by Hunter Dawkins, Publisher/Owner – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm
PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — Last Wednesday, January 22, 2025 after Winter Storm Enzo canceled the regular meeting, the Pass Christian Board of Alderman approved a few agenda items for the fire department, accepted a retirement, and discussed a contract along with installation of hydrants. Fire Chief Dia’mond Woodman addressed the board about the annual maintenance city contract and Phase I of Fire installation. The agenda measure was requested by Ward 4 Alderman Victor Pickich who inquired to Woodman about the installation of hydrants.
Woodman responded standing next to City Attorney Malcolm Jones that the city had list of locations for new fire hydrants and there was enough equipment to carry 1000 gallons. The fire chief expressed the cost efficiency by not affecting the fire protection of the city.
Jones spoke after, conveying there were 20 fire hydrants on the list of priority for the city and the broken ones are on the priority list. DNA Underground has the existing contract with the city providing the equipment.
Following the discussion, Woodman spoke highly of firefighter Bruce Wilkerson, before the city voted to accept his retirement. Wilkerson’s lenghty career started in 2002 and he has served the city in multiple capacities over his 25 years of service.
Finally, the board accepted the recommendation from Watters Architecture to award the contract to Calder Company, LLC for renovation of Fire Station #1 at a cost of $395,750. Upon this recommendation, chief architect Leah Watters mentioned to the project will begin in 120 days.
The board accepted Woodman’s request to move Firefighter Brooks Hoda from Part Time to Full Time at a salary of $13.90 per hour with a year of probation starting January 31 and accepted the resignation of Dean Toler on January 18, 2025. Firefighter Gavin Carter was approved on the consent agenda to send to Fire Officer Level 1, NFPA 1021-1 at the Mississippi Fire Academy January 27-30th with use of a city vehicle at a cost of $250 and a per diem of $112.
Before the Fire Department details were presented to the city, two new members were appointed to Historic Preservation Commission on a 4-1 roll call vote. In an attempt to table the agenda item, Pass Christian Mayor Jimmy Rafferty’s credibility was questioned by Ward 3 Alderman Kirk Kimball.
Kimball mentioned to the public that he & Alderman Pickich presented the names on the agenda to Rafferty in a previous conversation before the meeting. The city attorney acknowledged these appointments were of the mayor with an exception of the school board, but that each commission was different and the appointments were approved by the board of aldermen.
Kaitlyn Kidd and Mike Simpson were the board approved new members of the Historic Preservation Commission. There is a three year term for a member of this commission.
Front Photo: L-R: Pass Christian Ward 3 Alderman Kirk Kimball and Ward 4 Alderman Victor Pickich in discussion with Pass Christian Fire Department Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via AP.
