Ex-Poplar Bluff city manager honored for years of service

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff's former city manager was honored during a surprise appreciation reception Friday evening.

Councilman Ed DeGaris presented Doug Bagby with a key to the city and a set of St. Louis Cardinals pool balls.

"You have been a fantastic person to work for," said DeGaris, a former Poplar Bluff police office. "You are the most dedicated employee Poplar Bluff has ever had."

DeGaris commended Bagby for his "dedication" to his job and his "love for the city."

Bagby was a city employee for 41 years before being fired in early May.

"You enjoyed working for the city," DeGaris said. "You grew up here and raised your family here. The city will be forever grateful for what you have done."

Bagby expressed appreciation for the gifts and thanked everyone for attending the event at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

"The city is a great place to work. The city has great department heads," Bagby said. "If the department heads are allowed to do their jobs, the city will have a great future."

In January, the chamber recognized Bagby as the citizen of the year for his leadership in the growth of Poplar Bluff.

Bagby started his career with the city by mowing grass in the cemetery department. He spent 13 years in the street department, where he was the assistant superintendent for five years.

He was the interim city manager in 1984 and 1986, city manager from 1987 to 1989, utilities manager from 1989 to 2003 and city manager from 2003 until May 5, when a new coalition of council members wanted to go in "a new direction" and fired him.

"I wish the new city manager all the best," Bagby said.

Heath Kaplan, the new manager, has moved his family from Muskegon, Michigan. He has met with the department heads and has been reviewing city policies. His first official day at work will be Monday and his first council meeting will be Monday night.