by Dennis Sharkey
Landmark reporter

The remaining five members of the Platte City Board of Aldermen have a choice to fill the seat vacated by Aaron Jung in Ward Three.

Mayor Frank Offutt announced on Thursday that after much consideration and interviewing several candidates, he has chosen former alderman John C. Higgins as his nomination to replace Jung.

Higgins served as alderman in the late 1980s and is currently on the Cemetery Board and the Board of Zoning Adjustments.

Offutt said Higgins’ reputation in the community was one factor in the decision. He pointed to the 2005 Truman V. Glenn award as an example.

“His ethic and moral character is beyond reproach,” Offutt said during a press conference called on Thursday.

Higgins told The Landmark on Friday that he will serve the remaining five months of Jung's term but will not seek reelection. Although Higgins stays involved in the community, he said he wants to have time to spend with his family.
“I've got a teenager that I like to follow around,” he said.

Jung's term was not set to expire until 2011 which leaves voters in the Third Ward with two choices to make in April. Higgins said he hopes two good candidates step forward between now and April to lead the city.

The board of aldermen was set to vote on Higgins' nomination Tuesday night after The Landmark had gone to press this week. The newspaper printed a day earlier than normal due to Veterans Day falling on the paper’s normal press day.