Scott Faughn
Encyclopedia
Scott Faughn 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.
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.
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.
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.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Poplar Bluff is a city in Butler County located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. It is the county seat of Butler County and is known as "The Gateway to the Ozarks" among other names. As of the 2000 U.S...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
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. 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.
Highway 67
In early 2004 the Missouri Department of TransportationMissouri Department of Transportation
The Missouri Department of Transportation is a state government organization in charge of maintaining public roadways of the U.S. state of Missouri.-External links:*...
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.
Downfall
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.Post Conviction
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.SEMO Times
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 CountyButler County, Missouri
Butler County is a county located in the southeast Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 42,794. The largest city and county seat is Poplar Bluff. The county was officially organized from Wayne County on February...
Sheriff, Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
, Circuit Judges, and the Stoddard County
Stoddard County, Missouri
Stoddard County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 29,705. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 29,537. The county seat is Bloomfield while the largest city in the county is Dexter...
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.
See also
- List of the youngest mayors in the United States
- Youth rightsYouth rightsYouth rights refers to a set of philosophies intended to enhance civil rights for young people. They are a response to the oppression of young people, with advocates challenging ephebiphobia, adultism and ageism through youth participation, youth/adult partnerships, and promoting, ultimately,...
- Youth politicsYouth politicsYouth politics is a category of issues which distinctly involve, affect or otherwise impact youth.-USA:With roots in the early youth activism of the Newsboys and Mother Jones' child labor protests at the turn of the 20th century, youth politics were first identified in American politics with the...