The divide within the city's board of alderman has effectively prevented the city from making progress. More citizens voted in this April's elections than in any other election which proves the citizens were ready for a change.

"From what I gather, everyone was ready for a change," said Mayor James Washington. "Change was the big issue. That was one of the things that we had talked about that we will ensure things happen, and it will not be business as usual."

"Not business as usual" became the new slogan for Holts Summit city government.

"Because of the report, people became aware of the divide in the city," Ward 1 Alderman Pam Murray said about KOMU8's previous stories in Holts Summit. "People did come to meetings people did start to ask questions, and, I think that in the end, they decided what they wanted was a more professional atmosphere."

There was some speculation Pam Murray would not get reelected because of her part in a lawsuit against Ward 2 Alderman Jim Ringland. She sued him for defamation of character and slander for spreading a false criminal record and wrongly accusing her of election fraud and tampering. She said her win has garnered a mixed reaction.

"I've received an awful lot of positive," Murray said. "I think the only negative has been that through the campaign the impression was left that I'm suing the city when actually my suit was against Jim Ringland."

The reason some thought Murray was suing the city is because in September, the board voted to reimburse Ringland for all of his legal fees in the lawsuit with Murray.  Essentially, the city is paying for Ringland's part in the lawsuit. Citizens did not reelect Maryann Durham.

"Maryann's time with the board of alderman was both sweet and sour," said resident Marilyn Ringland. "In the beginning it was pleasant and enjoyable, at the end, it wasn't sweet and left a lot to be desired."

Durham appeared in one of KOMU8's stories when she said acting on former mayor Richard parks' behalf, she attempted to stop an interview with Pam Murray. To fill her place, citizens elected 24-year-old Jennifer Fletcher.

"Everybody agrees that something needs to change," said Fletcher. "I'm the new face so hopefully I can do that."

Fletcher stepped up after she saw the state of her city's politics.

"I was embarrassed for our city," she said. "I have the city's best interest in mind, and no personal vendettas or anything like that. I'm in it for the right reasons. I want people my age to get involved. I think that's key."

She will oversee the parks commission, and already has plans for Greenway Park. Voters had plans for Mayor Richard Parks too, plans that did not include another term.

"Richard had the responsibility of being mayor dropped into his lap," Ringland said. In my opinion, he did a very good job despite the roadblocks and animosity he encountered."

Parks encountered animosity during his time in office because some felt he tried to control his fellow board members. Murray and Washington said he tried to keep them from speaking to the press or to citizens outside of the ward they represented. This was detailed in a voice mail he left KOMU8's Megan Murphy back in August.

"Just wanted to let you know that Pam Murray does not represent the city of Holts Summit," Parks said in the voice mail. "I'm the mayor; I represent the city, so any stories that you guys... or any contact that you need, needs to go through the mayor. Okay? Pam Murray is just an alderman; she's not the person that was elected or even approved to be the contact for Holts Summit. So, any story that you're doing should come through our office first."

"With that, I would like to say that I appreciated being mayor," the former mayor said in a recent interview. "Like I said, it was unexpected, but I did the best that I could do. I think I could have did a better job."

Citizens voted James Washington their new mayor. He moved from his seat as a Ward 1 alderman to the center chair.

"For everyone in the city, I say thank you for putting trust in me that I can do this job," Washington said. "I hope I'll do a good job and not let anyone down."

April 14, was the first meeting with the new board. Washington said he can already see a change.

"We had some disagreements Monday night but everyone agreed to disagree," he said. "There was no screaming and hollering, and no one was calling any names."

Holts Summit residents made it clear they were ready for a different environment in city hall.

"I think, with the help of everyone, we can make, and we will make Holts Summit the place that everyone dreamed about," Washington said.

"I think it's going to take a few months for everything to calm down and settle down," Murray said. "Then I think we can just really take off."

"We are Holts Summit, and we have something to be proud of over here," Washington added.

On April 14, Lisa Scnieders was appointed to fill the Ward 1 seat Washington left when he became mayor. The Ward 2 seat currently occupied by Jim Ringland isn't up for re-election until next year.