Something unexpected happened when the City of Laddonia’s Board of Aldermen met on April 13, 2023. On the same day that Gary Garnett, mayor of the small community in Audrain County, Mo., was set to be sworn in for a new term, he resigned, creating a vacancy for the city’s chief administrative position.
Members of the Board of Aldermen quickly nominated Tresa Hodges to assume the role of mayor in a unanimous vote. Just like that, Hodges, who had served the previous two years as an alderman and the city’s mayor pro-tem, was installed as the mayor of Laddonia for a two-year term.
Hodges, Break Time operations administrator, was surprised by the quick turn of events but was willing to serve for the good of her community.
“It’s all about trying to make our community a better place to live,” Hodges says of her civic service. “We need people to be involved and to care about our city. It’s not something everyone is willing to do. You can find lots of people with complaints, but how many will put forth the time and effort to bring about change?”
Hodges was born and raised in Hannibal, Mo., but says Laddonia, where she has lived for the past 30 years, is now home. It’s where she put down roots and raised her children.
Community involvement for Hodges began with her election to the Community R-VI School District Board of Education. In 2021, she was appointed to the Laddonia Board of Aldermen to fill a vacancy and won re-election for another term in April 2022. One year later, she’s now mayor.
Her responsibilities include overseeing the city’s operations, presiding over monthly Board of Aldermen meetings, listening to citizens’ concerns and voting on city business.
“We don’t have a city manager in Laddonia, so I’m basically in charge of all city affairs,” Hodges says of her role. “I’m still learning but willing to tackle whatever comes along.”
One of the primary concerns Hodges and her fellow city leaders are working to address is the city’s aging water plant and its cost of maintenance, which Hodges says is “driving the cost of our water bills up significantly.” City officials want to transfer water utility services to a regional supplier, which will take up to three years. Hodges says sewer expenses are another concern under evaluation.
Though she didn’t anticipate becoming her city’s mayor, Hodges has embraced her new position and the oversight of “lots of things that need to be taken care of throughout our community.” Her city needs her, so she’s willing to do it.
Jennifer Bach, vice president of Break Time operations, says Hodges’ willingness to step up for her community is reflective of the same approach she brings to the workplace.
“I was not surprised to hear that Tresa was serving her community,” Bach says. “She takes the same approach in her everyday role with Break Time. She has always taken the attitude of wanting to do what is needed for the good of the organization. She is a great example of our core values.”