Random drawing selects new Poplar Bluff mayor

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Betty Absheer was named mayor of Poplar Bluff after council members were forced Thursday to draw names from a cup.

City officials believe this is the first time in Poplar Bluff history the council was unable to reach a consensus when electing a mayor from within its ranks.

"It's no secret that there has not been a lot of unity with the council. That's the biggest challenge right now," said Absheer, who was the city's first woman serving as mayor in 1993.

A vote before the drawing resulted in a tie, with only six members present.

Outgoing mayor pro tem Jack Rushin, Peter Tinsley and David Johnson voted in favor of Rushin.

Absheer, Ed DeGaris and recently elected council member Philip Crocker cast votes for Crocker.

The meeting opened with a prayer for outgoing mayor Angela Pearson, who was absent because of health reasons. Pearson was scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday, Rushin said. The nature of her illness has not been made public. She was airlifted Monday to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Finding a way for councilors to work together will be important in the next year, said Absheer and council member David Johnson.

Johnson was elected mayor pro tem by a 4-2 vote. Affirmative votes were cast by Johnson, Rushin, Tinsley and Crocker.

The mayor and mayor pro tem serve one-year terms.

Absheer and Johnson often found themselves on opposite sides of the city's most controversial votes since May, when Johnson, Rushin, Tinsley and former council member Johnny Brannum voted to fire city manager Doug Bagby. Absheer and DeGaris voted against Bagby's termination and since have cast dissenting votes in several motions related to city spending, including the new city manager's salary and attempts by the city to borrow more money.

The council needs to work together toward what is best for the city, Absheer said. This is her fifth term as mayor. She has served on the council since 1989.

"I think we have a great future and a lot to look forward to," Absheer said, adding she would like to see the completion of the Eight Points development and the improvements to city highways.

Johnson said he has known Absheer for a long time and believes they will work well together.

The council has had some problems, Johnson acknowledged.

"I'm going to try my best to correct that," Johnson said.

Crocker was nominated for mayor by DeGaris and seconded by Absheer.

DeGaris acknowledged during the nomination residents feel the council has been divided. Crocker has a background in finance and is a good problem-solver, he said.

"The citizens of Ward 4 showed an obvious trust in him with the amount of votes that he won by," said DeGaris.

Rushin was nominated for mayor by Tinsley and seconded by Johnson.

The drawing was done by city attorney Robert Smith before nominations for mayor pro tem.