Willard fills city administrator vacancy after more than a year
While this weekend may be full of April showers, the rain will not deter us from celebrating our newly selected Student of the Week.
In this round, a senior from Parkview High School has been named our newest Student of the Week. Isaiah Giles will be the first African American valedictorian in the school's history. Described as a revered and dedicated academic with a remarkable work ethic, Giles's success has stretched far and wide.
He has been involved in National Honor Society, DECA, yearbook, Student African American Brotherhood, Principal's Advisory and the Commerce Mentorship Program. After graduating, he plans to seek a degree in business at Drury University.
Student of the Week is an initiative by the News-Leader to highlight the academic achievements of local area high
A lead city position in Willard has finally been filled after sitting vacant for over a year. The city has hired Wesley Young as the new city administrator.
Young holds a master's in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas and has over two decades of experience in public service, according to a city news release. Previously, he worked for the state of Arkansas, including five years as Benton County Administrator. In this role, Young was named the 2018 employee of the year.
"[Young] is an innovative thinker that brings experience in infrastructure, economic development, and municipal utilities," Alderman Joyce Lancaster said in the release. "I believe he will help grow and unite our community."
His role in Willard will consist of overseeing day-to-day operations and working with elected officials and departments heads to advance the city's goals. Young will start on the job May 20 with an annual salary of $125,000.
"As I prepare to assume my responsibilities as City Administrator, I am inspired by the potential for positive school students. Nominations for students who have shown outstanding academic and school achievement and community service are gathered from administrators at participating districts in the Ozarks.
The readers voted for who they thought were the best of the best in our poll.
The April 22 nominees were ...
Besides Giles, here's who else was nominated.
Makenzi Teague, Spokane High School: An avid volleyball player, Makenzi was a part of the volleyball team that had the most wins in a season setting a new school record. Outside of sports, she has also been involved in Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, FFA, Future Teachers of America and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. After graduating, the senior plans to attend college majoring in criminal justice and join the Air Force. change and meaningful impact that lies ahead," Young said in the release. "My commitment to excellence and my decades-long passion for public service will guide me in fulfilling my duties and responsibilities to the best of my abilities."
Willard has been without a permanent city administrator since September 2022. Donna Stewart, a former alderman, has been working as the interim administrator since the Willard Board of Aldermen appointed her in October 2023.
The vacant position, and filling it in the interim, was a major factor in the saga that took place at Willard City Hall in the fall. Former mayor Sam Snider was censured and then presented a letter of impeachment that criticized his actions, or lack thereof, in hiring a permanent city administrator or filling the role in the interim. After Snider resigned from the position, the board in January voted to use recruitment services to find a qualified candidate for the position. The recruitment services cost 30% of the annual salary of the hired candidate, in this case $37,500.
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.