I’m intentionally writing this today, as it has been exactly one year since I was sworn in. That’s right, I was sworn in on April Fools’ Day.
It has been a whirlwind of meetings, problem-solving, learning about state statutes, getting to know new people, late nights, and early mornings. It has been a pleasure working with such a responsive and dedicated staff.
I look forward to a City Council meeting in the near future where staff will share the accomplishments of the past year. This update, however, is a bit more personal.
My number one campaign goal was to increase communication between the Council and residents. I believe we’ve made real progress through the City newsletter, Facebook posts, Two for Tuesday videos, monthly updates, and printed articles in Gulfport publications. I respond to emails multiple times a day when I’m available. Feel free to test that by sending a note to klove@mygulfport.us. Over the past 12 months, I have led eight workshops, giving residents the opportunity to hear the Council’s thought process and share their own ideas.
I’ve learned more about the permitting process than I ever expected. I’ve found that about 80% of requests for help stem from communication issues. The Building Department operates within the technical requirements of the Florida Building Code, FEMA, and NFIP regulations, while many residents are still exhausted and, in some cases, need emotional support as they recover from the storms. I believe I’ve been able to serve as a helpful conduit between the two.
The process has been updated so that contractors now work through a portal with a third-party company we contract with, while homeowners acting as their own contractors work directly with City staff. Our goal is to turn permits around within 10 days, but I’ve learned I need to clarify that this means 10 days from the time all required information is submitted, not from an incomplete application. I’ve also learned there are always two sides to every story.
I’ve had the pleasure of living in and loving this town for 15 years before becoming mayor. I know our residents to be kind, giving, and caring, far more so than what you might see from uninformed voices or trolls on social media. I’ve chosen not to respond to that negativity, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting. I appreciate the pickleball players who let me jump in for a few games now and then. I value our volunteers who give so much of their time, and I admire our community advocates who come forward with thoughtful ideas, often fully developed and just needing City support.
One of my biggest challenges is when residents approach me about something they believe the City should or shouldn’t do. Many times, I agree with them. But when I explain that the State has preempted the issue, or that it falls under County control rather than the City, I often hear, “Yeah, I don’t do politics.” I’m still working on the best response to that.
Future updates will be less personal and more focused on City business.
Thanks for reading.