Council members sworn in

City Clerk Carroll Couch swears in Phil Boyer as Sikeston's next mayor

SIKESTON - Newly-elected Sikeston City Council members were sworn in and a new mayor chosen by council members today during a special reorganizational meeting.

After the election results for both the Home Rule Charter and the council members were formally accepted, Phil Boyer was sworn in for another term on the council by City Clerk Carroll Couch followed by the council's newest member, Sue Rogers.

Jerry Pullen, who just finished his term as mayor, listed the city's accomplishments during Bill Mitchell's two terms on the council beginning in April 1996. Mitchell also served two terms as mayor from 1998-2000.

Boyer said the other council members "kind of looked to (Mitchell) for guidance since he'd been here longer than the rest of us" and presented him with a plaque thanking him for his service to the city.

Chief Drew Juden of the Department of Public Safety presented Mitchell with a plaque naming him an "honorary member of the Department of Public Safety."

Mike Marshall is sworn in as mayor pro tem

In a lighter moment, Tom Bridger, public works director, presented Mitchell with a "recycled plaque" and, unable to find the key to the city, presented him with "a key to the city garage."

Mitchell praised the city staff as the best and most professional to have served the city and said he looks forward to once again "being a good citizen" before making his way to a seat in the audience.

Boyer was nominated as the next mayor by Councilman Michael Marshall, voted in unanimously, and sworn in by Couch.

Marshall was in turn nominated for mayor pro tem by Councilman Michael Harris, confirmed unanimously by the council, and sworn in.

The newly-formed council then turned their attention to the various boards in need of appointments.

Sue Rogers swears to perform her duties as the council's newest member

Pullen and Rogers were selected to represent the city council on the planning and zoning board; Marshall was chosen as the city's representative on the Board of Municipal Utilities Commission; Harris, Marshall and Boyer will be on the Professional Consulting Committee; and Rogers was picked to attend the Sikeston-Miner Tourism Commission meetings.

The council then met in closed session.