City manager search continues

Four finalists for the position of Joplin city manager came to town yesterday to meet city leaders. They also gave their vision of the town and met with the press. All this, almost a year after former City Manager Sam Anselm left the position.

The Candidates have worked all over the country from Pacific Northwest to Florida coast and in-between. One is even a Joplin native.

Darin Chappell is the city administrator for Chillicothe Missouri and has also been the city administrator for Bolivar and Seymour. Plus Darin worked for a government program in Springfield.

Nick Edwards is an area native and went to high school at Webb and college at MSSU. Nick has worked for the City of Lee Summit the last 9 years working his way up to Assistant City Manager.

Shawn Henessee comes to Joplin from Washington where he is the county administrator for Clark County. Shawn has also been an administrator in Wisconsin, and assistant director for Jackson County, Missouri.

Leonard Sossamon, most recently worked as the county administrator for Hernando County, Florida. Leonard has been in city government in North and South Carolina as well.

Mayor Gary Shaw spent individual time with each candidate and then the four candidates met with all the city department heads. Plus they met with the Chief of police, Chief of the Fire Department as well as the superintendent of schools.  The process continued last night with a closed door session and more interviews.

Mayor Shaw said that they are taking their time to make sure whatever one of these four very qualified applicants is selected, it’s the right choice for Joplin.