New Madrid city adminstrator will retire March 31

NEW MADRID - City Administrator Furg Hunter has announced his intent to retire after 14 years of leading the city.

During Monday's City Council meeting, Hunter submitted a letter announcing his retirement effective March 31.

"It has been my honor to work with four mayors and numerous councilmen and councilwomen over the past 14 years," Hunter wrote. "I have enjoyed helping the citizens of New Madrid by doing my part in providing the many services of a municipality and by trying to make their lives easier, happier and more affordable."

Hunter went on to praise city employees, both past and present. "They are the backbone of the city, the drive that makes it go," he said.

The Council accepted Hunter's resignation and agreed to begin further discussion at the Feb. 6 meeting.

Jonathan Riggs, the animal control officer, along with some local citizens voiced concern about dangerous dogs in town, in particular pit bulls and Doberman Pinschers. Riggs suggested the city outlaw Doberman Pinschers and pit bulls from the community, stating other neighboring communities have similar ordinances.

After some discussion the council requested City Attorney Lewis Recker research and draw up an ordinance outlawing the animals. The ordinance will be considered at the next meeting.

Also meeting with the council was Robert Byrd, wildlife specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the University of Missouri Delta Center in Portageville. Byrd proposed implementing a baiting program which would diminish the number of birds flocking in the community in the evenings.

According to Byrd, USDA workers will identify the fields where the birds feed during the day. A poison, which is toxic to the birds but would be safe for other animals, will be used to bait the fields and kill off the birds. A similar program is being used in other Southeast Missouri towns and seeing success, Byrd said.

The City agreed to providing a maximum of $5,000 for the baiting program and would pickup the dead birds. Byrd said he will begin the eradication efforts once he receives a letter of intent from the city and said the project should take three to four weeks once it begins.