Timing of Gulfport councilman’s resignation means special election. Here’s his rationale
The new year will mean a special election for a City Council seat in Gulfport, as Ward 5 Councilman Myles Sharp announced his resignation Friday in a letter to Council President Rusty Walker.
The attorney said Tuesday that he has been winding down work at his law office to take a new job in January and planned to resign. He has not yet disclosed where he will be going to work.
His resignation comes while a Circuit Court petition is pending that asks a judge to order the city to replace Sharp in a special election. In the petition, Gulfport attorney Delaney Mecham says Sharp vacated his seat when he moved outside Ward 5 around July of 2023.
Although Sharp’s family sold their house and moved out of the ward, Sharp rents a condominium in Ward 5. The council has previously decided against taking action. Sharp said he made his decision to resign before learning of the petition.
Timing means special election
Sharp said that he wrestled with whether to resign before December ended or to wait. Had he waited, the City Council could have appointed someone to temporarily represent Ward 5. In the end, Sharp decided his resignation will take effect at 11:30 p.m., Dec. 30.
State law says a special election must be held if more than six months remains on a City Council term. Regular municipal elections will be held statewide this spring and new council members take office July 1.
Sharp explained his decision in the letter:
“I have genuine concerns that the prospect of an appointment could result in a stalemate with a 3-3 divided council, which would effectively leave the seat empty and the people of Ward 5 without a voice. While I recognize that a special election would put a burden on the city, I cannot let that outweigh the very real possibility that Ward 5 would be without representation should the council be unable to agree on an appointment.
“Additionally, the residents of Ward 5 should have the opportunity to choose their representative.”
Sharp, who is nearing the end of his third term, said in the letter that he appreciated the opportunity to serve his hometown and was proud of its progress, including the opening of the Mississippi Aquarium and millions he helped save the city by overhauling bond issues and taking other measures.
This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 7:01 PM.
