Council members take oath of office

SIKESTON - The Sikeston City Council officially welcomed its newest member and said good-bye to another.

Mary White-Ross, who was elected to her first term as Ward 4 representative, along with re-elected council members, Ryan Merideth, councilman-at-large, and Jon Gilmore, Ward 1 council representative, took their oaths of office during the re-organizational meeting of the Sikeston City Council Friday afternoon.

City Clerk Carroll Couch swore in each of the officials after the board officially accepted the results of the April 5 election.

Mayor Steven Burch presents a plaque of appreciation to Maude Harris, who retired as Ward 4 council representative.

Mayor Steven Burch presents a plaque of appreciation to Maude Harris, who retired as Ward 4 council representative.

After council member Maude Harris turned her chair over to White-Ross, Mayor Steven Burch presented Harris with a plaque and expressed the council's appreciation for her service. Burch noted the many roles Harris filled during her six years on the council, including serving as mayor pro tem, and the accomplishments in the city during her tenure.

Accepting the plaque, Harris asked the council to "consider me a friend...I will help whenever I can."

As required by the Sikeston City Charter, the council was asked to appoint a mayor pro tem to assume the mayor's position when the mayor is absent or unable to serve. Gilmore was unanimously selected to the position.

The rest of the reorganizational meeting involved nomination and election of the council members to serve as representatives on various committees.

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