Endorsements

I have been involved in municipal politics in various US states for my whole life. (Grandparents kept me busy stuffing envelopes.) When I met Marlene in Gulfport I knew immediately that she has the civic spirit and temperament to be a calm, courageous, and visionary leader for our community. I am very pleased to know she is willing and able the serve on our Council. She has my full support! — Valerie Ackerman
Retired social worker

Marlene Shaw embodies the true spirit of community -- always showing up, supporting her neighbors, and working for the greater good. As someone who has dedicated my life to feeding and caring for others, I see that dedication in Marlene. She listens, takes action, and believes in building a stronger Gulfport for everyone. I'm proud to support her.  — Chef Ahmad Alaraj
World Central Kitchen and the Shawarma King

Marlene is a friend and neighbor. She cares about what makes Gulfport a community. I endorse her and wish her well as she takes this next step in her continued commitment to help our city grow and thrive for the betterment of all who live here. — Jane Arnold

Marlene is such an asset to Gulfport! She has been bringing the community together for decades. From the early days of the Art walks,to highlighting small businesses, she has been an ally. Marlene has made the community a priority to assist before and after natural disasters. You have always fostered collaboration and Gulfport will only continue to grow with her on the City Council!! Vote for Marlene Maki Shaw!!! — Daryl Lyn Bugli
Mrs

I think there's no one better than you with your demeanor and grace that can guide your community in a more civil and positive direction.  — James Connor

Sadly I cannot vote for Marlene as I live in St. Pete. She was my neighbor and friend before I started to work with her. I can assure you that you are getting everything you need and want by voting for Marlene Shaw! She will be your dedicated advocate.  — Marge Culkin

As someone who has spent years advocating for our communities in Pinellas County, I know how important it is to have leaders who listen, engage, and put people first. Marlene Shaw is exactly that kind of leader. Her dedication to Gulfport, her commitment to preserving its unique character, and her focus on thoughtful solutions make her an excellent choice for City Council. I encourage Gulfport residents to support Marlene on Election Day! — Whitney Fox

I’m so excited to see Marlene running for city council! She has shown herself to be a great attribute to the Gulfport community. Her connection with the community through Gulfport Matters has been a benefit to us all. She humbly serves the community without seeking recognition. Her Gulfportian spirit, and the way she is running her campaign, speaks for itself. I look forward to seeing her on the council for Ward 2! Tori Gee — Tori Gee

I am eager for Marlene to become the Ward II City Council representative! She knows Gulfport from the inside as the City's facilities manager who originated Geckofest and managed the Casino's first Lady in Red dance. She really listens when someone has a concern and brings years of business experience to solving problems collaboratively — Susan Gore
Past President, LGBTQ Resource Center/OUT Arts & Culture

Marlene will be a positive, dynamic force for change on the Gulfport City Council. She is engaging, and very friendly. Marlene has a long history of involvement with Gulfport. She helped start the renowned GeckoFest in 2001, founded the FaceBook page "Gulfport Matters", and has served on the boards of many organizations. She has managed community organizations and holds many professional certifications. Gulfport is facing serious, unprecedented challenges and needs visionary and competent leadership. Marlene will give us that leadership. She is well qualified to serve on the Gulfport City Council. — Lenny Guckenheimer

Marlene was one of the first people we met when we arrived in Gulfport two years ago. She was very helpful in directing us to the resources we needed as new residents. Over the past two years we’ve been introduced to many other wonderful people and organizations thanks to Marlene. She has our full support. — Kimberley Hamilton

Marlene is tireless working for Gulfport and the people who live here. She will make an excellent city counselor. — Scott Hamilton

I wholeheartedly endorse Marlene for Gulfport City Council. Marlene works continuously for the betterment and support of the Gulfport Community. — Mary Hanrahan

Marlene has been a leader in our community for many years. She has worked in city government and understands the issues. She is honest, hard working, wise and compassionate. She has my support and she will be an asset to Gulfport as a City Council member. — Frederick Lein

