West Plains Bids Farewell to Retiring Mayor, City Administrator

Both Mayor Jack Pahlmann and City Administrator Tom Stehn retired from their respective positions in West Plains on April 30. On April 27, the City gathered at a farewell reception to honor the two public servants. 

Pahlmann served as the mayor of West Plains for nine years, and has served the City on the City Council since 2000. Stehn has worked as the City Administrator for the county seat for ten years. 

At the reception, Pahlmann learned that a street that will connect to US Highway 160, in front of the soon-to-be opened Tractor Supply Company, will be named Pahlmann Dr. in his honor. He received this news with unreserved delight. 

Smiles and laughter were ready as Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean took to the podium to present accolades from the Missouri House of Representatives on behalf of Representative David Evans to both men, as well as cards from Senator Karla Eslinger and Representative Travis Smith.

Pahlmann quoted the film Lonesome Dove in his remarks, quipping, “I can say that it’s been a helluva good ride.”

He praised Missouri State University- West Plains, the R-VII school district, and Ozarks Healthcare, which he called the “three pillars” of West Plains. 

“They have joined together to make this town really great,” he said. 

Regarding his decision to retire now, Pahlmann said he planned to stay mayor only so long as Stehn remained City Administrator, and at Stehn’s retirement, he was ready to “leave together in a blaze of glory.”

Stehn spoke of his family’s plans to relocate to Kansas to be closer to his grandchildren and expressed his faith and confidence in the newly hired City Administrator, Sam Anslem, who he said would, “put me to shame.”