Your view: Forming a team

Subject: City Administrator

After hours of reading through one resume after the other (some quite lengthy) and a scheduled work session Thursday to discuss our findings, it became quite clear that we could reach a unanimous decision as to who was to fill the vacancy that was created by the passing of Kathy Simpkins.

In Excecutive Session the Board voted unanimously to place Mr. Lonnie Thurmond in the administrator position. Since it was not on the agenda Thursday evening, the Board could not release any information about the decision in open session.

Lonnie Thurmond is fully capable of handling the duties of the administrator. He is a local "home grown-if you will" person of which our Ordinance speaks. Quote: "Special consideration should be given to any applicant from East Prairie."

We want to thank every one that applied for consideration for this position. We wish the very best for each one of you in the future.

Whether you agree or disagree with our decision, we ask that you support that decision giving Lonnie the benefit of the doubt. He has promised to do everything in his power to prove to the citizens of East Prairie that he is the right person for the job.

I want our Board of Alderman to know that I appreciate the effort they put into this project. You are a "Great Team" to work with.

Respectfully,

Gene Ditto

Mayor