| Scott Faughn | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Poplar Bluff, Missouri | |
| In office 2002–2005 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1980 |
Scott Faughn (born 1980) was elected the youngest mayor in the history of Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 22. Faughn was elected in 2002 by the city council, as the city of Poplar Bluff does not directly elect mayors.
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Faughn's tenure as mayor was an eventful time period in Poplar Bluff history. During lean budget years, the city prospered and gave raises to all city employees while increasing the numbers in the police force. Many attribute the successes to the Poplar Bluff City Manager Tom Lawson. Faughn was also noted for his very aggressive tactics in dealing with other city council members and political opponents.
In 2004 Faughn left the mayor's office to become executive vice president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. During a brief tenure leading the Chamber of Commerce, Faughn set records for membership and led efforts to salvage the expansion of the Nordyne project adding over 400 jobs to the local economy. His tenure as Chamber executive was noted by his very vocal positions. Faughn left less than a year later after he was prosecuted by the Office of the Missouri Attorney General on felony forgery charges and stealing.
In early 2004 the Missouri Department of Transportation voted unanimously to fund the project pending approval of a bond measure by the city of Poplar Bluff. The city subsequently approved the measure by a two to one margin. The project broke ground in November 2005 and is expected to be completed by 2012. Faughn started the Highway 67 Coalition, Highway 67 Corporation, and led the effort to see MODOT go from not considering any improvements to Highway 67 to completing the corridor in less than 3 years. Even Faughn's enemies begrudginly give him credit for the highway expansion while opposing his methods.
First Missouri State Bank, a local bank leaked bank records showing, which led to Faughn being indicted on three felony charges of forgery and one of stealing in the name of Faughn's ex-wife's cousin in stealing funds from a highway 67 related account. On March 15, 2007, Scott Faughn was convicted on three felony counts of forgery and fined $500 on each count, and found not guilty of stealing any funds. Ironically, the very fund he helped create to benefit the city, he stole from, thus losing the trust of the city.
After his conviction Faughn paid the fine although he was opposed to the trial costs assessed to him and refused to pay them until forced to by the court. To this day Faughn maintains his innocence.
Faughn is now the proprietor of the SEMO TIMES. A local alt-weekly. Faughn frequently writes favorable articles about his former associates, and critical writings of their political opponents. The SEMO TIMES has branded themselves fresh, fair, and unafraid. Taking on such powerful interests such as the Butler County Sheriff, Wal-Mart, Circuit Judges, and the Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney. The SEMO TIMES added a monthly component in the spring of 2009, 573 Magazine, and now includes a SEMO TIMES-Cape Girardeau edition.