Everywhere There’s Signs

Gulfport’s Vice Mayor Wants to Remove Some No Parking Signs Downtown

By Mike Sunnucks

Gulfport City Council could potentially remove some “no parking” signs on local streets.

Vice Mayor April Thanos brought up the idea of removing some no parking signs on Gulfport streets at the Dec. 21 city council meeting.

“This is about the ‘Residents Only’ parking sign(s),” Thanos said. She wants the council to consider removing the signs – which also signify the city allows parking after 5:30 p.m. Thanos said the city has not regularly enforced the parking rules and covers some of the signs during special events.

“I would like to suggest that we put on an agenda perhaps to just take down the signs,” said Thanos, who represents Ward I.

“If we are not going to enforce them on a daily basis and we are going to cover them on special events, I think we should just take them down so people know they can park there.”

Ward III Councilman Paul Ray said he would also be open to discussing the parking sign change at a future meeting.

“I feel comfortable with it as an agenda item as well,” Ray said. Mayor Sam Henderson said he would like to talk to the city manager, city attorney and police about the potential parking sign removal.

Thanos said the city installed “Residents Only” parking signs over concerns about beach parking, but that is no longer a problem.