Christine Brown Shares Ideas for Gulfport's Future

"I have so many great ideas," Christine Brown exclaimed over a cup of coffee at The Gulfport Grind.

Brown, 52, the newest representative for Ward Two, was sworn into office just two weeks ago and has already shared a handful of ideas to better the city.

During her first workshop, Brown suggested having a mural painted on the wall behind the councilors at City Hall. She also thinks the city can promote public art by adding "fun, funky signs" around town. Uniquely colored, beach-themed signs could point visitors to the Gulfport Historical Museum, City Hall and other landmarks in the city. Residents could even sponsor a board pointing to their hometown, to add diversity to the signs.

Promoting public art is just the tip of Brown's ideas. She also wants to work together to raise property values, improve the waterfront, enhance the marina and restore Clam Bayou.

"I want to do whatever we can to raise property values. That will make residents happy and help the city," Brown said.

Brown says that goal alone could have a "domino" effect on the local economy; bring more people to town, lure businesses and help increase the revenue the city collects.

During the past two weeks, Brown has been trying to learn everything she can about concerns over Clam Bayou's water quality, saying that's a very important issue in Gulfport.

"I'm committed to find the resolution so children in the future can see families of manatees," she said.

Brown says when her daughter Elizabeth was 2 years old, she remembers being able to see manatees at Clam Bayou. She says it hasn't been the same for at least the past decade.

"When it rains, all the stuff runs into Clam Bayou, now it's a dump. We need to know, 'how do we clean it up' and 'make it a nature preserve and give it back to the animals and people,' " Brown said.

"I don't want to wait 40 years for it to restore itself, it didn't get that way alone," she said.

As far as a five-year-plan, Brown says she'd love to see a five-month-plan. She wants to make a difference now and hit the ground running.

Among her ideas for improving the city: Adding a water tower by the marina. "I can just see it," she said.

Brown says a water tower with solar panels and the city's name could really make Gulfport stand out and lure people to Clam Bayou. "You could see the whole city from that," she said. This idea was sparked by her many travels across the country. She says the tower could have solar panels that could generate electricity for a sign.

Brown says she would love to hear from residents about their ideas.

"I'm approachable, I'm here to help the city, I have no agenda," Brown said.

You can reach Christine Anne Brown at cbrown@mygulfport.us.

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