Mayor Mike Smith sits in as columnist for Alderman Jeremy Burke this month, with a "State of Waveland" update on the lighthouse project, park improvements, the Waveland Business Center, blighted properties, gateway enhancements and sewer system repairs.  

​Martin Luther King Park received a new splash pad last year and now other areas of the park are in the process of being renovated. The Community Center is being rebuilt, and walkways are going to be rebuilt at the park.

Presently the Waveland Business Center sits half-occupied, but I'm optimistic that will change in the near future.  Waveland is actively exploring the possibility of surplussing the Waveland Business Center building to a Waveland redevelopment commission.  This would allow the commission to negotiate long-term leases, which by law is difficult for municipal governments to do. If Waveland is able to form a redevelopment district, I believe that will allow the Waveland Business Center to be more attractive to potential tenants.  

Blighted properties have been a big issue for the past 12 years. Waveland is currently making a huge push to get these properties cleaned. Blight enforcement officer Don Sibenkittle, along with our Waveland Building Department are bringing these properties to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for resolution.

I was just awarded a scholarship from Mississippi Power Company to attend the True South Economic Development Course at the University of Southern Miss. This is an intensive four-day course that will hopefully answer the looming question we’ve had since Hurricane Katrina:  how to encourage development on Coleman Avenue, as well as Highway  90.

​Waveland has applied for a gateway enhancement grant that would address the main corridors into Waveland:  Waveland Aveune-Highway 90, Highway 603-Highway 90 as well as Kiln-Waveland Cutoff- Highway  603. Items included in this grant are professional landscaping, lighting, tree screening along Highway 90 and way-finding signage.  

​If you live on Herlihy, Edna, Meadow Lane or East Meadow Lane, this pertains to you:  over the next couple of months the city of Waveland will begin work on completely revamping our 40-year-old sewer system in your area. Of course that comes with disruptions in daily life for residents until this project is complete. Thank you in advance for your patience!

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the Mississippi Municipal League conference, a Touch-a-Truck Community Awareness event, the city's new website and Team Waveland participating in Relay for Life.  

I was also able to complete the advanced level certification and move to the professional development level portion of the program.
 
Although the certification course is voluntary, receipt of the designation of Certified Municipal Official requires completion of core courses: Municipal Organization, Municipal Law, Municipal Finance, Municipal Land Use and Community Development. The CMO program provides the participants training to become more effective leaders for Waveland.
 
Established in 1931, MML represents 295 city, town, and village governments in Mississippi. The mission of the MML is helping cities and towns excel through training, lobbying at the state and federal level, and providing resources and networking opportunities with state, federal and private entities. For more information about the Mississippi Municipal League, visit www.mmlonline.com.

Waveland Community Awareness Day

Waveland Website

The city of Waveland website has a new look. Waveland-based Lime Pi Digital is building and will maintain the site. The last update I received was that Lime Pi is putting the final touches on the site, and it should go online in early August. More content will be added over the next several months, including a feature that will make reporting an issue to Waveland quicker and easier.

Team Waveland

​City of Waveland will have a booth at the Relay for Life event on Saturday, August 5.  If you would like to volunteer to help at the booth or purchase a purple ribbon that goes towards Waveland fundraising efforts, please contact April Depreo at 228.202.5308.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the half-million dollar Waveland library bequest, a new festival in Waveland that will delight fans of Ernest Hemingway, the retirement of Christine Gallagher and new police cars.  

 The money is being managed by People’s Bank and will be transmitted to the foundation in increments of $20,000 a year until those funds are exhausted. The first installment was received by the Library Foundation in June.

With that money, the library purchased state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment for the meeting room, as well as a laptop cart and laptops, which will allow for digital literacy classes at the Waveland branch. It is important to note that this money cannot be used to pay for library operational expenses, but it does provide an opportunity to expand library services for our Waveland Library.

HemFest in Havana
 
Do you like a fun birthday party? Well, I have a birthday party for you.

Friday, July 21 at the Waveland Ground Zero Museum starting at 7 p.m., Waveland will celebrate Earnest Hemingway’s 118th birthday. HemFest in Havana is hosted by the Hancock Chamber and the Rum Kitchen. 
 
HemFest in Havana will feature Cuban-inspired food and drinks made by the Rum Kitchen, a mobile cigar bar, and calypso music with a lot of salsa dancing.
 
And, ATTENTION! HemFest is looking for a few stocky bearded men to participate in the Hemingway look-a-like contest. 
 
