Gulfport mayor’s threatened veto saves Live oaks
GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) – Gulfport property owner Dennis Barber is withdrawing his request to cut down five Live oak trees for a planned parking lot after Mayor Billy Hewes said he would veto the plan.
The Sun Herald reports Hewes announced Friday during his annual speech to the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce he planned to veto the city council’s 5-2 vote allowing Barber to take out the trees for a parking lot.
The office building on Pass Road already has parking in the rear. Barber said front parking would make the building more marketable.
Hewes, along with two other council members, didn’t want to set a precedent by allowing the tree removal without a demonstrated need.
