Scott Faughn

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.

Mayorship

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 and fire department. 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 two months after the Missouri Department of Transportation approved the matching funds for the Highway 67 expansion.

Highway 67

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.

Felony Forgery Convictions

In February, 2005, investigators accused Faughn of stealing money from the Highway 67 expansion fund account by forging checks to himself and his ex-wife.^[1] In March 2007, Faughn was convicted jury of three felony counts of forgery.^[2] An appellate court affirmed the forgery conviction on appeal.^[3]

Publishing

Faughn is now a newspaper publisher and serves as the owner of SEMO Times and The Missouri Times, and serves as the host of weekly political TV show "This Week in Missouri Politics."

See also

• List of the youngest mayors in the United States
• Youth rights
• Youth politics

References

External links

• Mayor Announces Five Point Plan
• A fall trial date is set for Scott Faughn
• House committee hears four-lane needs in Poplar Bluff
• Faughn sentenced
• Faughn contesting court fines