SCOTT CITY GETS FIRST CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Scott City last week officially joined the growing ranks of cities run by a full-time city administrator.

John Saxton, 44, comes to Scott City from Peoria, Ill., where he worked as personnel director for Peoria County.

A native of the St. Louis area, Saxton brings to the job diverse experience in city management. He was Maplewood's first city manager. Under Saxton's leadership, the St. Louis suburb received grants through the state's Community Development Block Grant program and for personnel administration and economic development for downtown rehabilitation.

At Scott City, Saxton will help the city acquire similar grants as well as comply with federal and state regulations. Until now, the Scott City Council oversaw all the city departments and had to authorize day-to-day tasks handled more efficiently by a single administrator.

A city administrator also will help in city planning, coordinating everything from street and sewer improvements to planning and zoning issues. And Saxton will spearhead economic development for Scott City, an issue that affects all of Southeast Missouri. When Scott City prospers economically, the entire region benefits.

Congratulations to Scott City, which, after more than two years of planning, finally has a city administrator. And good luck to Saxton.