Scott Faughn

Scott Faughn
Mayor of Poplar Bluff, Missouri
In office
2002–2005
Personal details
Born 1980

Scott Faughn (born 1980) is the publisher of the Missouri Times and host of weekly political television show This Week in Missouri Politics.

Mayorship

Faughn was elected the youngest mayor in the history of Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 22. Faughn was elected in 2002 by the city council, as the city of Poplar Bluff does not directly elect mayors.

Faughn's tenure as mayor was an eventful time period in Poplar Bluff history. During lean budget years, the city prospered and gave raises to all city employees while increasing the numbers in the police force and fire department. Many attribute the successes to the Poplar Bluff City Manager Tom Lawson. Faughn was also noted for his very aggressive tactics in dealing with other city council members and political opponents.

In 2004 Faughn left the mayor's office to become executive vice president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. During a brief tenure leading the Chamber of Commerce, Faughn set records for membership and led efforts to salvage the expansion of the Nordyne project adding over 400 jobs to the local economy. His tenure as Chamber executive was noted by his very vocal positions. Faughn left two months after the Missouri Department of Transportation approved the matching funds for the Highway 67 expansion.

Highway 67

In early 2004 the Missouri Department of Transportation voted unanimously to fund the project pending approval of a bond measure by the city of Poplar Bluff. The city subsequently approved the measure by a two to one margin. The project broke ground in November 2005 and is expected to be completed by 2012. Faughn started the Highway 67 Coalition, Highway 67 Corporation, and led the effort to see MODOT go from not considering any improvements to Highway 67 to completing the corridor in less than 3 years. Even Faughn's enemies begrudginly give him credit for the highway expansion while opposing his methods.

Forgery conviction

In February, 2005, investigators accused Faughn of stealing money from the Highway 67 expansion fund account by forging checks to himself and his ex-wife.[1] In March 2007, Faughn was convicted jury of three felony counts of forgery.[2] An appellate court affirmed the forgery conviction on appeal.[3]

Publishing

Faughn is now a newspaper publisher and serves as the owner of SEMO Times and The Missouri Times. Faughn began hosting the weekly statewide political TV show "This Week in Missouri Politics" in December 2014. This Week in Missouri Politics entered its third season in the fall of 2016.

The Missouri Times

The Missouri Times, a print and digital news publication focused on Missouri statewide politics and policy, was founded in January 2013. In June 2013, Faughn became owner.

Since the publication's founding, Faughn started This Week in Missouri Politics in December 2014. Faughn hosts political stakeholders who discuss weekly hot topics. The show has hosted statewide officials, mayors, lawmakers, lobbyists, and politicos. With the exception of special episodes, the show is formatted to have a featured guest for the first half and a panel for the second. A panels is generally composed of two Democrats and two Republicans. The show is taped in St. Louis and airs on major networks throughout Missouri, as well as being available online at twmp.tv.

During the spring of 2016, Missouri Times staff began the #moleg podcast, named after the social hashtag for tracking the Missouri legislator. Faughn, or sometimes Missouri Times managing editor Rachael Herndon Dunn, host legislators and lobbyists discussing the week's activity. The podcast is available in the iTunes store and is broadcast on several radio stations throughout Missouri.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Former mayor of Poplar Bluff fined $1500 - no jail time". KFVS Channel 12. March 2007.
  2. ↑ "FFormer Poplar Bluff mayor contests court fines in Cape Girardeau County". Southeast Missourian. 27 May 2009.
  3. ↑ "Former Poplar Bluff chamber executive's conviction affirmed". Southeast Missourian. 10 March 2008.
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