Currently, two seats on the Marshall City Council are open.

Ward 1 Councilman Dewey Hendrix was approved to succeed former Mayor Julie Schwetz, who resigned in March, to fill out the remaining one year on her term. So, that left his seat open.

Also, Phesa Wright, who was approved by the council to fill out the rest of the first year of the two-year seat vacated by Harold Simmons last fall, decided not to run for the second year of the seat due her moving out of Ward 4.

So, during the council meeting on Monday, April 18, City Attorney Josh Taylor explained there were several persons in Ward 4 who received votes for the open seat during the Municipal Election on April 5.

Ward 1 Councilman Leon Thompson asked Taylor a question.

The council certified the election results. And later, the voted-in council members were administered the Oath of Office- Tim Reeder in Ward 1 and Drew Green in Ward 2; and returning council members Dan Brandt in Ward 3 and Craig Thompson in Ward 4.

Then, Mayor Hendrix announced his appointment for his vacant seat on the council to be filled by outgoing councilman Leon Thompson. He explained with Thompson’s knowledge of the budget, he will be an asset to the council.

Brandt agreed with Mayor Hendrix and made the motion to approve the appointment of Leon Thompson.

It also was reported that Ken Bryant, current MMU Board of Public Works President, had submitted a letter of interest in the seat to the council, as well.

Since there currently are two vacant seats, the vote was 4-2 to approve the appointment of Leon Thompson. Ward 4 Councilman Craig Thompson, Ward 3 Councilmen Dan Brant and Charlie Guthrey and Ward 2 Councilman Robert Ashford voted yes and Reeder and Green voted no.

Whomever is approved by the council will be to fill out Hendrix’s unexpired term, which runs out in April 2023.