Houston Names New City Clerk

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) — After weeks of discussion and debate, the Town of Houston has a new city clerk.

Aldermen unanimously named Margaret Futral to fill the spot left vacant when Janie Dendy stepped down this summer.

Futral is a Houston native who moved away and then returned. She’s worked in education and been a member of the city’s planning board.

39 people originally applied for the position, and aldermen for weeks debated about hiring the sister of alderwoman Shenia Jones. But state laws stood in the way.

Mayor Stacy Parker says he’s glad aldermen reached a decision so they can move on to other important issues like utility expansion at the industrial park, the trailhead for the Tanglefoot Trail and other projects.