City of Ava Missouri

Mayor

Leon Harris

Address: Ava City Hall, P.O. Box 967, Ava, MO 65608
Phone: 417-683-5516

Biography Info:

Mayor Harris has been a businessman for over 40 years. He moved to Ava in 1972 after living in the Kansas City area for many years. For the last several years he has ran and operated his own construction company, Harris & Sons. He is married to Lurene Turley and together they have 9 children (two are deceased) and a host of grand and great-grandchildren.

This is Mayor Harris' second term as Ava's mayor. His philosophy for operating a successful City is simply this: "Run it like a business!" He also believes the key to being successful as a mayor (or any other profession) is to "be accessible with a watchful eye".

Board of Aldermen

Standing Left to Right: Leon Harris, Mayor; Larry Tyrrell, City Attorney.

Seated Left to Right: Ric Engelhardt, East Ward; Burrely Loftin, East Ward; Judy Lovan, West Ward; David Norman, West Ward.

The City of Ava Board of Aldermen meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 127 S.W. 2nd Avenue in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend. If you wish to have something on the agenda, it should be presented to the City Clerk, in writing at least 1 day prior to a regular scheduled meeting. City ordinance information is available on our website @ www.avamissouri.org.

Judy Lovan

Ward: West
Address: Rt. 6 Box 8566 Ava, MO. 65608
Phone: 417-683-5218

Biography Info:

An educator for 36 years. 28 years in the Ava District.
Education:

Bachelor Science of Education

Major: Sec. English

Minor: Social Studies

Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling Has also served on Park Board
Term expires 2010

David Norman

Ward: West
Address: Route 7, Box 7061 Ava, MO 65608
Phone: 417-683-2843
Email: rdnorman@avamissouri.org

Biography Info:

I was born in Ava and attended Elementary, Junior High, and High School in Ava, MO. I graduated in 1960 from Ava High School and then graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1967 and returned to Ava. I worked at Ava Drug from 1967 until 1991 and then opened Norman Drug in Mansfield, MO. I sold that store in 2003 and returned to Ava Drug.
Served 12 years on Ava R-1 School Board and am in 3rd two year term presently as an Alderman West Ward.
Term expires 2009

Burrely Loftin

Ward: East
Contact: City of Ava
Phone: 417-683-5516

Term expires 2009

Ric Engelhardt

Ward: East
Contact: City of Ava
P.O. Box 433 Ava, MO 65608
Phone: 417-683-6757
Email: ric_a_e@yahoo.com

Biography Info:
I have lived in the Ava area for approximately 34 years. I am married to Lisa and we have 7 children, and 3 grandchildren. I am a member and former youth leader at the Ava General Baptist Church. I have been employed with the Copeland Corporation for 7 1/2 years now. I graduated in May 2007 from Drury University with an Associate in Psych Social and am currently pursuing my Bachelors in Humanity. I am a member of the Seymour Masonic Lodge A.F.A.M. (Seymour Eastern Star Former Worthy Patron) and was a former business owner in Ava.

Term expires 2010