GULFPORT, MS – The Gulfport City Council is set to hear arguments that could result in the expulsion of Ward 5 Councilman Myles Sharp. Allegations have emerged suggesting that Sharp no longer resides within the district he represents, prompting the council to consider the rare and serious step of removing him from office. If Sharp’s seat is vacated, the city would be responsible for organizing a costly special election to fill the vacant seat.
The push to expel Sharp is being driven by Ward 6 Councilman R. Lee Flowers, who brought forward evidence regarding Sharp’s residence. Flowers cited Sharp’s sale of his home on Channelside Drive in the Waterside Subdivision and the subsequent homestead exemption that Sharp and his wife applied for at a new address on Courthouse Road—outside Ward 5 boundaries. Flowers provided documentation from the Harrison County Land Records showing the homestead exemption, as well as references to Mississippi state laws that mandate a council seat be vacated if the elected official moves outside their district.
In a series of emails obtained by GCWire, Flowers formally requested that the issue be added to the council’s agenda for a factual inquiry. He stated, “The governing authority has a fiduciary responsibility to stop payment of salary to Councilman Sharp if he has vacated his seat,” citing Mississippi law that automatically vacates a seat when a councilman moves out of the district.
Some residents have questioned why the Ward 6 councilman is pushing this issue now, given that the regular election for the seat is just months away. Flowers addressed these concerns, telling GCWire, “A citizen brought this to my attention. I felt I had to act, no matter when the regular election is scheduled for. I wouldn’t cover for myself, let alone someone else.” He added, “Resolving this is simple: just say where you live.”
Sharp’s response to the claims was brief but defiant, replying to an email detailing the accusation with, “The attorney general disagrees.” He did not further elaborate on how this defense might apply to his specific situation.
Ward 7 Councilman Richard Kosloski told GCWire he is waiting to pass judgement. “I am staying neutral until all the information is presented at the upcoming meeting,” he said. “I will also ask our accounting what the cost would be for an additional election if the chair is vacated.”
Residency disputes among elected officials have become more frequent in cities across the U.S. The allegations in Gulfport mirror recent cases where officials have been removed due to residency violations. In Atlantic City, New Jersey, for example, Councilman Muhammed “Anjum” Zia was removed from office in 2024 after a judge ruled he did not meet the residency requirements. Similarly, in Jacksonville, Florida, candidate Nahshon Nicks faced allegations of defrauding voters due to questions about his residency.
As the Gulfport City Council prepares for the September 17 meeting, the body’s ultimate decision could lead to significant repercussions — not only potentially removing Sharp from office but also placing a financial burden on the city with the potential for a special election.
We have a similar situation here in Long Beach with our mayor. After retiring as a fire chief, he and his wife bought a rental within the city limits. He does not “reside” in town, but I believe was ruled to be *technically* within the letter of the law.