PASS CHRISTIAN, MS — The controversial GOMESA-funded Seawall/Boardwalk Project took center stage once again at the November 19, 2024, Pass Christian Board of Alderman meeting, sparking heated exchanges during public comments and as an agenda item brought forward by Ward 4 Alderman and Alderman-at-Large candidate, Victor Pickich.
During public comments, Gary Smith, a member of the mayor’s seawall ad hoc committee, questioned the project’s logic, transparency, and scientific basis.
“Encouraging pedestrians to use an unshaded, unprotected sidewalk next to speeding traffic on a four-lane highway with no safe crossings makes no sense,” Smith said. He criticized the lack of publicly available findings from a study cited by the mayor, the plan’s potential to block beach access, and the unrealistic claims that the seawall would mitigate sand accumulation.
Smith also cited sea level rise and modern research showing that vertical seawalls amplify wave energy, potentially causing damage to infrastructure. “We have $10 million at stake here. Is this hurricane mitigation or just a glorified sidewalk?” His remarks earned applause from the audience.
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION VS. NEW DEVELOPMENT
Meg Rittersdorf, another ad hoc committee member, joined the opposition, emphasizing the historical significance and effectiveness of the existing slanted seawall. She highlighted research showing that the original design, completed in 1928, prevents erosion better than vertical seawalls.
Calling the current seawall “one of our historic treasures,” Rittersdorf warned that covering it could harm sand replacement efforts and exacerbate flooding along Highway 90. “The path to hell is paved with good intentions,” she lamented, apologizing for the division the issue has caused in the community.
SAFETY AND SCIENCE IN QUESTION
Trained oceanographer Pete Furze criticized the project for failing to address pedestrian safety and questioned why no consultations with experts, such as the Army Corps of Engineers, had been conducted. “There’s no transparency. Where are the studies?” Furze asked.
His wife, Mariah Furze, presented photos challenging claims that the new seawall would reduce sand replenishment costs. “Pictures don’t lie,” she said, showing evidence of sand accumulating behind similar structures.
A DEAD ISSUE REVIVED?
Michael Christovich, a resident, expressed frustration over the project’s resurrection. “I thought this was over!” he exclaimed, referencing a prior unanimous vote against the expansion.
Christovich criticized the lack of follow-through on promised documentation and raised concerns about how the new wall would alter the beachfront. “You’re depriving Pass Christian citizens of beach access and changing its character forever,” he said.
DIVISIVE COMMENTS FROM OFFICIALS
Alderman Pickich defended his decision to revisit the seawall project, proposing a public hearing to dispel “misconceptions and misinformation.” He said, “Like sands across the seawall, these are the days of our lives,” in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Alderwoman Betty Sparkman, however, sparked ire by dismissing residents’ concerns. She sarcastically commented, “Apparently, everyone in this town has engineering degrees.” The remark drew laughter and boos from the audience. Sparkman claimed most feedback she received supported the project and suggested a town hall meeting focused on questions rather than opinions.
BOARD SHUTS DOWN SEAWALL DISCUSSION
Despite Sparkman’s and Pickich’s calls for a public hearing, the Board voted 3-2 against holding a town hall, with Aldermen Regina Charlot, Kenny Torgeson, and Kirk Kimball voting against it.
Mayor Jimmy Rafferty attempted to interject further, but City Attorney Malcolm Jones reminded him that discussion ends once a vote is called. “This is not a coffee shop,” Jones quipped, emphasizing the meeting’s formal nature.
A DEFIANT FINAL WORD
After the vote, Sparkman lamented, “What we just voted on—and clapped about—is not providing answers to citizens.” Mayor Rafferty backed her up, stating, “That’s right.”
In a defiant closing statement, Rafferty declared, “This is not over!” The audience responded with laughter, though the project’s future seems legally concluded.
