Sedalia's newest City Council member was sworn in Monday night by City Clerk Arlene Silvey.

Andrew Dawson takes the seat of former Councilman Russell Driskell, who died Jan. 22. Dawson was appointed to the position by Mayor John Kehde.

Mayor Kehde said he felt it was imperative to find a replacement for Driskell, who served five years on the Council. He was running unopposed on the April 2 ballot when Driskell's untimely death occurred.

Kehde also noted that it was Dawson who helped Driskell obtain the last 10 signatures needed for a petition to place the 70-year-old on the ballot in the Second Ward.

As for Dawson, he told KSIS he was excited for the opportunity to serve on the Sedalia Council, and for the opportunity to spearhead revitalization of area neighborhoods. Dawson, his wife Rachel and their five children have lived in the Second Ward for two years.

“We've been working on cleaning that up, and working on our neighborhood, trying to get things headed in the right direction, and things are spiraling upward,” Dawson said after the 45-minute meeting.

Dawson said he had thought about serving on the Council at some point, but never dreamed it would happen so soon.

“That was definitely not in the cards and it was a surprise, but it is something I've wanted to do,” Dawson commented. “I'm looking forward to serving the community and bringing everybody together and getting things done.”

The Sedalia City Council meets again on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

In the top photo: Second Ward Councilman Andrew Dawson speaks with Second Ward Councilwoman Bonita Nash immediately after Monday night's City Council meeting at Second and Osage.

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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