06/30/2025

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt “The Man in the Arena”
Words cannot fully express my gratitude to the citizens of South Mississippi – and of Gulfport, in particular - for allowing me to represent their interests in the capacity of an elected official for over 32 years. Since its founding, our community has been blessed to have the leadership of countless people from all walks of life who were interested in making this special region a desirable place to live, work, play, succeed, and thrive. I have tried to learn from that example in fostering a collaborative approach to governance, which, at its essence, understands that if one of us wins, we all win.
Successful cities don’t happen by accident. While we are always striving to do better, Gulfport continues to be an amazing place to be! This is largely due to the relentless pursuit of excellence by city employees and community partners who have seen the challenges faced by other communities and understand that we are in a much better position than most to stimulate opportunities in terms of job growth, social engagement, and enjoyment of our cultural and natural resources. It is our character, based in hospitality, integrity, and resilience that differentiates our people. It is these factors that have given my experience meaning and purpose.
I would also like to thank my colleagues, friends, and even political opposites who have engaged in efforts to improve the lives and conditions of our citizens. Politics is a contact sport and governance is hard. It is especially difficult on the relatives who faithfully endure living in a fishbowl, where everything is subject to commentary - often fueled by the notions of the willfully uninformed who favor sensationalism over substance. Finally, I must express great appreciation to my wife and family, as their sacrifices have made this commitment to service possible.
The best lesson learned was the understanding that, “If we both agree on everything, one of us isn’t necessary.” For me, this sums up the charge given to all of us: It is important to engage, and even disagree, but that interaction must be done in a civil, open-minded fashion. You get what you give. Every disagreement is not a declaration of war. It is an opportunity to fully consider matters of importance to those we serve.
If the only thing I have accomplished is to emphasize the power of relationships, highlight the possibilities that come from collective effort, and help our remarkable coastal community better understand how we are viewed as a region, then I would consider this journey a success!
President Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech goes to the heart of the reality of being involved, and is more relevant today, than ever. In that light, it has been an honor to work on your behalf!
God bless.