I am endorsing Marlene for Gulfport City Council Ward 2. She is a long time resident, loves this town and has done much for the community. Marlene has integrity and common sense but she is also a visionary. I think these are the qualities we need now and in the future. — Zazu Lein
Writer

Marlene served as a project manager for me and my local home. I was impressed with her integrity and can-do attitude. She anticipated issues that I had not foreseen and provided creative solutions. She dealt with potentially difficult persons and was able to keep all parties reasonably satisfied. She stayed much longer than anyone had anticipated the project would take in order to get the job done and never complained or asked to be compensated for her additional time. I would trust her implicitly with any task and I endorse her wholeheartedly for Council. — Fran McElhill

I was so excited for our town when Marlene announced her candidacy. I have known her for many years and she is always thinking of others and how she can make something better. It's just her nature. Gulfport is crying out for change. — Jonathan Micocci
Realtor

I am endorsing Marlene for Gulfport City Council Ward II. A new breath of fresh air is in order. — Marcella Ruso

As a 30-plus-year resident, Marlene knows what makes Gulfport tick. We are confident she'll be a powerful advocate for our beloved city.

 

 

— Caron Schwartz & Lenny Guckenheimer

It is vital that we move forward with new energy and ideas, so I am voting for Marlene Shaw for Gulfport City Council. Marlene is an effective advocate for government transparency, wise use of our taxes, and protecting Gulfport’s unique character. She has been a keen observer at our council meetings and has served our community in various ways over the years, both as an employee and volunteer. Marlene will have neighborhood gatherings to listen to what the residents in the Marina District and other wards want their unique communities to be, protecting their interests and restricting commercial intrusion into their neighborhoods. Over the years I have heard brain-fart ideas for the Marina District development in order to increase taxes to the city, but would destroy the ambiance of the unique character of the Marina District: boutique motel, restaurant, Clam Bayou campsites, mangrove removal around Clam Bayou for better viewing, etc. Without residents’ coming together to voice their opposition to screw-ball ideas, which many on council had no idea about, we would have had an expensive bike route tearing through our front yards and an unadorned shipping container next to a church on a major street. Marlene can hit the ground running on day one, since she has been involved in many aspects of our Gulfport life and government, so please join me and vote for Marlene Shaw to Gulfport City Council. — Rose-Marie Seawall
Former President: Gulfport Neighbors, Former Admin: Gulfport Matters

Marlene will be a voice of reason and change on the City Council. Bring a new perspective with a fresh view of issues important to all of us as citizens of Gulfport. As a regular attendee of City Council meetings, she is acutely aware of the issues and concerns of the residents. Her past and current involvement in our community's development (creation and development of GeckoFest for one), her current and past community engagement, past Leadership roles in the city to name a few, all give her a studied and unique perspective of our issues. VOTE MARLYN4GULFPORT in March. — Bonnie Sklaren

My husband and I have personally known Marlene for 30 years. She always has a smile on her face and a wonderful attitude. She would be a ray of bright light on the Gulfport City Council, as she has always supported Gulfport and its residents. — Annette Suggs

Marlene carries the spirit of Gulfport in everything she does. She is thoughtful, engaging, and smart. I think she would represent us well on the city council. — Chris Sussman

I have worked with and known Marlene for several years. She is honest, thoughtful, has good ideas and is a hard worker. She is very reliable and really appreciates hearing other peoples' ideas. Her experience is perfect for being a fantastic city councilor and I don't think we could elect a better person. She is a great asset to Gulfport and I look forward to having her on city council. — April Thanos
City Councilor

Marlene will do an amazing job on the City Council! She wants to work on the housing crisis, including insurance costs and real estate investments by the wealthy. — Tony Treadway
Mr

Marlene is an asset to Gulfport. She is active in the community and is concerned about important issues affecting us all. Good luck future council women. — Fred Yaekle