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Longtime local resident Tammy Thornton was elected Wagner’s mayor in April and started her duties on May 1st. Thornton will serve a two-year term and is excited for the opportunity. She has spent her whole life in the area and the community means a lot to her.

“I was born and raised here in Wagner, the daughter of (the late) David Jr. and Mary Bucholz. I grew up with three older sisters. I attended school here at Wagner Community, graduating Class of 1983. In 1984, I married Jim Thornton at the St. John's Catholic Church here in Wagner,” detailed Thornton. “We farmed south of Wagner for sixteen years on his family farm. There we were blessed with our three children, Clinton, Matthew and Julia.”

Thornton and her family moved to town in 1999 to live in a residence that has been in her family for over 90 years. They still live in this home and their family has grown. They have been fortunate to add a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law and four grandchildren.

As mayor, Thornton brings with her many years of work experience and community involvement. From 2009-2013, she served on the Wagner City Council for Ward 2. Thornton has also held appointments to serve on behalf of Parks and Recreation, the swimming pool and ball parks, city parks, Wagner Lake, the airport, city buildings and more.

She has been a familiar face on a variety of local boards throughout the years. Thornton has held appointments with the Southern Missouri Recycling and Waste Management and the city's public library board. From January 2016 to January 2023, Thornton was also elected to serve on the Wagner/ Lake Andes Ambulance Board.

Thornton added, “By election of my peers, I also had the honor to serve as Charles-Mix County P.O.D. (Point of Distribution), in case of a disaster in our community, as co-manager and board member (from) 2009-2011. I also was a board member on the Wagner Area Growth from 2011-2013. I also had the opportunity to serve as Altar Society President for the church from 2011-2013.”

With an employment background that includes assistant and bookkeeping work for most of her adult life, Thornton was also a Deputy Finance Officer for Wagner at one time. As mayor, she will put her background and expertise to good work. She is looking forward to reaching out to the public on a variety of issues. Thornton places a lot of value on listening to others and working together.

“I am excited to be working with the public again. Everyone has an opinion on how things could be done for the better, but if we all put those little ideas together, we might amaze ourselves how we can come up with a BIGGER and awesome change we can all benefit from. I enjoy visiting and listening to people's ideas, no matter how big or small. It's what plants the seeds to something creative. To me, there is no such thing as a bad idea, if something good can come from it. All we can do is think it through and try,” commented Thornton.

It appears Thornton will bring her strong communication skills and the importance she places on being a good communicator with her to the mayor’s office. She wants residents to know that she is approachable and ready to listen to anyone’s comments or concerns. A big goal for Thornton is for Wagner and the locals to have success. Be it with new business or building a new home or anything else that leads to community improvement.

“I am excited to be a part of the groups/committees that are improving our community, and I look forward to working closely with them. I am excited to be able to give back to the community with the things I have learned from past mayors. It's an honor to follow in their footsteps,” noted Thornton. “I want to continue to keep their visions for the community moving forward for us all. Also, my dad worked as the street supervisor many years ago and the pride he took in his job and this community made me want to follow in his footsteps.”

As mayor, Thornton has many objectives for Wagner. For the short-term she explained how she wants to focus on allowing Wagner to shine. Be it through updating departments so all can work with efficiency, speed and safety or assisting the city council and the city employees so all are on the same page. Promoting and working with other agencies for ways to develop more community involvement is another short-term goal of Thornton’s.

“My long term goals are providing affordable housing needs, houses or apartments, and/or lots to build homes on. To attract businesses to our town, to make people want to come here,” stated Thornton.

Her long-term ambitions for Wagner do not stop there. Thornton is also committed to having the Good Samaritan Society back up and operational. She discussed the value in bringing elders back home where there is familiarity with family and friends. Not to mention all of the job opportunities associated with having the Good Samaritan Society back in business.

Thornton commented, “I would also like to implement assisted living for those who need a little extra help and don't feel safe being alone. Also, more family fun events to get our community together more and to support our local businesses in the process.”

A passion and commitment for Wagner is evident in Thornton. All of her discussed goals for the local community highlighted a love she has for the area that has been her home forever. These goals plus a background full of giving back to the community makes her upcoming term as mayor as an exciting one.

She concluded, “Please, feel free to contact me during my term in office, or talk to your council members from your ward. Remember, together, we are trying to make changes to make Wagner better for everyone!”