This event is limited to 100 guests. Tickets are $65 per person or $118 for two tickets. The proceeds of the tickets go to benefit the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum fund of the Hancock Community Development Foundation.

To purchase your tickets, contact Linda Aiavolasiti at 228.216.0561 or linda@wavelandgroundzero.com.

 Waveland Notes:
​

• Longtime Waveland employee Christine Gallagher retired from the Waveland Building Department effective June 30. Her knowledge will be greatly missed at city hall. David Diaz will take over the position of Waveland Building Department office manger and zoning official.

 

• Due to recent loss of a number of police patrol cars, Waveland Police Department purchased four new patrol vehicles in June. The department bought Ford Explorers to replace the Dodge Chargers. The Ford Explorer is a high-profile patrol vehicle with lower maintenance costs.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the Destination Waveland Celebration on Saturday, July 1st, new construction projects and an update on beach maintenance and parking. 

Any businesses or residents who want to get involved in the celebration, please contract Tammy Fayard at 228-467-4134.

Sponsored by City of Waveland and numerous generous community sponsors.

Caution: Men at Work — SOON

The Waveland lighthouse, public pavilion, and restroom project has spurred so much interest from contractors that Waveland decided to extended the bidding process until June 6. Bids for this project were scheduled to be open until May 17, but due to overwhelming solicitation for bid packets and the large scope of the project, the mayor and aldermen decided it was best for taxpayers to allow contractors more time to put together a quality bid.

Waveland has decided to seek bids for to paving Garden Lane, Gladstone Street (east of Henderson) and to mill a number of sections of Waveland Avenue. I expect these paving projects to be completed by Labor Day.
​

A Day at the Beach

Hancock County Board of Supervisors just executed a $376,400 beach maintenance contract with local company Black Diamond Construction. Black Diamond’s proposal was the most competitive bid, and I have no doubt will do a great job. 
The new contractor just took over the beach maintenance in mid-May, but the quality of performance maintaining the beach and walking path is already far superior to years past.

During May, Hancock Count Board of Supervisors discussed during public meeting the plan to pave parking bays on the south side of Beach Blvd in selective location. This project has been mentioned in years past, but I suspect that this project will finally come to fruition in the next few months. 

There is a high probability that the Board of Supervisors will have at least one of the proposed parking bays constructed on the south side of Beach Boulevard in Waveland by the spring of 2018. 

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the long-awaited Waveland Lighthouse going out for bid, other civic projects and improvements and the St. Clare Seafood Festival over Memorial Day weekend. 

This construction project is the prefect addition to the foot of the Coleman Avenue beachfront. It will add another major attraction to the area, which now features the Garfield Ladner Memorial Pier, a volleyball court, a large parking area and the Veteran’s Memorial. The Waveland Lighthouse is a functional building and gathering area that fills a big need on the Waveland beach front.

St Clare Seafood Festival

​The St. Clare Seafood Festival has grown into the marquee festival in Hancock County for the Memorial Day weekend. The festival runs Friday, May 26, 5–11 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 11 a.m.–11 p.m., and Sunday, May 28, noon to 10 p.m.
 
The festival features food, carnival rides, craft vendors, and the best free Memorial Day weekend live entertainment anywhere on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. On Friday evening, Category 6 will be performing; Saturday evening, Forest Tradition will be performing; and Got Groove will be closing out the festival on Sunday evening. There is also classic car show starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday on the church grounds.
 
In addition to the festival, the 5th annual St. Clare Seafood Festival 5K race will take place on the Waveland boardwalk on Saturday, May 27, at 8 a.m. See run/walk registration details here .
 
Please make plans to have a good time while supporting St. Clare this Memorial Day weekend.

Waveland News and Notes
 

• The stage at Martin Luther King Park will be named in honor of Clarence Harris.

 

• Waveland received around $70,000 in road and bridge money from Hancock County Board of Supervisor. The streets that will be paved will be determined in several weeks once Waveland is able to compile cost estimates.

 

• The Bienville Drive road flooding issue should be completed by July 1.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on C&R's 10th Annual Crawfish Cookoff, the possibility of curbside recycling and the town's annual Easter Egg Hunt. 

In addition, you can have your business name displayed at the event by sponsoring a sack of crawfish. Teams and sponsorships are limited for this event, so call 228-493-9922 today to secure your spot.
 
Admission is just $20 for adults and $10 for kids (9–12), and under-8s are free. Rochelle Harper will be the entertainment this year. The C&R crawfish cook-off will benefit Friends of the Animal Shelter and Wild at Heart Rescue.

