OCEAN SPRINGS, MS — With just days to go before Ocean Springs voters head to the polls to elect their next mayor, a surge of misinformation is flooding social media — and it’s aimed squarely at protecting incumbent Mayor Kenny Holloway.
The claim, which was widely engaged across the locally themed Keep Ocean Springs Charming Facebook Group, paints a narrative that the shuttered Hanshaw Road Bridge only became the responsibility of Ocean Springs just a few months ago.
But according to public records and a sitting county supervisor, that narrative is false — and designed to shield Holloway from the consequences of years of inaction.
How the Misinformation Spread
“Ocean Springs didn’t have ownership of this bridge long enough to be watching it rot,” a post made by an anonymous group member boldly stated. “The City might be holding the bag now, but they weren’t holding the hammer when it started falling apart.”
The post led to a spiraling of more misinformation, including the idea that Hanshaw Road and its accompanying bridge were acquired during the city’s recent annexation of county land.
“Maybe just maybe before the city annexed, they should have researched what all they were trying to take over,” a group member commented. Other members piled on with numerous comments about the annexation.
But Hanshaw Road and its bridge were not part of the annexation. City publications show the area was a part of Ocean Springs’ city limits – before, during, and after last year’s finalization of the annexation.
In an interview with GC Wire, Jackson County Supervisor Troy Ross confirmed that the bridge has always been the responsibility of Ocean Springs and has never been under county ownership. “The bridge has always belonged to Ocean Springs,” Ross said.
“It’s always been a city bridge. It will continue to be a city bridge,” Ross added, before dropping what may be the biggest revelation yet.
The Solution Was Handed to Holloway on a ‘Silver Platter’
State bridge inspectors have declared the Hanshaw Road Bridge in “poor” condition and in need of replacement during each of the years Holloway has been in office. Supervisor Randy Bosarge, who represents the district that includes the bridge, said last week both city and county officials receive those annual inspection reports.
The county assured residents at Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting it is the city that is responsible for maintaining the bridge, but the County is willing to help. And, according to information by Supervisor Ross, they handed that help to Ocean Springs on a silver platter.
While false narratives claim the city never had time to respond to the bridge’s condition, Ross revealed a critical fact: Ocean Springs was given complete engineering plans to replace the Hanshaw Road Bridge — nearly nine months ago.
Ross told GC Wire the county spent approximately $180,000 on engineering, design, and to acquire necessary land — even though the bridge wasn’t theirs to fix.
“We spent about $170,000 to $180,000… to design the plans, get all the right-of-way acquisition and everything put together so that the city would have an easier path forward with that bridge,” Ross explained.
He said the full package of materials was hand-delivered to the City of Ocean Springs sometime in mid-2024. “Our road manager brought them all the plans and everything that would be required to make the bridge work and be functional,” Ross said.
When asked what Mayor Holloway did with the plans, Ross replied bluntly: “I think we’re learning that now.”
Despite having everything they needed to move forward, the city took no action — a decision that ultimately led to state officials ordering the bridge closed in late February 2025 due to serious safety risks. After years of warnings and no action, the state gave the city just 24 hours to comply.
The fact that Ocean Springs had a ready-to-go replacement plan for months and let it collect dust directly contradicts the social media claims that the bridge issue was sudden or unexpected. It wasn’t.
And according to Ross: The city had the plan. The city had the warnings. The city did nothing.
Emergency Scrambling
In response to the emergency shutdown of the Hanshaw Road Bridge, officials are now working on a plan to restore the structure — a plan that comes only after years of inaction.
At Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Mayor Holloway submitted a resolution requesting help from Jackson County to get the bridge repaired.
Supervisor Bosarge outlined a path forward. The county would use its engineers to replace the deteriorated wood pilings that prompted the state-mandated closure. However, the city must take the first step. Ocean Springs is responsible for temporarily removing the water and sewer lines that currently run along the bridge. Only after those utility lines are cleared can the county begin structural repairs.
According to Bosarge, once the city handles its part, the county could complete the remaining work in approximately six to twelve weeks.
Misinformation, Meet the Ballot Box
While the misinformation campaign seeks to protect Holloway from criticism, the facts — supported by public documents and Jackson County officials — place responsibility for the bridge squarely on the city’s shoulders.
Even after annual warnings and a $180,000 plan created for them at no cost, Mayor Holloway and other city officials publicly told reporters they didn’t know why the bridge was ordered closed.
Ross, when asked what he’d say to voters being misled by the spin, didn’t hesitate: “Welcome to election time in any city in America.”
Ocean Springs residents will choose their next mayor on April 1st. Polls open at 7:00 AM.
