Vote expected Monday on Poplar Bluff council applicants

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- During a special meeting Tuesday that lasted fewer than 30 minutes, the Poplar Bluff City Council interviewed five applicants for a vacant at-large council member seat.

Most candidates came forward with assurances they have no hidden agenda and professing a desire to help the community. Concerns about utility board autonomy, the Black River Coliseum, city hall and city finances also were highlighted during the brief conversations with candidates.

The council voted at the conclusion of the interviews to move the matter to the action session at Monday's regular city council meeting.

It will take four votes to replace Dr. Jack Rushin, who resigned in July amid nepotism allegations involving the appointment of a relative to a city board.

The person selected will serve until April, the next regular election. The winner of the April election then would serve the one year remaining in Rushin's term.

Applicant Jim Chrisman said he believes the candidates are unanimous in one thing: the desire to see Rushin's spot filled by the council.

Other candidates had similar concerns.

"I hope that the board will decide on something and that spot will not be vacant any longer," candidate Jerrica Fox said after the meeting.

Applicants are, in order of application date: Susan McVey, a former city council member defeated in the 2014 election; Chrisman, president of the Poplar Bluff Historic Depot Restoration Association; Fox, an employee of First Midwest Bank; Todd Sittig, an engineer with Mathis and Associates; and Austin Sutton, an employee of Bob Sutton Real Estate and Loans.