PAWNEE ROCK – Pawnee Rock has undergone some changes lately – and more than just the water tower going from its well-known blue to white, said acting Mayor Linda McCowan.
With the recent unexpected death of council member Joyce Epperson, a new council member was appointed by Mayor Gary Adams. Adams appointed Deb Bader to fill the vacancy.
Then Adams resigned leading City Council President Linda McCowan to move up to the position of acting mayor.
“We accepted Gary’s resignation with great remorse,” McCowan said. “Gary has done a great deal for the city, especially working with the maintenance department. He has overseen much of the improvement to the sewer plant, city water, and update on the water tower. He worked many hours on our behalf.”
Adams was also a Pawnee Rock volunteer fireman.
Barry Jack has accepted the post of chief for the volunteer fire department. Kathye Phelps has been hired as the new city clerk and Darrin Halzle as the new maintenance supervisor.
As the acting mayor, McCowan has asked the council members to prepare to donate some time to creating a strategic plan for the city. “We work very hard doing what we do, but the city has not had a five-year plan since I moved here in 1991. It would be nice to have an idea of where we want to be in 5 years so we can plan on how to get there.”
“Small cities have many of the same problems as large cities, but not as much manpower or money – we have to create some strategies so we are all focused on the same end,” she said.
Pawnee Rock City Council meetings are held the first Monday of each month, at 7 p.m. at Pawnee Rock City Hall. Pawnee Rock mayor and two council positions will be up for election in the April 2015 elections. Registration for these positions will end the third week of January 2015.