SCOTT CITY ELECTS TIM PORCH AS NEW MAYOR

SCOTT CITY -- Residents will see new leadership in city government, but no drastic changes will come overnight, says the new mayor.

Scott City voters Tuesday elected Tim Porch mayor. Three men filed for the four-year term.

Porch received 499 votes, Rodney Holloway 157, and Glenn "Pete" Sturm 41, including absentees.

Porch and Holloway now serve as council members. Sturm is a former city employee. Porch has held a seat on the council for a year representing Ward 3. Someone will now be appointed to fill the remainder of his term.

It usually is a problem to find people willing to fill those spots, he said. "I know, I was one of them." It's always easier to complain about how the city operates than to get involved, he said.

But Porch said getting involved often means getting answers to questions. Most of the problems are caused by a lack of money, he said.

Scott City, with several new council members, will have to begin considering its budget in the coming months. "We're really pushing for grants," Porch said.

With sewer work coming up and other major projects on the horizon, Porch said he is ready to get "down to business." That shouldn't be too hard with the current council and the added members, he said. "These are the people who make the decisions."

One of his opponents in the race, Rodney Holloway, will continue to serve on the council. "Rodney does a super job," said Porch.

Scott City also faces a battle with the Missouri Department of Transportation over its Interstate 55-U.S. 61 intersection. A citizens committee is being formed to make the public aware of the issue and to gather support.

Signs and information about how to reach MoDOT with complaints should be out soon, Porch said. "Up to now we've been getting all their complaints," he said.

"We want them to know it's a significant issue. It's not just Scott City, but Chaffee, Benton, Kelso and everybody's problem."