“Over the past month I have had a lot of phone calls and a lot of text messages from people wanting this seat,” Miller began in making his recommendation to appoint Crook. The seat was open because Miller had to vacate it when he was sworn in as mayor after unseating incumbent Mayor Jimmy Poss by 104 votes in the August election.

Under city charter, the seat must be filled and traditionally the outgoing alderman can suggest a replacement, although that suggestion must be ratified by the aldermanic council before anyone can officially take the seat.

“Let me say that I have had some very good interest,” the mayor revealed. “I think a number of the people that has contacted me would do a fantastic job. But one name kept coming to my mind and I made a phone call. Let me say I contacted this person (Crook). He did not contact me. I feel like he would be a great asset to this board. I don’t feel like he would be easily swayed and I feel like he would do what is best for our city. That is what I wanted in filling my (alderman) seat. I think that is what we all want. My recommendation to this board is that we appoint Mr. Donnie Crook to this council,” said Mayor Miller.

The aldermanic council agreed with Miller's suggestion and unanimously voted him onto the council.

Brandon Cox, who voted in his first meeting as alderman, admitted he had already been approached about candidates for the seat. He voted for Crook but pointed out the appointment is just for the remainder of Miller's unexpired term which will be up in two years.

“I have had similar contacts,” Cox told the mayor. “Making an appointment to an elected position is not a tenable position to be in. It’s the most undemocratic way to do it but it’s what we have to do according to the charter. There have been numerous people that I think are well qualified that could take this seat and I hope they do run in two years for the vacancy.”

Crook has owned Stop N’ Buy Market in Liberty for the past 12 years and has lived in Smithville for nearly 50 years.