New Madrid mayor and board members sworn into office

NEW MADRID, Mo. - The New Madrid City Council members offered their thanks to two outgoing members and welcomed two new members at its April 11 meeting.

Plaques along with their nameplates were presented to retiring Mayor Richard Bodi and Ward II Alderman Anthony Young.

Bodi acknowledged after his years of service on the board, he would miss his fellow council members. “I know you will go on to do great things,” Bodi said. “If I can help in anyway just call me.”

Retiring Alderman Anthony Young, left, shakes hands with New Madrid City Administrator Richard McGill after being presented a plaque following his final City Council meeting on April 11. Pictured in the background is retiring Mayor Richard Bodi, who was also honored.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Retiring Alderman Anthony Young, left, shakes hands with New Madrid City Administrator Richard McGill after being presented a plaque following his final City Council meeting on April 11. Pictured in the background is retiring Mayor Richard Bodi, who was also honored.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Young added his thanks as well.

Following the certification of election results, the oath of office was taken by Ward 1 Alderman Thomas Chism, Ward II Alderman Jimmy McSpadden, City Marshal Joey Higgerson and Mayor Donnie Brown. Ward III Alderman Ryan Riley was absent and will be sworn in at a later date.

While some of the members were new, the problems facing the Council were not. Both the need for housing in New Madrid and problems with the city site where dumpsters are located for citizen use were discussed.

Retiring New Madrid Mayor Richard Bodi, left, accepts a plaque in appreciation of his service to the city from City Administrator Richard McGill.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Retiring New Madrid Mayor Richard Bodi, left, accepts a plaque in appreciation of his service to the city from City Administrator Richard McGill.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

City Administrator Richard McGill noted the dump site currently remains locked. However, he said, several citizens have asked about the possible reopening and he sought input from the Council.

Board member G.L. Keene said he had spoken with a Malden resident about the operation of their site. He said currently Malden makes its site available to residents every other Saturday and has a city employee on site during those hours.

“It seems to be working there,” Keene noted.

McGill said he will use the Council’s input to develop policies to provide access to the site in the future, “This is a great service for our residents,” he added.

Keene also updated the Council about a meeting that he, Bodi and McGill had with Steve Etcher, who has worked with the city on various economic proposals through the firm MarksNelson. Each of the Council members was provided with a copy of proposals developed by Etcher.

Keene noted that not everyone is looking for traditional housing and pointed out the portion of Etcher’s proposal for an option for condominiums. According to Keene, the condominiums are purchased and often appeal to retirees, single persons or those who no longer wish to maintain a house and yard.

“The truth is this is the kind of housing that would be attractive to new residents. Also residents would find it attractive and it could free up other housing in town,” Keene said.

McGill has invited Etcher to meet with the Council on April 25.

“We want the people who are coming to get these jobs we are creating in New Madrid to move to New Madrid,” McGill said. “We have a serious housing shortage and we need to move quickly.”

In other action during the meeting:

• The annual audit for fiscal year 2021 is set to begin this week.

• City Hall office hours changed on April 12 to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. According to McGill with the option for online payment as well as the dropbox, there is little traffic at City Hall on Fridays.

• Alderman Nick White request a three-way stop be created at the intersection of Pinnell and Maple streets. White said he has spoken with residents who said drivers often speed on Pinnell Street and were in favor of the stop signs.

White also asked whether there is a curfew for the use of park facilities. He said he had received a complaint about the noise coming from the O’Bannon Park during the weekend.

McGill said he will meet with the police chief to discuss the concerns.