Massingham honored for service

Friend, boss, dedicated public servant, credit to the community — those were just a few ways retired Poplar Bluff City Manager Mark Massingham was described during a reception held Friday in his honor.

Massingham’s term as city manager ended July 10 with his retirement, although he will continue in a limited capacity with the city as an advisor while new city manager Matt Winters takes over.

Retiring city manager Mark Massingham (right) accepts a plaque from Police Chief Danny Whiteley during a retirement reception Friday afternoon at the Black River Coliseum. DAR/Paul Davis

Mayor Robert Smith presented Massingham with a proclamation from the city council during the event, saying the council wants to recognize those who are a credit to themselves and the community.

“He has earned the admiration of those with whom he has come in contact with and the affection of his fellow public servants,” Smith said.

Everyone wishes him the best of luck, said Robbie Myers, Butler County Emergency Management Agency director and a close friend of Massingham’s family.

“I think the city has been well served, and you’ve been a great public servant, honoring your family’s long standing tradition of public service, from father and grandfather and great-grandfather,” said Myers.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley said he always has appreciated Massingham as a friend, co-worker, council member and finally as a boss.

“I certainly want to congratulate you and wish you all the best,” said Whiteley.

Massingham said in an earlier interview he has worked with many great people over the years, including city employees and heads of department; local leaders, such as former city managers Doug Bagby and Tom Lawson, and Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter; members of Poplar Bluff Industries; and past city councils.

“It’s just a rewarding job,” said Massingham. “It’s definitely got it’s frustrating days, like any other job does.

“When you get a job like that, you can’t let it go to your head. You have to stay humble and realize you work for the public. They’re the ones you’re trying to help. That’s the reward part too, when you can help someone with a problem.”

During Friday’s celebration, Massingham also praised Winters.

“I just ask that all of you work with him. He’s going to have some tough decisions to make the next year,” said Massingham.

Reflecting in early July on the city’s future, Massingham said, it will have to find a way to increase revenues.

“A lot of people say we spend too much money, but if you look at the budget, almost 80% of it’s personnel, salaries and benefits, which may be a little bit high for a municipality, but it’s not off by very much because that’s what we do, we’re public servants,” Massingham said at the time.

The current group of department heads are among the best he has ever worked with, Massingham said, and every single city council, no matter the year, had the best interest of Poplar Bluff at heart.

He will continue working for the city a couple days a week to help Winters transition.