Is a City Manager Needed in Ocean Springs?

A move to bring a city manager to Ocean Springs is causing waves among the board of aldermen. Two petitions are currently out, one in favor of the current mayor-based system and the other in support of appointing a city manager.
Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran has been in office since 2005, re-elected in 2009 then again in 2013. She’s been a vital part of Ocean Springs’ government for the last decade, but that could change soon.
Alderman Greg Denyer, who is in his fourth term on the board, feels that it’s finally time to bring in a city manager to take on the wide scope of issues that come with running a city. “I think the job has gotten way too big for one person to do effectively and do it well. You need more than one person.”
Currently, a petition is out to start the process of bringing in a city manager, but Moran has taken to social media to defend her position as mayor by creating a separate petition to keep a mayor-based government in place. “The mayor is the forefront of the city, but should be accountable to the citizens.The bottom line is do you want representative government or do you want someone who is hired from the outside?”
Moran says for some reason her background and her qualifications may be in question, but she feels that her track record speaks for itself. “I have served 11 years as the mayor and before that 20 years of experience in economic development. I feel that I’m well qualified.”
Both sides believe they make a compelling argument, but no formal action will occur until the petition to change the governments form receives roughly 1,500 signatures which then must be ratified.
“It’s done, I think the most important thing you need to know is it’s done in 65%-70% of all the towns in the United States, just in Mississippi is it a rarity,” Denyer.
Moran said, “This is my home. I love it. I have the heart for Ocean Springs and they can vote me out at the ballot box. That is the system if people are dissatisfied.”