Brown resigns as New Madrid mayor

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Prior to heading to Jefferson City where he will be seated in the Missouri Legislature as the next 149th District State representative, Donnie Brown submitted his resignation as mayor of New Madrid.

Steeping down from his seat at the center of the council table, Brown stood before the council and city officials to express his appreciation.

“It has been an honor to work with all of you for the last nine months,” he said. “We have done some really, really good things.”

The planned construction of CST-New Madrid, the waste-to-renewable chemical facility, and the interest by other industries in coming to the area, Brown said he believed was due to their efforts to keep God in the forefront.

“I believe with all my heart that God has done this stuff because we have been giving him the credit and glory and praying before our meetings. He is working some magic in New Madrid,” Brown said.

Adding he was sad to leave, Brown noted he would only be a telephone call away and urged the city council members and officials to call on him if he was needed.

He also encouraged the council to support the city employees and their efforts on behalf of the city. Brown expressed his support of the city’s incoming City Administrator Aaron Griffin.

“This young man right here is going to take us to the next level. I believe that with all my heart. He just needs the backing of you guys and the support of the town. I think he is going to have it,” Brown said.

Before taking a seat in the audience, he paused an added, “Keep up the good work.”

With Brown’s departure, the Council then tackled who should replace him.

Current City Administrator Richard McGill reviewed the city’s ordinance on the procedure of filling the vacancy.

With Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Chism leading the meeting, consideration turned to whether a new mayor could be appointed in the current meeting or if a special meeting would be required. After some discussion it was agreed because Brown had handed in his resignation at the meeting, the council could go ahead with nominations.

Alderman G.L. Keene stated he had spoken with several people and nominated Kevin Lyons to serve Brown’s unexpired term.

“(Lyons) has served in Lilbourn’s city administration. He has probably invested as much time with the children of this community as anybody coaching in Little League,” Keene said, adding Lyons currently resides in New Madrid and has agreed to take the job if selected by the Council.

With no other nominations, Keene, Chism and aldermen Jimmy McSpadden and Jim Cravens voted in favor of Lyons’ nomination. Alderman Nick White abstained.