The success of Pass Christian comes from our family-focused sense of community, whether you live here year-round or enjoy a weekend retreat, and I believe our leaders should focus on residents’ needs rather than personal agendas. That’s why I’m running for Alderman of Ward 1—to preserve our small-town character, honor our heritage, and ensure every resident has a strong voice in shaping our future.
If elected, I promise to use my business experience to maintain a balanced budget, respect our City’s reserves, and avoid overspending. I will not take a salary, nor use City insurance or any other financial benefits, and instead focus on preserving our small-town charm, supporting our hardworking City employees, and helping local businesses thrive. Together, we can protect what makes Pass Christian special for generations to come.
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A Platform to Preserve The Pass
Pass Christian’s success lies in its identity as a small town centered around families and grounded in strong southern values. Whether residents live here full-time or enjoy weekend homes, we must work together to preserve what makes our community special. Pass Christian stands apart on the Mississippi Gulf Coast—not because of what we aspire to be, but because of who we already are.
I believe our elected leaders must listen to the community, focus on what residents want and need, and avoid pushing personal agendas. Decisions about renaming parks, government projects, or other major initiatives must include the input of our residents.
That’s why I’m running for Alderman of Ward 1—to Preserve the Pass and give residents a stronger voice in shaping the future of our city.
Get Our Financial House in Order
• Stop Deficit Spending:
We must stop spending more than we collect. The City’s reserves are rapidly depleting, and this trend must be reversed.
• Up-to-Date Financials:
We cannot manage our city or make sound decisions without accurate, timely financial audits. The last completed audit was for the fiscal year ending September 2022—audits for 2023 and 2024 are overdue with no timeline for completion.
• Pay Bills on Time:
I will ensure the City’s financial obligations are met promptly to avoid unnecessary penalties and maintain public trust.
Keep Pass Christian a Community of Homes and Families
Pass Christian’s charm is in its residential character and family-friendly environment. We must focus on maintaining and improving what we already have before taking on new, costly projects.
• Maintain Public Spaces:
Repair the gazebo in the park and ensure common areas are clean and welcoming.
• Improve City Services:
Make it easier for new families moving to Pass Christian to access City services.
• Address Traffic Concerns:
Implement measures to reduce speeding and ensure safer streets for our residents and children.
Support Our City Workers and Services
Our City employees are essential to making Pass Christian run smoothly—they deserve the resources and respect necessary to succeed.
• Strengthen Hiring Practices:
Establish a streamlined, cost-effective hiring process to ensure we attract and retain qualified employees.
• Provide Proper Equipment:
Allocate funds for necessary tools and resources so departments can operate efficiently and provide excellent service to residents.
Support Our Local Businesses
Pass Christian’s small businesses are the backbone of our community, and they must be prioritized before we pursue external growth.
• Prioritize Local Business:
Ensure all City contracts give preferential treatment to Pass Christian businesses when it is economically feasible.
• Preserve Our Existing Businesses:
Focus on filling our current shops and restaurants to capacity before expanding. Our businesses should be supported and promoted by the City—not overshadowed by personal agendas or unrelated projects.
Invest in the Harbor to Realize its Potential
The Pass Harbor is one of our City’s greatest treasures, but it is currently running at a deficit.
• Preserve and Enhance the Harbor: The Harbor must be prioritized, and improvements should focus on making it self-sufficient and attractive to both locals and visitors.
• Focus on the Harbor Before New Construction: Plans for an amphitheater or other large-scale projects should not come at the expense of maintaining and improving the Harbor itself.
A Commitment to Transparency and Community Engagement
I will be a leader who listens to you and fights for the things that matter most to our community. My platform is built on transparency, accountability, and preserving the unique character of Pass Christian.
Let’s work together to protect and strengthen our community for the next generation. Join me in preserving what makes Pass Christian special.
About Barry
Barry Dreyfus, Jr.: A Lifelong Commitment to Pass Christian
Allow me to introduce myself—my name is Barry Dreyfus Jr., and I am proud to call Pass Christian home. I come from a family with deep ties to the sea—the son of a son of a sailor. From an early age, I discovered my love for the water. Some of my best childhood memories are crabbing off the piers and walking along the seawall, embracing the salty breeze and the beautiful shores of the Pass.
My father, a longtime resident of Pass Christian, was deeply invested in the community. The memories I made with him here—living the Pass lifestyle—are some of the happiest of my life. His love for this town left a lasting impression on me.
Like many of you, I have my own Hurricane Katrina story. That time was both devastating and inspiring—the worst and the best of times. The destruction was beyond imagination, but the resilient spirit of Pass Christian shone brightly. Being here during that period, witnessing neighbors come together and triumph over tragedy, was nothing short of spiritual. That same hometown spirit is what keeps me here today.
Professionally, my career has always centered around the water. I serve as the Chief Executive Officer, Facility Security Officer, and partner of United States Marine, Inc. (USMI) in Gulfport, Mississippi. With over 30 years of experience in business and finance, I have grown alongside USMI, holding roles such as Production Accounting/Integration Manager (1998), COO (2002), CFO (2004), and CEO since 2005.
I believe in leading from the front. I am certified to operate all of the heavy equipment at USMI and qualified to be a boat driver or crew member for every craft we build. I actively participate in all aspects of the company—from janitorial tasks to work flow processes and post-delivery support.
My career has taken me around the world, but no place has ever compared to Pass Christian. This is the place I want to live for the rest of my life. The southern United States holds a special charm, but Pass Christian is truly the crown jewel.
Katrina took my father’s house on Magnolia Avenue. I remember helping him clear debris and place a temporary home there. We planted bushes and did our best to restore the lot. My father never wavered—there was never a doubt in his mind that he was staying home in the Pass.
Back in those days, dining options were limited, but that changed one fateful night when I was invited to a regenerated Tigres in the Oaks. That evening changed my life forever—I met my future wife, Deborah. Little did I know that the wonderful package also included two amazing bonus daughters, Ansley and Melissa.
Today, I am grateful to be part of this incredible community, a place that has given me so much. I am committed to preserving the Pass Christian spirit, strengthening what makes it special, and ensuring that future generations can call it home, just as my family has done.
Pass Christian is more than a town—it’s a legacy, a way of life, and a treasure worth protecting. I am dedicated to keeping that legacy alive.
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