Incoming mayor will have hands full as several resign from city positions

By Staff, 12/11/18 10:40 AM

ROSSTON – When Samuel Quarles assumes the office of Mayor of Rosston on Jan. 1, 2019, he’ll have his hands full right off the bat.

His first order of business will be to replace Randy Jenson, the city secretary/treasurer, Vince Biddle, the water superintendent, Johnny Jenson, chief of the Rosston Volunteer Fire Department and councilman Judy O’Keefe. All tendered their resignations at the December meeting of the Rosston City Council Monday night. All of the resignations are effective Dec. 31, 2018.

He’ll need to advertise for a new water superintendent, and find replacements for the other positions, which must be approved by the incoming city council.

Prior to the mass resignation, the council approved a budget for 2019. The budget amount is roughly $200,000. Outgoing Mayor Lewis Jackson informed the council the city was approved $49,800 for a fun park grant through the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Plans were to put a small park in the walking trail around city hall.

Jackson told the panel the pumps for the city’s water wells have been repaired, at a cost of around $20,000, and are working properly. He also said construction on the Dollar General store is going well, as the slab has been poured, the walls are pretty much up and electrical work is being done.

Jackson read a letter as his final act as mayor, a position he’s held since 1995, thanking everyone for their help and assistance.