Poplar Bluff's new city manager Robert Knodell builds bridges at community meet and greet

Robert Knodell, Poplar Bluff’s newly minted city manager, held a meet and greet Thursday evening in the freshly renovated lobby of the Black River Coliseum. He described the event as a valuable time building relationships with city and county officials, first responders and residents.

“I believe the greatest and best thing I can do is maintain these relationships,” Knodell affirmed.

President of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Steve Halter expressed his excitement to work with the city manager in the future.

“He’s done a lot of listening. That shows a lot of character,” he said. “It’s good to see someone listen to the local leaders.”

Halter added Knodell is the right kind of official to help Poplar Bluff’s economy grow.

“He’s the kind of guy who gets things done,” he shared.

Eastern District Butler County Commissioner Ralph Stucker said the open lines of communication between the city and the county will be critical to both entities’ advancement.

“If the city’s successful, the county’s successful. If the county’s successful, the city’s successful,” he asserted.

Stucker mentioned the ongoing certification issue for the Drainage District 12 levee as an area he wants to work on closely with Knodell.

“It’s going to affect the city,” he warned.

Like Halter, Stucker remained confident Knodell would be a great help to the community.

“He’ll be a great asset,” he concluded.

Poplar Bluff Police Department Chief Mike McClain shared he had met twice with the new city manager. One of the key challenges McClain brought up was the retention and recruitment of personnel.

He said pay and benefits are the primary factors needing to be addressed to help the manning issue.

“I look forward to working with (Knodell) in the future,” McClain stated.

For the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, Chief Mike Moffitt hopes to improve the city’s Insurance Services Office rating from grade four to three. He expressed his desire to work with Knodell specifically on enhancing the city’s fire training, water supply and manpower.

Butler County Emergency Manager Robbie Myers has had conversations with the city manager on revisiting the county and city plans for setting up shelters for natural disasters. He noted the last time shelters were deployed was in 2017.

“I’ve known him since he was a teenager.” Myers remarked. “I’m excited to work with him.”

Bill Robison of the Highway 67 Corporation felt Knodell has the right vision for the continued development of the region.

“The city has always been for decades very progressive in looking at the future.” he affirmed. “I know (I-57) is going to be a priority for him.”

Knodell said the event showed the willingness of local leaders to engage with the issues.

“People really want to work together.” he observed. “Bringing people together before decisions are made is important.”