Mark Spohn is an intricate part of the Excelsior Springs community. Elected mayor of Excelsior Springs with a 4-1 vote on April 14, he took over the role soon after. While serving as a member of the city’s town council, Spohn began thinking of the mayor’s chair. After prayer and deliberations with his wife, close friends and colleagues, he decided to put his hat in the ring for Excelsior Springs’ top spot. “The form of Government in Excelsior Springs was the first of its kind in Missouri,” said Spohn. People in the community elect a body of five council members from within the community, who in turn cast a private ballot to select a mayor. The council continues the employment of a city manager who hires staff to facilitate day-to-day operations of the city. The council’s primary role is to oversee and provide accountability of the city’s operations on behalf of the citizens who elected them. “The mayoral role is not any different from the other four council members, except to make…