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Subscribe to City LineNovember 24, 2009
From the office of Mayor George Schloegel
In his Thanksgiving proclamation nearly 150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln urged the American people to gratefully and solemnly acknowledge the gracious gifts bestowed on them with “one heart and one voice.”
Many years have passed since Lincoln’s decree, but again we find ourselves facing difficult challenges; at war in a foreign land and dealing with the recovery of an ailing economy here at home.
This Thanksgiving there will be empty seats around thousands of dinner tables across this nation, especially in a military town such as Gulfport, as brave and selfless Americans continue to serve in harm’s way.
We honor their valor and give thanks for their sacrifice, and we express our gratitude to the families who bear their absence with great dignity and devotion.
At home, while I believe the worst is now behind us, the symptoms of a sick economy are still noticeable. Mothers and fathers are worried about losing a job or having enough money to cover mortgage payments, grocery bills and insurance premiums.
In addition, signs of Hurricane Katrina remain in many of our neighborhoods.
But even now, in this time of trial for the people of Gulfport, we all have good reason to be thankful. Gulfport has been tested many times before, and yet, we’re still here today. The character and resolve of our people will cure what ails us now.
People from every corner of our city are preparing to take time out this Thanksgiving to help feed the hungry, comfort the sick and bring hope to the hopeless. Many who can are giving their time and resources to help their neighbors in need.
This spirit, the benevolent courage to want a better life not only for ourselves but for every citizen of Gulfport, is what makes our city so special.
We witnessed that spirit first hand this past weekend on the faces of those City Council members, and planning and zoning commissioners who joined us on our citywide bus tour. We saw the unsafe construction and deplorable conditions that many of our fellow citizens are living in.
The eye-opening bus tour has prompted us to act swiftly to address the quality of future development in Gulfport, and we hope to have a plan in place before the year is out.
You can rest assured that your current City Council and mayor will carefully consider each future development proposed for Gulfport.
We were honored to learn this week that our city was named the best place in Mississippi to rear children and we pledge to continue that record of excellence for our citizens.
Gulfport, as great as it is, still has a long way yet to go. But we will triumph the very same way that we have in the many years since Lincoln’s first Thanksgiving: by coming together with one heart and one voice to lift up our neighbors in need, giving thanks for all of our many blessings and by working together with a common belief that the future of our great city is brighter than ever before.
Sincerely,
George Schloegel
Mayor
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Office of Public Information - rlafontaine@gulfport-ms.gov - Phone: 228-868-5782
P.O. Box 1780 Gulfport, MS 39502-1780 - FAX: 868-5800