Curbside Recycling

So, do you want citywide curbside recycling or not?
 
Mayor Mike Smith, five additional Hancock County elected officials, Diamondhead's city manager and I serve as directors of the Hancock County Solid Waste Authority, which is currently soliciting bids for curbside recycling service in each municipality in Hancock County. 
 
Currently, if people want to recycle items like glass, paper, and plastic, the only option in Hancock County is for people to take them to one of five recycling dumpsters located throughout the county. A large percentage of Hancock County households do not recycle, so the question becomes, “If curbside recycling was available, would more people start recycling?” One would hope so.
 
The service of curbside recycling will probably cost between $2 and $5 for each household per month — I will know the exact service fee for curbside recycling service on May 8th. Recycling would be billed the same way that your monthly curbside trash collection service is billed.
 
It is important to let your Hancock County Solid Waste Authority Director from your municipality or your councilman or mayor know if you are interested in having curbside recycling in your municipality. Email yours today!

Editor's Note:  You may also take this survey!
 
Hancock County Solid Waste Authority Directors:
 
Diamondhead:
 Mayor Tommy Schafer
 Clovis Reed
 
Bay St Louis:
 Mayor Les Fillingame
 Councilman Bobby Compretta
 
 Waveland:
 Mayor Mike Smith
 Alderman Jeremy Burke
 
Hancock County:
Supervisor Blaine Lafontaine
Supervisor Greg Shaw                                                          
 

Easter Egg Hunt

 Waveland’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt is set for Saturday, April 8, 11–1 at the day-use picnic area at Buccaneer State Park. This annual event will have games, prizes, snacks, thousands of eggs and, of course, the Easter bunny.

​Hope to see everyone out there! If you have any questions or would like to donate items, please contact April Depreo at achevis@waveland-ms.gov or 228-216-1592.

Relive the Waveland St. Paddy's Day Parade! 
click here for the Shoofly's 15 Minutes Photo Gallery

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the Waveland St. Paddy's Parade, a benefit for Friends of the Animal Shelter, a Waveland city clean-up, city insurance savings and more!  

Friends of the Animal Shelter Benefit
 
Susan McManus will be hosting a creative arts sale at her home at 304 Nicholson Avenue from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 18th. The sale will include wall art, mosaics, wreaths, birdhouses, and many other handmade items to decorate homes, inside and out. The proceeds from the sales will benefit the Friends of the Animal Shelter of Hancock County.
 
If you have any questions please contact Susan McManus at loneoak@bellsouth.net

Mayor’s Cleanup Day
 
The following is a message from Mayor Mike Smith:
 
I am really excited to announce this cleanup day in the City of Waveland. Highway 90 is the focus area for this effort and will include picking up litter, grass cutting, planting and the business owners/property owners that participate will be asked to address issues at their property with the help of volunteers.

Issues include things such as signs, painting and items that are in need of repair.  Involved parties will include Public Works, Litter Department Community Service, Keep Waveland Beautiful and Team Waste. Highway 90 is the gateway to the city and should look more attractive for visitors.  If you are interested in helping please contact city hall.  The date is March 24th. beginning at 8:00 am. 

Random News and Notes
 
It was approved in February that the Central Fire Station on Highway 90 will be dedicated and named “David A. Garcia Central Fire Station” to honor former Chief and Mayor David Garcia for his many years of dedication and service to the city of Waveland.
 
Waveland changed the city's property insurance to Betz, Rosetti, & Associates, Inc. and was able to lower our premium by 17%.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on Waveland's participation in the Mississippi Municipal League conference in Jackson, changes at the Waveland Ground Zero Museum and the Hope Haven Oyster Throwdown. 

We also networked with legislators and business leaders at the Gulf Coast Legislative Reception at the capitol to provide them important feedback on issues that are critical to Waveland.
 
Attending the MML's Mid-Winter Conference and visiting the capitol during the legislative session are valuable components of Waveland’s progress forward. ​

During the first regular Board meeting in January Waveland hired Linda Aiavolasiti to be the Director of the Waveland Ground Zero Museum. 
 
Linda will oversee the staffing, exhibits, programming and booking for the Waveland Ground Museum.  Linda is the perfect fit for this position.  Not only is the Waveland resident one of the original museum volunteers, she also is a volunteer staff member at the Hancock Chamber of Commerce.  She will do a great job welcoming visitors to Waveland and telling guests the story of where Waveland was, where Waveland is and where Waveland is going.
 
