The city of Joplin has a new Mayor. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

On Monday night, Doug Lawson was sworn in for a second General Council, four-year term on the city council, in addition to being elected as Mayor by the outgoing city council on a six to three vote. Lawson spoke last night after the vote.

“Thank everybody for your confidence. And once again, I would like to give thanks to those who have left. For Diane, for Ryan, and for Anthony. Every one of those people came prepared.”

Also, at last night’s council meeting, the winners of last week’s election were sworn in. Doug Lawson and Kate Spencer earned General Seat four-year terms. While Josh DeTar acquired the two-year General Council seat. Dr. Mark Farnham earned a four-year term in Zone Four. In Zone One, Gary Shaw, running unopposed, won another four-year term on the city council.

Also, Monday, General Council seat candidate Brian Evan announced that he would petition for a recount. Unofficial results show that Josh DeTar edged Evans by only 13 votes.