]By Jeff Devine | Dale County Chronicle
Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship Honors Council Members for Years of Dedicated Service
By Jeff Devine | Dale County Chronicle
OZARK—Outgoing Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship and city employees recently hosted a reception to recognize City Council members Leah Harlow and Stanley Enfinger for their years of service and contributions to the community.
Councilwoman Harlow served five years, and Councilman Enfinger served 13 years on the Ozark City Council. During their time in office, both officials were commended for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to helping Ozark grow and thrive.
At the reception, Mayor Blankenship presented each honoree with a plaque expressing the city’s appreciation for their integrity and service to the citizens of Ozark.
“Their leadership has made a lasting impact on our community,” Blankenship said. “We’re grateful for their commitment and wish them all the best as they move forward into the next chapter.”
City officials and staff joined in thanking both Harlow and Enfinger for their years of hard work and devotion to the people of Ozark.
The DCChronicle reached out to Blankenship, Harlow, and Enfinger for comment about the event.
Harlow chose to express gratitude to the people of Ozark for choosing to elect her as their representative on the city council. She said, “To the people of Ozark: thank you for your trust, your support, and your partnership. Together, we have laid a strong foundation… and I look forward to seeing all the ways this city will continue to grow and thrive.”
Enfinger also chose to thank the people of Ozark for choosing to elect him. He said, “I was appreciative of them giving us that award. But my main deal is that I enjoyed being a councilman for the city, and I didn’t feel that it was an obligation. It was something that I was proud I could do and that I could serve the time I did. I loved what I did during my time, and I did it for the city. I hope they continue to prosper. I hope the new council and mayor continue moving the city forward.”
The Chronicle also spoke with outgoing Mayor Mark Blankenship about his decision to hold a ceremony honoring the two outgoing council members. Blankenship shared his motivations and praised both Harlow and Enfinger for what he described as “years of dedicated service to the people of Ozark.”
Blankenship added, “It’s just a shame the voters [who] go to the polls have no clue…[that] these two council members, when you look at county commissioners and city council members, most of them, I see [only] every two weeks. But not with Enfinger and Harlow. Enfinger has been involved in the Chamber [of Commerce], Rotary, serving on the city council, and hes always been actively working in the community doing things all the time.”
Blankenship also had high praise for outgoing Council Member Leah Harlow. “…Harlow is the best city council person I’ve ever worked with. She was pursuing grants, holding fundraisers, and finding money for the city departments. She is the only person in 17 years that I either talked to, texted with, or emailed every day. She’s a go-getter. I just felt as mayor, I had to recognize them for everything they have done,” Blankenship added.
“Stanley and I served on the City Council together for the 2008 term. He’s a top-notch guy. And so is Leah. She’s as good as gold,” he said.
Blankenship also mentioned that Fire Chief Jason Maertins approached him at the ceremony and told him that his entire fire department would like to visit and thank them all for everything they have done. Blankenship added that many firefighters and staff then showed up to express their gratitude to Blankenship, Enfinger, and Harlow.
Harlow and Enfinger held their final regular city council meeting Tuesday, October 21. Mayor-elect Charles Ward and council members-elect Bryan Macario and Caitlyn Cummings will be sworn in and take office effective Monday, November 3.
Enfinger also chose to thank the people of Ozark for choosing to elect him. He said, “I was appreciative of them giving us that award. But my main deal is that I enjoyed being a councilman for the city, and I didn’t feel that it was an obligation. It was something that I was proud I could do and that I could serve the time I did. I loved what I did during my time, and I did it for the city. I hope they continue to prosper. I hope the new council and mayor continue moving the city forward.”
