SUMNER — Two retiring municipal officials were recognized June 29, moments after new elected leaders were sworn in during ceremonies at Sumner Town Hall.
Framed resolutions adopted by the Sumner Board of Aldermen were presented to both outgoing town attorney Alex B. Gates and outgoing mayor Smith Murphey IV.
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Gates’ resolution acknowledged his “long and productive service,” noting that he had served the town of Sumner as an alderman for four years from 1973-1977, as municipal judge from 1975 until 2007 and as town attorney from 2008 until 2017.
“No one in the 144 years of the town’s history has given a variety of talent as he,” Gates’ resolution continued. “His time as town attorney has been exceptionally productive in advising the board and mayor on legal matters where he exhibited good judgment.”
Gates’ resolution expressed town officials’ appreciation.
They ended, “We have enjoyed working with you and have especially enjoyed your sense of humor in our deliberations. Thank you.”
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Murphey, who served the past eight years as Sumner mayor and the previous eight years as alderman in the town, was also recognized for having served “as commissioner and secretary-treasurer of the Sumner-Webb Joint Utilities Commission continuously for 37 years.”
The resolution commended Murphey for being “especially strong in fiscal matters, keeping the town in good financial shape. He was also effective at obtaining grants for infrastructure projects for the town.”
Murphey was lauded for “his leadership for the town known as the best small town in the Mississippi Delta.”
Concluding on a personal note, the board members added, “Smith, we thank you for your outstanding service and wish you well in your retirement, knowing that you did a good job.”
IN THE PHOTO: From left, retiring Sumner mayor Smith Murphey IV and retiring town attorney Alex B. Gates are pictured with new Sumner mayor Jackson Webb IV and longtime Sumner alderman Frank Mitchener. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
