster support of and communication with the city's appointed commissions (Planning and Zoning, Harbor and Historic Preservation).
5. What are your ideas for preserving our community's unique character while supporting residential and business growth?
6. What actions can the city take now to maximize benefits when it becomes a stop on the future Amtrak route?
7. Should the city provide financial support to economic development organizations like the Hancock Chamber and Hancock County Tourism? Support your answer.
8. What importance do you place on proposed community amenities such as a swimming pool, additional bicycle paths and dog parks?
9. What is your position on the possibility of the Hancock County Sheriff's Department managing the BSL Police Department. State the advantages and/or disadvantages you foresee.
10. The number of golf carts on city streets continues to grow. How should golf cart use be regulated?
11. As the city grows do you think it should consider changing its present form of government? Explain your answer. Note: The “BSL Government Overview” page on our Serve BSL website contains information and resources that might be helpful in answering this question.
Thank you for participating in this ground-breaking online forum!
Remember: your answers to the questions above must be received via email by 5pm on April 10th to participate in Part Two of the Forum.
How We Came Up With the Questions
The Serve BSL volunteers received 83 questions from the public (anonymously submitted via an online form) before the deadline of March 7th. As a whole, the quality of the questions was very high; it was obvious that a lot of time and consideration went into composing them.
When the volunteers met to winnow them down to ten or so, our biggest problem was figuring out which to eliminate. Many excellent questions didn't make the forum's final. Others were combined. We wish we could have used many more.
If you submitted a question for the forum, we're very grateful for your participation in the Serve BSL online forum process!
When the volunteers met to winnow them down to ten or so, our biggest problem was figuring out which to eliminate. Many excellent questions didn't make the forum's final. Others were combined. We wish we could have used many more.
If you submitted a question for the forum, we're very grateful for your participation in the Serve BSL online forum process!
Email sent to candidates who participated in Part One, 3/23
Please confirm receipt of this email by sending a reply. Thank you!
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for participating in Part One of the Serve BSL Candidates' Forum. Your bio and photo have been posted online. You may see it here [link to relevant page].
100% of candidates running for city council and three of four candidates for mayor participated in Part One – an astonishing turnout that gives us great hope for the future of our city. It is our hope that we have the same response to Part Two. Feel free to contact your assigned Serve BSL volunteer if you have questions.
To participate in Part Two of the Serve BSL Candidates' Forum, your answers to the questions below must be received via email by 5pm on April 10th. (Note: in your original forum invitation, the deadline was stated as April 9th, but since that’s a Sunday, we’ve extended it until Monday, the 10th).
Send your answers to Servebsl@bslshoofly.com
Important Info:
The Questions
In response to our outreach that began in February, 83 questions were submitted by the public to Serve BSL. Our bi-partisan volunteer team selected/edited/combined similar questions. We also came up with a few of our own to address a wide array of issues. We feel the majority of the eleven questions are pertinent for both mayor and city council candidates; however, there are a few that are office specific.
Our committee believes that these questions reflect general community concerns and give candidates an excellent opportunity to present their positions clearly on a number of issues. They are challenging, but we believe you’re up to the task!
Copy and paste the questions below into the body of an email addressed to ServeBSL@bslshoofly.com. We recommend that you first write your answers in some word processing program, proofread carefully and then paste your answers into the email, next to the corresponding question.
We will not be able to make corrections or changes once the answers are posted. It is in your best interest to have at least two people proofread your material before sending it in.
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for participating in Part One of the Serve BSL Candidates' Forum. Your bio and photo have been posted online. You may see it here [link to relevant page].
100% of candidates running for city council and three of four candidates for mayor participated in Part One – an astonishing turnout that gives us great hope for the future of our city. It is our hope that we have the same response to Part Two. Feel free to contact your assigned Serve BSL volunteer if you have questions.
To participate in Part Two of the Serve BSL Candidates' Forum, your answers to the questions below must be received via email by 5pm on April 10th. (Note: in your original forum invitation, the deadline was stated as April 9th, but since that’s a Sunday, we’ve extended it until Monday, the 10th).
Send your answers to Servebsl@bslshoofly.com
Important Info:
- The answers from all candidates will be posted on or around April 13th. You'll receive an email alerting you after they're all posted.
- In the event that you don't wish to participate in Part Two or we don't receive your answers before deadline, your bio and picture will remain on our website. "Chose not to participate in Part Two of Forum" will be posted in lieu of answers.
- If you don't wish to answer a particular question in the series, simply type “Intentionally blank.” We'll do the same on the website.
- There is no word count limit in Part Two of the Forum, however, clear, concise answers are always appreciated by voters.
- Make sure your answers are free from typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors. We will be copying and pasting your answers onto our website and will not be editing. We also won’t be able to make changes once the information is posted.
- If you have questions about Part Two, please contact the assigned Serve BSL volunteer who contacted you about Part One. The same volunteer will be checking in with you soon to offer support and encouragement.
- Any answers disparaging another candidate (at the discretion of our volunteer committee) will be deleted. “Candidate’s answer deemed inappropriate by the Serve BSL volunteer committee” will be posted in lieu of answer.
- In the interest of transparency, the list of questions for candidates will also be posted online.
- We will confirm receipt of your answers via return email.
The Questions
In response to our outreach that began in February, 83 questions were submitted by the public to Serve BSL. Our bi-partisan volunteer team selected/edited/combined similar questions. We also came up with a few of our own to address a wide array of issues. We feel the majority of the eleven questions are pertinent for both mayor and city council candidates; however, there are a few that are office specific.
Our committee believes that these questions reflect general community concerns and give candidates an excellent opportunity to present their positions clearly on a number of issues. They are challenging, but we believe you’re up to the task!
Copy and paste the questions below into the body of an email addressed to ServeBSL@bslshoofly.com. We recommend that you first write your answers in some word processing program, proofread carefully and then paste your answers into the email, next to the corresponding question.
We will not be able to make corrections or changes once the answers are posted. It is in your best interest to have at least two people proofread your material before sending it in.
Serve Bay St. Louis
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Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Gulf Coast
This non-partisan site created and sponsored as a public service by volunteers working with
The Shoofly Magazine
with special thanks to our civic supporters:
The Hancock Chamber
The Sea Coast Echo
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Compare Answers, Not Ads
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Gulf Coast
This non-partisan site created and sponsored as a public service by volunteers working with
The Shoofly Magazine
with special thanks to our civic supporters:
The Hancock Chamber
The Sea Coast Echo
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
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