The Ground Zero Museum is located at 335 Coleman Avenue.  The museum is open on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00am - 3:00pm and is available for group tours by appointment.  Waveland is anticipating adding a commercial kitchen to the museum in 2017 using restricted funds which will enable even more uses for the building.
 
The Ground Zero Hurricane Museum is a fund of the Hancock Community Development Foundation, founded by the Hancock Chamber in 2006 as a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit public charity to serve as an umbrella for organizations working to enhance economic development and quality of life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
 
To find out more about the museum to go: www.wavelandgroundzero.com or call 228-467-9012 or contact  Linda Aiavolasiti at linda@wavelandgroundzero.com or 228.216.0561.

The 5th annual Hope Haven Oyster Throwdown fundraiser is Saturday, March 4th from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Knock Knock Lounge, 720 Highway 90 in Waveland.  Team entry fee is $150 and includes a sack of oysters.

​This event has limited space, so get your team entered early!  The winning team will get a trophy and bragging rights as Hope Haven Oyster Throwdown Champs.
 
Award categories for the Hope Haven Oyster Throwdown are as follows:
 
1st, 2nd, & 3rd place awards for:
Best Grilled Oysters
Best Soup / Stews
Not Your MaMa's Oysters
1st Place:
People's Choice
Best Decorated Booth
Best Oyster Sauce
 
Admission is $15 for adults, $6 for children ages 8-12, and is free for children under 8. For more information or to enter a team, contact Hope Haven Director, Jay Trapani at 228-466-6395. All proceeds from this event go to benefit Hope Haven Children's Advocacy Center.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke gives us a year-end round-up on city projects and progress, as well as a sneak-peak into what's ahead in 2017. 

I do not know if ground will be broken by 2018, but rest assured that the project is diligently being worked on. In addition, Waveland will begin planning additional pedestrian modes of transportation throughout Waveland.
 
Waveland is expecting the final plans for the Waveland lighthouse and comfort station before the spring. The lighthouse project is one that has been talked about for way too long, but it very close to seeing physical progress.

Waveland has a large portion of the money needed for the project set aside in our Tidelands Trust Fund and recently received $300,000 of GOMESA funding from the Hancock County Board of Supervisors. I’m anticipating construction of the lighthouse and comfort station to begin before the end of 2017.

The most significant task that Waveland will be undertaking during 2017 will be a number of sewage improvement projects throughout Waveland. During this past year, Waveland secured monies from MDEQ’s State Revolving Fund in order to start the process of addressing problems in our sewage system.

A few projects that Waveland will address with this sewage system is increasing the capacity of the Gladstone Street lift station and lining pipes to decrease infiltration into the system. All of these projects are needed to protect our environment and decrease the amount of wastewater Waveland is treating.
 
This month, several board members and I will be going to up Jackson to speak with lawmakers to request funding for various waterfront projects and discuss a number of other issues that affect Waveland.

One of the positive notes of 2016 was the amount of quality building that is taking place in Waveland. The Waveland Building Department issued permits for over $8 million of construction projects in 2017. Of the $8 million worth of construction, 23 were new residential home projects.
 
I look forward to 2017 as a great opportunity for Waveland. Let's make it happen! Come on 2017!

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date with information on the new utility ordinance, the new noise ordinance and the South Street construction project. 

That being said, monthly water bills will become less for customers who use less than 5,000 gallons per month.  In addition, commercial water deposits, which have been the highest on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, have been revised.  Commercial customers with water lines less than 4 inches will now pay a deposit of $270, as opposed to the former deposit of $600. 
 
This new ordinance is a fair way of billing.  Households that use less water will not be subsidizing higher-usage water users.  The new water rates will be reflected on the bills that are mailed out in January 2017.

Click here to read the new utility ordinance.

​The city of Waveland adopted a new noise ordinance in November. 
 
The new ordinance allows music 85 decibels or less to occur later on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Thursday night noise can go on until midnight and Friday and Saturday noise can go on until 2 a.m.  All other nights, the noise must stop at 10 p.m. 
 
I was the lone nay vote on this ordinance.  I don’t believe Waveland should have adopted a citywide noise ordinance that doesn’t address commercial and residential zones individually.  Waveland should not establish what time entertainment should stop in commercial zones.  I believe a business should be able to have a band or DJ in a business located in a commercial zone until whatever time they wish.  Another concern I have with the ordinance is that it does not protect the quiet residential neighborhoods.  I believe Waveland has a responsibility to protect the peace and quiet in R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones.   
 
