Government
Local government for the City of Joplin is provided through a nine member City Council, whose members are elected by voters citywide, with four seats being assigned to designated geographic zones of the city. The City Council members include the city's Mayor who is responsible for serving as meeting chair and official spokesman for the City Council, and the Mayor Pro Tem who is responsible for performing the Mayor's duties in the latter's absence, both of whom are elected every two years by their fellow council members.
Following the April, 2012 city elections, the City Council members included:
- Melodee Colbert-Kean (Mayor)
- Bill Scearce (Mayor Pro Tem)
- Mike Woolston
- Morris Glaze
- Jack Golden
- Trish Rainey
- Gary Shaw
- Benjamin Rosenberg
- Michael Seibert
Law enforcement services are provided by the Joplin Police Department. On the state-level, the city is represented in the Missouri House of Representatives by Republican Bill White of the 129th District, although a small portion of the city lies within the 128th District represented by Republican Charlie Davis, and in the Missouri Senate by Republican Ron Richard. The city also lies within Missouri's 7th congressional district.
Read more about this topic: Joplin, Missouri
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