10/03/2025
The Biloxi Beautification Commission was originally created in March 1975 under Mayor Jerry O’Keefe through Ordinance No. 1177. Its purpose was to provide civic guidance on how the city should protect, enhance, and present its natural beauty, from trees and green spaces to the overall streetscape. On April 7, 1975, the first members were appointed: Edna Yarbrough, Charles F. Collins, Annette Barhanovich, Yvonne Pollard, Gloria Gianatsis, Jack Madison, and Clint Kinard. Together, they laid the foundation for a citizen-driven approach to beautification that complemented Biloxi’s culture and coastal identity.
The final known appointments of Yarbrough and Collins expired on April 7, 1979, after which no successors were named. From that point forward, the Beautification Commission became dormant, existing only on paper in the city’s code of ordinances. For more than four decades, its original vision remained unfulfilled, even as other boards and committees continued to guide zoning, development, and planning decisions.
At the upcoming City Council meeting on 7 October 2025, the nomination of Lara Bernich Alley to serve a three-year term seeks to revive the Beautification Commission for the first time since the 1970s. This appointment is more than symbolic; it restores a forum where residents can help shape Biloxi’s appearance and environmental quality! By statute, the commission’s role is to promote beautification, lead antilitter campaigns, coordinate efforts with the Tree Committee, and encourage civic pride through projects that enhance the city’s image.
The reactivation represents a return to citizen involvement in decisions about how Biloxi should look and feel, ensuring that beautification once again has a dedicated seat at the table!
