Sikeston city manager resigns

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Mayors and council members change every couple of years in Sikeston, but the sudden change in the city manager office after well more than a decade came as a surprise to many.

Former city manager Doug Friend submitted his resignation Tuesday, effective at the end of that work day, after almost 30 years as a city employee.

"We were all shocked," said Mayor Jerry Pullen. "He's been here for 28 years with the city -- he first walked in here as a young man at age 25."

"There comes a time when there may be other opportunities out there in the field," Friend said. "My kids are out of college so it may be just the time to look for a new opportunity. I certainly loved working for the city of Sikeston. I think this community is a wonderful place to live and raise a family."

Born in Sikeston, Friend's career with the city started soon after achieving his education goals.

"When I got my master's degree in public administration from Mississippi State, I was fortunate enough to get an internship with the city of Sikeston and went to work as an intern in May 1985," Friend said.

He was hired as a full-time employee of the city in November of that year, and became planning coordinator Dec. 30, 1985. On Nov. 28, 1987, he was promoted to public works director and on July 2, 2000, to city manager.

"He's done a terrific job in all the positions he was in," Pullen said.

"I think we've done some wonderful things here with the community's support," Friend said. "I have no doubt we provide as good of service to our citizens as any town between Memphis and St. Louis -- and you may be able to include those, too."

As examples of community support, he listed the citizens voting in the city's transportation sales tax in 1990, as well as the sales tax voters approved that is about to reach the end of its 10-year duration.

"The 1-cent general sales tax that is up for renewal has allowed us to continue to support public safety and higher education," Friend said. "I am certainly a firm believer that this tax needs to be renewed in August."

City officials have made good use of the resources put in their hands, he said.

"We've made wonderful improvements to the park system, great strides in economic development with the addition of several distribution centers," Friend said. "I only see Sikeston becoming bigger, better and more prosperous in the years to come. And I take a great amount of pride in the fact that I was able to contribute in a small way to making this town a lot better through my services."

Friend expressed his appreciation to the mayors and council members he served with for "all the support they have provided over the years."

While his resignation was sudden, Friend assured in his letter to the mayor and city council that he would assist the city in making a smooth transition during the next 30 days.

"We will be in the process of looking for a new city manager," Pullen said. "We will begin immediately."

"During that period of time, I will be available for advice and consultation," Friend said. "There are a number of ongoing projects that I want to make sure get wrapped up or on the right desk. And there are a number of projects and issues that I am the contact person for -- I want to make sure they don't fall through the cracks. They are important to this community and I want to make sure they get taken care of."

City Clerk Carroll Couch now is serving as acting city manager until a new appointment can be made.

Asked about his plans for the future following the transition, Friend said he "would anticipate looking at a variety of options that would range from staying in municipal government to teaching or some other opportunity that might arise in the private sector."

"I think he'll be missed by a lot of people," Pullen said. "I think it's a great loss to the city of Sikeston, myself, and I know of a lot of other people do, too. I wish him well in whatever he does."

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, Mo.