The new noise ordinance will take effect on December 16. 

Click here to read the new Noise Ordinance.

Several months ago Waveland approved a construction project to raise part of South Street that is prone to flooding. After several months of waiting for necessary permits from the Department of Marine Resources to mitigate some wetlands affected by the project, job contractor Moran Construction began the project on November 14. It is a 45-day project that should be finished by January 1.

​South Street is closed from Sears Avenue to Brown Avenue.  All traffic on South Street is being detoured to Beach Boulevard to get around the project.  Even with the recent rain, the project is still on schedule.  This project is being completed using Hancock County Road and Bridge Funds.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date with the results of the Waveland tax auctions, the Waveland Christmas Bazaar, a new Coleman Avenue tax abatement and efforts to spruce up the city. 

​The 3rd Annual Waveland Christmas Bazaar is Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19  at the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum on Coleman Avenue. This free outdoor and indoor event, features local arts, crafts, jewelry, candles and much more.  Local restaurants will serve lunch and dinner.
 
The bazaar is a cash-and-carry-items only event and local businesses are encouraged to participate.  This event is a great way to find that unique local gift to give to your family and friends this Christmas.
 
If you are interested in being a vendor, please email wavelandchristmasbazaar2015@gmail and request a vendor application.  The bazaar is attempting not to have duplicated booths, so please list all items that you wish to sell on your application.

​After several months of discussion and amending, Waveland has finally adopted a tax incentive ordinance for the Coleman Avenue District which goes from St. Joseph Street to Terrace Avenue, and from the railroad tracks down to the beach.  The tax incentive is available to anyone within the Coleman Avenue District who builds a development valued over $350,000. They will be eligible for up to 100 percent tax abatement for 7 years  on ad valorem taxes.
 
The Waveland Board of Alderman hopes this tax incentive will be the spark that can spur commercial and mixed-used development on Coleman Avenue.  I believe the exemption of repealing ad valorem will get Waveland in the conversation for investors to build, which hasn’t been the case in the past.  Waveland’s temporarily foregoing ad valorem collection to leverage a long-term gain will be better for all of Waveland. The Board of Alderman is being aggressive to get meaningful development to the once vibrant Coleman Avenue area.  

​During the last week of October, Lowe’s sent out a team of volunteers into Waveland to lend a helping hand to the community. The volunteer group, called Lowe's Heroes, cleaned up gardens along Coleman Avenue, painted the rockers outside the Waveland Library, and repaired the ramp at the Ground Zero Museum,  just to name of few of their projects.  Lowe’s APOS is and always has been a wonderful steward of goodwill in  Waveland.
 
-- 

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date:  Have your say on how the state allocates $750 million in BP funds, good news on the Waveland audit and Halloween on Coleman. 

Leah Holland, an auditor from Wright, Ward, Hatten and Guel, PLLC presented the fiscal year 2015 audit report and gave Waveland the best financial bill of health she could, an unmodified opinion. Holland praised the City of Waveland for their fiscal conservation and fiscal responsibility.

According to the report, the city has done a good job of budgeting. Waveland had $2,983,243 in the unrestricted general fund as of the end of the fiscal year 2015, which is over four months of expenditures.

The larger sources of the city's revenues were: state and federal aid, $6,112,879; sales tax $2,305,186; property taxes, $2,013,860; franchise fees, $259,820. Sales tax collected from fiscal year 2014 to 2015 increased by 4 percent. Spending your money locally at Waveland shops and restaurants is a great financial benefit to the financial position of Waveland. 

The audit report did note a small number of flaws that Waveland needs to address. Mrs. Holland did indicate in her presentation at the meeting that she believes all of the flaws in the audit have already been addressed. 
​
The taxpayers of Waveland certainly had their money well managed in 2015. This is a testament to the hard work that many do in all Waveland departments.
​

Attention all ghosts and goblins. Waveland invites you to the annual Halloween Bash on Coleman Avenue Monday, October 31, 5:30–7:00 p.m. There will be tricks, treats, face painting and many other surprises! This is a family-friendly event that children of all ages will enjoy. 

To make this an even better event, we invite residents and businesses to set up on Coleman Avenue and hand out candy. If you are interested in setting up a booth or being a part of the event, please contact Raquel LaFontaine at Raquellafontaine@gmail.com (cell 228-493-7246) or call Waveland City Hall at 228-467-4134.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date on online tax sale auctions, the 2017 Waveland city budget and a grant application for beachfront restroom facilities. 

