DODGE CITY — The town of Dodge City said a heartfelt goodbye to one of its longest sitting members, Inez McDonald, Thursday, Sept. 12.
McDonald, who passed away Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the age of 99, had become an established force on the town council after devoting the last 20 years of her life to public service. She took her position at Place 4 in October 2004; only councilmember Ervin Chumley has held his position longer. Her absence was felt by each of her fellow councilmembers Thursday evening. With McDonald’s portrait placed at her seat, mayor Jason Burney became choked up responding with silence during the council’s roll call.
Burney said that it was impossible to not respect McDonald’s work ethic and devotion to her community. He said she was known to be seen in her yard weedeating regularly up until a couple of years ago and even at 99, he said her favorite phrase had been; “My mind is as sharp as a tack.” Burney honored McDonald’s no-nonsense mentality at the top of the meeting with a simple yet resonating act of recognition.
“We are just going to take a moment to have a silent prayer for her because she would want us to go on with it,” Burney said.
The council announced its plan to declare a vacancy during its October meeting.
In other business the council:
— Approved a bid of $229,958 from Vulcan Materials to repave County Road 223.
— Approved a combined budget of $163,000 to repair County Roads 262 and 263.
— Announced a trunk or treat event from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Dodge City Town Hall.
— Approved a $50,000 budget to cap off an extension of the town’s sewer system.
— Approved a request from Dodge City Tattoo Company owner John Riendau to close Howard Circle Saturday, Oct. 12, to host a Halloween Art and Oddities Market.
— Approved the town’s FY2025 budget.
— Approved to change its next scheduled meeting to Thursday, Oct. 17.