Bluff elects young mayor on split council balloting

Daily American Republic

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- First he became Poplar Bluff's youngest city councilman. Monday night Scott Faughn became Poplar Bluff's youngest mayor.

Faughn, 22, was elected in what was probably the first election for mayor in recent years. Poplar Bluff's mayor is largely a ceremonial position and is elected from among the council members. Normally one person's name is submitted for mayor and that person is elected by acclamation. Last night the council chose from Faughn and former Mayor Pro Tem Tracy Edington, and Faughn won by one vote, 4-3.

Loyd Matthews won a split vote against Mark Sanders for mayor pro tem.

The election of the youngest mayor was preceded by the stepping down of the city's first woman mayor, Betty Absheer, who just completed her third term in that office.