Users will be able to view property details such as parcel location and pictures of the property.  Successful bidders will be notified by email and payment of the bid amount must be paid within fifteen (15) days of notification.

Currently, the Secretary of State’s Office holds over $71 Million worth of property forfeited to the State for non-payment of ad valorem taxes.  Since 2012, the Secretary of State’s Office has made efforts to alleviate the tax forfeited epidemic in Mississippi.  The Secretary of State's Office has successful been able to put a number of property back on tax rolls throughout the Mississippi using the online auction method.
Bid early and bid often.

During July and August, Waveland has been compiling figures and fielding department requests in order to put together the upcoming fiscal year's budget. The Mayor, aldermen, and department heads have been reflecting upon funding needs and unmet goals from the past year and are setting priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.  Everyone involved has been considering how the expected revenue for the 2017 fiscal year should be spent.

Waveland has crunched the numbers and is on track to fund several capital project during the upcoming year without increasing the tax burden on our citizens.

On Thursday, September 1 at 6:30 p.m., Waveland will host a 2017 budget public hearing.  I invite all citizens of Waveland to attend this meeting to give the Waveland Board of Mayor and Alderman constructive input. The board will meet on Thursday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m. to address the adoption of the 2017 budget.

If you cannot attend the meeting, I encourage you to contact Mayor Mike Smith and your alderman at 228.467.4134 as soon as possible to discuss how you believe YOUR TAX DOLLARS should be spent.

Last month Waveland applied for funding for a portable restroom through the MDA Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Grant Program.

Everyone realizes the need for public restroom facilities on our beaches, so Waveland decided to run a grant application up the flagpole. The grant that we are pursuing is highly competitive so it may be a long-shot that we receive the funding, but since we applied we at least have a shot.  Waveland will receive a "yea" or "nay" for our grant request from the State within a few months.
​
Even if Waveland does not receive the grant, I will continue to push for Waveland to rent a portable bathroom trailer during the peak summer months.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date on plans for more sidewalks in the city, new approach to blighted properties, congrats to Grammy's Donuts, the Waveland Business of the Year, and an update on new housing construction in town. 

 The long-term plan of Waveland is to have safe pedestrian foot traffic throughout the city.  The grant will give Waveland an idea of the cost, potential right-of-way obstacles and bargaining power to pursue additional funding.  This grant is a first step in making Waveland a pedestrian safer city.

Waveland has a new person in charge of addressing the city’s blighted properties. Don Siebenkittle has assumed the duty of blighted properties from the recently retired Bernie Cullen.
 
Mr. Siebenkittle will continue overseeing litter control and court-ordered community service, but will take on the additional responsibility of correcting blighted properties.  Don has successfully enhanced the beauty of Waveland by removing over 600 dumped tires from within Waveland city limits and supervising over 4,200 court-ordered community service hours during the past year, to name just a few of his efforts. Beautification is Don’s forte, and I believe he will do a superb job tackling this new task.
 
I have already expressed my concerns regarding derelict slabs that are hampering the full potential of several neighborhoods.  Over the next several months, I hope to see Waveland more aggressively address these blighted properties.  If you have any blighted properties that you are concerned about, please contract Don Siebenkittel, dsiebenkittel@gmail.com, and Mayor Mike Smith, msmith@waveland-ms.gov.

I would like to congratulate Grammy’s Donuts and More on being elected by the Hancock Chamber membership as Waveland Business of Year. The addition of Grammy’s to the Waveland business community several months ago has been a blessing and a treat.  It is always flattering when a business establishes in Waveland and becomes a part of our community.

I’m going to start trying to keep everyone abreast on the amount of building that is happening in Waveland.  During the first half of 2016 Waveland has seen 11 new homes constructed.  A majority of the new houses are being built along the Waveland beachfront.  In all, Waveland has seen $3,841,036 worth of total construction during the first half of 2016.

In this five part series, Hancock County Tourism Bureau is highlighting our communities and some of the unique activities for visitors and also locals. This month we feature Waveland.
- photos by Ellis Anderson, Ana Balka, Prima Luke

Waveland was originally part of old Shieldsboro (which later became Bay St. Louis), and was known as Montgomery Station and Grand Bend before attaining a charter to become a separate municipality with a mayor and ​board of aldermen in 1888.

From the beginning, it was a resort town and many New Orleans residents had summer homes here.  Today, Waveland is the only city on the Gulf Coast that prohibits commercial buildings on the beachfront, preserving its hometown feeling.

Buccaneer State Park (dedicated on January 1, 1976) is at the southwest end of Waveland abutting Beach Boulevard and features large moss-draped oaks and marshlands next to the Gulf of Mexico.

Use of this land was first recorded in the late 1700s. Some legends hold that the French Buccaneer, Jean Lafitte, inhabited the old Pirate House located a short distance from what is now the park. According to some sources the park site, also known as Jackson’s Ridge, was used as a base of military operations by Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans; oral tradition maintains that Jackson later returned to this area and built a house — Sea Song — on the land that is now Buccaneer State Park. Both of these locations are identified by historical Markers.

Along with 206 premium campsites with standard hookups, the campsite also has 70 beach sites, 25 primitive campsites, three large bathhouses, disk golf course, playground, pavilion rental, and nature trails.

The crown jewel is the 4.5-acre Buccaneer Bay Waterpark. The park is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Labor Day, and boasts Pirate’s Plunge and Plank Waterslides, Li’l Smugglers Cove, and Pirate’s Lagoon Wave Pool, which can generate up to eight different wave patterns.  It's splashing good fun for the entire family!  Season passes are available.

At the foot of Coleman Avenue (the principal business district thought out the years) is the Veterans Monument and Memorial Park, honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces.The story of the Veterans Memorial begins back at the turn of the Century.

The Waveland American Legion Post 77 Executive Committee was looking at its property on Coleman Avenue, with the intention of placing a lasting veteran’s memorial. Commander Russell Voorhies proposed that the Post approach the City of Waveland to receive permission to utilize the undeveloped Riff-Raff Jetty that was an extension of Coleman Avenue, Waveland’s Main Street.

The octagon-shaped centerpiece includes a lighted fountain and pool. Mississippi Power donated three streetlights, which were modified into flagpoles. Later, an American Flag Retirement burn pit (this pit is used to dispose of American flags in the most respectful way) was added near the water’s edge.

Since its founding, the Memorial has been a site for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Katrina Remembrance Day, and Veterans Day ceremonies, and some couples have chosen the park as a wedding venue. The upgraded grounds provide a powerful but peaceful, serene anchor to Coleman Avenue. Identified as the Veterans Memorial only by a Blue Star plaque and simple entrance pillars, the Memorial provides a fitting honor to those who have served.

The Memorial sits next to Garfield Ladner Fishing Pier, which reopened in mid-2015 after renovations from damage sustained in Hurricane Isaac. The concrete structure extends 860 feet into the water and is a popular site for fishermen. Good handicap access, picnic pavilions, and proximity to the Beach Boulevard bike/walk trail just add to the things we love about the pier, and Waveland is thrilled to have it up and running again.

Coleman Avenue was the principal business district before Hurricane Camille destroyed it in 1969. After it was revitalized, Hurricane Katrina wiped it out again in 2005. The new Waveland City Hall was dedicated in 2012 on the site of the original city hall, which was built between 1906 and 1908, originally as Waveland’s school. A mural designed by Elizabeth Veglia graces the front of the building, and replaces the Veglia mural that was lost when the former city hall fell to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The new mural includes scenes and landmarks – both pre- and post-Katrina – as well as the ocean, the wildlife and the things that make this area special. The design takes its inspiration from the Waveland logo and the undulating waves within it. Veglia has conducted 26 workshops with local volunteers to create it.
 

 Waveland Ground Zero Hurricane Museum: Hurricane Katrina has been called the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.  Waveland, Mississippi was Ground Zero.  Waveland’s Ground Zero Museum recalls the disaster, but also shows visitors how the Waveland community came together to rebuild the town they loved in its aftermath.

See this month’s Talk of the Town article on the museum to learn more about H.C. Porter’s “Backyards and Beyond” exhibit, Solveig Wells’s Katrina quilts, and the collection of art and Waveland memorabilia that comprise this tribute to our town.

The museum is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Waveland’s Ground Zero Museum relies completely on grants, donations, and membership to finance operations.

The Krewe of Nereids, a women’s carnival association, was established in 1966. The Nereids Parade happens each year two Sundays before Mardi Gras, and takes Highway 90 from Bay St. Louis to Waveland. It originally paraded on Coleman Avenue, but grew so large that it was forced to move.

The Waveland Civic Association hosts the annual St. Patrick’s Parade the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). After Hurricane Katrina the parade was moved to Highway 90. In 2012, after the opening of the new city hall, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade returned to Coleman Avenue.

2012 brought the first Halloween Trunk or Treat. Area businesses and civic groups set up tables and give out candy and other treats to children (and their parents). There's face painting, a cake walk, a haunted house and a booth decorating contest. With Coleman Avenue closed off to traffic it gives the kids a safe place to enjoy the festivities. 

This year the City of Waveland presents Destination Waveland Independence Day Blowout. Be a part of the most explosive fireworks show and July 4th celebration on Mississippi's West Coast. Brought to you by the City of Waveland and generous community sponsors, this event will happen Saturday, July 2, 2016, 5-9 p.m. at the Garfield Ladner Pier.

An intense fireworks show, music by Category 6 and a patriotic coastal menu are on tap for enjoyment. The red, white and blue carpet is being rolled out to make Waveland one of your holiday weekend destinations.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date on the new Waveland police station, a Splash Pad project, the bulkhead on Nicholson Road, and the new Waveland Library branch manager, Angela Christoffer.

Waveland’s police station will be dedicated to Donald Dorn and John Thomas Longo.  Dorn is Waveland's longest-serving police official.  John Longo, Jr., was the mayor of Waveland from 1974 to 1990. 
 
There will be a ribbon cutting for the Johnny Longo/Donald Dorn Public Safety Facility on Monday, August 29, at 11 a.m. 

Waveland is about to have its very first splash pad.  Ward 2 Alderman Bobby Richardson spearheaded the project to have a splash pad installed at Martin Luther King Park on Herlihy Street. 
 
Waveland broke ground at a ceremony in June.  Preliminary site work has started and the construction of the splash pad will begin in a few weeks and will be done by community volunteers. 
 
The splash pad will be a wonderful addition for the children Waveland.
 

When you drive down Nicholson Avenue to Beach Boulevard you will notice the beautiful newly refurbished bulkhead.  On Saturday, June 25, a group of Wavelandinians gathered in the morning for the community project of repainting the bulkhead.  Artists as young as two years old were out there with paintbrushes beautifying our wonderful city.
 
This event was hosted by Destination Waveland.  Danny Lee designed the bulkhead mural, and Lowes provided supplies for the project.  Special thanks to Charles Cornelius, Tommy Bentley, Cynthia Mahner and all the other Wavelandinians who helped with this project.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date on the new beach trolley service, construction on South Street, the reopening of the Ground Zero Museum and an invitation to Coffee With the Mayor.  

It will also be employing the hail system, which allows riders to flag down the trolley and hop on and off at any time. The trolley will be running 7 days a week starting at 11 a.m., and it's free to ride.  Click here for the schedule and the map!  ​

​The City of Waveland will be starting construction by the end the summer to fix a flood-prone section of South Street. The section of South Street just past Brown Street going west will be raised, and culverts will be added to alleviate water topping the road every time it rains. This project is being funded by the Hancock County Road and Bridge fund. Waveland is scheduled to advertise for a contractor by the end of the month and the construction should start shortly after.

After a year of Waveland’s Ground Zero Museum being closed, the doors are finally open again and new director Kathy Pinn is at the helm. The museum is still a work in progress, but visitors can enjoy the Katrina timeline, the H.C. Porter interactive "Backyards and Beyond" exhibit, and 55 beautiful, handmade “Katrina Recovery” quilts. The artsy renovations of Waveland’s only public building surviving Katrina are a reminder of the resilience of the people of Waveland. 
 
Museum hours are Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  For more details on the reopening, click here! 

The City of Waveland and Hancock Chamber invite you to "Coffee with Waveland Mayor Mike Smith" on Thursday, June 16 at 8 a.m. at Leo W. Seal, Jr. Community Center. Join the Mayor to learn about important local issues and initiatives.

This gathering will be in a casual, friendly environment, giving residents the opportunity to ask questions about community issues of importance, activities, and upcoming events. Coffee with the Mayor is free and open to the public. Thanks to Hancock Bank, AMR, Mississippi Power, and Compton Engineering for support of this event.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date on the St. Clare Festival, a Hancock Chamber After-Hours event at Treasures by the Bay  and a change in city sanitation service. 

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date on the upcoming Crawfish Cook-off, Waveland sidewalk construction and Team Waveland Relay for Life activities.

BREAKING NEWS:  Saint Patrick's Day Parade RESCHEDULED - see details below!

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke keeps us up to date on the Waveland St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Relay for Life Garage Sale and plans for another fireworks extravaganza party on the 4th of July weekend!